Fatherland (πατρίς) in the writings of Basil of Caesarea
Fatherland (πατρίς) in the writings of Basil of Caesarea

Summary/Abstract: The notion of fatherland (πατρίς) in the writings of Basil of Caesarea is not so obvious as it seems at a first glance. The term πατρίς acquires different meanings depending on whether it is used without or with the article. The textual analysis of his own writings reveals what Basil considered as his own fatherland. In the writings of certain authorship, Basil uses the noun πατρίς 72 times: without the article πατρίς means a fatherland in general, with the article πατρίς means Cappadocia for Basil. The effect of the research is of major importance for reconstructing the life of Basil and the persons whom he addresses in his letters – among them Eustathius of Sebastea, the famous ascetic of the 4th-century Asia Minor and Basil’s mentor.

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