Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Studies, 55, no. 2 (2015)

CONTENTS INCLUDE:

The Geometric Mosaics at Qusayr Amra in Context
Mohammad Nassar
Comparative study of the Umayyad castle’s geometric pavements shows that their creators drew on deep knowledge of Greek artistic traditions in their work for the new Muslim rulers.

Galen’s Reception in Byzantium: Symeon Seth and his Refutation of Galenic Theories on Human Physiology
Petros Bouras-Vallianatos
In contrast to the usual respect for Galen in the Byzantine medical tradition, Symeon Seth’s Refutation (s. XI), edited and translated here, is a sustained effort to discredit his authority.

The Mongols’ Approach to Anatolia and the Last Campaign of Emperor John III Vatatzes
Koji Murata
Vatatzes’ Balkan expedition should be assigned to 1251/2 rather than the following year, on the basis of the internal structure of Akropolites’ account and the geopolitical context of the Nicene Empire’s relations with the Mongols.

The Thessaloniki Epitaphios: Notes on Use and Context
Roland Betancourt
The reverse arrangement of the Communion scene can be explained if this large textile was wrapped around the shoulders of its bearer, a practice attested in artistic and literary portraits of the liturgy’s Great Entrance.

Demetrius Triclinius and Responsion between Non-consecutive Strophes in Greek Drama
Almut Fries
Triclinius’ understanding of metrical responsion can be seen to evolve and improve over time, owing especially to his study of the Aristophanes scholia, which then aided his work on the text of Sophocles.