DOCSLIB.ORG

The Varangian Guard 988-1453 Free

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

FREE THE VARANGIAN GUARD 988-1453 PDF Raffaele D'Amato,Giuseppe Rava | 48 pages | 22 Jun 2010 | Bloomsbury Publishing PLC | 9781849081795 | English | Oxford, England, United Kingdom The Varangian Guard < Uniformi - Distintivi < Milistoria Uh-oh, it looks like your Internet Explorer is out of date. For a better shopping experience, please upgrade now. Javascript is not enabled in your browser. Enabling JavaScript in your browser will allow you to experience all the features of our site. Learn how to enable JavaScript on your browser. Home 1 Books 2. Add to Wishlist. Sign in to Purchase Instantly. Members save with free shipping everyday! See details. Overview The Varangian Guards were Viking mercenaries who operated far beyond their native shores as an elite force within the Byzantine Armies. Descendants from a legendary line of warriors, the Varangian Guard was formed after a group of Viking mercenaries made a major contribution The Varangian Guard 988-1453 the Byzantine Emperor Basil II's victory over The Varangian Guard 988-1453 forces in AD. These 5, men were then retained as Basil's personal guard and would provide loyal service to many successive occupants of the imperial throne. Commonly referred to as 'foreigners' Etaireia The Varangian Guard 988-1453, they were nonetheless absorbed into a new Palatine regiment under command of an officer termed the Akolouthos, who was either a Norsemen or a Rus Norsemen colonizers of Russia. The Varangians wore mixtures of their native clothing and armor together with a splendid formal Byzantine uniform. But most famously, they always wielded their own traditional battle-axes; this became a sign that the emperor was on the battlefield in person. This is an insightful look of one of the legendary guard units of the medieval world, complete with a dazzling array of artwork plates showing the Varangian Guard in an array of settings from court ceremonies to the battlefield. The Varangian Guard 988-1453 USA. Men-at-Arms The Varangian Guard by Raffaele D'Amato, Giuseppe Rava, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Want to Read saving…. Want to Read Currently Reading Read. Other editions. Enlarge cover. Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Open Preview See a Problem? Details if other :. Thanks for telling us about the problem. Return to Book Page. Giuseppe Rava Illustrator. The Varangian Guards were Viking mercenaries who operated far beyond their native shores as an elite force within the Byzantine Armies. Descendants from a legendary line of warriors, the Varangian Guard was formed after a group of Viking mercenaries made a major contribution to the Byzantine Emperor Basil II's victory over rebel forces in AD. These 5, men were then The Varangian Guards were Viking mercenaries who operated far beyond their native shores as an elite force within the Byzantine Armies. These The Varangian Guard 988-1453, men were then retained as Basil's personal guard and would provide loyal service to many successive occupants of the imperial throne. Commonly referred to as 'foreigners' The Varangian Guard 988-1453they were nonetheless absorbed into a new Palatine regiment under command of an officer termed the Akolouthos, who was either a Norsemen or a Rus Norsemen colonizers of Russia. The Varangians wore mixtures of their native clothing and armor together with a splendid formal Byzantine uniform. But most famously, they always wielded their own traditional battle-axes; this became a sign that the emperor was on the battlefield in person. This is an insightful look of one of the legendary guard units of the medieval world, complete with a dazzling array of artwork plates showing the Varangian Guard in an array of settings from court ceremonies to the battlefield. Get A Copy. Paperback48 pages. More Details Osprey Men at Arms Other Editions 1. Friend Reviews. To see what your friends thought of this book, The Varangian Guard 988-1453 sign up. To ask other readers questions about The Varangian Guardplease sign up. Be the first to ask a question about The The Varangian Guard 988- 1453 Guard Lists with This Book. This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Community The Varangian Guard 988-1453. Showing Average rating 3. Rating details. More filters. Sort order. This book can be useful and very disappointing at the same time. Yet The Varangian Guard 988-1453 are 3 problems: Osprey's bad editorial job, a few horrible mistakes possibly cause This book can be useful and The Varangian Guard 988-1453 disappointing at the same time. Yet there are The Varangian Guard 988-1453 problems: Osprey's bad editorial job, a few horrible mistakes possibly caused by the editing, but, despite one or two clues I gathered