Remarks on Captives and Warriors in an Old Bulgarian Collection of Miracle Stories

Yanko M. Hristov; Dafina Kostadinova

doi:10.18778/2084-140X.13.36

Authors

Yanko M. Hristov South-West University “Neofit Rilski”, Faculty of Law and History, Department of History
Dafina Kostadinova South-West University “Neofit Rilski”, Faculty of Philology, Department of Germanic and Romance Studies https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2466-7980

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/2084-140X.13.36

Keywords:

hagiography, Old Bulgarian collection of miracle stories, captives, recruits, warriors, monks and laymen

Abstract

When scholars’ efforts are focused on the ethnic, religious and social diversity in certain parts of the Byzantine commonwealth during the middle ages, the hagiographic literature stands out as a key primary source. One such source is a voluminous early tenth-century collection of miracle stories titled A Tale of the Iron Cross. Its essential role when trying to uncover data, specific information and truths about Bulgaria’s medieval past is undeniable. A number of highly informative records have been found and are well-preserved within the covers of this impressive literary work. Many of them have been used repeatedly in various scholars’ academic initiatives and undertakings. However, other Tale’s records, regardless of their unique peculiarities and immeasurable contemporary information, still remain outside of the main research work when it comes to the subject matter of captivity and warfare.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Angelov B., Skazanie za železnija krăst, “Старобългарска литература” / “Starobălgarska literatura” 1, 1971, p. 121–155 (= Skazanie za zhelezniya krast, [in:] Iz starata balgarska, ruska i srabska literatura, vol. III, ed. B. Angelov, Sofija 1978, p. 61–78).
Google Scholar

Angelov B., Staroslavjanski tekstove: 1. Nov prepis na starobalgarskiya razkaz “Chudoto s balgarina”; 2. Razkaz za pastira, uhapan ot zmija, “Известия на института за Българска литература” / “Izvestija na Instituta za Bălgarska literatura” 2, 1955, p. 166–177.
Google Scholar

Anrich G., Hagios Nikolaos. Der heilige Nikolaos in der griechischen Kirche. Text und Unterschungen, vol. I, Berlin 1913.
Google Scholar

Aufhausen J. B., Miracula Sancti Georgii, Leipzig 1913.
Google Scholar

Basilicorum libri LX, Series A, vol. I, Textus lubrorum I–VIII, ed. H. J. Scheltema, N. Van der Wal, Groningen 1955.
Google Scholar

The Chronicle of the Logothete, trans. St. Wahlgren, Liverpool 2019 [= Translated Texts for Byzantinists, 7].
Google Scholar

Constantino Porfirogenito, De thematibus, ed. A. Pertusi, Rome–Città del Vaticano 1952.
Google Scholar

The De Thematibus (‘On the Themes’) of Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, trans., praef. J. Haldon, Liverpool 2021 [= Translated Texts for Byzantinists, 11].
Google Scholar

Duychev Iv., Iz starata bălgarska knizhnina, vol. I, Sofija 1943.
Google Scholar

Kodov Hr., Opis na slavjanskite răkopisi v bibliotekata na Bălgarskata akademija na naukite, Sofija 1969.
Google Scholar

Nomokanon Konstantinopol’skogo patriarkha Fotiya, s tolkovaniyem Vasal’mona, pars 2, ed. V. Norbekov, Kazan’ 1899.
Google Scholar

Les Novelles de Léon VI le Sage. Texte et traduction, ed. P. Noailles, A. Dain, Paris 1944.
Google Scholar

Snegarov Iv., Neizvesten do sega prepis ot razkaza „Chudo s balgarina Georgi”, “Известия на Института за Българскa История” / “Izvestija na Instituta za Bălgarska Istorija” 3–4, 1951, p. 295–296.
Google Scholar

Snegarov Iv., Starobălgarskijat razkaz „Chudo na Sveti Georgi s bălgarina” kato istoricheski izvor, “Годишник на Духовната Академия” / “Godishnik na Duhovnata Akademiya” 4(30).2, 1954–1955, p. 217–233.
Google Scholar

