Will Zion Fall Again ? The Deuteronomistic Epic in Twelfth Century Byzantium
Though it is a longstanding truism that Byzantine culture was the product of both Classical and Christian traditions, the role played by the Bible in the production of Byzantine culture has only recently become an object of sustained critical study among Byzantinists. Only a fraction of that study f...
Gardado en:
| Publicado en: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/epopee, |
|---|---|
| Autor Principal: | |
| Formato: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Idioma: | Anglais |
| Publicado: |
Projet Épopée
2026
|
| Acceso en liña: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Résumé: | Though it is a longstanding truism that Byzantine culture was the product of both Classical and Christian traditions, the role played by the Bible in the production of Byzantine culture has only recently become an object of sustained critical study among Byzantinists. Only a fraction of that study focuses on the Old Testament. This paper will focus on one poem by the twelfth century writer Theodore Prodromos as an exemplar of the influence of the Deuteronomistic epic tradition on Byzantine literature. By focusing on this poem, we can see how the Deuteronomistic books of the Old Testament are used to cast the Komnenian dynasty of emperors as the latest iteration of Old Testament heroes. By doing so, Prodromos portrayed the deeds of these twelfth century emperors as the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies, though he rewrote and reinterpreted scripture in order to fit the contemporary political situation. Further, we can see how the Emperor John II Komnenos’ military and diplomatic goals were especially shaped by this epic tradition, as he sought to reify the epic traditions of the Old Testaments in his twelfth century present. |
|---|