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Navigating the Ambiguity of Byzantine Apocalypses: Remarks on Genre, Exegesis, and Manuscript Transmission

  • András Kraft
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The Limits of Exactitude in Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Literature and Textual Transmission
This chapter is in the book The Limits of Exactitude in Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Literature and Textual Transmission

Abstract

Apocalyptic literature is a genre replete with ambiguity. Its vague and symbolic language usually defies definite interpretation. This genre-specific ambiguity can be contained by a number of factors that ensure that equivocation does not turn into unintelligibility. This paper discusses three such factors with regard to Byzantine apocalypses, namely the aspects of genre, exegesis, and manuscript transmission. First, it is argued that the apocalyptic genre in Byzantium was marked by fuzzy boundaries, which can be best delineated with a non-essentializing prototype approach. Second, it is shown that exegetical traditions are important for comprehending specific passages and themes, such as the lion-whelp motif. Third, the significance of the manuscript transmission is highlighted through a case study of Last Vision of the Prophet Daniel (CAVT 255). When taken together, the three factors of genre, exegesis, and manuscript transmission allow us to contain and harness the ambiguity of mediaeval Greek apocalyptica.

Abstract

Apocalyptic literature is a genre replete with ambiguity. Its vague and symbolic language usually defies definite interpretation. This genre-specific ambiguity can be contained by a number of factors that ensure that equivocation does not turn into unintelligibility. This paper discusses three such factors with regard to Byzantine apocalypses, namely the aspects of genre, exegesis, and manuscript transmission. First, it is argued that the apocalyptic genre in Byzantium was marked by fuzzy boundaries, which can be best delineated with a non-essentializing prototype approach. Second, it is shown that exegetical traditions are important for comprehending specific passages and themes, such as the lion-whelp motif. Third, the significance of the manuscript transmission is highlighted through a case study of Last Vision of the Prophet Daniel (CAVT 255). When taken together, the three factors of genre, exegesis, and manuscript transmission allow us to contain and harness the ambiguity of mediaeval Greek apocalyptica.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Preface V
  3. Contents VII
  4. Introduction: “The Crystal and the Flame”. Preliminary Remarks on Exactitude 1
  5. Part I: Accuratio vel ambiguitas: Historical Narrative and Rhetorical Strategies
  6. Discourse Relations and Historical Representation: Tacitus on the Role of Livia and Agrippina 21
  7. Unspoken Messages: Tiberius and the Power of Silence in Tacitus’ Annals 37
  8. Prescriptive and Performative Aesthetics: “Exactitude” in Quintilian’s Institutio oratoria 59
  9. The Limits of Exactitude in Lucian’s Toxaris 83
  10. Part II: Philosophical, Scientific, and Technical Exactitude
  11. When Terence Writes Ambiguously (But He Does It on Purpose): An Analysis of Donatus’ Commentary on Phorm. 7.2 109
  12. Walking at the Same Pace: On the Relevance of Clarity in Epictetus’ Teaching and Its Models 125
  13. Exactitude in Ancient Pharmacological Theory and Practice, with Cases from the Greek Medical Papyri 149
  14. Exactitude in Greek Musical Treatises: Meanings, Vocabulary, and Limits 171
  15. Part III: Quotations and Misquotations: Three Cases from Greek and Roman Literature
  16. Αἰσχυλαριστοφανίζειν: On the Boundaries of an Aeschylean Quotation (Aesch. fr. 61 R.) 189
  17. Misquoting, Misplacing, Misusing: Some Observations on Cicero’s De consulatu suo 207
  18. “Always Remember…”: The Role and Character of the Citations of Heraclitus in Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations 231
  19. Part IV: Choosing Inexactitude: Programmatic and Genre Ambiguity
  20. Exile or Envoy? Contradictions, Inaccuracies and Ambiguities about Clearchus 271
  21. Between Inaccuracy and Idealization: The concordia fratrum in Claudian’s Poems 293
  22. Cassiodorus’ Variae and the Role of Ambiguity in Ostrogothic Foreign Policy 321
  23. Navigating the Ambiguity of Byzantine Apocalypses: Remarks on Genre, Exegesis, and Manuscript Transmission 337
  24. Part V: Ambiguities in Textual Transmission
  25. Sophocles’ Thyestes Plays: How Many Is Too Many? 363
  26. Titles in Martial’s Manuscripts: Mistakes in Interpretation? 393
  27. Byzantine Hymnographers Named Θεόδωρος: An Attempt at Disambiguation 409
  28. List of Contributors 423
  29. Index of Names and Places 425
  30. Index of Sources 433
  31. Index of Material Sources 455
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110796612-016

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Preface V
  3. Contents VII
  4. Introduction: “The Crystal and the Flame”. Preliminary Remarks on Exactitude 1
  5. Part I: Accuratio vel ambiguitas: Historical Narrative and Rhetorical Strategies
  6. Discourse Relations and Historical Representation: Tacitus on the Role of Livia and Agrippina 21
  7. Unspoken Messages: Tiberius and the Power of Silence in Tacitus’ Annals 37
  8. Prescriptive and Performative Aesthetics: “Exactitude” in Quintilian’s Institutio oratoria 59
  9. The Limits of Exactitude in Lucian’s Toxaris 83
  10. Part II: Philosophical, Scientific, and Technical Exactitude
  11. When Terence Writes Ambiguously (But He Does It on Purpose): An Analysis of Donatus’ Commentary on Phorm. 7.2 109
  12. Walking at the Same Pace: On the Relevance of Clarity in Epictetus’ Teaching and Its Models 125
  13. Exactitude in Ancient Pharmacological Theory and Practice, with Cases from the Greek Medical Papyri 149
  14. Exactitude in Greek Musical Treatises: Meanings, Vocabulary, and Limits 171
  15. Part III: Quotations and Misquotations: Three Cases from Greek and Roman Literature
  16. Αἰσχυλαριστοφανίζειν: On the Boundaries of an Aeschylean Quotation (Aesch. fr. 61 R.) 189
  17. Misquoting, Misplacing, Misusing: Some Observations on Cicero’s De consulatu suo 207
  18. “Always Remember…”: The Role and Character of the Citations of Heraclitus in Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations 231
  19. Part IV: Choosing Inexactitude: Programmatic and Genre Ambiguity
  20. Exile or Envoy? Contradictions, Inaccuracies and Ambiguities about Clearchus 271
  21. Between Inaccuracy and Idealization: The concordia fratrum in Claudian’s Poems 293
  22. Cassiodorus’ Variae and the Role of Ambiguity in Ostrogothic Foreign Policy 321
  23. Navigating the Ambiguity of Byzantine Apocalypses: Remarks on Genre, Exegesis, and Manuscript Transmission 337
  24. Part V: Ambiguities in Textual Transmission
  25. Sophocles’ Thyestes Plays: How Many Is Too Many? 363
  26. Titles in Martial’s Manuscripts: Mistakes in Interpretation? 393
  27. Byzantine Hymnographers Named Θεόδωρος: An Attempt at Disambiguation 409
  28. List of Contributors 423
  29. Index of Names and Places 425
  30. Index of Sources 433
  31. Index of Material Sources 455
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