Symeonis Magistri et Logothetae Chronicon, ed. St. Wahlgren, Berlin 2006 [= Corpus fontium historiae byzantinae, 44.1].
Google Scholar

Theophanes Continuatus, Ioannes Cameniata, Symeon Magister [Pseudo-Symeon], Georgius Monachus, ed. I. Bekker, Bonn 1838 [= Corpus scriptorum historiae byzantinae, 33].
Google Scholar

Alwis A., The Hagiographer’s Craft: Narrators and Focalisation in Byzantine Hagiography, [in:] The Hagiographical Experiment. Developing Discourses of Sainthood, ed. Ch. Gray, J. Corke-Webster, Leiden–Boston 2020 [= Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae, 158], p. 300–332, https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004421332_013
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004421332_013

Angelov D., Kashev St., Cholpanov B., Bălgarska voenna istorija. Ot antichnostta do vtorata chetvart na X vek, Sofija 1983.
Google Scholar

Anguševa A., Gagova N., Miltenova An., Slavova T., Stojkova A., Knižovnostta po vremeto na car Simeon, [in:] Bălgarskijat Zlaten vek. Sbornik v čest na car Simeon Veliki (893–927), ed. V. Gjuzelev, Il.G. Iliev, K. Nenov, Plovdiv 2015, p. 213–276.
Google Scholar

Atanasov Sht. et al., Balgarskoto voenno izkustvo prez feodalizma, Sofija 1958.
Google Scholar

Bozhilov Iv., Bălgarskata agiografija i vizantiyskata agiografija, [in:] Iv. Bozhilov, Sedem etyuda po Srednovekovna istoriya, Sofija 1995, p. 307–335.
Google Scholar

Christides V., The Raids of the Moslems of Crete in the Aegean Sea: Piracy and Conquest, “Byzantion” 51.1, 1981, p. 76–111.
Google Scholar

Dragova N., Starobalgarsko voynsko skazanie ot IX v., “Проблеми на българския фолклор” / “Problemi na bălgarskija folklor” 8, 1991, p. 156–167.
Google Scholar

Dragova N., Voynsko skazanie v starobalgarskata literatura ot Simeonovata epoha (IX–X v.), “Старобългарска литература” / “Starobălgarska literatura” 25–26, 1991, p. 47–57.
Google Scholar

Efthymiadis St., Chrétiens et sarrasins en Italie méridionale et en Asie Mineure (IXe–Xe siècle). Essai d’étude comparée, [in:] Histoire et culture dans l’Italie byzantine. Acquis et nouvelles recherches, ed. G. Noyé, J.-M. Martin, A. Jacob, Rome 2006, p. 589–618.
Google Scholar

Efthymiadis St., Collections of Miracles (Fifth–Fifteenth Centuries), [in:] The Ashgate Research Companion to Byzantine Hagiography, vol. II, Genres and Contexts, ed. St. Efthymiadis, Farnham 2014, p. 103–142, https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315141909-5
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315141909-5

Efthymiadis St., Greek Byzantine Collections of Miracles. A Chronological and Bibliographical Survey, “Symbolae Osloenses” 74.1, 1999, p. 195–211, https://doi.org/10.1080/00397679908590963
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00397679908590963

Efthymiadis St., Saints and Secondary Heroes in Byzantine Hagiography, [in:] Constructing the Saints in Greek and Latin Hagiography. Heroes and Heroiness in Late Antique and Madieval Narrative, ed. K. de Memmerman, J. van Pelt, K. Staat, Turnhout 2023, p. 33–56, https://doi.org/10.1484/M.FABULAE-EB.5.132447
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1484/M.FABULAE-EB.5.132447

Fynn-Paul J., Empire, Monotheism and Slavery in the Greater Mediterranean Region from Antiquity to the Early Modern Era, “Past and Present” 205, 2009, p. 3–40, https://doi.org/10.1093/pastj/gtp036
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/pastj/gtp036

