Abstract
Origen uses the common Greek root martyr- almost 900 times in his extant writings. Although most of these uses are in line with traditions already established in Greek literature, some exhibit traits associated with newer uses in early Christian literature. To date, though, there has been no detailed analysis of Origen’s use of the root martyr-. This dissertation asks what a thorough analysis of the root martyr- in Origen’s literature reveals about how he uses the root. This analysis is broken up into four chapters. Chapter 1 examines Origen’s uses of the root that are in line with established traditions in Greek literature, taking into account approximately 700 uses. This examination reveals that Origen frequently employs the root to refer to public and persuasive actions, such as the testimony in a trial. Chapters 2-4 focus on Origen’s uses of the root martyr- that resemble the newer, distinct early Christian uses, taking into account roughly 180 uses. Chapter 2 begins this analysis by examining the relationship of Origen’s applications of the root to the Christian life generally. Chapters 3 and 4 continue the analysis by focusing on two types of actions, Christian death and other Christian responses to persecution, which Origen associates with these distinct uses of martyr-. This analysis reveals not only what actions Origen includes among these uses of the root martyr- but also what distinguishes them from Origen’s other uses. Though these distinct uses continue to be public and persuasive in nature, chapters 2-4 argue that they are distinguished by the fact that Origen uses them to refer to actions that are worthy of imitation.
|
