Citations et réminiscences dans l'Histoire de Georges Pachymérès

Abstract

The network of quotations and reminiscences underlying every work of Byzantine literature also gives the measure of the author's level of language and style, and that of his literary ambition. The History by George Pachymérès is a case in point. In his personal reflection as historian, he almost exclusively finds his inspiration in Classical Greek literature and mainly quotes Homer, sometimes Plato. Christian literature would be absent from his work if disputations, internal schisms and transcription of ecclesiastical documents did not bring with them quotations from Scripture and the Fathers. The article's three sections reflect the way the History's quotations and reminiscences can be grouped together: Proverbs and sayings; Secular literature; Christian literature