Cultural and geographical references from the book «Byzantium: The surprising life of a medieval empire», by Judith Herrin, including an English-Spanish literary vocabulary

Cultural and geographical references from the book «Byzantium: The surprising life of a medieval empire», by Judith Herrin, including an English-Spanish literary vocabulary

 

 

Cultural references

 

archon. (ἄρχων). ruler, head of state or other leader, local leaders.

Apophthegmata. Refrains from the desert fathers.

The Battle of Akroinon. Battle fought at Akroinon or Akroinos (near modern Afyon) in Phrygia, on the western edge of the Anatolian plateau, in 740 between an Umayyad Arab army and the Byzantine forces. The Arabs had been conducting regular raids into Anatolia for the past century, and the 740 expedition was the largest in recent decades, consisting of three separate divisions. One division, 20,000 strong under Abdallah al-Battal and al-Malik ibn Shu'aib, was confronted at Akroinon by the Byzantines under the command of Emperor Leo III the Isaurian r. 717–741) and his son, the future Constantine V (r. 741–775). The battle resulted in a decisive Byzantine victory. Coupled with the Umayyad Caliphate's troubles on other fronts and the internal instability before and after the Abbasid Revolt, this put an end to major Arab incursions into Anatolia for three decades. (Wikipedia).

Flavius Belisarius. (Greek: Φλάβιος Βελισάριος, c. 500 – 565). Military commander of the (Byzantine) Eastern Roman Empire. He was instrumental in the reconquest of much of the Mediterranean territory of the former Western Roman Empire, which had been lost less than a century before. One of the defining features of Belisarius's career was his success despite varying levels of available resources. His name is frequently given as one of the so-called "Last of the Romans". Belisarius is considered a military genius who conquered the Vandal Kingdom of North Africa in the Vandalic War in nine months and much of Italy during the Gothic War. He defeated the Vandal armies at the battles of Ad Decimum and played an important role at Tricamarum and compelled the Vandal king Gelimer to surrender. During the Gothic War he took Rome and held out against great odds during the Siege of Rome. He also won an important battle against the Persians at Dara but lost one at Callinicum. He successfully repulsed a Hunnish incursion at Melantias. Also known for military deception, he repulsed a Persian invasion by deceiving their commander and lifting the Siege of Ariminum without a fight. (Wikipedia).

«bene bene». A salutation used in the Byzantine court, usually when beginning a speech, a residue of their Roman inheritance.

Biblioteca Marciana. Located in Venice, Italy.

Brumalia. ancient Roman, winter solstice festival honouring Saturn/Cronus and Ceres/Demeter, and Bacchus in some cases. By the Byzantine era, celebrations commenced on 24 November and lasted for a month, until Saturnalia and the "Waxing of the Light". The festival included night-time feasting, drinking, and merriment. During this time, prophetic indications were taken as prospects for the remainder of the winter. Was practiced in the Eastern Roman Empire until the 11^th century. Seems to have vanished after the sack of Constantinople in 1204.

Chalke Gate. (Greek: Χαλκῆ Πύλη). The main ceremonial entrance (vestibule) to the Great Palace of Constantinople in the Byzantine period. The name, which means "the Bronze Gate", was given to it either because of the bronze portals or from the gilded bronze tiles used in its roof. The interior was lavishly decorated with marble and mosaics, and the exterior façade featured a number of statues. Most prominent was an icon of Christ which became a major iconodule symbol during the Byzantine Iconoclasm, and a chapel dedicated to the Christ Chalkites was erected in the 10th century next to the gate. The gate itself seems to have been demolished in the 13th century, but the chapel survived until the early 19th century.

chrysobull. (Χρυσόβουλο). golden bull, bula de oro, crisóbula.

déspoina. (Δέσποινα). lady.  

Gasmuloi. (γασμοῦλοι). Byzantine citizens of Western European heritage.

hesychasm. (ἡσυχασμός). hesicasmo. Doctrina y práctica ascética difundida entre los monjes cristianos orientales, a partir del siglo IV con los llamados Padres del Desierto.

idiorhythmic. (Originally and chiefly of monastic institutions) allowing freedom to the individual.

kata poda. (κατά πόδᾰ). Translation technique similar to scansion, employed by William of Moerbeke when making his translations of Aristotle in to Greek. Apparently, due to the rigidity of this translation technique, these translations have been useful in partly reconstructing lost Greek material. Lit. «(Traducción) paso por paso». (Translation) step by step.

