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The Capture of Constantinople: The "Hysteria Constantinopolitana" of Gunther of Pairis (Middle Ages Series) - Hardcover
The armies of the Fourth Crusade that left Western Europe at the beginning of the thirteenth century never reached the Holy Land to fight the Infidel; they stopped instead at Byzantium and sacked that capital of eastern Christendom. Much of what we know today of those events comes from contemporary accounts by secular writers; their perspective is balanced by a document written from a monastic point of view and now available for the first time in English. The Hystoria Constantinopolitana relates the adventures of Martin of Pairis, an abbot of the Cistercian Order who participated in the plunder of the city, as recorded by his monk Gunther. Written to justify the abbot's pious pilferage of scared relics and his transporting them back to his monastery in Alsace, it is a work of Christian metahistory that shows how the sack of Constantinople fits into God's plan for humanity, and that deeds done under divine guidance are themselves holy and righteous. The Hystoria Constantinopolitana is one of the most complex and sophisticated historiographical work of its time, deftly interweaving moods and motifs, themes and scenes. In producing the first English translation and analysis of this work, Alfred Andrea has captured the full flavor of the original with its alternating section of prose and poetry. His introduction to the text provides background on Gunther's life and work and explores the monk's purpose in writing the Hystoria Constantinopolitana--not the least of which was extolling the virtues of Abbott Martin, who was sometimes accuse of laxity by his superiors in the Order. Gunther's work is significant for its effort to deal with problems raised by the participation of monks in the Crusades, making it a valuable contribution to both crusading and monastic history. The Capture of Constantinople adds to our knowledge of the Fourth Crusade and provides unusual insight into the attitudes of the participants and the cultural-intellectual history of the early thirteenth century.
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Synopsis:
Comprises a translation of a contemporary history of the Fourth Crusade completed by Gunther (ca. 1150-1210?), a Cistercian monk of the Alsatian abbey of Pairis. Translator Alfred J. Andrea includes a substantial critical introduction as well as abundant notes. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.
About the Author:
Alfred J. Andrea is Professor of History at the University of Vermont.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherUniversity of Pennsylvania Press
- Publication date1997
- ISBN 10 0812233565
- ISBN 13 9780812233568
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages192
- EditorAndrea Alfred J.
- Rating
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The Capture of Constantinople: The Hystoria Constantinopolitana of Gunther of Pairis (The Middle Ages Series)
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University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia
(1997)
ISBN 10: 0812233565
ISBN 13: 9780812233568
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Book Description Softcover. Condition: Fine. First American edition. Trade paperback. Fine being author George Economou's copy with his name Signed on the half-title. Seller Inventory # 463732
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THE CAPTURE OF CONSTANTINOPLE The Hystoria Constantinopolitana of Gunther of Pairis
Published by
University of Pennsylvania Press
(1997)
ISBN 10: 0812233565
ISBN 13: 9780812233568
Used
Hardcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket. Former owner's bookplate on inner cover. Appears to be bound upside down (as published? ) otherwise Fine. ; The armies of the Fourth Crusade that left Western Europe at the beginning of the thirteenth century never reached the Holy Land to fight the Infidel; they stopped instead at Byzantium and sacked that capital of eastern Christendom. Much of what we know today of those events comes from contemporary accounts by secular writers; their perspective is balanced by a document written from a monastic point of view and now available for the first time in English. The Hystoria Constantinopolitana relates the adventures of Martin of Pairis, an abbot of the Cistercian Order who participated in the plunder of the city, as recorded by his monk Gunther. Written to justify the abbot's pious pilferage of scared relics and his transporting them back to his monastery in Alsace, it is a work of Christian metahistory that shows how the sack of Constantinople fits into God's plan for humanity, and that deeds done under divine guidance are themselves holy and righteous. The Hystoria Constantinopolitana is one of the most complex and sophisticated historiographical work of its time, deftly interweaving moods and motifs, themes and scenes. In producing the first English translation and analysis of this work, Alfred Andrea has captured the full flavor of the original with its alternating section of prose and poetry. His introduction to the text provides background on Gunther's life and work and explores the monk's purpose in writing the Hystoria Constantinopolitananot the least of which was extolling the virtues of Abbott Martin, who was sometimes accuse of laxity by his superiors in the Order. Gunther's work is significant for its effort to deal with problems raised by the participation of monks in the Crusades, making it a valuable contribution to both crusading and monastic history. The Capture of Constantinople adds to our knowledge of the Fourth Crusade and provides unusual insight into the attitudes of the participants and the cultural-intellectual history of the early thirteenth century. ; Middle Ages Series; 194 pages. Seller Inventory # 4481
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