The learning of foreign languages and their use in the Byzantine world was unsystematic and purely utilitarian. Although the idea of learning foreign languages as an intellectual practice was alien to Byzantine education, the Byzantines, of course, were aware of the fact that the surrounding people spoke their own languages and that the Turks among them were no exception. Continue reading “The Eastern Roman (‘Byzantine’) perception of languages of the Turkic peoples”
The Turkic peoples in Eastern Roman (‘Byzantine’) ethnography
First, the Turkic peoples belonged to the most general category of “barbarians” (βάρβαροι). In Byzantine times, “barbarians” were opposed not so much to “Hellenes” (Ἕλληνες ), as in the classical and Hellenistic periods, but rather to the “Romans”, Ῥωµαῖοι. Continue reading “The Turkic peoples in Eastern Roman (‘Byzantine’) ethnography”
Christian (Eastern Roman Empire)-Muslim (Turkish) relations through the works of Nicetas Choniates (1155-1217 A.D.)
Nicetas Choniates – a short biography
Nicetas was born in Chōnai, in Phrygia (hence his name Chōniates, sometimes incorrectly given as Akominatos or Acominatus), in about 1155. Continue reading “Christian (Eastern Roman Empire)-Muslim (Turkish) relations through the works of Nicetas Choniates (1155-1217 A.D.)”
Twelfth century ‘Byzantine’-Turkish relations
Here we present selected parts of the paper titled “«The sons of Hagar» in Archbishop Eustathios’ The capture of Thessaloniki. Some evidence concerning late twelfth century Byzantine-Turkish relations“, by Gerasimos A. Merianos. Continue reading “Twelfth century ‘Byzantine’-Turkish relations”
The (Eastern) Roman Empire and its northern neighbours (Alans, Goths, Huns, Bulgars, Avars, Turks)
By Dr Charles Kadlec, Professor of Slavonic Law at the Charles University of Prague.
“While the Germans impressed their characteristic stamp on both the medieval and modern history of Western Europe, it was reserved for the Eastern Slavs, the Russians, to build a great empire on the borderlands of Europe and Asia. Continue reading “The (Eastern) Roman Empire and its northern neighbours (Alans, Goths, Huns, Bulgars, Avars, Turks)”
Avars, Slavs, Lombards, Franks and a series of devastations for the Eastern Roman (‘Byzantine’) Empire
In this article we present selected scenes from Eastern Roman History. We put a magnifying glass on it, in an attempt to explain historical facts at a greater depth. Continue reading “Avars, Slavs, Lombards, Franks and a series of devastations for the Eastern Roman (‘Byzantine’) Empire”