Representations of Power in the Byzantios Oration of Theodore Metochites: Illusions and Realities

• Main Author: Alexandra Voudourie
• Format: Article
• Language: deu
• Published: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki 2013-04-01
• Series: Παρεκβολαί
• Subjects: Theodore Metochites; Byzantios; Palaiologan period; Constantinople
• Online Access: http://ejournals.lib.auth.gr/parekbolai/article/view/3995
• ISSN: 2241-0228; 2241-0228

The early 14th century and so far very little commented on Byzantios logos by Theodore Metochites appears to be the first surviving, lengthy, and independent city encomium in the Greek language since the 4th century Antiochikos logos by Libanios. Metochites seems to be quite familiar with the late antique tradition of the extended independent city praises and as a result the 70 folia long laus Constantinopolitana, includes all the expected, and power-indicating praising themes: thesis, foundation, walls, secular buildings and other infrastructure, occupations of the citizens, internal and external beauty, piety of the citizens and churches, secular education, ports and trade, commonwealth and cosmopolitanism, ecumenical character, intense Christian faith and synkrisis with other famous cities. But can an encomium of Constantinople, written in the dramatic first decade of the 14th century, really be a source of any power representations at all? Or should one reassess the encomiastic topoi and attempt to distinguish fact from fiction and power from illusion of power? Finally, can the lengthier and more persistent analysis of particular features serve as a proof of their more realistic character? The above questions are approached by using some hidden dating indicators of Byzantios logos, in addition to a critical evaluation of Metochites᾽ use of the late antique rhetorical guidelines, and in the light of the latest research on the economic and spiritual life in early Palaiologan Constantinople.