Read the _Declamations_ and _Orations_ of different kinds by the
sophist Choricius of Gaza.[659] He is a lover of clearness and purity
of style, and if he expatiates for any useful purpose, the clearness
of his thoughts is in no way impaired, since the expansion is not
ill-timed and never reaches the length of a complete period. In his
writings, character and sincerity are combined, while at the same
time he does not neglect the inculcation of moral lessons. As a rule
he uses carefully selected words, although not always in their proper
sense; for sometimes, owing to his unrestricted use of figurative
language, he falls into frigidity, and sometimes is carried away
into the poetical style. But he is at his best in descriptions and
eulogies. He is an upholder of the true religion and respects the
rites and holy places of the Christians, although for some reason
or other, contemptuously and without any excuse, he unjustifiably
introduces Greek myths and heathen stories in his writings, sometimes
even when discussing sacred things. Many writings by him of various
kinds are in circulation; one meets with fictitious, laudatory, and
controversial speeches, monodies, nuptial songs, and many others.
He flourished in the time of the emperor Justinian, and was a pupil
of the rhetorician Procopius,[660] not him of Caesarea, a most
distinguished man, who at that time, by the composition of his
useful and valuable historical works, left behind an undying renown
amongst all lovers of learning. In his own country he was connected
with the other Procopius as his teacher in rhetoric, who, when he
reached old age, had the pleasure of seeing his pupil take his place
at the head of his school. Many of his orations of all kinds are in
circulation, all deserving of careful study and imitation. Indeed,
the whole book called _Translations of Homeric Verses_, in which
the form is completely changed in various styles, is sufficient to
show his vigorous rhetorical powers, which, as far as a pupil can,
Choricius has imitated. Both were Christians, and in their orations
they frequently, and not perfunctorily, discuss the making of sacred
images. The death of his master supplied Choricius with the subject
of a funeral oration.