Barlaam and Ioasaph · Chapter
The Apology of Aristides explained
This chapter reveals that the speech of Nachor in Barlaam and Ioasaph is actually the Apology of Aristides, a second-century Christian defense presented to Emperor Hadrian (or Antoninus Pius).
What happens
This chapter reveals that the speech of Nachor in Barlaam and Ioasaph is actually the Apology of Aristides, a second-century Christian defense presented to Emperor Hadrian (or Antoninus Pius). The discovery was made by Dr. Armitage Robinson after Professor Rendel Harris found a Syriac version of the Apology. The chapter highlights the calm, reasonable tone of the Apology, which appeals to common sense and plain facts.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Ioasaph’s d…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Persecution and Martyrdom
The Apology is a defense of Christianity during a time of persecution, appealing to reason and common sense.
- Idolatry vs. True Worship
The Apology contrasts pagan idolatry with Christian worship, a theme central to the work.
Characters to notice
- Nachor
His speech in Barlaam and Ioasaph is revealed to be the Apology of Aristides in a Greek dress.
- Aristides
The Athenian philosopher who originally authored the Apology, presented to Emperor Hadrian in 124.
- John of Damascus
Traditionally associated with the writing of Barlaam and Ioasaph, which incorporates the Apology.
- H. Zotenberg
Mentioned in the context of scholarly work on the text.
Key passages
“the speech of Nachor ( see here ) was nothing but the Apology in a Greek dress, fitted, with some deftness, into its new context.”
Nachor's speech is actually the Apology of Aristides, skillfully adapted into Greek for the story.
Highlights the literary borrowing and adaptation of early Christian texts.
“The tone is calm and reasonable and the appeal made is rather to common sense and plain facts than to subtleties of logic or to exalted emotion.”
The Apology is written in a calm, rational style, relying on straightforward facts rather than complex arguments or emotional appeals.
Describes the rhetorical approach of the Apology.
