Source edition
Aristides. Vol. 1. Dindorf, Wilhelm, editor. Leipzig: Reimer, 1829.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a rhetorical oration celebrating the recovery of the city of Smyrna (modern-day Izmir) as it rises from the devastation of a massive earthquake. The orator begins by recalling the glorious mythical and historical heritage, as well as the outstanding beauty, that Smyrna possessed before the disaster. While reflecting on the tragic scale of the earthquake and the impermanence of human affairs, he praises the powerful signs of the city's revival, made possible by the generous support of the Roman emperors. He further emphasizes the miraculous nature of Smyrna's reconstruction by drawing parallels to classical precedents, such as the myth of Pelops and the historical rebuilding of Athens. Ultimately, the speech concludes with gratitude toward the emperors who supported the reconstruction, alongside praise for the beauty of the River Meles, which flows constantly as a symbol of the city's enduring spirit and its hopeful future.