Przemysław Marciniak | University of Silesia in Katowice (original) (raw)

Papers by Przemysław Marciniak

The Routledge Handbook of Human-Animal Relations in the Byzantine World., 2025

Byzanitnische Zeitschrift, 2024

This article examines the zoobiography of asingle species: the octopus.It explores Byzantine pers... more This article examines the zoobiography of asingle species: the octopus.It explores Byzantine perspectivesonthe biological properties of the octopus as well as the metaphorical applications of its perceivedc haracteristics.W hilet he majority of the material is derivedf rom the middle Byzantine period (10th-12th centuries), the studyalso incorporates earlier and later sources to provide acomprehensive panorama.

The Routledge Handbook of Gender and Sexuality in Byzantium, 2024

Discussing the issue of gender representation in Byzantine liturgical theatre is difficult by and... more Discussing the issue of gender representation in Byzantine liturgical theatre is difficult by and of itself, first and foremost owing to the incompatibility of the terms adopted in Western scholarship in connection with various Byzantine performative phenomena. 2 What is referred to as 'liturgical theatre' or 'liturgical drama' simply did not exist in the Eastern Roman Empire. 3 Scholars such as Theodore Bogdanos spoke of the 'dramatic literature' of the Byzantine Church. 4 Bogdanos offered a very realistic remark in noting that, 'If drama presupposes realistic impersonation and theatrical action, therefore, we must dismiss the notion of a genuine Byzantine sacred dramatic tradition before the Palatinus Passion Play'. 5 Nowadays, we know that the Cyprus Passion Play (which is what Bogdanos is referring to by the Palatinus Passion Play) did not change the picture as it was not performed at all, and even if it was, it would still have been an isolated exception. 6 We know very little about the performative practices of the Byzantines, be they secular or, even more so, liturgical. Our records reveal that secular performers, mimes-as they were often referred to-were almost exclusively male. Marc Lauxtermann has recently suggested that a satiric song referring to a mock parade of the empress Theophano (970) might be a record of an actual performance. 7 Interestingly, Lauxtermann supposes that the role of Theophano might have been played by an actress, which, unfortunately, is not, corroborated by the extant sources (and the playing of such a role by a man would have been well within the accepted parameters of medieval performances). The fifteenth-century satire Comedy of Katablattas mentions a performer named Sοlomone, which is very unusual in that Sοlomone was a woman (and yet she is described as gelotopoios). 8 However, the satirical nature of the text does not allow us to determine whether she was indeed a real person or just a literary character. The word for the female counterpart of mime, mimas, was very rarely used in Byzantine literature in the later period. Moreover, when it was, it usually denoted a prostitute. 9 However, these two professions were not mutually exclusive both in the Byzantine imagination and in the androcentric reality of the Greek Middle Ages, as attested in Theophanes the Confessor's account (8 th /9 th c.) that conflates these professions: 'He [Nonnos] consecrated

Byzatinische Zeitschrift, 2024

This article analyses the lamentation scene in the Katomyomachia, penned by Theodore Prodromos. S... more This article analyses the lamentation scene in the Katomyomachia, penned by Theodore Prodromos. Specifically, this article examines its construction and relationship to the ancient models, as well as how the construction creates a comical effect in this parody.

Dumbarton Oaks Papers 77, 2023

Journal of the Australian Early Medieval Association, 2022

Byzantine mimes were part, however small, of Byzantine culture throughout its existence. Since Fr... more Byzantine mimes were part, however small, of Byzantine culture throughout its existence.
Since Franz Tinnefeld’s seminal paper, mimes’ continuous existence has not been doubted. However, this is still an understudied topic. The following article offers some new insights into the social position and understanding of mimes in Byzantium.

Epistolary Poetry in Byzantium and Beyond : An Anthology with Critical Essays, eds. K. Kubina & A. Riehle, 2021

Byzantina Symmeikta, 2020

This is a pre-print version of the paper - the final version will include minor corrections.

Symbolae Osloenses, 2020

The following paper discusses the so-called Dramation by Michael Haplucheir (twelfth century). It... more The following paper discusses the so-called Dramation by Michael Haplucheir (twelfth century). It argues that this text is not an attempt at reviving ancient drama but yet another literary experiment whose purpose might be both satirical and didactic.

Medioevo Greco, 2019

In copertina: amanti in un giardino (Digenis Akritas e l'amazzone Maximò?). Piatto di ceramica, X... more In copertina: amanti in un giardino (Digenis Akritas e l'amazzone Maximò?). Piatto di ceramica, XII-XIII secolo. Corinto, Museo Archeologico.

