ABSTRACT
Sixth-century Gaza has appealed for some time to classical and patristic scholars, and for obvious reasons. It grants a fascinating glimpse into a vibrant and variegated urban community in late antiquity, which a massive body of under-researched texts enables to study. The first model of cultural leadership emerges from a philosophical work originating from a school context and looking back at a venerable pedigree. It was produced by the philosopher and rhetorician Aeneas of Gaza, who lived from roughly the mid-fifth century to the 520s. In the Christianised society of sixth-century Gaza, education was a central concern which was addressed by philosophers, rhetoricians, clergy, anchorites and various members of the urban population. The evidence relating to questions of instruction shows that there was in particular a need to find a balance between secular and sacred elements of teaching, as people looked for guidance on how to satisfy the demands of both.
