Basílio escritor: A literatura Hexaemeral e o In Hexaemeron basiliano como constituintes de uma tradição literária

Abstract

This work aims to study the In Hexaemeron by Basil of Caesarea, seeking to understand the circumstances under which it emerged and how it originated within the broader family of texts that dealt with the six days of creation according to the Book of Genesis. In this sense, a research project was developed to investigate whether, in fact, the traditions of texts concerning the Genesis cosmogony gave rise to an Hexaemeral literary tradition and to Basil’s In Hexaemeron. Analyzing these issues made it possible to assess the relationship between Basil’s In Hexaemeron and the broader family of texts stemming from Hexaemeral literature. Therefore, the central question of this investigation is: Can Basil’s Hexaemeral writings be considered part of a literary tradition, and consequently, can Basil be understood not only as a renowned theologian and philosopher, but also as a literary writer? To answer this, the first step was to investigate the nature of Basil’s In Hexaemeron and its main characteristics; secondly, it was necessary to analyze whether this work was perhaps the result of a long-standing tradition of commenting on and narrating the six days of creation described in the Book of Genesis. In order to address these questions, it was necessary to explain some aspects related to Basil’s life, education, and literary style. As a result, an analysis was conducted of the broad family of texts that narrated the creation. Only after this groundwork was laid did we have the tools necessary to investigate the literary features of Basil’s Hexaemeral work and his artistic performance as a literary writer.