Imagining Byzantium Perceptions, Patterns, Problems, 2018

This paper follows the footsteps of scholars such as Averil Cameron who argue that Orientalism mi... more This paper follows the footsteps of scholars such as Averil Cameron who argue that Orientalism might be a useful approach to studying the reception of Byzantium. Therefore, it discusses the »Oriental« nature of the imagery of Byzantium

– especially in the 19 th century – and to what extent it might be beneficial to study the reception of Byzantium as a form of what Edward Said called Orientalism. It is argued that, contrary to what some scholars have claimed, Byzantinism can sometimes be construed as a rather complex issue with a clear political agenda. Byzantinism is thus understood here as a polyphonic term, which can simultaneously include various – often contradictory – meanings. The paper shows that Byzantinism was used in certain cases to express the same ideas and prejudices as evoked by the term Orientalism.

Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies 41.1 (2017), 1-10

Middle and Late Byzantine Poetry: Texts and Contexts, eds. A. Rhoby, N. Zagklas, 2018

This paper discusses a twelfth-century work by Theodore Prodromos, the Katomyomachia – a cat and ... more This paper discusses a twelfth-century work by Theodore Prodromos, the Katomyomachia – a cat and mice war, a poem of 385 verses written in the dodecasyllable. It is argued that the Katomyomachia, even if it contains some dramatic elements (e.g. chorus, rhesis angelike) and recycles lines from ancient drama, is not an attempt to revive ancient drama. It should rather be seen as a Byzantine version of mock-epic and an attempt to write an updated, Byzantine interpretation of Batrachomyomachia. This paper offers several examples of how Prodroses and joins together various ancient texts and traditions in his own poem.

Dumbarton Oaks Papers, 2016

This article discusses the Byzantine understanding of " satire " and " invective ". It argues tha... more This article discusses the Byzantine understanding of " satire " and " invective ". It argues that it is unwise to impose modern expectations and definitions on what we call Byzantine satire. It also shows that to find a clear-cut definition is simply impossible since Byzantine satire and invective are often interwoven and inseparable. Therefore, the main focus of the paper is on finding a theoretical framework for Byzantine satire and invective which is rooted in Byzantine writings rather than in modern definitions. There does not seem to be one designation which could be used as an " umbrella term " for Byzantine satirical production. Satire could be seen rather as a set of rhetorical strategies regulating tone, making satire more a mode than a firmly defined genre.

This article discusses the relatively unknown dialogue composed from lines lifted from the writin... more This article discusses the relatively unknown dialogue composed from lines lifted from the writings of Lucian. It is argued that the primary purpose of this text might be didactic.

The Routledge Handbook of Human-Animal Relations in the Byzantine World., 2025

Byzanitnische Zeitschrift, 2024

This article examines the zoobiography of asingle species: the octopus.It explores Byzantine pers... more This article examines the zoobiography of asingle species: the octopus.It explores Byzantine perspectivesonthe biological properties of the octopus as well as the metaphorical applications of its perceivedc haracteristics.W hilet he majority of the material is derivedf rom the middle Byzantine period (10th-12th centuries), the studyalso incorporates earlier and later sources to provide acomprehensive panorama.

The Routledge Handbook of Gender and Sexuality in Byzantium, 2024

Discussing the issue of gender representation in Byzantine liturgical theatre is difficult by and... more Discussing the issue of gender representation in Byzantine liturgical theatre is difficult by and of itself, first and foremost owing to the incompatibility of the terms adopted in Western scholarship in connection with various Byzantine performative phenomena. 2 What is referred to as 'liturgical theatre' or 'liturgical drama' simply did not exist in the Eastern Roman Empire. 3 Scholars such as Theodore Bogdanos spoke of the 'dramatic literature' of the Byzantine Church. 4 Bogdanos offered a very realistic remark in noting that, 'If drama presupposes realistic impersonation and theatrical action, therefore, we must dismiss the notion of a genuine Byzantine sacred dramatic tradition before the Palatinus Passion Play'. 5 Nowadays, we know that the Cyprus Passion Play (which is what Bogdanos is referring to by the Palatinus Passion Play) did not change the picture as it was not performed at all, and even if it was, it would still have been an isolated exception. 6 We know very little about the performative practices of the Byzantines, be they secular or, even more so, liturgical. Our records reveal that secular performers, mimes-as they were often referred to-were almost exclusively male. Marc Lauxtermann has recently suggested that a satiric song referring to a mock parade of the empress Theophano (970) might be a record of an actual performance. 7 Interestingly, Lauxtermann supposes that the role of Theophano might have been played by an actress, which, unfortunately, is not, corroborated by the extant sources (and the playing of such a role by a man would have been well within the accepted parameters of medieval performances). The fifteenth-century satire Comedy of Katablattas mentions a performer named Sοlomone, which is very unusual in that Sοlomone was a woman (and yet she is described as gelotopoios). 8 However, the satirical nature of the text does not allow us to determine whether she was indeed a real person or just a literary character. The word for the female counterpart of mime, mimas, was very rarely used in Byzantine literature in the later period. Moreover, when it was, it usually denoted a prostitute. 9 However, these two professions were not mutually exclusive both in the Byzantine imagination and in the androcentric reality of the Greek Middle Ages, as attested in Theophanes the Confessor's account (8 th /9 th c.) that conflates these professions: 'He [Nonnos] consecrated