Fynn-Paul J., Introduction. Slaving Zones in Global History: The Evolution of a Concept, [in:] Slaving Zones. Cultural Identities, Ideologies, and Institutions in Evolution of Global Slavery, ed. J. Fynn-Paul, D. Alan Pargas, Leiden 2018, p. 1–19, https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004356481_002
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004356481_002

Goldwin A. J., Witness Literature in Byzantium. Narrating Slaves, Prisoners, and Refugees, Cham 2021, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78857-5
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78857-5

Hinterberger M., Byzantine Hagiography and its Literary Genres. Some Critical Observations, [in:] The Ashgate Research Companion to Byzantine Hagiography, vol. II, Genres and Contexts, ed. St. Efthymiadis, Farnham 2014, p. 25–60, https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315141909-3
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315141909-3

Hristov Y., Edno patuvane prez Iztochna Stara planina (po danni ot „Skazanie za zhelezniya krast”), “Известия на Регионалния исторически музей – Габрово” / “Izvestija na Regionalnija istoricheski muzey Gabrovo” 2, 2014, p. 70–77.
Google Scholar

Hristov Y., Prisoners of War in Early Medieval Bulgaria (Preliminary Remarks), “Studia Ceranea” 5, 2015, p. 73–105, https://doi.org/10.18778/2084-140X.05.03
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.18778/2084-140X.05.03

Hristov Y., Travelling and Travellers: Persons, Reasons, and Destinations according to ‘A Tale of the Iron Cross’, [in:] Voyages and Travel Accounts in Historiography and Literature, ed. B. Stojkovski, Budapest 2020, p. 33–54.
Google Scholar

Hristov Y., Written Not with Ink but with Tears: Byzantine Civilians in Bulgarian Captivity according to the Letters of Patriarch Nicholas I Mystikos (901–907, 912–925), “Mediaevalia” 43, 2022, p. 137–169, https://doi.org/10.1353/mdi.0.0005
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/mdi.0.0005

Istorija na bălgarite, vol. V, Voenna istorija na bălgarite ot drevnostta do nashi dni, ed. E. Aleksandrov, D. Zafirov, Sofija 2007.
Google Scholar

Istorija na bălgarskata srednovekovna literatura, ed. An. Miltenova, Sofija 2008.
Google Scholar

Kazhdan A., Hagiographical Notes (5–8), “Byzantion” 54, 1984, p. 176–192.
Google Scholar

Kazhdan A., Angelidi Ch., A History of Byzantine Literature (850–1000), Athens 2006.
Google Scholar

Kolia-Dermitzaki A., Some Remarks on the Fate of Prisoners of War in Byzantium (9th–10th Centuries), [in:] Atti del Congresso Interdisciplinare di Studi Storici La liberazione dei ‘captivi’ tra Cristianità e Islam: Oltre la Crociata e il Ğihād: Tolleranza e servizio umanitario, ed. G. Cipollone, Città del Vaticano 2000, p. 583–620.
Google Scholar

Kondova N., Cholakov Sl., Antropologichni danni za fizicheskiya tip prodalzhitelnostta na zhivota i zabolevaemostta na edna srednovekovna populatsiya ot Dobrudzha, “Българска етнография” / “Balgarska etnografiya” 3(18).3, 1993, p. 45–54.
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/00042307-199302010-00012

Kondova N., Cholakov Sl., Dinamika na demografskite protsesi v srednovekovna Balgariya, “Българска етнография” / “Bălgarska etnografija” 1(15).5, 1990, p. 25–32.
Google Scholar

Kondova N., Cholakov Sl., Boev P., Paleodemografski danni za naselenieto v srednovekovna Balgariya, “Интердисциплинарни изследвания на Археологическия институт и музей” / “Interdistsiplinarni izsledvaniya na Arhelogicheski institut i muzey” 2, 1978, p. 27–34.
Google Scholar

