Michael Choniates’ Monody on Theophylaktos Belissariotes: A New Critical Edition and Study
Michael Choniates’ Monody on Theophylaktos Belissariotes: A New Critical Edition and Study
Author(s): Alexandros PapadopoulosSubject(s): Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Middle Ages, 13th to 14th Centuries, Historical revisionism
Published by: AV ČR - Akademie věd České republiky - Slovanský ústav and Euroslavica
Keywords: Michael Choniates; Theophylaktos Belissariotes; monody; funeral; Athens; twelfth century; lamentation; physical beauty; virtues; codex Laurentianus;
Summary/Abstract: The present article examines the monody that Michael Choniates composed regarding the death of Theophylaktos Belissariotes, who was the brother of Niketas Choniates’ wife. The monody was delivered on the occasion of Theophylaktos’ funeral which took place in Athens, where he was buried after his death, during the last quarter of the twelfth century. Theophylaktos’ premature death arguably dominates the whole monody, which undoubtedly intensifies the unbearable sorrow of his close friends and relatives. The lamentation is intense, however, the deceased is also praised for his physical beauty and the numerous virtues of his character. The aim of this study, which consists of the following parts, is to provide a detailed analysis of the oration: an introduction, observations on genre issues, a new critical edition based on the codex Laurentianus gr. 59.12 (thirteenth century), as well as an annotated English translation.
Journal: Byzantinoslavica - Revue internationale des Etudes Byzantines
- Issue Year: LXXXI/2023
- Issue No: 1-2
- Page Range: 248-284
- Page Count: 37
- Language: English
- Content File-PDF
