Name der Zeitschrift: Byzantinische Zeitschrift Jahrgang: 107 Heft: 2 Seiten: 711-724.

Michael Psellos (1018-1081) read texts of the Neoplatonist Proclus (412-485) throughout his life. His interest may have started as early as 1034, but the first direct references can be dated to ca 1041 and the last occur towards the end of his life, notably the Omnifaria Doctrina. Psellos’ interest in Proclus evolved over time: 1. 1034-1043 hermeneutical problems, 2. 1043-1059 theurgy and interest in relation between body and soul, 3. 1059-1081 physiology and interest in Proclus’ philosophical principles. Psellos’ wide range (...) of interests means that each phase represents a particular focus, but not exclusive one. (shrink)

Pindar was read and appreciated in Byzantium, as one may detect from an analysis of poem 6 by Christopher Mitylenaios. This short text contains many references to the lyric poet both in structure and content, revealing that whoever read it needed to have studied Pindar in order to understand the parody and description of the chariot race. Thus the poem brings forward the question of readership and proposes a short list of people who definitely had read Pindar in the middle (...) eleventh century. (shrink)

The silver miliaresion coin of Romanos III Argyros has a metrical inscription which reveals traits of the cultural policy of the emperor. It is written in dactylic hexameters and contains a feminine caesura as well as a bucolic one and an allusion to the Odyssey and to Aristophanes. These features confirm the emperor as a patron of the arts and reveal the presence of an accomplished but otherwise unknown poet at the imperial court.

"This volume brings together articles by sixteen leading scholars on a cross-section of Platonists authors-Christian and non-Christian-from early through late Byzantium philosophy, including the Capaddocians, Cyril, Proclus, Damascius, Dionysius, George of Pisidia, Nicetas Stethatos, Nikephoros Choumenos, Psellos, and George Palamas. The reception of Byzantine thought in the Latin tradition is also considered. The articles collectively show development in the Greek East on ontological issues such as the doctrine of the soul, as well as theological concepts of the One/God and Trinity (...) within a hierarchical universe. The volume considers exegetical questions relating to the use of Plato and the Platonists by Byzantine Christian authors"--. (shrink)