in that direction, I can't be sure and the fact this book might be on the wrong series it should be on the "Elite" series. View 1 comment. Oct 25, Angela rated it really liked it. Just because this is an illustrated book, that doesn't make it something to be overlooked. The Osprey books boast a great deal of research, and the biblio in this is worth the purchase alone for anyone doing significant research of the Varangian Guard. They pull a lot from Blondal's "Varangians of Byzantium" volume, but with his being one of the only available sources to-date, it's still a fantastic collection of information. Aug 31, Signe rated it really liked it Shelves: historyhistory-scandinavianhistory-byzantinehistory-military. Other runic graffiti has been found, The Varangian Guard 988-1453 pre-dating the Varangian guard. This is thin book is fun history with lots of illustrations. Jul 05, Nathan rated it liked it. Interesting to learn about the personal guard of the Byzantine emperors. Nov 23, Steven Peterson rated it liked it. A fascinating work, a part of Osprey Publishing's "Men-at-Arms" series Osprey seems to have scores of series! The thin volume explores the Varangian Guard, an intriguing set of soldiers in the Byzantine military. The Guard began as Scandinavians who had settled in Russia e. Later, many hired out to the Eastern Roman Empire as soldiers men-at-arms. Pagesat the outset, provide a useful chronology of the Guard's linkage to the Empire. The book also has narrative, on A fascinating work, a part of Osprey Publishing's "Men-at-Arms" series Osprey seems to have scores of series! The book also has narrative, on a century to century basis, of the Guard--from the 10th century through the 15th century. Over time, they evolved from an elite unit in the army to the Emperor's own guard. The Guard appears to have numbered between 4, to 6, soldiers for the most part over time. The book discusses leadership, their service in the army as well as their service as imperial guards, equipment several pages of colorful pictures of troops, uniforms, and weapons. The book concludes with a brief but helpful bibliography. Since I knew very The Varangian Guard 988-1453 about the Varangian Guard, even this slim book was a nice resource, helping me to learn something of this military force. View 2 comments. Dec 09, Sarah Schanze rated it liked it Shelves: historical-factsvikings. Another good, short introduction to the subject. Unfortunately the art in this wasn't as strong as the other The Varangian Guard 988-1453 that were illustrated by Angus McBride. I might look for more of these books just for his art. Zdenko Juskuv rated it it was amazing Jan The Varangian Guard 988-1453, Thomas Davenport rated it it was amazing Dec 09, Kalervo Pasanen rated it really liked it Mar 06, James rated it it was ok Sep 21, Steven Patterson rated it really liked it Sep 20, Rich rated it liked it Dec 10, Daniel The Varangian Guard 988-1453 rated it liked it Oct 30, Christopher rated it really liked it Dec 07, Hisham rated it liked it Jul 24, Jeffrey Otterspoor rated it liked it Aug 24, Dom Puzool rated it really liked it Dec 06, Sebastian rated it liked it Dec 31, Jim The Varangian Guard 988-1453 it really liked it Mar 11, Mar 03, Anatolikon added it. Dan Stinton rated it liked it Mar 03, Toronto Ray rated it it was amazing Dec 10, Justin Y. O'Donnell rated it liked it Feb 18, The Varangian Guard 988-1453 Selina James rated it liked it Dec 29, Alexander Tamas rated it liked it Sep 23, Declan McGonigle rated it really liked it May 01, Hikioh rated it liked it Sep 21, Jaye Brooks Sr. Dave rated it liked it Jan 15, There are no discussion The Varangian Guard 988-1453 on this book yet. Readers also enjoyed. About Raffaele D'Amato. Raffaele D'Amato. Other books in the series. Osprey Men at Arms 1 - 10 of books. Books The Varangian Guard 988-1453 Raffaele D'Amato. The Varangian Guard – Grimfrost Posted By: Dattatreya Mandal April The Varangian Guard 988-1453, So without further ado, let us take a gander at ten incredible facts you should know about The Varangian Guard 988-1453 Varangian Guard. The Eastern Roman Empire was still the richest political entity of Europe in the middle ages, and as such its capital of Constantinople tended to attract invaders in search of plunder and mercenaries in search of pay alike. And as such, the warriors and adventurers of Rus were also enthralled by its riches. As with innumerable episodes of history, it was internal turmoil that brought about a significant change in the affairs of an empire. On the political side of affairs, there was another significant development — Vladimir the Great converted to Orthodox Christianity the state religion of the Eastern Roman Empire and even married Princess Anna of Byzantine.
Recommended publications
  • Maniakes' Misadventure