Byzatinische Zeitschrift, 2024

This article analyses the lamentation scene in the Katomyomachia, penned by Theodore Prodromos. S... more This article analyses the lamentation scene in the Katomyomachia, penned by Theodore Prodromos. Specifically, this article examines its construction and relationship to the ancient models, as well as how the construction creates a comical effect in this parody.

Dumbarton Oaks Papers 77, 2023

Journal of the Australian Early Medieval Association, 2022

Byzantine mimes were part, however small, of Byzantine culture throughout its existence. Since Fr... more Byzantine mimes were part, however small, of Byzantine culture throughout its existence.
Since Franz Tinnefeld’s seminal paper, mimes’ continuous existence has not been doubted. However, this is still an understudied topic. The following article offers some new insights into the social position and understanding of mimes in Byzantium.

Epistolary Poetry in Byzantium and Beyond : An Anthology with Critical Essays, eds. K. Kubina & A. Riehle, 2021

Byzantina Symmeikta, 2020

This is a pre-print version of the paper - the final version will include minor corrections.

Symbolae Osloenses, 2020

The following paper discusses the so-called Dramation by Michael Haplucheir (twelfth century). It... more The following paper discusses the so-called Dramation by Michael Haplucheir (twelfth century). It argues that this text is not an attempt at reviving ancient drama but yet another literary experiment whose purpose might be both satirical and didactic.

Medioevo Greco, 2019

In copertina: amanti in un giardino (Digenis Akritas e l'amazzone Maximò?). Piatto di ceramica, X... more In copertina: amanti in un giardino (Digenis Akritas e l'amazzone Maximò?). Piatto di ceramica, XII-XIII secolo. Corinto, Museo Archeologico.

Imagining Byzantium Perceptions, Patterns, Problems, 2018

This paper follows the footsteps of scholars such as Averil Cameron who argue that Orientalism mi... more This paper follows the footsteps of scholars such as Averil Cameron who argue that Orientalism might be a useful approach to studying the reception of Byzantium. Therefore, it discusses the »Oriental« nature of the imagery of Byzantium

– especially in the 19 th century – and to what extent it might be beneficial to study the reception of Byzantium as a form of what Edward Said called Orientalism. It is argued that, contrary to what some scholars have claimed, Byzantinism can sometimes be construed as a rather complex issue with a clear political agenda. Byzantinism is thus understood here as a polyphonic term, which can simultaneously include various – often contradictory – meanings. The paper shows that Byzantinism was used in certain cases to express the same ideas and prejudices as evoked by the term Orientalism.

Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies 41.1 (2017), 1-10

Middle and Late Byzantine Poetry: Texts and Contexts, eds. A. Rhoby, N. Zagklas, 2018

This paper discusses a twelfth-century work by Theodore Prodromos, the Katomyomachia – a cat and ... more This paper discusses a twelfth-century work by Theodore Prodromos, the Katomyomachia – a cat and mice war, a poem of 385 verses written in the dodecasyllable. It is argued that the Katomyomachia, even if it contains some dramatic elements (e.g. chorus, rhesis angelike) and recycles lines from ancient drama, is not an attempt to revive ancient drama. It should rather be seen as a Byzantine version of mock-epic and an attempt to write an updated, Byzantine interpretation of Batrachomyomachia. This paper offers several examples of how Prodroses and joins together various ancient texts and traditions in his own poem.

Dumbarton Oaks Papers, 2016

This article discusses the Byzantine understanding of " satire " and " invective ". It argues tha... more This article discusses the Byzantine understanding of " satire " and " invective ". It argues that it is unwise to impose modern expectations and definitions on what we call Byzantine satire. It also shows that to find a clear-cut definition is simply impossible since Byzantine satire and invective are often interwoven and inseparable. Therefore, the main focus of the paper is on finding a theoretical framework for Byzantine satire and invective which is rooted in Byzantine writings rather than in modern definitions. There does not seem to be one designation which could be used as an " umbrella term " for Byzantine satirical production. Satire could be seen rather as a set of rhetorical strategies regulating tone, making satire more a mode than a firmly defined genre.

