Рукописи славянских миней ХІ–ХІV вв. и принципы их классификации

Author(s): Natalya Nechunajeva,Aleksey Nechunajev / Language(s): Russian Issue: 4/2014

In the present paper we analyze nine Menaia manuscripts (Old-Slavic hymnographic texts) from the 11th–14th c. using a vector space model. The analysis and classification of the manuscripts in previous studies were rather subjective and based on linguo-texto-logical properties of the texts. Our approach uses contemporary information retrieval methods and represents the manuscripts as vectors in a common vector space. A vector space model allows to look at similarities and differences between the manuscripts from a different angle. This approach is more data driven and less subjective than the standard approach. The vector analysis allows to distinguish the Putyatina Menaion and the Me-naion Q.п.I.25 from the set of analyzed texts. These manuscripts share both textological and lexical similarities. Similar findings are reached in the existing studies. The manu-scripts ÁÀН16.14.13 and Ò.112 are shown to be rather similar to the set of analyzed texts. This result is new. Most important are lexical differences between the set of texts analyzed while differences in grammar are less pronounced. This is important as the first feature shows dynamics of the texts from the archaic to the Jerusalem type while the latter feature shows the dynamics of the language system.

Трактат за съвършената любов

Author(s): / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 20/2014

Bulgarian translation of the anonymous treatise "Tractatus de perfecto amore", ed.Gerardo Bruni, Bocca Editore, Roma-Milano, 1954 [single original manuscript: Erfurt, Wissenschaftliche Allgemeinbibliothek, Amplon. F. 77, ff. 132v-133v, written between 1410 and 1412.]. Translation from Latin by Zornitsa Radeva and Boryana Paskaleva.

Héritagesde Byzance en Europe du Sud-Est à l’époque moderne et contemporaine, eds. Olivier Delouis, Anne Couderc & Petre Guran. Athens: École française d’Athènes, 2013, 522 p.

Author(s): / Language(s): English Issue: 46/2015

Ivan Šišman and the Ottoman Conquest of Bulgaria (1371–1395): A Reconsideration

Author(s): Jake Ransohoff / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2013

The present paper presents a full review of the traditional approaches to Bulgarian political and economic culture after Ivan Šišman. The author tries to reason three points: first and foremost he criticizes the historical scholar literature in which it is accented on the “civil war” between Ivan Šišman and Ivan Stracimir; in the second place he evaluates the material evidence which confirms steady economic vitality during the reign of Ivan Sisman; in the third place he draws a conclusion, that the modern historians have to pay bigger attention on the Ottoman strength instead of on Bulgarian weakness after Ivan Šišman. It is the way to the correct understanding of the fall of Bulgaria under Ottoman rule.

Die Grabplatte des Laurentius de Longo Campo

Author(s): Ioan-Daniel Albu / Language(s): German Issue: 58/2015

Historians and epigraphists as well as art historians have dealt with the funerary plate of comes Laurentius in Câmpulung, which bears the first known Latin inscription in Wallachia. The epigraphic and stylistic analysis and iconographic interpretation of the tomb plate, which lies in the St. Jacob’s Church in Câmpulung, still raises major questions in the context of its historical age. A keenly attentive examination and critical reading of the inscription led to unanticipated issues concerning the date inscribed on the stone, dated after the year 1300. Therefore, the epigraphic elements, the formulary and the iconography of the tombstone allow its dating between 1310 and 1349. The title comes precedes Laurentius’ name, and as such does not refer to the urban or territorial institution, designating him as the ruler of his community (comes terrestris, gereb or judex).

„Semper meliora prospiciuntur et utiliora attenduntur.”

Author(s): Mihai Kovács / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 1/2015

Bishop Peter Monoszló’s family had solid political relationships, and himself was a very skillful politician. These facts allowed him to have the status of a magnate. The Transylvanian bishop supported always the strongest candidate for the crown, knowing that a solid central government is a vital interest of his bishopric. Similarly to the other Hungarian bishops of his time, he fought persistently against king Ladislas IV, which he considered to be a pagan. He kept good relationships with Transylvanian voivodes and the local nobility, being in the same time ready to fight anytime for the rights of his bishopric. He had similar relations with his fellow bishops. To consolidate his military power he built two stone fortresses. Thanks to Peter Monoszló’s activity the fortune and prestige of the Transylvanian bishopric grew considerably. That’s why, after his death, voivode Ladislas Kán wanted at any price to have his own man as a bishop. His memory inspired the Transylvanian chapter to elect a magnate bishop decades later. We don’t have too many sources to illustrate bishop Peter’s religious feelings, but we may consider – knowing his activity – that his main interest was in keeping and enlarging his bishopric’s rights and freedoms. His priorities are very well illustrated by the arenga cited in title of an episcopal document.

Hanza-városok a Balti-tenger keleti részén

Author(s): Ilgvars Misans / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 04/2014

The paper presents the ethnic aspects of the population of medieval Riga and Reval (since 1917: Tallinn). The ethnic and economic realities of these Hansa cities also exemplify the situation of other Hansa towns of historic Livonia: Dorpat/Tartu, Pernau/Pärnu, Wenden/Cesis, Wolmar/Valmiera etc., as well as in present-day Estonia and Latvia, or Viipuri/Vyborg (Finnish-Swedish town, currently situated in Russia). Founded mostly in the early 13th century, these towns had an important German population, mixed with indigenous Estonians, Latvians and immigrant Swedes (in Reval and Wyborg), or Russians (in Riga). In time, the Germans became the leaders in international commerce, obtaining stronger influence in local administration and over the guilds. Population in these towns spoke different languages – and experienced mutual cultural influences.

Középkori tarajos sarkantyúk Erdélyben. 13. század vége-15. század eleje

Author(s): Zalán Györfi / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: I/2006

The aim of this paper is to present a category of the medieval chivalry accessories from Transylvania,namely the rowel spurs. The chronological frame of the research is set between the last third of the 13th century (the occurrence and the development of the rowel spurs) and the first half of the 15th century (when the diversification of these artefacts gain much more importance). The typological and stylistic analysis of the Transylvanian rowel spurs, and the undertaken conclusions are based on a catalogue of the all published artefacts from the aforementioned area and also on the research of the pieces found in the National History Museum of Transylvania. The resulted classification of these artefacts shows the present stage of the research and undoubtedly will suffer modifications following the numerical increase of the new archaeological data. The basic criteria of the classification were the shape of the arms (A), the shape of the arms' heads (a) and the length of the spin (1). 5 different types of spurs were identified: Aal, Acl, Adl, and Abl - which differ by means of the type of the arms: arched arms, with a 3—4, 5 cm long spin; Bal - much arched arms. Out of a total of 66 pieces, the best part is represented by the Abl and Aal types, which were probably the most widespread in the epoch. The wheel has various dimensions. The shape and the number of the spikes are not likely to be considered a classification criterion, as all the spur types display diverse kinds of wheel. The attachment system of the spur is easy to distinguish with the help of the small plates, which were tied to the belt or to the chain that was used for fixing the spur to the footwear. There are cases when belts and buckles were also used for fixing the piece to the footwear. None of the spurs have the artisan's mark, or a characteristic decoration of some Transylvanian workshop. Therefore, in the issue of the artefacts production, written sources have to be consulted. Documents from the 15th century attest the production of the chivalry accessories and implicitly of the spurs, at Cluj, Sighişoara and Sibiu. It is highly probable that the spurs were also produced in the Transylvanian towns. The increasing number of spurs beginning with the 14"' century, as compared to the preceding epoch, was due to the development of the hand-made production on one side and to the augmented role of the chivalry in the Angevin army on the other.

A csíkszentkirályi plébániatemplom kutatása (2002)

Author(s): Boglárka Tóth,István Botár,Miklós Rácz / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: II/2007

The presented data were collected on the occasion of the outer refurbishment of the church of Sâncrăieni. We did not have the opportunity to do archaeological research elsewhere, nevertheless we could form a comprehensive history of the main building periods. Sâncrăieni is situated int he eastern part of Transylvania, in the former Szekler seat Csík. The name refers to Saint Stephen I, the first king of Hungary as „Saint King" (Szentkirály), this village name and its church had therefore been created before 1192, the canonization of the second saint king of Hungary, László I. The Hungarian-speaking population of the Szeklers was settled in the region int he late 12th and early 13th centuries. Sâncrăieni and its church were probably founded by the new settlers, but they can as well be of an earlier origin. The walls of the nave preserve the remains of two medieval phases. The western gate and one fragment of a window can be identified as parts of a Romanic period Later the nave was elongated towards the east, on this part of the southern wall an early gothic window was discovered. None of the medieval periods of the chancel is known, as the present chancel was built to the nave in 1759. Like the most village churches of the region, the medieval church had no spire, nevertheless a bell from 1562 testifies to the existence of a wooden tower. Based on dendrochronological dating of the timbers, the present tower in the west was built in the early 18th century. The roof forms of the two medieval phases of the nave were reconstructed on the basis of the western gable remains.The presented data were collected on the occasion of the outer refurbishment of the church of Sâncrăieni. We did not have the opportunity to do archaeological research elsewhere, nevertheless we could form a comprehensive history of the main building periods. Sâncrăieni is situated in the Eastern part of Transylvania, in the former Szekler seat Csík. The name refers to Saint Stephen I, the first king of Hungary as „Saint King" (Szentkirály), this village name and its church had therefore been created before 1192, the canonization of the second saint king of Hungary, László I. The Hungarian-speaking population of the Szeklers was settled in the region in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. Sâncrăieni and its church were probably founded by the new settlers, but they can as well be of an earlier origin. The walls of the nave preserve the remains of two medieval phases. The western gate and one fragment of a window can be identified as parts of a Romanic period Later the nave was elongated towards the east, on this part of the southern wall an early gothic window was discovered. None of the medieval periods of the chancel is known, as the present chancel was built to the nave in 1759. Like the most village churches of the region, the medieval church had no spire, nevertheless a bell from 1562 testifies to the existence of a wooden tower. Based on dendrochronological dating of the timbers, the present tower in the west was built in the early 18th century. The roof forms of the two medieval phases of the nave were reconstructed on the basis of the western gable remains.

A felvinci református templom újonnan feltárt középkori freskója

Author(s): Tekla Szabó / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: II/2007

On the medieval walls built in the 19th century church of Unirea (Felvinc) a significant Passion-cycle has been found. The frescoes found on the eastern and the southern walls of the sanctuary - in the area of the gallery supporting the organ - have been conserved between 2002 and 2007. The work will continue in the area beneath the gallery. The upper row of the south wall includes two fragmentary scenes before the Crucifixion: the Flagellation and the Trial of Christ. The Passion-cycle continues in the apex of the eastern wall with a large Crucifixion scene. The 19th century vault of the chancel covers the upper part of the scene. The two scenes of the second row - on either side of a window with the iconic representation of Kosmas and Damian - are the Deposition and the Entombment of Christ. The Resurrection and Anastasis of Christ are represented in the lower row, partly covered by the gallery. The scenes of the post-Resurrection incidents continue on the south wall with the Assumption. An apostle head depiction has been found under the Trial of Christ scene. The masterfully composed fresco full with emotions resembles the sparse compositions of the Middle Byzantine era, which lived throughout and influenced the art of the duecento. This is the heritage of the painters who fled Constantinople after 1204, and who found their new maecenas in the young Balkan and Crusade states, or further in Western Europe. It is interesting to note that at Unirea many depictions merge two scenes of the Holy History. The Deposition of Christ scene supports elements from the Lamentation of Christ, while the Anastasis Christ's victory pose refers more to the Resurrection. A Christ in victory is also represented a Resurrection. The scene blended this Western component with the Byzantine style: an angel points towards the empty grave and supposedly towards the three women, but that scene probably was covered by the 19 century structure. Other scenes prove the circulation of Franciscan patterns widespread in Italian painting from the middle of 13th century. The new images enhancing the sufferings like The Flagellum, the Trial shows the transformation process of the Byzantine imagery for Western use. We also find direct allusions to friars in the representation of the cord-bounded hands of Christ in the scene of the Trial, or the cord legged clothes of the holy personages in the Anastasis scene. The technique used is secco-fresco with sepia. The giornates follows the frame of the scenes. Considering the wall paintings, one can recognize the characteristics of the "Italo-Byzantine style". The figures with red haloes tend to fill out the red frames of the scenes. In the space between them, western architectural patterns were inserted. The "horror vacui" is proved by the preference for the numerous decorative patterns, mostly painted al secco. The almost sculptural forms of the figures are painted with different saturations of the same colours, creating a chiaroscuro effect. On the frescoes left, one can identify three masters. One of them, who painted mainly the women side figures and the medical saints, had also the characteristics of the "Linear Gothic Style". The interference of the two styles can be observed also at Cecejovce, Cserkút and Sânta Măria Orlea. Both styles have Byzantine features, but it appears that one should not necessarily search for a direct influence of either style. The discovery of the Unirea frescoes helped to reconsider the importance of the Italo-Byzantine style at the beginning of 14th century. Together with other new discoveries (Văleni de Mureş, Crăciunel) and the reanalysis of the ones which were already known (Sântimru, Cricău, Cecejovce, Cserkút,) the circle of the Italo-Byzantine wall paintings (mostly Sânta Măria Orlea, Spisská Kapitula, Dravce, Ghelniţa) became wider. One can find common features in almost all works of the style circle, but the Unirea fresco is closest to the fresco of Sântimbru, Criău and Sânta Măria Orlea. This is due to the relatively common painting technique and the common source of the iconography. The diversity and the high quality of both styles and composition are raising the question of a possible local mixing of styles.

Ludovik I. Veliki (1342.-1382.) u srednjovjekovnim ispravama bosansko-humskih vladara

Author(s): Milko Brkovic / Language(s): Croatian Issue: 1/2015

In the documents of the medieval Bosnia-Hum rulers, Louis I the Great was considered the "king of happy memories" regarding the fact that he was their sovereign through the hereditary Croatian Kingdom, which he was very fond of, and a part of which was, at the time of his predecessors, the Bosnian Banat as well. Also, due to marital alliance with Bosnia and Hum, he managed to return Dalmatia to Croatian Kingdom, as a part of his great Hungarian-Croatian Kingdom. After his death and numerous intrigues at the Hungarian court, the Bosnian rulers, especially King Tvrtko, hoped to inherit a part of the Hungarian-Croatian Kingdom, i.e. the territory of the Croatian Kingdom, especially when Croatian and Dalmatian towns came under Bosnian military control. In the document issued to the citizens of Trogir in 1390, Louis I was four times referred to as 'brother' by King Tvrtko. Similar were the findings from other documents issued to Dalmatian cities, although Louis's legal heirs were still alive. The author of this paper, but also some earlier historians, claim that Tvrtko felt he should succeed Louis I to the crown of Croatia, as he did to the crown of Raska. The evidence for these facts can be found in the documents of the Split delegates from the same 1390, in which Tvrtko was already referred to as Rex Dalmatiae et Croatiae, although he had not yet been crowned. In the following years his successors also arrogated this title to themselves. While Tvrtko, being a Ban, was obliged to recognize Louis I as a sovereign, he consequently considered himself as the latter's successor in the territory of the Kingdom of Croatia and Dalmatia.

