Sublimating Aesop: From Fable to Christian Exemplum

This paper examines the strategic appropriation of Aesopic fables by Christian authors in the fourth century, and in particular by the Cappadocians Fathers. It argues that these classical narratives served as sophisticated rhetorical and pedagogical tools to bridge Greco-Roman culture with emerging new religious doctrine. By integrating these familiar, universally accessible stories into their sermons and writings, the Fathers could effectively communicate complex concepts to a broad audience, thereby countering pagan critiques and fostering intellectual engagement. Furthermore, the study uses the reference to the beetle, a figure carrying dualistic interpretations from Antiquity, as a case study to elucidate the methods of such a theological communication. Through this analysis, the paper illuminates the innovative confluence of classical and Christian thought, highlighting the enduring legacy of ancient Greek heritage in shaping early Christian discourse.