The 24th International Congress of Byzantine Studies

Series | The 24th International Congress of Byzantine Studies | Byzantine Studies
Edited book | Proceedings of the Plenary Sessions
Chapter | Texts and Tales of Byzantium in Primarily Oral Cultures

Texts and Tales of Byzantium in Primarily Oral Cultures

From the Caucasus to Canterbury

Abstract

This paper considers the unregulated 10th-12th-century outflow northwards of Eastern Christian persons, written texts, oral tales and artefacts via the waterways spanning Rus. Responses to this outflow varied across northwest Europe, helping to consolidate regimes or legitimise rebels, while bolstering individual’s status. Comparable dynamics are seen in the Caucasus, with the titles and visible trappings of a God-blessed court enhancing Alan rulers’ imperial and dynastic ambitions, while tales of Byzantium helped legitimise regional clans. But intensive engagement was finite and fitful, registering the changing needs of developing polities/cultures.


Open access | Peer reviewed

Submitted: Oct. 16, 2021 | Accepted: Feb. 9, 2022 | Published Aug. 22, 2022 | Language: en

Keywords LaudesVikingweaponryWritingdynastiesByzantine-awarenesstalesEliteIcelandBasileusAnglo-DanisheliteWilliam the ConquerorRagnvaldtextsGoldwritinggoldNormansHarald HardradamercenariesTalesTextsCaucasusbasileusEdward the ConfessorWeaponrystratagemsEdgarCnutMercenariesDynastiesStratagemsAlanslaudes


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