Leidholm N., Parents and Children, Servants and Masters: Slaves, Freedmen, and the Family in Byzantium, [in:] The Routledge Handbook on Identity in Byzantium, ed. M. E. Stewart, D. A. Parnell, C. Whately, London–New York 2022, p. 263–281, https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429031373-18
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429031373-18

Lennart R., Fiction and Reality in the Hagiographer’s Self-Presentation, “Travaux et mémoires” 14, 2002, p. 547–552.
Google Scholar

Lenski N., Slavery in the Byzantine Empire, [in:] The Cambridge World History of Slavery, vol. II, AD 500–AD 1420, ed. S. L. Engerman, D. Richardson, C. Perry, Cambridge 2021, p. 453–481, https://doi.org/10.1017/9781139024723.019
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781139024723.019

Leontisi M., The Byzantine and Arab Navies in the South Aegean and Crete: Shipping, Mobility and Transport (7th–9th c.), “Graeco-Arabica” 12, 2017, p. 171–233.
Google Scholar

Lunde I., Slavic Hagiography, [in:] The Ashgate Research Companion to Byzantine Hagiography, vol. I, Periods and Places, ed. St. Efthymiadis, Farnham 2014, p. 369–383.
Google Scholar

Lykaki M., L’économie du pillage et les prisonniers de guerre: Byzance, VIIe–Xe siècle, [in:] Pillages, tributs, captifs. Prédation et sociétés de l’antiquité tardive au haut Moyen-Âge, ed. R. Keller, L. Sarti, Paris 2018, p. 89–102, https://doi.org/10.4000/books.psorbonne.39959
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.4000/books.psorbonne.39959

Lykaki M., Oi aichmalōtoi polémou stē Byzantinē Aftokratoría (6os–11os ai.): Ekklēsía, Krátos, diplōmatia kai koinōnikē diastasē, Athens–Paris 2016 (unpublished PhD Thesis).
Google Scholar

McGrath S., Warfare as Literary Narrative, [in:] A Companion to the Byzantine Culture of War, ca. 300–1204, ed. Y. Stouriatis, Leiden–Boston 2018 [= Brill’s Companions to the Byzantine World, 3], p. 160–195, https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004363731_007
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004363731_007

Messis Ch., Fiction and/or Novelisation in Byzantine Hagiography, [in:] The Ashgate Research Companion to Byzantine Hagiography, vol. II, Genres and Contexts, ed. St. Efthymiadis, Farnham 2014, p. 313–341, https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315141909-14
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315141909-14

Messis Ch., La mémoire di «je» soufrant: Construite et écrire la mémoire personnelle dans les récits de captivité, [in:] L’écriture de la mémoire. La littérarité de l’historiographie. Actes di IIIe colloque international philologique «EMPHNEIA», Nicosie, 6–7–8 mai 2004 organisé par l’E. H.E. S.S. et l’Université de Chypre, ed. P. Odorico et al., Paris 2006, p. 107–146.
Google Scholar

Morris R., Monks and Laymen in Byzantium, 843–1118, Cambridge 1995, https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511523076
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511523076

Neville L., Guide to Byzantine Historical Writing, Cambridge 2018, https://doi.org/10.1017/9781139626880
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781139626880

Odorico P., Les trois vidages de la même violence: Les trois prises de Thessalonique, [in:] L’écriture de la mémoire. La littérarité de l’historiographie. Actes di IIIe colloque international philologique «EMPHNEIA», Nicosie, 6–7–8 mai 2004 organisé par l’E. H.E. S.S. et l’Université de Chypre, ed. P. Odorico et al., Paris 2006, p. 147–179.
Google Scholar

Penna D., The Role of Slaves in the Byzantine Economy, 10th–11th Centuries: Legal Aspects, [in:] Slavery in the Black Sea Region, c. 900–1900. Forms of Unfreedom at the Intersection between Christianity and Islam, ed. F. Roşu, Leiden 2021, p. 63–89, https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004470897_005
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004470897_005

