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Symeon Metaphrastes: Two Puzzles Reconsidered

    Christos SIMELIDIS

Jahrbuch der Österreichischen Byzantinistik 73, pp. 203-222, 2024/03/06

doi: 10.1553/joeb73s203

doi: 10.1553/joeb73s203

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doi:10.1553/joeb73s203



doi:10.1553/joeb73s203

Abstract

This article deals with a long unresolved question regarding two Lives of the Virgin Mary written in the second half of the tenth century by John Geometres and Symeon Metaphrastes (and his team). It is evident that one of the two authors copied the other, but scholars have been unable to conclude with certainty who depends on the other. This article reviews the problem in detail and presents new textual evidence which suggests that Symeon Metaphrastes used John Geometres as one of his sources. In considering the corresponding passages between Geometres and Metaphrastes, another question arises regarding Michael Psellos’ controversial description of Symeon Metaphrastes at work. On the basis of new textual evidence, this article offers a fresh perspective on Psellos’ passage and its debated meaning.

Keywords: Symeon Metaphrastes; John Geometres; Michael Psellos; George of Nicomedia; Euthymios the Athonite; Virgin Mary; Menologion, Metaphrasis; Rewriting, Hagiography