John Tzetzes. (Greek: Ἰωάννης Τζέτζης, Iōánnēs Tzétzēs; c. 1110, Constantinople – 1180, Constantinople). Byzantine poet and grammarian who is known to have lived at Constantinople in the 12th century. His most important work was the Chiliades, and he preserved valuable information from ancient Greek literature and scholarship.

kelliotes. (κελλιώτης). hermite.

latría. (λατρεία). Latría es un término proveniente del latín, latrīa, y este a su vez del griego, λατρεία, que significa adoración o culto. Se usa en la teología católica para referirse a la forma más alta de reverencia, el culto de adoración que, en sentido estricto, solo debe dirigirse y ofrecerse absolutamente a Dios, Santísima Trinidad, o a alguna de sus tres personas en particular (v.gr., Dios Hijo, Jesucristo, o la presencia de Jesucristo en la Eucaristía). Por lo tanto, según la doctrina católica la expresión culto de latría hace referencia al culto que se le rinde a Dios con exclusividad.

lavra. (Λαύρα). comunidades religiosas ubicadas en los montes de Atos.

Mistrá. (también Mystrás, Mystrá o Mistrás; en griego Μυστράς, Μυζηθράς Myzithrás en la Crónica de Morea) fue una ciudad fortificada en Morea (Peloponeso) sobre el monte Taigeto, cerca de la antigua Esparta, en Grecia. Se encuentra a unos 8 km al oeste de la actual ciudad de Sparti (Esparta). Mistrá fue la capital del Despotado latino de Morea, un principado vasallo del Principado latino de Acaya, establecido en 1205 tras la conquista de Constantinopla durante la Cuarta Cruzada. El príncipe Guillermo II de Villehardouin, sobrino del historiador de la Cuarta Cruzada Godofredo de Villehardouin, construyó un palacio en Mistrá en 1249. El Despotado latino fue reconquistado por Miguel VIII Paleólogo en 1262, tras tomar Constantinopla en 1261, cuando Juan Paleólogo, hermano de Miguel, pidió rescate por Guillermo a los demás príncipes latinos. Siguió siendo la capital del Despotado de Morea, gobernada por familiares del emperador bizantino, aunque los venecianos mantuvieron el control de la costa y las islas adyacentes. Mistrá y el resto de Morea llegaron a ser bastante ricas a partir de 1261, en comparación con el resto del Imperio. Bajo el gobierno del déspota Teodoro, se convirtió en la segunda ciudad más importante del Imperio, tras Constantinopla, y el palacio de Guillermo II pasó a ser la segunda residencia imperial. (Wikipedia).

nomophylax. (νομοφύλαξ). (Greek: νομοφύλαξ, "guardian of the laws"). senior Byzantine judicial office of the 11th–15th centuries. (Wikipedia).

ochlokratia. (ὀχλοκρατία). mob rule.

parakoimomenos (παρακοιμώμενος). chief eunuch and chamberlain.

Peira. Popular Byzantine legal text by Eustathios Rhomaios.

Péusis. (πεύσεις). Investigaciones, una obra iconoclasta del siglo VIII, de Constantino el 5º, donde denuncia la iconofilia.

Prohaeresius. (Proaresio) (Armenian: Պարույր, Parouyr, Greek: Προαιρέσιος c. 276 – c. 368) was a fourth-century Armenian Christian teacher and rhetorician originally from Caesarea who taught in Athens. He was one of the leading sophists of the era along with Diophantus the Arab and Epiphanius of Syria.

prokynesis. (προσκύνησις). The term proskynesis is used theologically to indicate the veneration given to icons and relics of the saints; as distinguished from latria, the adoration which is due to God alone,[1] and also physical gestures such as bowing or kneeling (genuflection in the Western church) before an altar or icon.

pronoia. (πρόνοιᾰ). An imperial grant to an individual of temporary fiscal rights in the form of land, incomes or taxes from land, fishing rights, etc., sometimes carrying with it an obligation of military service.

Saint Stephen the Younger (Greek: Ἂγιος Στέφανος ὁ νέος, Hagios Stephanos ho neos; 713/715 – 28 November 764 or 765) was a Byzantine monk from Constantinople who became one of the leading opponents of the iconoclastic policies of Emperor Constantine V (r. 741–775). He was executed in 764, and became the most prominent iconodule martyr. His feast day is celebrated annually on 28 November. His hagiography, the Life of St. Stephen the Younger, is an important historical source.

