Die Kulturhistorische Bedeutung byzantinischer Epigramme: Akten des internationalen Workshops (Wien, 1. -2. Dezember 2006)

The present volume contains the contributions to a workshop entitled "Die kulturhistorische Bedeutung byzantinischer Epigramme" (The role of Byzantine epigrams for cultural history) that was held at the Austrian Academy of Sciences and the University of Vienna from December 1-2, 2006. This event, organised by W. Hörandner and A. Rhoby, intended to give new momentum to research on Byzantine epigrams. The present volume also supplements the Vienna-based project "Byzantinische Epigramme in inschriftlicher Überlieferung" (Byzantine epigrams as found in inscriptions). It begins with an introduction examining the definition of the terminus "epigram" and providing an overview of the current state of research. The subsequent articles deal not only with philological questions, but also with the all-pervading relationship between word and image in Byzantium. Well-established opinions, e.g. regarding the epigram on the staurotheke of Limburg, are called into question. Moreover, it is examined why a number of Venetian Byzantine artefacts and their inscriptions were copied or imitated at the beginning of the 16th century. A concluding article deals with literary and non-literary Medieval Latin epigrams. Also provided are tables of images and a general index.