Database of Byzantine Book Epigrams

Type 2086
(formerly typ/158)

Τὸ θαῦμα καινὸν ὧδε τῶν ὁρωμένων
Χριστὸς προτείνει δεξιᾷ ζωηφόρῳ
ἐξ οὐρανοῦ τὸ στέμμα, σύμβολον κράτους,
πιστῷ κραταιῷ δεσπότῃ Βασιλείῳ.
Κάτωθεν οἱ πρώτιστοι τῶν ἀσωμάτων,
ὁ μὲν λαβὼν ἤνεγκε καὶ χαίρων στέφει,
ὁ δέ προσάπτων τῷ κράτει καὶ τὰς νίκας,
ῥομφαῖαν, ὅπλον ἐκφοβοῦν ἐναντίους,
φέρων δίδωσι χειρὶ τῇ τοῦ δεσπότου.
Οἱ μάρτυρες δὲ συμμαχοῦσιν ὡς φίλῳ
ῥίπτοντες ἑχθροὺς τοὺς ποσὶ προκειμένους.
Text source A. Rhoby, 2018, Ausgewählte Byzantinische Epigramme in Illuminierten Handschriften, Wien: 343-344
Text status Text completely known
Editorial status Critical text
Genre(s)
Metre(s) Dodecasyllable
Subject(s)
Tag(s)
Translation(s)
  • Here is an unusual spectacle for the onlookers: Christ extends from heaven, in His life-bringing right hand, the crown, the symbol of power, to the pious and mighty ruler Basil. Below, the foremost of the Incorporeals; one of whom, after receiving (the crown), has brought it, and rejoicing, crowns (the emperor) while the other, to add victories to power, bringing a lance, a weapon that frightens off adversaries, places it in the ruler’s hand. The martyrs fight with him, as a friend, laying low the enemies prone at his feet.
    Language
    English
    Source(s)
    I. Spatharakis, 1976, The Portrait in Byzantine Illuminated Manuscripts, Leiden: 24
  • A strange marvel is to be seen here: from Heaven, Christ, in his life-bringing right, extends the crown, the symbol of power, to Basil, the pious and mighty Ruler. Below are the foremost <two> of the incorporeal Beings: one of them has taken <the crown>, brought down, and is joyfully crowning <the Emperor>; the other, adding victories to the <symbol of> power, is placing the sword, a weapon that frightens the enemies away, in the ruler’s hand. The martyrs are his allies, for he is their friend. They smite <his enemies> who are lying at his feet.
    Language
    English
    Source(s)
    I. Ševčenko 1962, The Illuminators of the Menologium of Basil II, Dumbarton Oaks Papers, 16, 245-276: 272
  • Das außergewöhnliche Wunder des hier Gesehenen:
    Christus reicht mit seiner lebensspendenden Rechten
    die Krone vom Himmel, Symbol der Herrschaft,
    dem gläubigen, mächtigen Herrscher Basileios.
    Unten die ersten der Erzengel:
    Der eine nahm sie in Empfang, brachte sie und krönt voll Freude,
    der andere fügt zur Herrschaft auch die Siege hinzu,
    Schwert, Waffe, welche die Feinde in Furcht versetzt,
    bringt er und gibt sie dem Herrscher in die Hand.
    Die Märtyrer kämpfen mit ihm zusammen als ihrem Freund,
    indem sie die Feinde zu Fall bringen, die ihm zu Füßen liegen.
    Language
    German
    Source(s)
    A. Rhoby, 2018, Ausgewählte Byzantinische Epigramme in Illuminierten Handschriften, Wien: 344
Bibliography

Primary

Secondary
Number of verses 11
Occurrence(s) [17031] τὸ θαῦμα καινὸν ὧδε τῶν ὁρωμένων [976-1025]
VENICE - Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana - gr. Z. 17 (coll. 421) [1001-1025] (f. IIv)
(11 verses)
Acknowledgements
Contributor(s)
Anne-Sophie Rouckhout
Identification
Permalink https://www.dbbe.ugent.be/types/2086
Last modified: 2020-08-10.
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