„Rame di Pollana" Spišsko-gemerská meď vo Flámsku a v Benátkach v prvej tretine 14. storočia

Author(s): Martin Štefánik / Language(s): Slovak Issue: 2/2017

Exporting of copper from eastern Slovakia through Poland and the Hanseatic ports on the Baltic coast to Flanders is documented from the 1320s and 1330s at a time when convoys of galleys operated between Venice and Flanders. As a result of its transit through Poland, it was called “Polish copper” (Rame de Pollana). It represented one of the important types of copper on the market at Bruges, from where it was transported in the form of rectangular plates to Venice. According to documents preserved in Venice from the papers of the copper merchant N. Paolini, he sold 108 centnars (= c. 5.15 tonnes) of Rame de Pollana in 1324. In the Venetian foundries, it is mentioned in 1334 as one of the five basic types imported to the city. These records show that this trade was profitable in spite of the long voyage around Europe.

A pénz útja. A magyar–szentszéki pénzügyikapcsolatok geográfiája és dinamikája a későközépkorban

Author(s): Tamás Fedeles / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 91/2023

The fourteenth century brought decisive changes in the papacy’s financial policies and the closely related tax administration. Prelates’ appointment fees and taxes imposed on minor benefices became prevalent in the particular churches during the Avignon Papacy. These were supplemented by tithes collected from the local clergy and other revenues. During the pontificate of John XXII (1316–1334), the highest level of financial administration, the Apostolic Camera, evolved into a well-organized central office that established and maintained a tax collection network spanning the entire Western Christendom. In the first decade of the fourteenth century, the jurisdiction of papal tax collectors operating in the Central European region included the territory of the Holy Roman Empire, as well as the Czech, Moravian, Polish regions, and the Carpathian Basin. The formation and eventual consolidation of tax collectoria was a lengthy process, during which the Czech, Moravian, Polish, and Hungarian territories merged into a unified East-Central European tithes collectorium. As a result of various transformations, between 1317 and 1337, the Kingdom of Hungary operated as an independent collectorium, and between 1338 and 1391, the joint collectorium also included the Kingdom of Poland. The money collected could be used or moved at various junctions. When necessary, the entire sum or a portion of it could be spent directly in the collectorium, for example, on purchases made for the Curia, or on the expenses of papal diplomats and messengers operating there. Alternatively, the collected taxes could be transported by papal legates and clerics traveling to the Roman Curia, or by the tax collectors themselves. However, the trading companies and banking houses, such as the firms of the Alberti, Spini, Medici, and Bardi—primarily of Tuscan origin—played an increasingly important role in delivering the monies to Avignon, and later to Rome. The study seeks answers to the following questions: How was the collection of taxes payable to the Holy See organized in the Carpathian Basin between the beginning of the fourteenth century and the mid-fifteenth century? Did the money transport have any regional characteristics? What routes were used to deliver the money? Which banking houses provided services to the Hungarian clergy?

Reconsidering the 1095 Novella of Alexios I Komenenos: A Testimony to the Byzantinization of the Slavic Population

Author(s): Tamara Ilić / Language(s): English Issue: 61/2024

The Novella issued by the Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos in 1095 regulates the process of proving freedom for persons descended from “Bulgarians and the like” and the introduction of mandatory religious marriage, which scholarship tends to interpret as the full penetration of the Christian notion of grace into these spheres of life. The text of this Novella, abridged, slightly revised, and in Old Serbian translation, reappears in the Nomokanon of St. Sava and some subsequent Old Russian Nomokanons. This paper employs the historical method and linguistic analysis of a range of sources to explore the role of this law in the process of the Byzantinization of the Slavic population.

