Introducing the Apocalypse of the Pseudo-Methodios, with Christopher Bonura
We begin our exploration of the seventh-century’s most important Christian apocalypse, that of Pseudo-Methodios.
Primary Sources
Vat.gr.1319
This manuscript challenges the modern separation of classical epic from theological inquiry. It argues that the wrath of Achilles and the death of Hector are central to understanding the nature of virtue and the reality of the soul. Readers will find a rigorous, at times medical, analysis of how hum
Cologny, Fondation Martin Bodmer, Cod. Bodmer 85
Codex Bodmer 85 offers a transformative reading of the Iliad, juxtaposing the raw brutality of the Trojan War with the sophisticated, often esoteric intellectualism of the 12th-century scholar John Tzetzes. By tracking the narrative from Polydamas’s ignored warnings to the desecration of Hector’s co
Pal.gr.64
In Pal.gr.64, Michael Psellos offers a masterful synthesis of Homeric epic and Byzantine intellectualism. Far more than a mere commentary, this work explores the heavy burden of divine sovereignty and the intricate psychological tensions that drive both gods and men. From the heights of Olympus to t
Homer and Quintus of Smyrna (Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 81)
This manuscript acts as a bridge between the ancient Greek world and the medieval intellectual tradition. It presents the Iliad and the Odyssey with marginal notes that challenge the reader to look beyond the battlefield. You will see how early scholars interpreted the tension between mortal pride a
The Iliad and the Odyssey
This document offers a startlingly original perspective on Homer’s foundational works by weaving technical bibliographical analysis into the social fabric of 1990 Zurich. While the text provides meticulous collation notes that deconstruct the physical signatures of the Greek-Latin edition, it simult
Homer (Cambridge, Christ's College, MS Rouse 358)
This volume houses the foundational texts of Western literature, tracing the fury of Achilles at Troy and the desperate wandering of Odysseus. It presents a world where divine whims shatter mortal lives and where individual glory often demands an unbearable price. Homer avoids simple morality, choos
Synopsis of Histories
The Synopsis of Histories functions as a massive, polemical effort to anchor all of human existence within a divine, chronological framework. Cedrenus does not just record events; he reinterprets pagan legends and philosophical debates through a strict Christian lens. He claims that historical truth
Cave of Treasures
This anonymous 7th-century manuscript serves as a bridge between the creation of the world and the dawn of the Church. It treats the body of Adam as a sacred relic, carried through the Flood to rest at the precise center of the earth. The text insists that the Syriac language is the tongue of creati
Homer's Iliad (Books I-XII)
This volume presents a critical foundation for the first half of the Trojan War. It cuts through centuries of scholarly debate to place the reader directly in the camp of the disgruntled Achilles. The text forces a confrontation with the brutal reality of leadership, where a king's vanity often dict
Homer Iliad I (Books 1-12, Loeb)
The Iliad is far more than a chronicle of the Trojan War; it is a profound exploration of the 'heroic code' and the devastating intersection of human emotion and divine will. This Loeb Classical Library edition presents the first half of Homer’s masterpiece, focusing on the catastrophic rift between
Simplicius: On Aristotle's Categories 1-4
This book captures a pivotal moment in history where philosophers shifted from original discovery to the rigorous interpretation of ancient texts. Simplicius explains why logic is not just a tool but a necessary foundation for the soul to grasp truth. He treats language as a bridge that connects sim