Theophylact of Ochrid: Reading the Letters of a Byzantine Archbishop

ISBN-13: 9780860785491 / Angielski / Twarda / 1997 / 464 str.

Mullett, Margaret

Opis

This volume is as a result of the reading of the letter collection of Theophylacht of Ochrid, Archbishop of Bulgaria. The letters have been previously studied from an historical point of view, but in this volume the author concentrates on the letters as examples of Byzantine literature. The book attempts to place an epistolary text in a succession of literary and historical contexts, as well as to prove the reliability of any rhetorical text for straightforward biography. In addition, an analysis is also made of the personal networks of Theophylacht.

Recenzje

'Readers..will emerge educated and informed.' Anglo-Hellenic Review 'the letters of Theophylact, skilfully ’decoded’ by Dr Mullett and equipped with invaluable instrumenta studii, can reveal much about the ambivalent nature of the Byzantine presence in the Balkans, while exemplifying the literary pursuits which bonded together the lay and clerical members of the élite.' Journal of Theological Studies '...the book is well written and documented, providing a pleasant and profitable reading.' Byzantinische Zeitschrift '...Mullett’s study of Theophylact’s Letters is most welcome...Mullett has shown that with patience and skill context can be restored to Byzantine literary texts and with it their historical value. It is in this way that she achieves a partial rehabilitation of Byzantine literature. This is an achievement, for which many Byzantinists will be grateful.' Catholic Historical Review '...gives a useful overview of Byzantine-Bulgarian history and the administrative complexities of the Bulgarian region....' Parergon 'It will be essential reading not just for those who want to know about Theophylact...but also for those who wish to understand about Byzantine society under the Komnenes....' Sobornost 'This work is valuable in many ways.... Byzantinists should find Mullett’s discussion of many unresolved questions especially valuable.' Church History

Spis treści

Contents: Map of Theophylact's Letter-Network; Map of Theophylact's Bulgaria; Genre and Milieu; Epistolarity; Evaluation; Reception; 11th Century Constantinople; Byzantine Bulgaria; Alexian literature; Collection and network; Dating and Ordering; Preoccupations and Concerns; Rhetoric; Detecting Theophylact's network; Theophylact's first order zone; The uses of network; Author and man; Theophylact as auctor; Letters in the oeuvre; Other people's letters; The Constantinopolitan; The Bulgarian; The exile; Context and text; Collection; Network; Index.

O autorze

Margaret Mullett