Alexandra of Antioch, an educated woman in Libanius' Letters

Authors

  • Rebecca Penna Università degli studi di Torino

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13135/2039-4985/11414

Abstract

This contribution aims to investigate the figure of Alexandra of Antioch, one of Libanius’ three female correspondents. Through the translation and commentary of some passages of the epistles addressed to her or quoting her, it is provided a prosopographical reconstruction of the woman, who was admired by her contemporaries for the depth of her intellect and for her culture. Well-known to leading figures of the Julian court and even to the emperor himself (Lib. Ep. 802), her letters were appreciated even by an experienced epistolographer as Libanius. Perhaps, Alexandra was also the writer of a work of Homeric tradition that has been lost (Lib. Ep. 771). The article also intends to focus on the situation of women’s education in the 4th century in Antioch and the occasions in which it could have public visibility.

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Published

2025-10-01

Issue

Vol. 14 (2024): Historikà XIV

Section

Saggi

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