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Anna Komnene’s Alexiad and the ancient epic tradition: the literary portrait of Alexios i Komnenos between Herakles’ force and Odysseus’ ingenuity

Authors

No. 40 (2021)

Abstract

I intend to analyze the Homeric presence in Anna Komnene’s Alexiad, particularly the literary portrait of Alexios, who is first presented as Herakles in the victories against the rebels Roussel, Nikephoros Bryennios and Basilakios, before his accession to the imperial throne. After being proclaimed emperor of the Romans, the historian makes his father a wily hero, like Odysseus, seeking to defend the empire’s ship against the successive attacks by the Norman Robert Guiscard, who is shown behaving like the Homeric Achilles.

Keywords:

Alexiad, Alexios I Komnenos, Byzantine historiography, Epic tradition, Homeric model

Author Biography

Rui Carlos Fonseca, Universidade de Lisboa

Correspondencia: Rui Carlos Fonseca
Email: rui@campus.ul.pt
Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
Direcção Institucional: Centro de Estudos Clássicos, Faculdade de Letras, Universidade de Lisboa
Alameda da Universidade 1600-214, Lisboa, Portugal

Formação
Licenciatura em Línguas e Literaturas Clássicas, Univ. Lisboa (2006)
Doutoramento em Estudos Clássicos, Univ. Lisboa (2013)
Pós-Doutoramento em Estudos Clássicos, Univ. Lisboa (2015 - 2021)

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How to Cite
Fonseca, R. C. (2021). Anna Komnene’s Alexiad and the ancient epic tradition: the literary portrait of Alexios i Komnenos between Herakles’ force and Odysseus’ ingenuity. Byzantion Nea Hellás, (40), pp. 127–140. Retrieved from https://byzantion.uchile.cl/index.php/RBNH/article/view/65278
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Byzantion Nea Hellás
Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades
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