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{{main|Byzantine literature}} | {{main|Byzantine literature}} | ||
] concerns all ] from the ],{{sfn|Browning|2022}} even from foreign regions such as the ] or ].{{sfn|Kazhdan|1991}} |
] concerns all ] from the ],{{sfn|Browning|2022}} even from foreign regions such as the ] or ].{{sfn|Kazhdan|1991}} It is considered both a successor to ] and the foundation for ],{{sfn|Kazhdan|1991}} and although the Empire was ], the vast majority of extant texts are in Greek.{{sfn|Papaioannou|2021a|pp=1–2, 5–7}} They are marked by a linguistic ]; traditionally, ] divides the literature into an learned dialect based on ], and a ] based on ].{{sfn|Kazhdan|1991}}{{sfn|Browning|1991}} Theological literature is often separate as a third, unique tradition, but these ] divisions have been heavily criticized.{{sfn|Kazhdan|1991}}{{sfn|Mullett|1992|p=233}} The meaning of literature is similarly contentious: although most contemporary scholars consider all medieval Greek texts to be literature,{{sfn|Kazhdan|1991}}{{sfn|Papaioannou|2021a|p=10}} others offer varying specific constraints.{{sfn|Kazhdan|1999|p=1}}{{sfn|van Dieten|1980|pp=101–105}} In general, Ancient ]s and ] became obsolete, while poetry was limited to musical ]al forms, or the more niche ] and ] genres.{{sfn|Kazhdan|1991}} This coincided with the flourishing of ]s, ] and particularly ], which became less ].{{sfn|Kazhdan|1991}} | ||
From {{circa|330–650}}, Byzantine literature was dominated by the competing cultures of ], ] and ].{{sfn|Kazhdan|1991}}{{sfn|Browning|2022}} The ]—educated in an Ancient Greek, ] tradition—sought to synthesize these influences.{{sfn|Browning|2022}} Important early writers include ], ] and ], all of whom reinvented older forms to fit the new empire.{{sfn|Kazhdan|1991}} Theological ] stories, such as the '']'' were particularly innovative.{{sfn|Kazhdan|1991}} During the subsequent ] ({{circa|650–800}}), most literature ceased, although some important theologians were active, such as ], ] and ].{{sfn|Kazhdan|1991}} | From {{circa|330–650}}, Byzantine literature was dominated by the competing cultures of ], ] and ].{{sfn|Kazhdan|1991}}{{sfn|Browning|2022}} The ]—educated in an Ancient Greek, ] tradition—sought to synthesize these influences.{{sfn|Browning|2022}} Important early writers include ], ] and ], all of whom reinvented older forms to fit the new empire.{{sfn|Kazhdan|1991}} Theological ] stories, such as the '']'' were particularly innovative.{{sfn|Kazhdan|1991}} During the subsequent ] ({{circa|650–800}}), most literature ceased, although some important theologians were active, such as ], ] and ].{{sfn|Kazhdan|1991}} |
Revision as of 19:30, 22 June 2024
Byzantine literature
Main article: Byzantine literatureByzantine literature concerns all Greek literature from the Middle Ages, even from foreign regions such as the Umayyad Caliphate or Norman Italy. It is considered both a successor to Ancient Greek literature and the foundation for Modern Greek literature, and although the Empire was linguistically varied, the vast majority of extant texts are in Greek. They are marked by a linguistic diglossy; traditionally, Byzantine Greek divides the literature into an learned dialect based on Attic Greek, and a vernacular based on Koine Greek. Theological literature is often separate as a third, unique tradition, but these genre divisions have been heavily criticized. The meaning of literature is similarly contentious: although most contemporary scholars consider all medieval Greek texts to be literature, others offer varying specific constraints. In general, Ancient dramas and epics became obsolete, while poetry was limited to musical hymnal forms, or the more niche epigram and gnome genres. This coincided with the flourishing of sermons, hagiography and particularly historiography, which became less individual-focused.
From c. 330–650, Byzantine literature was dominated by the competing cultures of Hellenism, Christianity and Paganism. The Greek Church Fathers—educated in an Ancient Greek, rhetoric tradition—sought to synthesize these influences. Important early writers include John Chrysostom, Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite and Procopius, all of whom reinvented older forms to fit the new empire. Theological miracle stories, such as the Sayings of the Desert Fathers were particularly innovative. During the subsequent Byzantine Dark Ages (c. 650–800), most literature ceased, although some important theologians were active, such as Maximus the Confessor, Germanus I of Constantinople and John of Damascus.
The subsequent 9th and 10th centuries saw a cultural revival, seeking to restore the earlier Hellenic-Christian balance.
Byzantine romance • Encyclopedist tradition • Acritic songs (Digenes Akritas) • Alexander Romance
References
Notes
Citations
- ^ Browning 2022.
- ^ Kazhdan 1991.
- Papaioannou 2021a, pp. 1–2, 5–7.
- Browning 1991.
- Mullett 1992, p. 233.
- Papaioannou 2021a, p. 10.
- Kazhdan 1999, p. 1.
- van Dieten 1980, pp. 101–105.
- Kazhdan 2006.
- Kazhdan & Franklin 1984.
Sources
- Browning, Robert (1991). "Language". In Kazhdan, Alexander (ed.). Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-504652-6. (subscription required)
- Browning, Robert (2022). "Greek literature: Byzantine literature". In Lucas, Donald William; Mackridge, Peter A. (eds.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
- van Dieten, Jan Louis (1980). "Die Byzantinische Literatur - Eine Literatur Ohne Geschichte?". Historische Zeitschrift. 231 (H 1): 101–109. JSTOR 27621785.
- Kazhdan, Alexander; Franklin, Simon (1984). Studies on Byzantine Literature of the Eleventh and Twelfth Centuries. Past and Present Publications. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511735424. ISBN 978-0-511-73542-4.
- Kazhdan, Alexander (1991). "Literature". In Kazhdan, Alexander (ed.). Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-504652-6. (subscription required)
- Kazhdan, Alexander (1999). A History of Byzantine Literature (650–850). Athens: Institute for Byzantine Research.
- Kazhdan, Alexander (2006). A History of Byzantine Literature (850–1000). Athens: Institute for Byzantine Research.
- Mullett, Margaret (1992). "The Madness of Genre". Dumbarton Oaks Papers. 46 (Homo Byzantinus: Papers in Honor of Alexander Kazhdan): 233–243. doi:10.2307/1291656. JSTOR 1291656.
- Papaioannou, Stratis, ed. (2021). The Oxford Handbook of Byzantine Literature. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199351763.001.0001. ISBN 978-0-19-935176-3. (subscription required)
- Papaioannou, Stratis (2021a). "What Is Byzantine Literature? An Introduction". In Papaioannou (2021).
- Nikolaos, Zagklas (2019). "Byzantine Poetry: an Introduction". A Companion to Byzantine Poetry. Brill.