Database of Byzantine Book Epigrams

• Author-related epigram
• Text-related epigram

Poet

Andronikos Kallistos (15th c.) - RGK: I.18, II.25, III.31 - VGH: 30.F - PLP: V.10484

• Athena
• Basileios Bessarion (1399-1400 - 18/11/1472) - RGK: I.41, II.61, III.77 - VGH: 59.E - PLP: II.2707 (kardinalios)
• Nine Muses
• Plato (429 BC - 347 BC)
• Three Graces

• Address to the author
• Beauty of the book
• Praise of the author
• Reference to content of the book

• Radiant paradise, dazzling grove of the Muses,
  this book comes into being commending Plato’s wisdom;
  having composed it with the Graces, godlike Bessarion
  weaved suggestions of every kind of wisdom,
  and having adapted it to their soul, he gave it
  to all of mortal men, a great advantage, a wonder to behold.
  If one desires to learn Plato’s
  noble doctrines and the sublimity in his heart,
  go there, to pluck from the sweet-smelling immortal meadow
  the beautiful luxuriant flowers of wisdom,
  and I think his heart would much rather delight in the one
  who sedulously pursues it and plants it in his mind
  than the one who has found wealth and ineffable happiness
  which India and lovely Arabia can offer.
  She delights not only the soul, but also the body.
  I have already seen on the altar Athena’s robe,
  brilliant and venerated, bearing many artful designs,
  but even that with its manifold decorations
  was not as brilliant as this beloved book shines
  and there were not in that robe so many magnificent artworks,
  as the divine ones which are kept in this book,
  the refined and elegant robe, one may say, of God.
  How many prestigious works of nature
  and how many gifts for her from the lot-venerated Urania
  exist and match the character,
  and how many wonderous gifts, sons of the style,
  of Calliope and all the Muses are,
  they all are properly written in this book
  and are sons of the holy Truth.
  For her sake the divine Bessarion
  composed with the highest eloquence this thriving book,
  keeping that disastrous grammarian from slaughtering Truth
  who vainly and improperly quarreled with Plato,
  being wholly unacquainted, as he was, with the precepts of wisdom.
  Therefore rejoice, Plato, trusting the divine Bessarion fighting
  in front. He always wards off shameful ruin from you
  and composed this beautiful book, grand artwork
  and record of your wisdom for posterity.
  And you, blessed Bessarion, health and joy be with you,
  let your immortal fame reach the wide sky,
  because God, ruling on high, immortal, dwelling in heaven,
  placed you blessed among men with these gifts,
  having granted manifold virtue and good fame to you.
  But nevertheless I will forever commemorate
  your wisdom, often celebrating amongst men
  your gentleness and your kindness,
  praying to the almighty Lord ruling immortal over Olympus,
  as long as old age accompany you for many years
  as you pluck the blessed highest holy flower of wisdom.

  Language

  English

  Source(s)

  L. Orlandi, 2023, Andronikos Kallistos: A Byzantine Scholar and His Manuscripts in Italian Humanism, Berlin/Boston: 531-533

• [35] Hail, o Plato, you who can boast as your first defender the divine
  Bessarion. He averts from you shameful ruin,
  he who has produced this nice book, a big work
  and a memento of your wisdom for future generations.
  O merry Bessarion, health and joy be with thee,
  [40] and may your eternal glory reach the broad sky,
  because the immortal God, ruling on high and dwelling in the sky
  through his gifts made you fortunate amongst men,
  providing you with every virtue and good fame:
  and I shall remember you even in the future,
  [45] celebrating frequently amongst all men your wisdom,
  your gentleness and your kindness,
  when invoking the powerful God, immortal head of the Olymp,
  that he may yield you a happy old age for many years,
  while you cull the choicest, purest flower of wisdom.

  Language

  English

  Source(s)

  G. Zoras, K. Yiavis, F. Pontani 2021, Greece, in F. Pontani, S. Weise (eds.), The Hellenizing Muse: A European Anthology of Poetry in Ancient Greek from the Renaissance to the Present, Berlin / Boston, 31-82: 40

  Comment

  Partial translation: vv. 35-48

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