Souda. (Σοῦδα). la mejor enciclopedia bizantina.

tagmata. (τάγμα). Tipo de unidad militar equivalente a un batallón o regimiento modernos. ​ Fueron unidades de élite creadas por el emperador bizantino Constantino V,​ y comprendieron la columna vertebral del ejército del Imperio bizantino entre los siglos VIII y XI.

torque. torques, collar que como insignia o adorno usaban los antiguos.

 

 

Geographic references

 

Athonite penninsula. Peninsula where Mount Athos is located, and in Greek  is referred tp Άγιον Όρος, or Holy Mountain, and the entity itself as Αθωνική Πολιτεία, or Athonite State.

Cyzicus. (/ˈsɪzɪkəs/; Ancient Greek: Κύζικος Kyzikos; Ottoman Turkish: آیدینجق‎, Aydıncıḳ) was an ancient town of Mysia in Anatolia in the current Balıkesir Province of Turkey. It was located on the shoreward side of the present Kapıdağ Peninsula (the classical Arctonnesus), a tombolo which is said to have originally been an island in the Sea of Marmara only to be connected to the mainland in historic times either by artificial means or an earthquake. (Wikipedia).

Hosios Loukas. (Greek: Ὅσιος Λουκᾶς). Historic walled monastery situated near the town of Distomo, in Boeotia, Greece. It is one of the most important monuments of Middle Byzantine architecture and art, and has been listed on UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, along with the monasteries of Nea Moni and Daphnion.

The Monastery of Stoudios, more fully Monastery of Saint John the Forerunner "at Stoudios" (Greek Μονή του Αγίου Ιωάννη του Προδρόμου «εν τοις Στουδίου» Monē tou Hagiou Iōannē tou Prodromou "en tois Stoudiou"), often shortened to Stoudios, Studion, or Stoudion, (Latin: Studium), was historically the most important monastery of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), the capital of the Byzantine Empire. The residents of the monastery were referred to as Stoudites (or Studites). Although the monastery has been derelict for half a millennium, the laws and customs of the Stoudion were taken as models by the monks of Mount Athos and of many other monasteries of the Orthodox world; even today they have influence.

Monte Taigeto, Tagytus. (Ταΰγετος). Mountain range in the Peloponnese peninsula in Southern Greece. The highest mountain of the range is Mount Taygetus, also known as the "Profitis Ilias", or "Prophet Elias". The name is one of the oldest recorded in Europe, appearing in the Odyssey.[2] In classical mythology, it was associated with the nymph Taygete. During Byzantine times and up until the 19th century, the mountain was also known as Pentadaktylos (Πενταδάκτυλος; Greek for five-fingered, a common name during that period).

Narses. (also sometimes written Nerses; Armenian: Նարսես;[citation needed] Greek: Ναρσής; 478–573) was, with Belisarius, one of the great generals in the service of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I during the Roman reconquest that took place during Justinian's reign. Narses was a Romanized Armenian.[1] He spent most of his life as an important eunuch in the palace of the emperors in Constantinople.

Niš. (en serbio, Ниш, del latín Naissus, a veces transliterado como Nish) es la tercera ciudad más grande de Serbia. Está situada sobre el río Nišava, en las coordenadas geográficas 43,3° N y 21,9° E. Según el censo de 2001 el área urbana tiene una población de 192 208 habitantes y 260 2373​en su área metropolitana. La ciudad cubre un área de unos 597 kilómetros cuadrados, incluyendo la ciudad de Niš, las termas Niška Banja y 68 suburbios más. Cuenta con el Aeropuerto Constantino el Grande (en honor al emperador Constantino, nacido en la ciudad).

Ohrid. (Macedonian: Охрид [ˈɔxrit] is a city in North Macedonia, the seat of Ohrid Municipality. It is the largest city on Lake Ohrid and the eighth-largest city in the country, with over 42,000 inhabitants as of 2002. Ohrid once had 365 churches, one for each day of the year, and has been referred to as a "Jerusalem of the Balkans. The city is rich in picturesque houses and monuments, and tourism is predominant. It is located southwest of Skopje, west of Resen and Bitola. In 1979 and in 1980 respectively, Ohrid and Lake Ohrid were accepted as Cultural and Natural World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Ohrid is one of only 28 sites that are part of UNESCO's World Heritage that are Cultural as well as Natural sites. (Wikipedia).

