Politics, philosophy, and humor at the Byzantine court : eight works by Theodore II Laskaris / translated with introduction and commentary by Dimiter Angelov.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Theodore II Lascaris, Emperor of Nicaea, 1222-1258, author.

Contributor:

Angelov, Dimiter, 1972- editor, translator, writer of supplementary textual content.

Series:

Graphai

Language:

English

Greek, Ancient (to 1453)

Subjects (All):

Theodore II Lascaris, Emperor of Nicaea, 1222-1258--Political and social views.

Theodore.

Theodore II Lascaris, Emperor of Nicaea, 1222-1258--Philosophy.

Theodore II Lascaris, Emperor of Nicaea, 1222-1258--Translations into English.

Byzantine Empire--Civilization--Sources--Early works to 1800.

Byzantine Empire.

Byzantine Empire--History--Sources--Early works to 1800.

Physical Description:

xi, 223 pages : illustrations, map ; 24 cm.

Other Title:

Eight works by Theodore II Laskaris

Place of Publication:

Washington, DC : Dumbarton Oaks, Trustees for Harvard University, [2025]

Language Note:

Translated from Greek

Summary:

"The thirteenth-century emperor Theodore II Laskaris, ruler of the Empire of Nicaea, is among those versatile authors of the Byzantine era who produced numerous little-known gems of literature and thought. He composed the sole theoretical work on friendship surviving from Byzantium, wrote philosophy with verve and humor, and was perhaps the most passionate advocate of the idea of a communal Hellenic identity in the Middle Ages. This volume represents the first translation into English of eight works by Laskaris. An introduction and annotations to the translations orient the reader and contextualize these fascinating pieces. The selections themselves include a satire of his tutor, his oration on friendship and politics, his oration on Hellenism, and philosophical works and musings that include a treatise filled with Socratic irony. They represent the most prominent strands of Laskaris's thought and provide the reader with a well-rounded portrait of this remarkable author"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Introduction. The author [Theodore Doukas Laskaris or, Emperor Theodore II Laskaris (1221/1222-1258)]; The selected works ; Note on the editions and the translations ; Chronology and contexts: Satire of his tutor ; Memorial discourse on Emperor Frederick II ; Moral pieces describing the inconstancy of life ; Oration on friendship and politics ; Representation of the world, or Life ; On what Is unclear and a testimony : that the author is ignorant of philosophy ; Oration on Hellenism ; Letter on royal duty, taxation, and the army

Style, vocabulary, and grammar ; Theodore Laskaris and Nikephoros Blemmydes ; Theodore Laskaris as a literary figure and philosopher

Translations. Satire of his tutor ; Memorial discourse on Emperor Frederick II ; Moral pieces describing the inconstancy of life ; Oration on friendship and politics ; Representation of the world, or Life: Dedications ; Representation of the world, or Life

On what Is unclear and a testimony : that the author is ignorant of philosophy ; Oration on Hellenism ; Letter on royal duty, taxation, and the army.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 199-209) and indexes.

ISBN:

9780884025245

0884025241

OCLC:

1473686386