    Maniakes' Misadventure

    SPECIAL Maniakes' forces land on Sicily and drive off the Arab defenders. MANIAKES' MISADVENTURE THE INVASION OF SICILY IN 1038 Maniakes descended on those districts in full force. No military stratagem was left untried, and it was clear that he would drive out the conquerors and check their inroads – if all else failed, then he would do it with his own hands. – Michael Psellos By Giovanni Amatuccio 6 Medieval Warfare VIII-2 y the summer of 1038, the Mediterranean his appearance and the barbarians, to a man, island of Sicily was in chaos. Civil war had lived in dread of him, some because they had broken out in the months and years before, seen and marvelled, others because they had although the sources are not clear on what heard frightful tales of his prowess. exactly had happened. According to Greek accounts, the Emir of Sicily, Ahmad al-Akhal, Maniakes led a multi-ethnic army composed of was challenged by his brother, and had Macedons, 500 Armenian infantrymen, an unde- reached out the Byzantine Empire for assistance. fined number of thematic regular troops and mi- BMeanwhile, the rebellious faction had gained the litias from Calabria and Puglia (konteratoi) under support of the Zirid dynasty based in North Africa. the command of Patrician Michael Sfrondeles, and The Zirids arrived first, and while besieged in 300 cavalrymen led by Katakalon Kekaumenos. the city of Palermo, Emir al-Akhal was murdered. The army included Paulician troops – the “Mani- However, the Zirids were also driven away from the chean Tagma” mentioned in successive sources. In city, and the island was left devoid of political cohe- effect, the Paulicians were a heretic Manichean sect sion.
  • He Varangian Guard and Its Contribution to the Manifestation Of

    He Varangian Guard and Its Contribution to the Manifestation Of

    Revista Română de Studii Baltice și Nordice / The Romanian Journal for Baltic and Nordic Studies, ISSN 2067-1725, Vol. 7, Issue 2 (2015): pp. 7-26 HE VARANGIAN GUARD AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE MANIFESTATION T OF THE IMPERIAL POWER IN BYZANTIUM Alexandra Airinei “Alexandru-Ioan Cuza” University in Iași, E-mail: [email protected] Acknowledgements This paper was presented at the Sixth international conference on Baltic and Nordic Studies in Romania Historical memory, the politics of memory and cultural identity: Romania, Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea Region in comparison, organized by the Romanian Association for Baltic and Nordic Studies, Faculty of History and Political Sciences of Ovidius University of Constanța and International Summer School of The University of Oslo, Norway, May 22-23, 2015. Supported by a grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, The EEA Fund for Bilateral Relations, contract no. 910/20.03.2015. Abstract: The idea that motivated the writing of this article was to treat an aspect not only of the Byzantine military history, but also of the long lasting impression that this millenary empire has left on the Northern “barbarians”, as they are often called in the Orthodox medieval sources. Its central concept is, as the title already suggests it, the imperial ideology of power, but from another perspective: the contribution of the feared Scandinavian warriors to its outlining in the Byzantine public life, as opposed to the emperor’s private existence, always hidden from the eyes of his subjects. Also, I have tried to summarise a fragment of the Norse perception on Byzantium and in what manner it influenced the former participants at the Byzantine military campaigns when they returned home.
  • The Imperial Administrative System in the Ninth Century, with a Revised Text

