Abstract
In the late 380 s, Ambrose of Milan preached nine Lenten homilies on the “six days” of Genesis 1. Basil of Caesarea’s Homiliae in Hexaemeron (ca. 378) has long been recognized as a source for Ambrose. To study Ambrose’s reception of Basil is, however, complicated by Ambrose’s familiarity with other early Christian thinkers, as is attested by Jerome’s assertion in Epistula 84,7 that “Ambrose also compiled from his [Origen’s] Hexaemeron, in such a way that he conforms more nearly to the thoughts of Hippolytus and Basil.” Jerome’s sweeping judgment, whether or not we should take it at face value, suggests that Ambrose in some way borrowed from Origen while claiming the authority of Hippolytus and Basil. In an attempt to consider the reliability of Jerome’s testimony, this article considers the extent to which Jerome’s depiction of Ambrose’s use of Origen and Basil can be validated by looking more closely at the way their respective views of the nature, origin, and relation of spiritual and material creation arise out of their exegesis of Genesis. Attending to the legacy of Origen in Basil and Ambrose enhances our understanding of Ambrose’s subtle and selective use of the theological and interpretive traditions of earlier Christianity.
The Good Sinful Ruler: Ambrose of Milan and Theodosius I