Ramadān A., The Treatment of Arab Prisoners of War in Byzantium, 9th–10th Centuries, “Annales Islamologiques” 43, 2009, p. 155–194.
Google Scholar

Rotman Y., Byzance face à l’Islam arabe, VIIe–Xe siècle: D’un droit territorial à l’identité par la foi, “Annales: histoire, sciences sociales” 60.4, 2005, p. 767–788, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0395264900018667
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0395264900018667

Rotman Y., Byzantine Slavery and the Mediterranean World, trans. J. M. Todd, Cambridge Massachusetts 2009.
Google Scholar

Shukurov R., Barbarians, Philanthropy, and Byzantine Missionism, [in:] Philanthropy in Anatolia through the Ages: The First International Suna & İnan Kiraç Symposium on Mediterranean Civilizations (March 26–29, 2019, Antalya): Proceedings, ed. O. Tekin, Ch.H. Roosevelt, E. Akyürek, İstanbul 2020, p. 141–152.
Google Scholar

Simeonov G., In Enemy Hands: the Byzantine Experience of Captivity between the Seventh and Tenth Centuries, “Early Medieval Europe” 31.3, 2023, p. 430–458, https://doi.org/10.1111/emed.12642
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/emed.12642

Sophoulis P., War and Identity in Early Medieval Bulgaria, [in:] War and Collective Identity in the Middle Ages: East, West, and Beyond, ed. Y. Stouriatis, Leeds 2023, p. 87–98, https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.3129720.8
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781802701067.005

Spasova M., Ezikovi osobenosti na “Skazanie za železnija krăst”, [in:] “Skazanie za železnija krăst” i epohata na tsar Simeon, ed. A. Kalojanov, M. Spasova, T. Mollov, Veliko Tărnovo 2007, p. 123–171.
Google Scholar

Stanev K., Vliyanie na ungarskite nashestviya ot 894–896 g. varhu migratsionnite protsesi v balgarskite zemi, “Минало” / “Minalo” 4, 2008, p. 9–24.
Google Scholar

Treadgold W., The Middle Byzantine Historians, New York 2013, https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137280862
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137280862

Turilov A., K izučeniju Skazanija inoka Christodula: datirovka cikla i imja avtor, [in:] Florilegium. K 60-letiju B. N. Flori: Sb. statej, ed. A. A. Turilov, Moskva 2000, p. 412–427.
Google Scholar

Turilov A., M’dra Pl’skovskaja i M’dra Dr’storskaja – dve Mundragi pervoy bolgaro-vengerskoj vojny (geografija čudes vmč. Georgija v Skazanii inoka Christodula), [in:] Slavjane i ich sosedi. Slavjane i kočevoj mir, vol. X, ed. B. N. Florja et al., Moskva 2001, p. 40–58.
Google Scholar

Turilov A., Ne gde knjaz’ živet no vne (Bolgarskoye obščestvo konca IX veka «Skazanii o železnom kreste»), “Славяноведение” / “Slavjanovedeniye” 2, 2005, p. 20–27.
Google Scholar

Turilov A., Vizantijskij i slavjanskij plasty v “Skazanie inoka Christodula”. (K voprosu proischoždenii pamjatnika), [in:] Slavjane i ich sosedi. Grečeskij i slavjanskij mir v srednie veka i novoe vremja, vol. VI, Moskva 1996, p. 81–99.
Google Scholar

Wierbiński S., Prospective Gain or Actual Cost? Arab Civilian and Military Captives in the Light of Byzantine Narrative Sources and Military Manuals from the 10th Century, “Studia Ceranea” 8, 2018, p. 253–283, https://doi.org/10.18778/2084-140X.08.14
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.18778/2084-140X.08.14

Zhekov Zh., Bălgarija i Vizantija VII–IX v. Voenna administratsija, Sofija 2007.
Google Scholar