Pinakes | Πίνακες

Résumé :

Katakalon’s verse encomium for John V Palaiologos has not attracted much attention, yet it is an intriguing work. First, it stems from the provinces and, thus, voices the concerns of that part of the Byzantine population. Second, Katakalon, who wrote at his bishop’s behest, gives evidence of John’s embassy to Hungary to seek help against the Turks. This chapter analyzes the poem and provides insights into the historical circumstances in which Katakalon operated. Attention is devoted to the use of scriptural quotations to praise and criticize the emperor. The poem is also considered within the framework of encomiastic poetry, as it is quite distinct from other contemporary verse encomia.