Studia CeraneaPub Date : 2021-12-30DOI: 10.18778/2084-140x.11.20
Arkadiusz Siwko
{"title":"A \"Commonwealth of Interest\" in the Rus’ian-Byzantine Treaty (ca. 944)","authors":"Arkadiusz Siwko","doi":"10.18778/2084-140x.11.20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18778/2084-140x.11.20","url":null,"abstract":"The preamble to the Rus’ian-Byzantine treaty, which was concluded around 944, contains dozens of anthroponyms – the names of members of the Kyivian elite, their envoys as well as merchants. Several of them can be identified as Slavonic. The author attempted to answer the question about the identity of these Slavs and their status within the “decision-making collective” of the early Rus’ian state. He has compared the information contained in the treaty with material consisting of other Rus’ian and Byzantine sources. Additionally the author compared the system of governance in the state of the first Rurikids with the model present among the Yotvingians and other medieval Baltic societies, which have also came under the influence of the Scandinavians. ","PeriodicalId":40873,"journal":{"name":"Studia Ceranea","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.1,"publicationDate":"2021-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45893976","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Studia CeraneaPub Date : 2021-12-30DOI: 10.18778/2084-140x.11.07
C. Di Serio
{"title":"An Ethnographic Catalogue in George the Monk’s Chronicle","authors":"C. Di Serio","doi":"10.18778/2084-140x.11.07","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18778/2084-140x.11.07","url":null,"abstract":"In Book I of George the Monk’s Chronicle we read a long chapter dedicated to Alexander the Great, which includes an extensive section on his encounter with the Brahmans and the description of their customs. In particular, George the Monk follows the first part of the treatise De Gentibus Indiae et Bragmanibus by Palladius, of which he provides almost verbatim excerpts. Thereafter, we find an ethnographic section devoted to the customs of the Seres, the Bactrians, the Chaldeans, the Gelae, the Britons, and the Amazons. The aim of this study, therefore, is to explore the reception of Greek ethnographic literature in the erudite compilation of George the Monk.","PeriodicalId":40873,"journal":{"name":"Studia Ceranea","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.1,"publicationDate":"2021-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47148774","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Studia CeraneaPub Date : 2021-12-30DOI: 10.18778/2084-140x.11.25
J. Zieme
{"title":"The De haeresibus et synodis of Germanos I of Constantinople as a Source on Early Byzantine Heresies? Prospects of a Critical Edition","authors":"J. Zieme","doi":"10.18778/2084-140x.11.25","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18778/2084-140x.11.25","url":null,"abstract":"A new, critical edition of the 8th-century treatise De haeresibus et synodis (CPG 8020) by Patriarch Germanus I of Constantinople is in progress; it will provide new insights, especially into the large extent of sources that were copied or paraphrased. The article takes a close look at three chapters that could be considered as sources for different Christian heresies (Manichaeism, Montanism and Christological dissenters) in 8th-century Byzantium and some of the first new text- and sourcecritical findings. The accounts on Manichaeism and Montanism are based on older, lost sources and can therefore not be consulted as historical sources on these heresies in the Early Byzantine age. The account of the Ecumenical Councils involved in the Christological controversies attributes faith formulas to Councils that did not actually issue them and thus must be dismissed as a historical source on the course of these controversies as well. Nevertheless all three chapters, like the rest of the treatise, testify to the views of an Early Byzantine theologian on heresies and Church Councils and to how he reached his views. This scope for further study is deduced from the character of the text itself and thus especially appropriate.","PeriodicalId":40873,"journal":{"name":"Studia Ceranea","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.1,"publicationDate":"2021-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46200256","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Studia CeraneaPub Date : 2021-12-30DOI: 10.18778/2084-140x.11.09
P. Drapelova
{"title":"Procopius on the Religion of the Early Slavs: Comparison with Other Barbarians","authors":"P. Drapelova","doi":"10.18778/2084-140x.11.09","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18778/2084-140x.11.09","url":null,"abstract":"The works of Procopius of Caesarea are generally perceived as one of the earliest and main Byzantine sources on culture of the early Slavs. Its various passages have repeatedly become subject of numerous interpretations and hypotheses. The present article adopts a different approach to this material and compares the information on the religion of the Sclavenes and the Antes with the beliefs of other barbarian groups mentioned by Procopius. The study demonstrates that the sentences on early Slavic religion are rather unique in Procopius’s works especially in respect to the variety of his topics. Furthermore, the evidence indicates that the most similar elements in his descriptions of religious practices connect the early Slavs and the inhabitants of the island of Thule. This does not mean, however, that they were perceived as related by Procopius as there are no similarities in the description of other cultural specificities. The textual evidence nevertheless indicates that Procopius described the religious practices of these two groups in similar terms.","PeriodicalId":40873,"journal":{"name":"Studia Ceranea","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.1,"publicationDate":"2021-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46708563","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Studia CeraneaPub Date : 2021-12-30DOI: 10.18778/2084-140x.11.10
