Imperial Visions of Late Byzantium: Manuel II Palaiologos and Rhetoric in Purple

Description

Explores a Byzantine emperor’s construction of authority with the help of his rhetorical texts Examines the changes in the Byzantine imperial idea by the end of the fourteenth century with a particular focus on the instrumentalization of the intellectual dimension of the imperial rule Integrates late Byzantine imperial visions into the bigger picture of Byzantine imperial ideology Provides a fresh understanding of key pieces of Byzantine public rhetoric and introduces analytical concepts from rhetorical, literary, and discursive theories Offers translations of key passages from late Byzantine rhetoric Manuel II Palaiologos was not only a Byzantine emperor but also a remarkably prolific rhetorician and theologian. His oeuvre included letters, treatises, dialogues, short poems and orations. Florin Leonte deals with several of his texts shaped by a didactic intention to educate the emperor’s son and successor, John VIII Palaiologos. He argues that the emperor constructed a rhetorical persona which he used in an attempt to compete with other contemporary power-brokers. While Manuel Palaiologos adhered to many rhetorical conventions of his day, he also reasserted the civic role of rhetoric. With a special focus on the first two decades of Manuel II Palaiologos’ rule, 1391–1417, Leonte offers a new understanding of the imperial ethos in Byzantium by combining rhetorical analysis with investigation of social and political phenomena. Acknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction Manuel II Palaiologos: A Short Biography and an Overview of the Historical Context Aims of the Present Study Structure Sources Theoretical Framework Previous Scholarship Part I Dissent and Consent 1 Voices of Dissent: Preaching and Negotiating Authority Organisation of the Ecclesiastics’ Group Major Political and Social Themes in the Ecclesiastics’ Writings Conclusion 2 Voices of Consent: Imperial Rhetoricians, Theatra and Patronage Theatra and Imperial Involvement Profile and Organisation of the Rhetoricians Connections among the Members of the Literary Court The Rhetorical Landscape in the Late Palaiologan Period Main Themes in the Rhetoricians’ Writings Conclusion Part II Other Voices, Other Approaches: Manuel II’s Political Writings Introduction to Part II Further Methodological Considerations An Overview of the Emperor’s Rhetorical oeuvre The Emperor’s Political Texts 3 The Deliberative Voice: The Dialogue with the Empress-Mother on Marriage Contents and Structure Genre Constructing Dialogic Authority Conclusion 4 The Didactic Voice: The Foundations of an Imperial Education Context of Production Contents and Structure Genre Authorial Voice Conclusion 5 The Didactic Voice: The Orations (Seven Ethico-Political Orations) The Dramatic Setting The Contents of the Orations Major Themes in the Orations The Orations: Summary and Form Between Teaching and Preaching: Constructing the Genre of the Orations Authorial Voice: Teaching the Son and Admonishing the Emperor Conclusion 6 The Narrative Voice: The Funeral Oration on His Brother Theodore, Despot of Morea Contexts of Production The Rhetorical Template and the Compositional Structure of the Funeral Oration The Narrator and the Narrative Authorial Voice Conclusion 7 Towards a Renewed Vision of Imperial Authority Society and Social ‘Classes’ Enemies and Allies Markers of Byzantine Identity Renewal of Imperial Ideology in Manuel’s Texts Manuel II’s Imperial Vision and Style of Gover Conclusions Appendices Appendix 1 Members of Manuel II’s Literary Circle Apendix 2 The Contents and Structure of Manuel II’s Foundations Appendix 3 Translation of Gemistos Plethon’s Preface to Manuel II’s Funeral Oration Appendix 4 Network of Ecclesiastics and Rhetoricians during Manuel II’s Reign Bibliography Manuscripts Consulted Primary Sources Secondary Literature Index