John Zonaras' Epitome of Histories (12th cent.) : a compendium of Jewish-Roman history and its readers
This thesis is concerned with the twelfth-century chronicle of John Zonaras, the so-called Epitome of Histories (henceforth: Epitome). Its aim is to identify the unique qualities of the Epitome which make the work stand out, and thus determine its place within the tradition of Byzantine historical writing. The first chapter discusses the biographical and chronological information available to us about Zonaras, and contains a survey of the other works composed by the author in addition to the Epitome. Chapters 2 to 5 focus on the chronicle itself. The second chapter explains the arrangement of Zonaras' text in volumes and in thematic units. It demonstrates that the author gradually developed his project into a universal historical account over a period of time. Chapter 3 looks at the author's method of work, exploring how he used and adapted his source material. The fourth chapter deals with the work's political and ideological framework. It shows that Zonaras' disapproval of Alexios I Komnenos was to a great extent a personal attack, but also an outright rejection of similar policies that were implemented by various emperors in the past. Zonaras' pronounced interest in Roman antiquities is discussed in the
Kampianaki, Theofili
John Zonaras' Epitome of Histories (12th cent.) : a compendium of Jewish-Roman history and its readers. This thesis is concerned with the twelfth-century chronicle of John Zonaras, the so-called Epitome of Histories (henceforth: Epitome). Its aim is to identify the unique qualities of the Epitome which make the work stand out, and thus determine its place within the tradition of Byzantine historical writing. The first chapter discusses the biographical and chronological information available to us about Zonaras, and contains a survey of the other works composed by the author in addition to the Epitome. Chapters 2 to 5 focus on the chronicle itself. The second chapter explains the arrangement of Zonaras' text in volumes and in thematic units. It demonstrates that the author gradually developed his project into a universal historical account over a period of time. Chapter 3 looks at the author's method of work, exploring how he used and adapted his source material. The fourth chapter deals with the work's political and ideological framework. It shows that Zonaras' disapproval of Alexios I Komnenos was to a great extent a personal attack, but also an outright rejection of similar policies that were implemented by various emperors in the past. Zonaras' pronounced interest in Roman antiquities is discussed in the
john histories compendium jewish roman_history reader concerned twelfth_century chronicle john so_called histories henceforth aim_identify unique quality make work stand thus determine place_within tradition byzantine historical_writing first_discuss biographical chronological information_available contain survey work compose author addition focus chronicle itself second explain arrangement text volume thematic unit demonstrates author gradually develop project universal historical_account period_time look author method work explore use adapt source_material fourth_deal work political_ideological framework show great_extent personal attack also outright rejection similar policy_implement various emperor past pronounced interest roman antiquity discuss