Allevare una virgo, consigli di anziani signori. Le lettere a Demetriade

This study examines the figure of Demetriade, a young aristocrat of Late Antiquity, whose velatio is analysed through a collection of letters written by prominent ascetic figures, including Augustine, Jerome and Pelagius. The author explores the cultural and theological tensions surrounding her decision and shows how these letters projected male anxieties onto female subjects, particularly adolescent girls. By reassessing these sources, she explores the intersection of aristocratic status, gendered expectations and ascetic ideals, shedding light on the socio-religious dynamics of the period. Finally, she reflects on Demetriade’s autonomy, and on the transformative adaptation of Roman female ideals within a Christian ascetic framework, culminating in her legacy as historical and constructed figure.