    The Imperial Administrative System in the Ninth Century, with a Revised Text

    THE BRITISH ACADEMY SUPPLEMENTAL PAPERS I The Imperial Administrative System in the Ninth Century t With a Revised Text of The Kletorologion of Philotheos J. B. Bury Fellow of the Academy London Published for the British Academy By Henry Frowde, Oxford University Press Amen Corner, E.G. Price Ten Shillings and Sixpence net THE BRITISH ACADEMY SUPPLEMENTAL PAPERS I The Imperial Administrative System in the Ninth Century With a Revised Text of The Kletorologion of Philotheos By J. B. Bury Fellow of the Academy London Published for the British Academy By Henry Frowde, Oxford University Press Amen Corner, E.G. 1911 SUMMARY OF CONTENTS PAGE BIBLIOGRAPHY .......... 3 A. PRELIMINARY .......... 7 (1) Sources for institutional history. text of Philotheos. (2) The (3) The contents and sources of the Kletorologion. The Taktikon Uspenski. (4) Scope of the following investigation. General comparison of the Constaiitinian with the later Byzantine system. Sta 20 B. DIGNITIES (at /?/oa/3etW di'at) ...... Sia 36 C. OFFICES (at \6yov dtat) ....... I. crrpar^yot. II. So/ACOTlKOl. III. Kptrai. IV. V. VI. VII. dtat D. DIGNITIES AND OFFICES OF THE EUNUCHS . .120 I. d^tat Sta ^paj8etW. II. d^tat Sta \6yov. TEXT OF THE KLKTOROLOGION OF PHILOTHEOS . 131 Ml 226210 BIBLIOGRAPHY SOURCES. Saec. V. [Not. Dig.] Notitia Dignitatum, ed/Seeck, 1876. [C. Th.] Codex Theodosianus, ed Mommsen, 1905. Novettae Theodosii II, &c., ed. Meyer, 1905. [C. I.] Codex lustinianus (see below). Saec. VI. [C. I.] Codex lustinianus, ed. Kruger, 1884. lustiniani Novettae, ed. Zacharia von Lingenthal, 1881. lustini II, Tiberii II, Mauricii Novettae, in Zacharia v. Lingenthal, Ins Graeco-Romanum , Pars III, 1857.
  • Byzantine Names for SCA Personae

    Byzantine Names for SCA Personae

    1 A Short (and rough) Guide to Byzantine Names for SCA personae This is a listing of names that may be useful for constructing Byzantine persona. Having said that, please note that the term „Byzantine‟ is one that was not used in the time of the Empire. They referred to themselves as Romans. Please also note that this is compiled by a non-historian and non-linguist. When errors are detected, please let me know so that I can correct them. Additional material is always welcomed. It is a work in progress and will be added to as I have time to research more books. This is the second major revision and the number of errors picked up is legion. If you have an earlier copy throw it away now. Some names of barbarians who became citizens are included. Names from „client states‟ such as Serbia and Bosnia, as well as adversaries, can be found in my other article called Names for other Eastern Cultures. In itself it is not sufficient documentation for heraldic submission, but it will give you ideas and tell you where to start looking. The use of (?) means that either I have nothing that gives me an idea, or that I am not sure of what I have. If there are alternatives given of „c‟, „x‟ and „k‟ modern scholarship prefers the „k‟. „K‟ is closer to the original in both spelling and pronunciation. Baron, OP, Strategos tous notious okeanous, known to the Latins as Hrolf Current update 12/08/2011 Family Names ............................................................. 2 Male First Names .......................................................
  • HIS EXPEDITION AGAINST the PECHENEGS* Harald Hardrada

    HIS EXPEDITION AGAINST the PECHENEGS* Harald Hardrada

    K RIJ NIE CIGGAAR HARALD HARDRADA: HIS EXPEDITION AGAINST THE PECHENEGS* Harald Hardrada, half-brother of St. Olaf, had travelled far and wide before he became king of Norway in 1046. As A mercenary he served in the Varangian guard in Constantinople. First the Russians had formed the main element in this regiment, but gradually their role was taken over by the Scandi­ navians in the first half of the eleventh century (cf. note 52). Harald’s arrival in Miklagarth, the regular name for the Byzantine capital, took place about 10341. Here he served three successive emperors: Michael IV the Paphlagonian (1034-41), Michael V Calaphates (1041-2) and Constantine IX Monomachos (1042-55). When serving the Byzantine emperors he took part in many expedi­ tions of which only A few are known of2. Sometimes he campaigned under the command of Georges Maniakes, the famous Greek general, sometimes he went out with his own men3. In this article we hope to throw some more light on one of the expeditions Harald undertook with his band of Norther­ ners. The activities of the Norwegian prince are testified by several sources, Greek and Scandinavian. The Greeks, understanding^ enough where A foreign military commander was concerned, are very sparse with information on his military achievements. In the Admonition to the Emperor, an eleventh century *1 am greatly indebted to Andrea van Arkel—de Leeuw van Weenen and Christopher Sanders for their very valuable criticism and their suggestions. 1. J. Shepard, A Note on Harold Hardraada: the Date of his Arrival at Byzantium, Jahrbuch der Österreichischen Byzantinistik 22, 1973, p.
  • Chronological Overview

