The reception of Plutarch in George Pisides' panegyrical poems. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xenophontos, Sophia
• Is Part Of: Byzantine and modern Greek studies. Volume 44:Number 2(2020)
• Page Start: 189
• Page End: 211
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: Plutarch, -- Parallel Lives, -- George Pisides, -- early Byzantine imperial panegyric, -- reception of classical literature; Byzantine Empire -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Greece -- History -- 323-1453 -- Periodicals; Greece -- Periodicals; Byzantine Empire -- Civilization -- Periodicals; 949.5005
• DOI: 10.1017/byz.2020.1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0307-0131

Abstract

Abstract : This article examines Plutarch's reception in George Pisides' poetry. The first section argues in favour of Pisides' familiarity with Plutarch's writings, mainly in view of verbatim quotations and other thematic connections or allusions. The second section explores Pisides' more creative use of Plutarch by discussing his direct addresses to the Chearonean philosopher and comparing them with Pisides' similar apostrophes to Homer and Demosthenes in The Persian Expedition and the Heraclias . By seeking to 'rewrite' the heroic past, Pisides presents himself as a skilled emulator of his ancient predecessors, thereby enhancing his self-fashioning as the imperial spokesman par excellence.