On the Reigns of the Emperors

On the Reigns of the Emperors PDF Author: Iōsēph Genesios
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Byzantine Empire
Languages : en
Pages : 188

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Book Description
The work On the Reigns attributed to Genesios is an important and pivotal source for the history of the latter part of the ninth century and of the later stages of the iconoclast controversy. This is the first English translation. The translation is accompanied by a detailed commentary including references to current scholarly work in this area. Like the recently published translation of Theophanes, it will add to the increasing network of sources for Middle Byzantine history available in annotated English translation. Anthony Kaldellis, of the University of Michigan, has held a Bliss Fellowship at the Dumbarton Oaks Center for Byzantine Studies, where much of the work leading to the publication of this book was carried out.

On the Reigns of the Emperors

On the Reigns of the Emperors PDF Author: Iōsēph Genesios
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Byzantine Empire
Languages : en
Pages : 188

Get Book Here

Book Description
The work On the Reigns attributed to Genesios is an important and pivotal source for the history of the latter part of the ninth century and of the later stages of the iconoclast controversy. This is the first English translation. The translation is accompanied by a detailed commentary including references to current scholarly work in this area. Like the recently published translation of Theophanes, it will add to the increasing network of sources for Middle Byzantine history available in annotated English translation. Anthony Kaldellis, of the University of Michigan, has held a Bliss Fellowship at the Dumbarton Oaks Center for Byzantine Studies, where much of the work leading to the publication of this book was carried out.

Guide to Byzantine Historical Writing

Guide to Byzantine Historical Writing PDF Author: Leonora Neville
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 110866394X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 335

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Book Description
This handy reference guide makes it easier to access and understand histories written in Greek between 600 and 1480 CE. Covering classicizing histories that continued ancient Greek traditions of historiography, sweeping, fast-paced 'chronicle' type histories, and dozens of idiosyncratic historical texts, it distills the results of complex, multi-lingual, specialist scholarship into clear explanations of the basic information needed to approach each medieval Greek history. It provides a sound basis for further research on each text by describing what we know about the time of composition, content covered by the history, authorship, extant manuscripts, previous editions and translations, and basic bibliography. Even-handed explanations of scholarly debates give readers the information they need to assess controversies independently. A comprehensive introduction orients students and non-specialists to the traditions and methods of Byzantine historical writing. It will prove an invaluable timesaver for Byzantinists and an essential entry point for classicists, western medievalists, and students.

The Chronographia of George the Synkellos and Theophanes

The Chronographia of George the Synkellos and Theophanes PDF Author: Jesse W. Torgerson
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004516859
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 476

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Book Description
The ninth-century Chronographia of George the Synkellos and Theophanes is the most influential historical text ever written in medieval Constantinople. Yet modern historians have never explained its popularity and power. This interdisciplinary study draws on new manuscript evidence to finally animate the Chronographia’s promise to show attentive readers the present meaning of the past. Begun by one of the Roman emperor’s most trusted and powerful officials in order to justify a failed revolt, the project became a shockingly ambitious re-writing of time itself—a synthesis of contemporary history, philosophy, and religious practice into a politicized retelling of the human story. Even through radical upheavals of the Byzantine political landscape, the Chronographia’s unique historical vision again and again compelled new readers to chase after the elusive Ends of Time.

Power and Representation in Byzantium

Power and Representation in Byzantium PDF Author: Neil Churchill
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1003835589
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 215

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Book Description
Throughout the history of Byzantium 65 emperors were dethroned and only 39 reigns ended peacefully. How might a usurper get away with murdering his predecessor? And how could a bloody act of regicide lead to one of the most glorious of all eras in Byzantium? These were questions that puzzled Michael Psellos as he looked back at Basil I’s assassination of Michael III and the origin of the Macedonian dynasty. Might the imperial art of Basil, his sons and grandson help to explain how the dynasty overcame its violent beginnings and secured the loyalty of its subjects? It has long been recognised that the early Macedonian emperors were active propagandists but royal art has usually been viewed thematically over the span of centuries. Official iconography has been understood to project imperial power in ways which were impersonal and unchanging. This book instead adopts a chronological approach and considers how Basil justified his seizure of power, and how his successors went on to articulate their own ideas about authority. It concludes that imperial art did at times reflect the personality of the emperor and the political demands of the moment, such as the need for an heir, the nature of court politics or the choice of successor. This innovative account of the forging of the Macedonian dynasty will appeal to those interested in how early medieval kings and emperors used art to create their own image, to differentiate themselves from rivals and to extend the boundaries of their personal power.