    Chronological Overview

    Chronological Overview 284-305 Diocletian and the tetrarchy 565-591 Wars with Persia 306-337 Constantine I (sole ruler from 324) 566 + Slavs begin to infiltrate across Danube frontier; pressure 311 Edict of toleration issued by Galerius on frontier fortresses from Avars 312 Constantine's victory at the Milvian bridge 568+ Lombards driven westward from Danube, invade Italy 313 Edict of toleration issued by Constantine and Licinius 572 Lombards besiege Ravenna 325 Council of Nicaea and condemnation of Arianism (first 577 Major invasion of Balkans led by Avars ecumenical council) 584, 586 Avaro-Slav attacks on Thessalonica 330 Consecration of Constantinople 591-602 Gradual success in pushing Avars back across Danube 337 Baptism and death of Constantine I 602 Maurice overthrown, Phokas proclaimed emperor 361-363 Julian the Apostate leads pagan reaction and attempts to 603 War with Persia; situation in Balkans deteriorates limit the influence of Christianity 610 Phokas overthrown by Heraclius, son of exarch of Africa 364 Jovian dies: empire divided between Valentinian 1 (West) at Carthage and Valens (East) 611-620s Central and northern Balkans lost 378 Defeat and death of Valens at hands of Visigoths at battle 614-619 Persians occupy Syria, Palestine and Egypt of Adrianople 622 Mohammed leaves Mecca for Medina (the 'Hijra') 381 First Council of Constantinople (second ecumenical 622-627 Heraclius campaigns in east against Persians council): reaffirms rejection of Arianism; asserts right of 626 Combined Avaro-Slav and Persian siege of Constantinople
  • Part I the Byzantine Empire

    Part I the Byzantine Empire

    A TALE OF TWO EMPIRES: PART I THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE LECTURE I FOUNDATION: FROM BYZANTIUM TO CONSTANTINOPLE LECTURE II RECONQUEST: JUSTINIAN AND THE GOLDEN AGE LECTURE III DECLINE AND RESURGENCE: THE MACEDONIANS LECTURE IV THE ARRIVAL AND CONQUESTS OF THE SELJUK TURKS LECTURE V BYZANTINES, TURKS AND CRUSADERS LECTURE VI BYZANTINE ART AND ARCHITECTURE Copyright © 2007 by Dr. William J. Neidinger, Stylus Productions and The Texas Foundation For Archaeological & Historical Research FOUNDATION: FROM BYZANTIUM TO CONSTANTINOPLE I. INTRODUCTION - Byzantine and Ottoman Empires traditionally taught as two separate studies - compartmentalized and specialized nature of humanities today - their stories form a continuum - empires came to rule over the same peoples - empires faced many of the same enemies - empires came to accommodate these defeated enemies within their spheres - empires developed universalist mythologies for their respective religions - both served as mercenaries for the other - both at one time allied to one another - at one time imperial families intermarried - Imaret of Nilüfer Hatun, Nicaea (Iznik, Turkey) - 1346 Theodora marries Orhan; Nilüfer Hatun - remains Christian; regent while Orhan away at war - mother of Sultan Murad I (Moslem) - 1388 Imaret built by Murad I - both occupied the same imperial city: Byzantium, New Rome, Constantinople, Istanbul II. THE IMPERIAL CITY - capital of three empires: Roman / Byzantine, Latin Kingdom of the East, Ottoman Turkish - modern assessment of the city by the land: hills, valleys, buildings & walls - ancient assessment of the city by the waters: Golden Horn, Sea of Marmara, Bosphorus - strategic location: bridge between Europe & Asia and Black Sea & Mediterranean Sea - 667 BC Byzas of Megara consults Delphi re: foundation of a colony - “…opposite the blind…” and Chalcedon - acropolis beneath Tokapi Sarai - mercantile depot, repair center; fish; wine - 512-479 BC Persian occupation - 5th – 4th c.
  • THE BATTLE of DYRRHACHIUM PYRRHUS LIVES! in the Early 1000S, the Normans Were One of the Most Dynamic Groups of People Seen in Europe for Many Decades

    THE BATTLE of DYRRHACHIUM PYRRHUS LIVES! in the Early 1000S, the Normans Were One of the Most Dynamic Groups of People Seen in Europe for Many Decades

