A Marriage of Equals?

Abstract

This article discusses the post-Nicene passio Chrysanthi et Dariae (BHL 1787-1787a-1788) and aims to demonstrate that this text gives evidence of more literary subtlety than the late antique passions usually get credit for. To underpin this claim, we analyze the characterization of the passion's protagonists Chrysanthus and Daria. The characterization reveals, we contend, how the passio takes different, ambiguous approaches to traditional gender roles. On the one hand, one detects a movement towards sexual symmetry: both in the intellectual and in the sexual realm, Chrysanthus and Dania become equals. On the other hand, the movement towards sexual symmetry does not preclude the evocation of traditional gender roles in this passion: when it comes to instruction in the faith, the accepted gender roles prevail.