Literary Circles in Byzantine Iconoclasm

Literary Circles in Byzantine Iconoclasm PDF Author: Óscar Prieto Domínguez
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108491308
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 557

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Book Description
Explores the literary texts produced during Byzantine Iconoclasm and their use as ideological tools by the main political circles.

Studies in Byzantine Sigillography. Volume 8

Studies in Byzantine Sigillography. Volume 8 PDF Author: Jean-Claude Cheynet
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter
ISBN: 3110960087
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 333

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Book Description
For several years now, sigillography as an independent subarea in the field of Byzantine studies has received increasing attention from both Byzantine studies and related disciplines, because it is the only area still able to provide academia with large amounts of material not previously analysed. The articles of Studies in Byzantine Sigillography deal with all aspects of Byzantine sigillography: presentation of new finds, discussion of new methods, questions of the political and ecclesiastical administration of Byzantinum, prosopography, historical geography, and art historical and iconographical problems. In addition, the volumes contain a loosely arranged list of Byzantine seals, which have been published in essays and auction catalogues, thus enabling those from more obscure publications to be located and identified.

Byzantine Readings of Ancient Historians

Byzantine Readings of Ancient Historians PDF Author: Anthony Kaldellis
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317517830
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 187

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Book Description
The survival of ancient Greek historiography is largely due to its preservation by Byzantine copyists and scholars. This process entailed selection, adaptation, and commentary, which shaped the corpus of Greek historiography in its transmission. By investigating those choices, Kaldellis enables a better understanding of the reception and survival of Greek historical writing. Byzantine Readings of Ancient Historians includes translations of texts written by Byzantines on specific ancient historians. Each translated text is accompanied by an introduction and notes to highlight the specific context and purpose of its composition. In order to present a rounded picture of the reception of Greek historiography in Byzantium, a wide range of genres have been considered, such as poems and epigrams, essays, personalized scholia, and commentaries. Byzantine Readings of Ancient Historians is therefore an important resource for scholars and students of ancient history.

Leo VI and the Transformation of Byzantine Christian Identity

Leo VI and the Transformation of Byzantine Christian Identity PDF Author: Meredith L. D. Riedel
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107053072
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 241

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Book Description
Analyses the ideological writings of a scholarly and unusual Byzantine emperor dedicated to distinctively Orthodox Christian principles.

Byzantine Military Manuals as Literary Works and Practical Handbooks

Byzantine Military Manuals as Literary Works and Practical Handbooks PDF Author: Georgios Chatzelis
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0429947763
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 225

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Book Description
This book studies the Sylloge Tacticorum, an important tenth-century Byzantine military manual. The text is used as a case study to connect military manuals with the challenges that Byzantium faced in its wars with the Arabs, but also with other aspects of Byzantine society such as education, politics, and conventions in the productions of literary texts and historical narratives. The book explores when the Sylloge was written and by whom. It identifies which passages from classical or earlier works were incorporated in the Sylloge and explains the reason why Byzantines imitated works of the past. The book then studies the extent to which the Sylloge was original and how innovation and originality were received in Byzantine society. Despite the imitation, the author of the Sylloge adapted and updated his material to reflect the current operational needs as well as the ideological, cultural and religious context of his time. Finally, the book attempts to estimate the extent to which Byzantine generals followed the advice of military manuals, and to explore whether historical narratives can be safely used to draw information as to how the Byzantines and the Arabs fought. Therefore, along with a detailed study of the Sylloge Tacticorum, this monograph also addresses broader issues of the pen and the sword such as military manuals in connection with Byzantine warfare, politics, literature, historiography and education.

A Cabinet of Byzantine Curiosities

A Cabinet of Byzantine Curiosities PDF Author: Anthony Kaldellis
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0190625945
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 249

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Book Description
A Cabinet of Byzantine Curiosities will reinforce these old prejudices, while also stimulating a deeper interest among readers in one of history's most interesting civilizations. Many of the zanier tales and trivia that are collected here revolve around the political and religious life of Byzantium.