Encounters with a Homicidal Bath Demon: Gregory of Nyssa’s Life of Gregory Thaumaturgus
by Allison L. Gray (University of Chicago)
Abstract: An exciting episode from the 4th century Life of Gregory Thaumaturgus affords readers the opportunity to examine key literary techniques employed by the author, Gregory of Nyssa. What role does physicality play in the demonic encounter, and what does this indicate about Nyssen’s view of virtue or spiritual power as “embodied” qualities, able to be observed and even captured in narrative? How can characters and audiences within the text model or condition reader responses to such embodied power?
Read Encounters with a Homicidal Bath Demon: Gregory of Nyssa’s Life of Gregory Thaumaturgus.
An invited response is forthcoming from:
Janet Spittler (Texas Christian University).