A Man of Letters in Prison: Humanity and Justice in Libanius of Antioch

Abstract

Libanius of Antioch provides unique pieces of evidence for our understanding of prison conditions in antiquity. In advocating for the release of prisoners and/or the alleviation of their suffering, both publicly and privately, Libanius construes a narrative of humanity (φιλανθρωπία) and justice that affirms the value of the ancient pagan tradition in propounding and fostering the virtues of the good ruler. The present paper intends to set the ground for a future comprehensive study that will compare pagan and Christian narratives of humanity and justice when it comes to imprisonment in Late Antiquity.