M. Helbig
{"title":"The Byzantine Garden. What to Plant in the Garden according to 12th Book of Geoponica by Cassianus Bassus?","authors":"M. Helbig","doi":"10.18778/2084-140x.11.10","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18778/2084-140x.11.10","url":null,"abstract":"The main aim of this paper is to analyse the text of the 12th book of Geoponica for the purpose of identification of vegetable plants, which were described by Cassianus Bassus. The analysis will serve as the first step for further inquiries that will include the reconstruction of recipes that require some of the vegetables presented in the text.The text of Geoponica is a basic source learn about the agriculture but also the culinary art of the Byzantine Empire, even though it is rather hard to read due to the complicated style and quite a large number of technical terms (i.e. botanical, agronomical or astrological to name just a few). As already mentioned, the first part of the analysis is to identify the plants mentioned by Bassus, which will allow me to take further steps, i.e. to reconstruct the culinary recipes, in which the plants mentioned by the Author can be found. Without this precise identification, the reconstruction of the recipes would not be possible at all.In the 12th book of his Geoponica Bassus gave descriptions of several plants that should be taken into consideration while planning the garden, mostly for their medicinal or cooking properties. Amongst them, Author mentioned garlic, artichoke, melon, leek, radish, celery, and cucumbers. Having the rather big number of plants narrowed down will allow to demonstrate in vivo how they were served according to De re coquinaria by Apicius and present the practical usage of vegetables proposed by Bassus for cultivation. As Apicius’ cookbook is the only one preserved from Antiquity, it will remain the major source of the recipes presented in this paper.","PeriodicalId":40873,"journal":{"name":"Studia Ceranea","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.1,"publicationDate":"2021-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46221124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Studia CeraneaPub Date : 2021-12-30DOI: 10.18778/2084-140x.11.42
T. Pełech
{"title":"“A Companion to Byzantine Italy”, ed. Salvatore Cosentino, Brill, Leiden–Boston 2021 [= Brill’s Companions to the Byzantine World, 8], 33 maps, 25 figures, abbreviations, notes on contributors, index, pp. XVIII, 829","authors":"T. Pełech","doi":"10.18778/2084-140x.11.42","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18778/2084-140x.11.42","url":null,"abstract":"T vast volume offers a collection of essays on Byzantine Italy from the 6th up to the 11th c. It was prepared by authors from many recognized scientific centres from France, Malta, United Kingdom, USA, and above all, in the greatest number (which should not be surprising due to the topic taken up) from Italy. The volume’s editor is Salvatore Cosentino, a Professor of Byzantine Civilisation at the University of Bologna, whose main research domain is the social and economic history of Late Antiquity and Early Byzantine Italy1. The volume consists of twenty-seven chapters arranged into three Parts which indicate the trajectory of the undertaken research: (1) Society and Institutions; (2) Communications, Economy and Landscape, divided into two sections: (i) General Frameworks; (ii) Settlements and Landscape: Regional Morphologies; (3) Culture and Education. The volume is opened with the introduction written by Salvatore Cosentino and Enrico Zanini, entitled: Mapping the Memory of Byzantine Italy, which was divided into two parts: (1) Written Memory; (2) Material Sources (p. 1–25). This is not a classic introduction to this specific topic, but actually a separate and excellent essay supported by a rich bibliography. Firstly, S. Cosentino points to the status","PeriodicalId":40873,"journal":{"name":"Studia Ceranea","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.1,"publicationDate":"2021-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48859806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Studia CeraneaPub Date : 2021-12-30DOI: 10.18778/2084-140x.11.06
R. D’Amato, Dmytro Dymydyuk
{"title":"The Sword with the Sleeve Cross-Guard in the Fresco from the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Aghtamar Island","authors":"R. D’Amato, Dmytro Dymydyuk","doi":"10.18778/2084-140x.11.06","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18778/2084-140x.11.06","url":null,"abstract":"There is an indisputable fact that in Medieval Armenia, as in most countries of the Middle Ages, the sword was a popular (but expensive) type of weapon. However, what did these “swords” look like? The aim of the article is to analyse one internal fresco called “Massacre of the Innocents” from Aghtamar Church (915–921), where a depiction of the sword with the sleeve cross-guard could be found.Comparisons of the known archaeological finds of “Byzantine” type swords from Eastern Europe and Near East have been made, proving the idea that such type of swords actually existed. The authors, with the following analysis, would like to support the idea that medieval figurative sources are a very accurate for studying medieval military history.","PeriodicalId":40873,"journal":{"name":"Studia Ceranea","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.1,"publicationDate":"2021-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49583831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Studia CeraneaPub Date : 2021-12-30DOI: 10.18778/2084-140x.11.14