Silivri. (ancient Selymbria) is a city and a district in Istanbul Province along the Sea of Marmara in Turkey, outside the urban core of Istanbul, containing many holiday and weekend homes for residents of the city. The largest settlement in the district is also named Silivri. The mayor is Özcan Işıklar (CHP).Silivri is located bordering Büyükçekmece to the east, Çatalca to the north, Çorlu and Marmara Ereğli (both districts of Tekirdağ Province) to the west, Çerkezköy to the north-west (one of Tekirdağ Province) and with the Sea of Marmara to the south. It is with an area of 760 km2 (290 sq mi) the second largest district of Istanbul Province after Çatalca. The seat of the district is the city of Silivri. The district consists of 8 towns and 18 villages, and its population is 155,923 (2013 census). 75,702 in the city of Silivri, the remaining in the surrounding towns and villages – listed below. Established in 2008, Turkey's most modern and Europe's largest prison complex is located 9 km (5.6 mi) west of Silivri. (Wikipedia).

Singidunum. (Сингидунум). Historic Latin name for Belgrade.

stylite. (from Greek στυλίτης, stylitēs, "pillar dweller", derived from στῦλος, stylos, "pillar", Classical Syriac: ܐܣܛܘܢܐ‎ ʼasṯonáyé) or pillar-saint is a type of Christian ascetic who lives on pillars, preaching, fasting and praying. Stylites believe that the mortification of their bodies would help ensure the salvation of their souls. Stylites were common in the early days of the Byzantine Empire. The first known stylite was Simeon Stylites the Elder who climbed a pillar in Syria in 423 and remained there until his death 37 years later. (Wikipedia).

Zosimus. (Greek: Ζώσιμος [ˈzosimos]; also known by the Latin name Zosimus Historicus, i.e. "Zosimus the Historian"; fl. 490s–510s) was a Greek historian who lived in Constantinople during the reign of the Eastern Roman Emperor Anastasius I (491–518). According to Photius, he was a comes, and held the office of "advocate" of the imperial treasury. Zosimus was also known for condemning Constantine’s rejection of the pagan gods.

 

 

Vocabulary

(English-Spanish)

 

abut. colindar.

ambo. ambón. Parte de los templos católicos y ortodoxos desde el que se proclama la lectura de la Biblia en la misa y otras ceremonias.

ambón histórico fuera de la Hagia Sofía, Constantinopla.

 

apanage, appanage. infantado.

azymes. (ἄζυμος (ἄρτος)). pan ácimo.

boyar. (βογιάρος). boyardo.

caravanserai. caravasar.

 

Shah-Abbasi caravasar de Shah-Abbasi, Karaj, Irán.

 

chancel. presbiterio.

charnel house. mortuario.

cuirasse. coraza.

entracte. intérvalo (de tiempo).

exarchate. (De ἔξαρχος). exarcado.

gainsay. refutar, negar.

glagolitic. glagolítico, el primer alfabeto eslavo,  glagólitsa (глаголица).

hesychasm. (ἡσυχασμός). hesicasmo. Doctrina y práctica ascética difundida entre los monjes cristianos orientales, a partir del siglo IV con los llamados Padres del Desierto.

immure. emparedar.

kavalikeuma. (καβαλικέυμα). riding out on horse ceremony during the 13^th and 14^th centuries in Byzantium.

latría. (λατρεία). Latría es un término proveniente del latín, latrīa, y este a su vez del griego, λατρεία, que significa adoración o culto. Se usa en la teología católica para referirse a la forma más alta de reverencia, el culto de adoración que, en sentido estricto, solo debe dirigirse y ofrecerse absolutamente a Dios, Santísima Trinidad, o a alguna de sus tres personas en particular (v.gr., Dios Hijo, Jesucristo, o la presencia de Jesucristo en la Eucaristía). Por lo tanto, según la doctrina católica la expresión culto de latría hace referencia al culto que se le rinde a Dios con exclusividad.

medresseh. madrasa, escuela musulmana de estudios superiores.

narthex. nártex, atrio o vestíbulo situado a la entrada de las iglesias paleocristianas y bizantinas.

paten. patena.

diskos del siglo XIII

 

political ferment. fermento politico.

punt. propulsar un pontón.

raiment. vestido, vstidura.

sacristan. sacristan.

revetment. revestimiento.

serried. apretados en un grupo.

swaddle. envolver.

tabard. tabardo.

theurgy. (θεουργία). teúrgia, Especie de magia de los antiguos gentiles, mediante la cual pretendían tener comunicación con sus divinidades y operar prodigios.

tocsin. campana de alarma.

waqf. habiz, donación de inmuebles hecha bajo ciertas condiciones a las mezquitas o a otras instituciones religiosas de los musulmanes.