    By Eoghan Kelly THEME THE BATTLE OF DYRRHACHIUM PYRRHUS LIVES! In the early 1000s, the Normans were one of the most dynamic groups of people seen in Europe for many decades. Descended from Vikings, they settled initially in Normandy in northern France, but as their population of warlike nobility ex- panded, they sought new adventures and new lands. In 1015, responding to an opportunity to act as swords for hire, with the payment being in land, a group of these martial mercenaries turned up in Southern Italy. Here they became involved in settling long running feuds between the Lombards, the Papacy and Byzantium – not least by judiciously changing sides whenever it seemed advantageous. y bringing this new pragmatic form of warfare to troublemakers would behave once and for all, Rob- Italy, it wasn’t long before they gave up serving ert readily seized on the chance to do so when the others (at least overtly serving others) and now Byzantine Emperor, Michael VII Doukas, oered his B served only their own needs. The family of the son and heir Constantine as groom to Roberts daugh- day were the Hauteville family and their main repre- ter Helena – thereby placing the Hauteville/Guiscard sentative, Robert Guiscard. Robert was the sixth son line onto the throne of the Byzantine Empire – up- of a minor noble in Normandy and was despatched to starts no more. The Emperor had to deal with threats seek his fame and fortune in Italy. from the East and he could spare little time or eort fighting a western Christian and this alliance would Arriving in around 1047, Robert initially acted as the seem to preserve this best of all.
  • Yz 1 a 1 S 1118- 461 Ad

    Yz 1 a 1 S 1118- 461 Ad

    [mJD MILITARY MEN-AT-ARMS SERIES 287 YZ 1 A 1 S 1118- 461 AD IAN I-IEATH ANGUS l\lcBRIDE 1,,,-, I'uhh,h,'tl on t;'~~l IJnwn III 1'1';15 In I)ublisher's IIUle O'q"~I, In "''lmn, ur 11....:,1 ( .."."",,,,r ll/l..h 1.111 Readers m:l~ \\ ish tustud~ this tille in cunjunctioll II ilh l'"lh~", \I"hdon 1lou'-l:,111 1I. ..... d. the fol1011 ing Ospre} publil..";llion,,: lJ>ntl\lll:'l\\ ;1>11.11 ~"d \ucll..lnd. 'ldh"... r,,~. Smr;JIItIf~ J",I'I vrUllru 1\ lAA 89 IJ)'=(IIIIIII<' .lm"t'S 886 IllS .\lJ\f\ I~O Irllllrso/lltrOIlIIIllIHl Tllrb I.WI) 171-1 .\lJ\A 195 1IIIIIxurj'ulldlltr fulllifEustrrn Ellrllpt lOOO I3b8 'II n[l.hb ~HoJ \/,,,,,,lrun'Jn, I... Jl'Jlong for ,he ru'l'U'o" (lj prn Jle "Utll. "....:-JI(·h. (T" ,~"n' or ""It"" J~ I"<'mlUl'oJ und~r Ih., c.'ln",hl,I>'·"ltn. Jnd I'Jr'·RI., -\n. 1<;1)1I..... r.n "llh" p... bl,u,...... m~\ h.. Artisl's nOll' rrp..Jd~n1. ,rornl on J rel",·,.l "'*cm. or r...n>llmrt<! Readers ma~ care 10 note Ihal Ihe original paimings In .nl form or h, .n' nK.n,. d ..... lron......l.... trocal. from II hieh Ihe colour platCS in Ihis boo~ \\ere prc­ .-hmlk~. mnlun....I, "1"....1, ph/l'OCtIfl, IIlJ, r«....tlmJ par("t! arc a\ailablc for pri\ale ..ale. \11 reproduction or uoC"",,,L'-l:. ,,"ho." l!w;- rnor pern,,_ of l!w;­ oop~righl \\hat~\er b~ OlfI,,,,hl " ......r '-""'\lInt> oJIt.oulJ he .ok!......"..,.
  • A PROTO TOURIST DESTINATION in MEDIEVAL ICELANDIC TRADITION? Alenka Divjak

