Dialog filozofii z historią: zagadkowy wstęp do Historii powszechnej Teofilakta Simokatty

The paper seeks to propose an interpretation of Dialogue between History and Philosophy – prefatory to Simocattes’ History. In the author’s opinion, this brief text deprived of literary value, provides for Theophylactus’ peculiar attempt to justify his actions and behavior during the usurpation of...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Anna Kotłowska
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin 2018-12-01
Series:Vox Patrum
Subjects:
Online Access:https://czasopisma.kul.pl/index.php/vp/article/view/3211
Description
Summary:The paper seeks to propose an interpretation of Dialogue between History and Philosophy – prefatory to Simocattes’ History. In the author’s opinion, this brief text deprived of literary value, provides for Theophylactus’ peculiar attempt to justify his actions and behavior during the usurpation of Phokas (602-610). Vague mythological metaphors were meant to divert attention from certain bio­graphical facts and to redirect the discussion to the sphere of universal reflections on the rules of power, thereby releasing Theophylactus from potential liability. Therefore, the Dialogue should be understood as a text of an apologetic nature, written from authors’ personal perspective. Such interpretation differs from the few previous ones which, although scarce, have excessively highlighted rhetori­cal aspects of the text, suggesting even that it has been written at a request of the new government.
ISSN:0860-9411
2719-3586