The Book of Emperors: A Translation of the Middle High German "Kaiserchronik"

Description

Edited and translated by Henry A. Myers. The "Kaiserchronik" (c. 1152-1165) is the first verse chronicle to have been written in a language other than Latin. This story recounts the exploits of the Roman, Byzantine, Carolingian, and Holy Roman kings and rulers, from the establishment of Rome to the start of the Second Crusade. As an early example of popular history, it was written for a non-monastic audience who would have preferred to read, or may only have been able to read, in German. As a rhymed chronicle, its combined use of the styles of language found within a vernacular epic and a factual treaty was a German innovation. "The Book of Emperors" is the first complete translation of the "Kaiserchronik" from Middle High German to English. It is a rich resource not only for medieval German scholars and students, but also for those working in early cultural studies. It brings together an understanding of the conception of kingship in the German Middle Ages, from the relationship between emperor and king, to the moral, theological, and legal foundations of claims and legitimacy and the medieval epistemological approaches to historiography. This translation includes a substantial introduction that discusses the historical and philological context of the work, as well as the themes of power and kingship. Each chapter begins with a brief introduction that distinguishes historical truths from the epic fiction found within the original text. Acknowledgments ix Editor's Note xii Introduction 1. The "Book of Emperors" and its Treatment of History 1 1.1. The tradition of world historiography in the Middle Ages: Augustine, Orosius, and Otto of Freising 3 1.2. Mid-twelfth-century Germany: "deeds" replace the "two cities" 8 1.3. "I tell you this for sure" 10 2. The Value of the "Book of Emperors" as a Source of Intellectual History 14 2.1. The ancient law uniting church and empire 15 2.2. True kingship 19 2.3. The Donation of Constantine and the translation of Empire 21 2.4. Christian clemency and draconic law enforcement 24 2.5. Prayer-answering as within a feudal contract 26 3. Composition and Utilization of the Work 30 3.1. Authorship 30 3.2. Patronage 35 3.3. Sources 38 3.4. Influence 41 4. Stylistic Considerations 52 4.1. The author's style: scholarly urgency 52 4.2. This translation 55 4.3. This title 59 The "Book of Emperors" Note to readers: Verse line numbers accompany the names of each chapter in brackets as a guide to the original work. Prologue [1-42] 65 1. Rome's Founding: Roman Gods for Each Day of the Week and the Bells that Warned of Revolt [43-246] 67 2. Julius Caesar [247-602] 71 3. Augustus Caesar [603-670] 80 4. Tiberius [671-1114] 82 5. Caius Caligula (Jovinus Legend) [1115-1218] 90 6. Faustinian [1219-4038] 93 7. Claudius [4039-4082] 134 8. Nero [4083-4304] 135 9. Tarquin [4305-4834] 140 10. Galba and Piso [4835-4846] 149 11. Otho [4847-4860] 150 12. Vitellius (Odnatus Legend) [4861-5098] 151 13. Vespasian [5099-5364] 156 14. Titus [5365-5556] 160 15. Domitian [5557-5682] 164 16. Nerva [5683-5838] 167 17. Trajan [5839-6096] 170 18. Philip [6097-6150] 176 19. Decius [6151-6450] 177 20. Diocletian and Maximian [6451-6621] 182 21. Severus [6622-7135] 186 22. Helvius (Helius) Pertinax [7136-7211] 194 23. Helius Adrianus (Hadrian) [7212-7243] 196 24. Lucius Accommodus [7244-7425] 197 25. Achilleus [7426-7451] 201 26. Gallienus [7452-7603] 202 27. Constantius Chlorus [7604-7805] 205 28. Constantine I "the Great" [7604-10510] 209 29. Sylvester [10511-10634] 250 30. Julian [10635-11137] 254 31. Heraclius [11138-11351] 263 32. Narcissus (Legend of the Two Theodorics) [11352-12812] 267 33. Justinian [12813-13066] 289 34. Theodosius [13067-13650] 294 35. Constantine Leo [13651-13824] 304 36. Zeno [13825-14193] 308 37. Constantine VI [14194-14281] 316 38. Charles I "the Great" [14282-15091] 318 39. Louis I "the Pious" [15092-15235] 334 40. Lothair I [15236-15316] 336 41. Louis II [15317-15399] 338 42. Charles III "the Fat" [15400-15518] 340 43. Arnulf [15518-15581] 343 44. Louis III "the Child" [15582-15651] 345 45. Conrad I [15652-15759] 347 46. Henry I [15760-15849] 350 47. Otto I "the Great" [15850-15974] 352 48. Otto II [15974-16063] 355 49. Otto III [16064-16141] 357 50. Henry II "Saint Henry" [16142-16253] 359 51. Conrad II [16254-16375] 362 52. Henry III "the Black" also "the Good" [16376-16531] 364 53. Henry IV [16532-16847] 368 54. Henry V [16848-16941] 375 55. Lothair II [16942-17179] 377 56. Conrad III [17180-17283] 382 Bibliography 385 Index 390