Themistius Orations

I was fortunate in my colleagues in the Department of Classics. The one who stands out vividly in my mind was Mr. Grounds, whom no one but his wife called Michael. Mr. Grounds graduated with First Class Honors from Oxford in 1949, the year that he also completed the astonishing feat of translating, from ancient Greek, the lengthy speeches of Themistius, one of the most tiresome speakers of antiquity.

When I began to explore the imperial patrons of Themistius (second half of the fourth century AD), to whom he addressed lengthy speeches peppered with exaggerated compliments that would have appealed to politicians, then and now, I was greatly aided by these translations. For anyone interested in speech making in antiquity, as well as in the delicate balance between fact and fiction as you present your case to the most powerful men on earth, reading Themistius should be illuminating.

You may also notice that several speeches have two translations, one done by Mr. Grounds (typed on a typewriter! and dated),the other done by myself.

I would like to take this opportunity of the uploading these enormously useful translations from a beautiful language that is inaccessible to most students and colleagues, to dedicate this space to the unforgettable Mr. Grounds.

You will find the translated speeches of Themistius, as completed by Mr. Ground (and by myself) in the attached links.