    A PROTO TOURIST DESTINATION in MEDIEVAL ICELANDIC TRADITION? Alenka Divjak

    QUAESTUS MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH JOURNAL CONSTANTINOPLE - A PROTO TOURIST DESTINATION IN MEDIEVAL ICELANDIC TRADITION? Alenka Divjak Abstract: This article raises the question of whether Constantinople depicted in medieval Icelandic texts could be regarded as a proto-tourist destination, considering the love medieval Icelanders felt for exotic and distant places. The medieval Icelandic texts are fully aware of the multi- faceted nature of the city, referring to Constantinople both as a centre of secular splendour and a focus of Christianity. Among the texts dealing with Constantinople as a secular centre the emphasis is given to the Íslendinga sögur, sagas of Icelanders and konunga sögur, kings’ sagas, while Constantinople’s position as a centre of Christianity is the topic of many biskupa sögur, bishops’sagas, annals and encyclopaedic texts. All these references, both secular and religious, shed considerable light on the architectural and religious attractions displayed at Constantinople at the height of its power, revealing the fascination of medieval Icelanders with the city, their wide knowledge and their love of long-haul destinations which induced many of them from the tenth to the late twelfth century to visit this enchanting city in great numbers. Keywords: Constantinople, secular prestige, Christian relics, the imperial palace, Hagia Sophia, proto-tourist destination Constantinople in Medieval Icelandic Tradition This paper concentrates in the first place on history, literature and medieval traditions, being as such a rather peculiar contribution to this Conference on Tourism and Durable Development. Nevertheless, this choice of a topic needs defence, as this paper is based on the conviction that historical knowledge even though rooted deeply in the medieval and ancient past is a precondition for viewing the present course of events in a broader perspective.
  • The Early Palaiologan Court (1261-1354)

    The Early Palaiologan Court (1261-1354)

    THE EARLY PALAIOLOGAN COURT (1261-1354) by FROUKE MARIANNE SCHRIJVER A thesis submitted to the University of Birmingham for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity College of Arts and Law University of Birmingham September 2012 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. ABSTRACT The complex phenomena ‘court’ and ‘court society’ have received increasing interest in academic research over recent years. The court of late Byzantium, however, has been overlooked, despite the fact that assumptions have been made about the influence of Byzantine court ceremonial on ceremonies in the late Medieval and Early Modern West and about the imitation of the Byzantine court as an institution in the early Ottoman empire. In the discussion of these influences late Byzantine sources were left untouched, a neglect that underlines the need for a comprehensive study of the court in this period. The aim of the present thesis is to fill a part of this gap in our knowledge through an examination of the core of the court in early Palaiologan Byzantium (1261-1354).
  • RECONCILING NIKEPHOROS BRYENNIOS' MATERIALS for a HISTORY a Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillme

    RECONCILING NIKEPHOROS BRYENNIOS' MATERIALS for a HISTORY a Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillme

    THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME: RECONCILING NIKEPHOROS BRYENNIOS’ MATERIALS FOR A HISTORY A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Master of Humanities By JAMES GILMER M.A., American Public University System, 2012 2019 Wright State University WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL [August 22nd, 2019] I HEREBY RECOMMEND THAT THE THESIS PREPARED UNDER MY SUPERVISION BY JAMES GILMER ENTITLED The Song Remains the Same: Reconciling Nikephoros Bryennios’ Materials for a History BE ACCEPTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF HUMANITIES. Jeannette Marchand, PhD Thesis Director Valerie Stoker, PhD Director, Master of Humanities Program Committee on Final Examination: [Jeannette Marchand, PhD] [Paul Lockhart, PhD] [Aaron Wolpert] [Valerie Stoker, PhD] Barry Milligan, PhD Interim Dean of the Graduate School ABSTRACT Gilmer, James. M.Hum. Graduate Program, Wright State University, 2019. The Song Remains the Same: Reconciling Nikephoros Bryennios’ Materials for a History. The following thesis presents new perspectives on the representation of Byzantine generals during the eleventh century, focusing specifically on parallel representations of Nikephoros Bryennios the Elder. I will argue that Byzantine chroniclers routinely employed the language of Byzantine military manuals as a template to describe the generals who populate the pages of their works. This tendency created a shared language of praise and censure which chroniclers applied to the generals whose reputation they sought either to exalt or to tarnish. The career of Nikephoros Bryennios the Elder as it is presented in the History of Michael Attaleiates and the Materials for a History of Nikephoros Bryennios the Younger vividly demonstrates this tendency as Nikephoros Bryennios the Younger attempts to salvage the reputation of his grandfather.