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The Genos of Demons and ‘Ethnic’ Identity in Eusebius' ‘Praeparatio Evangelica’

2015; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 66; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1017/s0022046914001997

1469-7637

Hazel Johannessen,

Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies

This article offers a new perspective on Eusebius' understanding of Christian identity by demonstrating that in the Praeparatio evangelica he presents human and demonic genē as comparable. Although the prominence of the language of ‘ethnicity’ to describe human groups in the Praeparatio has previously been highlighted, Eusebius' presentation of demons in similar terms has not yet been examined. Eusebius' descriptions of the demonic genos show that he held ‘ethnic’ identity, including Christian identity, to be linked above all to a creature's moral condition and to require the maintenance of particular patterns of behaviour.