Edited and translated by Georgios Chatzelis and Jonathan Harris
Routledge
ISBN: 978-0-367-85840-7
These translated sources present Byzantine perspectives on the First through Fourth Crusades, offering a view of the Crusades as seen from Constantinople.
Excerpt:
Those writings fall into a number of clearly defined genres. History was one of them, and most of the texts translated in this book are from historical works which were modelled on those of ancient historians such as Thucydides and Plutarch. But there were several other forms of writing produced at the Byzantine court that discussed the crusades and the Latin East. Members of the Byzantine political and literary elite often exchanged letters. There was ekphrasis, a description of a place, building or work of art, poetry and the encomium or laudatory speech. The last was the most public form of Byzantine writing. Encomia could take the form of a eulogy at a funeral but most often they were in praise of a reigning emperor in whose presence they would be delivered on important feasts of the year, such as Epiphany on 6 January. However, all these works were intended to be read out loud at court, not just encomia. Even letters were often not so much private, intimate communications as exercises in literary skill, designed to be admired for their virtuosity in the ancient language, even if their subject was something as dry and practical as tax exemption
Who is this book for?
Although many of the translated sources included here have appeared in previous editions, this volume remains a valuable resource for those studying the Crusades. It continues the excellent work of the Crusade Texts in Translation series.
The Editors
Georgios Chatzelis teaches at the Democritus University of Thrace and Hellenic Open University. Jonathan Harris is professor of the History of Byzantium at Royal Holloway, University of London.
Byzantine Sources for the Crusades, 1095-1204
Edited and translated by Georgios Chatzelis and Jonathan Harris
Routledge
ISBN: 978-0-367-85840-7
These translated sources present Byzantine perspectives on the First through Fourth Crusades, offering a view of the Crusades as seen from Constantinople.
Excerpt:
Those writings fall into a number of clearly defined genres. History was one of them, and most of the texts translated in this book are from historical works which were modelled on those of ancient historians such as Thucydides and Plutarch. But there were several other forms of writing produced at the Byzantine court that discussed the crusades and the Latin East. Members of the Byzantine political and literary elite often exchanged letters. There was ekphrasis, a description of a place, building or work of art, poetry and the encomium or laudatory speech. The last was the most public form of Byzantine writing. Encomia could take the form of a eulogy at a funeral but most often they were in praise of a reigning emperor in whose presence they would be delivered on important feasts of the year, such as Epiphany on 6 January. However, all these works were intended to be read out loud at court, not just encomia. Even letters were often not so much private, intimate communications as exercises in literary skill, designed to be admired for their virtuosity in the ancient language, even if their subject was something as dry and practical as tax exemption
Who is this book for?
Although many of the translated sources included here have appeared in previous editions, this volume remains a valuable resource for those studying the Crusades. It continues the excellent work of the Crusade Texts in Translation series.
The Editors
Georgios Chatzelis teaches at the Democritus University of Thrace and Hellenic Open University. Jonathan Harris is professor of the History of Byzantium at Royal Holloway, University of London.
You can learn more about this book from the publisher’s website.
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