Κατεύθυνση Βυζαντινή Ιστορία
Library of the School of Philosophy

2021-04-13

2021

Vlahou Οlga

Σοφία Μεργιαλή–Σαχά, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Αντωνία Κιουσοπούλου, Καθηγήτρια, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Κατερίνα Νικολάου, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ

Προσωπογραφία και δίκτυα μέσα από το corpus των επιστολών του Μιχαήλ Χωνιάτη (ca. 1176-a. 1204).

Greek

Prosopography and networks through Michael Choniates' corpus epistolarum (ca. 1176-a. 1204).

The analysis of historical social networks promises the emergence of new problems and conclusions through the study of individuals and small groups, which, when reduced to a more general context, might cast new light on historical events.
It has been observed that the 12th century offers many perspectives on network analysis due to the consolidation and dissemination of certain social practices. In addition, letter collections have been characterized as the most appropriate source for the application of this methodology. Thus, Michael Choniates’ correspondence is a relatively safe starting point for the study of the networks of his time, not only because of its practical and chronological extent, but also because of its numerous eponymous recipients. The prosopographical study of his recipients and the persons mentioned in his letters is the first step for the analysis of his network. Based on the data resulting from this process, two new issues can be highlighted and re-examined.
The first subject area is the exploration of the political and social background that had led a certain group of scholars to take over provincial metropolises since Manuel I Comnenus’ reign. The common features shared among most of the well-known metropolitans of the second half of the 12th century were not the result of coincidences or conjunctures, but a voluntary derivative of the intellectuals’ ideology of the time. Their own perception of their role and the work they demonstrated are identical with Manuel’s views and practices of upgrading the provinces. Therefore, it seems that from the middle of the 12th century the metropolitans were for the state an easy and inexpensive solution of developing provincial cities and maintaining the imperial power over them.
The second area of study is paideia, which emerges as the most prominent common feature among the members of the network. Michael Choniates’ letters lay the foundation for the study of social models that coexisted under the veil of the patriarchal school of Constantinople. Through the analysis of this network, the catalytic role of education in the administration and the Church during the second half of the 12th century is highlighted. The intellectuals worked beside the emperors -as orators, as officials but also as advisers-, had strong connections with the aristocracy -whether they belonged to it or not-, gained the power to promote people close to them in high positions and enjoyed professional success both in the capital and in the provinces. The relationships that had been developed during the pupilage seem to have been the rival against the imperial nepotism of the time.
Finally, through the analysis of Michael Choniates’ network, there has been achieved a small contribution to filling in the prosopographical gap of the 12th century’s last decades.

History

Social networks, epistolography, prosopography, Michael Choniates, Eustathios, Euthymios Malakes, Nicetas Choniates, Manuel I Comnenus, Isaac II Angelus, Alexius III Angelus, prosopographical dictionary, metropolises, paideia, intellectuals, 12th century

No

0

No

158

96

File access is restricted only to the intranet of UoA.

https://pergamos.lib.uoa.gr/uoa/dl/object/2942989