This article discusses the relatively unknown dialogue composed from lines lifted from the writin... more This article discusses the relatively unknown dialogue composed from lines lifted from the writings of Lucian. It is argued that the primary purpose of this text might be didactic.

Animals have recently become recognized as significant agents of history as part of the 'animal t... more Animals have recently become recognized as significant agents of history as part of the 'animal turn' in historical studies. Animals in Byzantium were human companions, a source of entertainment and food-it is small wonder that they made their way into literature and the visual arts. Moreover, humans defined themselves and their activities by referring to non-human animals, either by anthropomorphizing animals (as in the case of the Cat-Mice War) or by animalizing humans and their (un)wanted behaviours. The Routledge Handbook of Human-Animal Relations in the Byzantine World offers an in-depth survey of the relationships between humans and non-human animals in the Byzantine Empire. The contributions included in the volume address both material (zooarchaeology, animals as food, visual representations of animals) and immaterial (semiotics, philosophy) aspects of human-animal coexistence in chapters written by leading experts in their field. This book will appeal to students and scholars alike researching Byzantine social and cultural history, as well as those interested in the history of animals. This book marks an important step in the development of animal studies in Byzantium, filling a gap in the wider research on the history of human-animal relations in the Middle Ages.

This is the first volume to explore the commentaries on ancient texts produced and circulating in... more This is the first volume to explore the commentaries on ancient texts produced and circulating in Byzantium. It adopts a broad chronological perspective (from the twelfth to the fifteenth century) and examines different types of commentaries on ancient poetry and prose within the context of the study and teaching of grammar, rhetoric, philosophy and science. By discussing the exegetical literature of the Byzantines as embedded in the socio-cultural context of the Komnenian and Palaiologan periods, the book analyses the frameworks and networks of knowledge transfer, patronage and identity building that motivated the Byzantine engagement with the ancient intellectual and literary tradition.

EMC 12 This volume places the satirical works of the Middle Byzantine period in a wider political... more EMC 12 This volume places the satirical works of the Middle Byzantine period in a wider political and sociocultural context, exploring not only their various forms but also their functions and meanings. The volume is divided into four parts. The rst part provides the backgrounds of the authors and texts discussed in the volume. The second concerns the manifold functions and appearances of Byzantine satirical texts. Part three o fers detailed analyses of three largely unexplored texts (the Charidemos, the Philopatris, and the Anacharsis). The last part moves from the individual texts to the larger picture of satirical modes in Middle Byzantium. Contributors are Baukje van den

Katowice: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego

Call for papers: conference on animal performances.

The conference will take place in Munich (LMU) on July 6-7 in a hybrid format. Please specify in ... more The conference will take place in Munich (LMU) on July 6-7 in a hybrid format. Please specify in your submission whether you would like to participate in person or online. Selected participants will be offered accommodation and reimbursement of travel expenses.

Conference Program: International workshop "Preserving, Commenting, Adapting: Commentaries on Anc... more Conference Program: International workshop "Preserving, Commenting, Adapting: Commentaries on Ancient Texts in Twelfth-Century Byzantium"

This workshop aims to explore the ways in which the Byzantines used—preserved, commented, adapted—ancient literature. We therefore invite abstracts that explore commentaries on ancient texts throughout the Byzantine period. We define ‘commentary’ in a broad sense, to include generically diverse texts that in one way or another comment on the ancient literary heritage. Questions that might be addressed include but are not limited to the following: What (contemporary) questions of meaning do Byzantine commentators seek to answer? What is their hermeneutic and/or didactic programme? How do commentators perceive their own role in preserving or defending the authority of the ancient text? What function do these commentaries fulfil within their intellectual and socio-cultural context? What is the relationship between commentaries on ancient texts and the transtextual use of ancient texts in Byzantine literary practice?

Animals have recently become recognized as significant agents of history as part of the ‘animal t... more Animals have recently become recognized as significant agents of history as part of the ‘animal turn’ in historical studies. Animals in Byzantium were human companions, a source of entertainment and food – it is small wonder that they made their way into literature and the visual arts. Moreover, humans defined themselves and their activities by referring to non-human animals, either by anthropomorphizing animals (as in the case of the Cat-Mice War) or by animalizing humans and their (un)wanted behaviours.
The Routledge Handbook of Human-Animal Relations in the Byzantine World offers an in-depth survey of the relationships between humans and non-human animals in the Byzantine Empire. The contributions included in the volume address both material (zooarchaeology, animals as food, visual representations of animals) and immaterial (semiotics, philosophy) aspects of human-animal coexistence in chapters written by leading experts in their field.