„Српска земља” у трновском натпису Јована Асена II у светлу тадашње политичко-географске терминологије

Author(s): Ivana Komatina,Predrag Komatina / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 61/2024

The paper discusses the founding inscription of Emperor John Asen II, which was carved on the pillar of the Church of the Forty Martyrs in Tărnovo after his glorious victory over the Epirote ruler Theodore Doukas Komnenos Angelos in the Battle of Klokotnica in 1230, focusing on the meaning of the phrase “Serbian land” in the mentioned inscription in he context of the political-geographical terminology of the time.

Neilos of Rhodes, Exhortation (Paraenesis) to a Priest Who Has Committed Crimes Worthy of Deposition (Παραίνεσις πρὸς ἱερέα περιπεσόντα ἐγκλήμασι καθαιρετικοῖς)

Author(s): Myrsini Anagnostou / Language(s): English Issue: 61/2024

The present study is a presentation and edition of a hitherto unedited work by Niketas Myrsiniotes, later metropolitan Neilos of Rhodes. The work is preserved in only one manuscript, codex 3104 of the National Library of Greece, folios 299r–323v. The text refers to a priest who has committed grave sins and the metropolitan attempts to admonish him.

Yelü Chucai’s Movement in the Mongolian Court Described in Yuanshi

Author(s): Tatiana Sletneva / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2022

This article is about an outstanding political figure Yelü Chucai (1189–1242), who was the main advisor of the Mongol khans. Due to his excellent abilities and skills, he managed to play a significant role at the court of Ögedei Khan (1186–1241), as well as in the elaboration of a tax policy used in Northern China. Yelü Chucai contributed to the creation of a symbiosis of the nomadic Mongolian and sedentary Chinese civilisations that took shape during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368) in what is modern-day China.

A kínai íjászat története : Egy Ming-kori íjászati útmutató

Author(s): János Litkei / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 2/2021

The topic of this paper is Chinese archery. It is based on the archery manual of the Ming Dynasty archery master Gao Ying, its translation and analysis. I study the first chapter of the guide in detail, which gives a comprehensive description of the basics of archery. The outlined technique is interpreted, analysed and in some cases compared with modern day sport archery. Finally, I briefly describe the rest of Gao Ying’s work. An overview of the book’s genesis also shows that it was written in response to the Manchu threat from the north. In examining the technique described by the guide, I have found that it is still relevant today, and shows many similarities to the anatomically most perfect method. I have also found that the text did not have a great impact within China, and as a result, the name of the author is virtually unknown in the country today.

Mongolsko-chorezmijska rywalizacja o Azję Centralną (ok. 1200–1219)

Author(s): Rafał Szewczyk / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2024

The purpose of this article is to present the growth of the political power of the Khwarazmian state in the 12th century and early 13th century. Paper focuses primarily on discussing the wars of Khwarazm with its neighbors: the Seljuk Turks, the Western Liao and the Ghurids. The diplomatic relations of the Mongol Empire with Khwarazmian Empire are further discussed, touching on the exchange of messengers and the trade treaty concluded between the states indicated.

Ember- és állatáldozatok a középkori (13–15. század) mongoloknál

Author(s): Amina Jambajantsan Delgermaa / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 1-2/2014

The purpose of this study is to identify different forms of human and animal sacrifices among the medieval (13th–15th centuries) Mongols. The study is to show the motives of these sacrifices, when and how they were held, as well as to assess the differences between the ǰükeli and qoyilγa rites or religious worship ceremonies. I make use of contemporary written sources composed by Western, Persian, and Chinese travellers, as well as some later Mongolian sources (16th–17th centuries). The study first identifies the common terminology used for this kind of practises (e.g. tayilγa and takilγa), and this step is followed by the determination of their appropriate meaning in Buryat language, which has preserved the semantic differences of these words. An introduction to the ǰükeli rite follows, a rite that may have two different functions: either begging for help or to perform a burial. The qoyilγa, on the other hand, was usually held at burials only and had rather practical purposes. The cultic sacrifices were offered to deities or sacred objects (like toa flag of Genghis khan) and were presented only on unique occasions.