Die Trostschriften des Ambrosius von Mailand

At the transition from pagan antiquity to Christian late antiquity, people wrestled with different patterns of interpretation and means of consolation in the face of death. In this period, Ambrose of Milan represents an important voice attempting to make dying and consolation fruitful as a pastoral concern for the growing Christian community. Florian Durner traces this quest and examines Ambrose's innovative views on death, afterlife and resurrection in his writings. By interpreting the treatise »De bono mortis,« which is discussed here in detail for the first time, the author shows how Ambrose integrates death into Christian existence contrary to Neoplatonist appropriation. Through the comprehensive presentation of the form and function of a »theology of consolation,« Florian Durner contributes to an understanding of the fusion of pagan philosophy, rhetoric, and Christian theology in late antiquity.