P. Lachowicz
{"title":"The Title Hierarchy of the Last Komnenoi and the Angelos Dynasty – from Sebastohypertatos to Sebastokrator ","authors":"P. Lachowicz","doi":"10.18778/2084-140x.11.14","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18778/2084-140x.11.14","url":null,"abstract":"The system of dignities introduced by Alexios I Komnenos was an answer for the need of a new reformed title hierarchy, adequate for aristocratic model of exercising power. It served as a clear manifestation of the special privileged position of emperor’s kinsmen. The titles granted to those relatives and affines can be traced accurately up to the reign of Manuel I. So far, however, little space has been devoted to the analysis of that system during the Angelos dynasty.It is often generally assumed following Niketas Choniates testimony, that the title hierarchy in the late 12th century suffered certain loss of value or inflation. It is worth taking a closer look at this process, on the example of the titles traditionally granted to the closest family members, at the courts of Andronicus I Komnenos and the Angeloi. I would like to focus particularly on those dignities, that at the time of the Komnenoi were given to the emperor’s siblings and his sons-in-law – from sebastohypertatos to sebastokrator. That part of the title hierarchy was much closer to a ruler, making it easier to trace.The basic problem encountered by researchers of this period is the small number of sources, not allowing for full reconstruction of the title hierarchy. However, very limited information found in the written sources can be complemented by aristocratic lead seals, which often included the dignity of their owners.From such an analysis emerges a picture of a steady evolution of the Komnenian system. The emperors of the late 12th century adjusted court dignities to need at hand. Yet that process doesn’t seem to diminish significantly the value of the highest titles.","PeriodicalId":40873,"journal":{"name":"Studia Ceranea","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.1,"publicationDate":"2021-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48759287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Studia CeraneaPub Date : 2021-12-30DOI: 10.18778/2084-140x.11.17
Grigorios Papagiannis, Maria Tziatzi-Papagianni, Vasileios-Alexandros Kollias, Anastasia Nikolaou
{"title":"Observations on the Portrayal of the Ruler in the Novels of Leo VI","authors":"Grigorios Papagiannis, Maria Tziatzi-Papagianni, Vasileios-Alexandros Kollias, Anastasia Nikolaou","doi":"10.18778/2084-140x.11.17","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18778/2084-140x.11.17","url":null,"abstract":"The legal texts of the Byzantine period contain elements that clearly portray the role and duties of the emperor as ruler of the State. Leo VI the Wise (886–912 AD), famous for his abundant legislative and general legal work, promulgated numerous general laws (novels). His novels promote certain “ideals”, especially equality, justice, charity and clemency, along with other principles of Christian ethics. The emperor is illustrated as a ruler who has a close relationship with God, theologizes, and philosophizes at the same time. In parallel, the emperor infiltrates the mentality of his subjects as the one responsible for the people on earth, their tireless defender, and lawmaker. Furthermore, Leo appears to consistently try to accurately determine the most appropriate, prudent, and fair solution to each problem after meticulous study. He is a philanthropist, a lenient ruler and a supporter of equality and moderation. He acts as a protector of social institutions and regulates his subjects’ lives so that they can become more well-behaved and prefer only the useful things in life. Finally, in Leo’s novels the emperor is depicted not only as the person chosen by God to rule the Empire, but also as the true embodiment of justice, dignity and divine piety.","PeriodicalId":40873,"journal":{"name":"Studia Ceranea","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.1,"publicationDate":"2021-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47246464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Studia CeraneaPub Date : 2021-12-30DOI: 10.18778/2084-140x.11.39
J. Wolski
{"title":"The Non-Orthodox in The Martyrdom of John the New by Gregory Camblak Patterns of Dehumanization","authors":"J. Wolski","doi":"10.18778/2084-140x.11.39","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18778/2084-140x.11.39","url":null,"abstract":"The image of the non-Orthodox in Camblak’s work is unequivocally negative. Behind the abusive rhetoric lie patterns well known to social psychology. One can easily recognize the author’s dehumanizing attitude, which reveals the meaning of many elements of Camblak’s narrative in The Martyrdom of John the New. The concept of dehumanization is useful for the study of the attitude of medieval literate elites towards minorities. Although at its core it concerns cognitive phenomena it immediately makes us think about their behavioral implications.","PeriodicalId":40873,"journal":{"name":"Studia Ceranea","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.1,"publicationDate":"2021-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46691319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}