Database of Byzantine Book Epigrams

• Image-related epigram
• Patron-related epigram

• Archangel
• Basileios II (958 - 15/12/1025) - PMBZ: 22991: "Personenkennziffer: 20838" - RGK: - VGH: - PBE: - PBW: - PLP: (basileus)
• Jesus Christ (10 BC-1 BC - 30-33) - RGK: - VGH: - PBE: - PBW: - PLP: - PMBZ:

• Description of an image
• Miniature

• A new wonder is to be seen here:
  Christ extends from heaven with his life-bearing right hand
  The crown, the symbol of power,
  To Basil, the faithful and mighty Ruler.
  Below are the first among the angels.
  One, having taken [the crown], has presented it and joyfully crowns [Basil].
  The other, linking power to victories and
  Bearing the lance, a weapon which terrifies enemies,
  Places it in the hand of the emperor.
  The martyrs fight along with him as a friend,
  Throwing down those lying at his feet.

  Language

  English

  Source(s)

  R. Nelson 2011-2012, “And So, With the Help of God”: The Byzantine Art of War in the Tenth Century, Dumbarton Oaks Papers, 65-66, 169-192: 173

• 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

The credits system has been implemented in 2019. Credits from before the new system was in use might be incomplete.

• BEiÜ IV, IT14
• Vassis ICB 2005, 765: "Inscriptio in imaginem coronationis Basilii II imp."