Gregory of Nyssa and the Critical Function of the Interpretation of Scripture Against Culture: Criticism of Slavery in the Fourth Homily on the Ecclesiastes

Abstract

The article contextualizes the institution of slavery in Greco-Roman antiquity, to show some postures of persons of the fourth century and earlier regarding that institution. This is worthwhile as a preamble to the presentation of the critical reading of Gregory of Nyssa, in the fourth homily of Ecclesiastes, on the institution of slavery. Those postulates show a great difference, compared to the opinion of his contemporaries, and are still valid today as a criticism of any attempt to enslave human beings.