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Austrian Journal of Byzantine Studies (JOEB) / Jahrbuch der Oesterreichischen Byzantinistik
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Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften Austrian Academy of Sciences Press
A-1011 Wien, Dr. Ignaz Seipel-Platz 2
Tel. +43-1-515 81/DW 3420, Fax +43-1-515 81/DW 3400 https://verlag.oeaw.ac.at, e-mail: verlag@oeaw.ac.at |
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DATUM, UNTERSCHRIFT / DATE, SIGNATURE
BANK AUSTRIA CREDITANSTALT, WIEN (IBAN AT04 1100 0006 2280 0100, BIC BKAUATWW), DEUTSCHE BANK MÜNCHEN (IBAN DE16 7007 0024 0238 8270 00, BIC DEUTDEDBMUC)
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Jahrbuch der Oesterreichischen Byzantinistik 73, pp. 203-222, 2024/03/06
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