The Rhetorical Resource of the “Commonplace” (κοινὸς τόπος) in Basil of Caesarea

Abstract

This article examines the rhetorical resource of the “commonplace” (κοινὸς τόπος) with the aim of demonstrating the rhetorical craftsmanship employed by Basil of Caesarea in two homilies on greed. The study is developed in three stages: the conceptual clarification of the term “commonplace,” the presentation of Greek rhetorical theory, and the analysis of this resource in Basil’s writings. Through these sections, the article explains the function of the commonplace within the tradition of the Progymnasmata and demonstrates Basil’s mastery of rhetorical structure and argumentation. The analysis focuses on the homilies “Homilia in illud: Destruam horrea mea et maiora aedificabo” and “Homilia in divites,” which serve to illustrate the forms of elaboration and amplification characteristic of this rhetorical exercise. The study also draws upon the theories of ancient rhetoricians, especially Theon and Pseudo-Hermogenes, in order to establish structural comparisons between pagan and Christian rhetorical thought. Comparative tables synthesize the findings and reveal both the persistence of classical rhetorical schemes and the originality of Basil’s discourse. Since there are no specific rhetorical studies on this resource in Basil of Caesarea, the article seeks to contribute to further research on Patristic rhetoric and the ancient Christian homiletic tradition.