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Anastasius the Librarian, the greatest enemy of Byzantium you probably haven’t heard of, with Réka Forrai

Meet Anastasius the Librarian, one of the most fascinating controversialists of the ninth century. A native of Rome, scholar of Greek, and (probably) anti-pope for all of three days, he was no friend of Byzantium. He disliked and mistrusted “the Greeks” and argued that they were not Romans as they thought. His arguments have held sway in the west ever since.

This week’s guest on Byzantium & Friends is Réka Forrai, Associate Professor at the University of Southern Denmark. She is an expert on Anastasius’ writings and thought; see especially her fascinating study ‘The Sacred Nectar of the Deceitful Greeks: Perceptions of Greekness in Ninth Century Rome.’ Click here to view her university web page or follow Réka on Academia.edu.

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Byzantium & Friends is hosted by Anthony Kaldellis, Professor and Chair of the Department of Classics at The Ohio State University. You can follow him on his personal website.

You can listen to more episodes of Byzantium & Friends through Podbean.

Top Image: A Pope – British Library MS Arundel 117   fol. 137v

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