"The master of my thought" : Gregory Nazianzen’s epigrams in praise of Basil the Great

The main aim of this paper is to present a translation into Polish of epigrams written by Gregory of Nazianzus and dedicated to his deceased friend, Basil of Caesarea. The cycle of twelve epigrams creates a micro-narration about the history and nature of their friendship. Gregory’s poetry is strongly structured by its historical and autobiographical circumstances. One of them is the death of beloved friend. The epigrams praising his virtues become the source of consolation for their author.

Vertuntur hic Polonice epigrammata epitaphia a Sancto Gregorio Nazianzeno Graece scripta atque Basilio Magno, Caesareae Cappadocum episcopo, dedicata. Series haec ex duodecim epigrammatis constat, quae breviter de historia et natura eorum amicitiae narrant. Epitaphia Gregorii Nazianzeni potius versus de se ipso et affectibus suis, quam laudes ornatae videntur. Dum amici defuncti virtutes meditatur, auctor se ipsum consolari videtur.