Reading Group: Greek Texts from Late Antiquity and Byzantium

Organisers

Rogelio Toledo Martin, Georgi Mitov
We are PhD candidates in Byzantine studies at the University of Vienna with a broad interest in Medieval Greek texts and a passion for promoting Byzantine studies beyond academic research. Our enthusiasm for reading Byzantine texts in their original language motivates us to share this interest with like-minded peers.

When

Thursdays (once every two weeks); 18:00-19:45 (CET)

16 January, 30 January, 13 February, 27 February, 13 March, 27 March, 6 April, 8 May, 22 May, 5 June, 19 June

Where

Institut für Byzantinistik und Neogräzistik, University of Vienna (Vienna, Postgasse 9); Seminarraum (second floor).
There is also a possibility to join us as an auditor via Zoom.

If you are interested, please read the description and prerequisites below, and send an email to: Georgi Mitov and Rogelio Toledo Martin

Preliminary Selection of Texts

The readings will deal with three broad topics:

1.     Society and Beliefs in Byzantium:

2.     Philosophy and Education:

3.     Art and Architecture:

This selection is preliminary and subject to change based on participants' interests.

Description 

Reading texts in their original language is essential not only for philologists and linguists but also for historians, philosophers, and scholars of religion. Research in these disciplines requires engaging with primary sources in their original languages. To conduct in-depth analysis and identify specific phenomena within a text, one must first possess a comprehensive understanding of the material. Moreover, the study of Late Antique and Byzantine texts should not be restricted to a small group of academics but should be accessible to all who are interested in this significant intellectual tradition.

Whether readers are scholars or enthusiasts, they must develop the skills necessary to read a large volume of texts fluently in a relatively short period, just as anyone would when reading modern languages. These skills involve the automatic processing of phonology, grammar, and lexicon, enabling readers to recognize frequent vocabulary and grammatical constructions without constant recourse to a dictionary. This allows for more fluid reading and deeper comprehension of the texts.

The most effective method for acquiring such skills is through "comprehensible input," a concept that mirrors the glosses and paraphrases employed by Byzantine scholars to make classical texts accessible to students. In this reading group, we aim to explore the application of similar techniques used in Byzantine education within a modern learning environment. Unlike approaches to modern languages or spoken Ancient Greek and Latin, our reading group does not focus on speaking the target language. However, it is also not a traditional grammar-translation course, where only three or four sentences are deciphered per session.

Instead, we seek a middle ground: comprehensible input will be provided on the spot in the form of occasional glosses and paraphrases in Greek. The meaning of the texts and any potential grammatical difficulties will be discussed and explained in English. This approach facilitates a more accessible and dynamic reading experience, promoting both linguistic and conceptual engagement with the texts.

For each reading session, electronic copies of the relevant text will be provided in advance. Each session will begin with a brief introduction of the author and the text, as well as their historical context.

Prerequisites for Participation

Essential Knowledge:

Participants should be well familiarized with the core vocabulary and grammar of Ancient Greek. Useful resources include:

Knowledge of Late Antique and Byzantine Literary Language:

Participants should have a general awareness of the features and main characteristics of the literary language of Late Antiquity and Byzantium. Recommended readings: