Nikephoros Choumnos
Nikephoros Choumnos | |
|---|---|
| Mesazōn of the Byzantine Empire | |
| In office 1294–1305 | |
| Monarch | Andronikos II Palaiologos |
| Preceded by | Theodore Mouzalon |
| Succeeded by | Theodore Metochites |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1250–1255 |
| Died | 16 January 1327 |
Nikephoros Choumnos (
Life
Choumnos was born between 1250 and 1255. He came from an already distinguished family, which since the 11th century had provided several high-ranking officials.
In 1303, after a planned marriage of his daughter Eirene to
In 1309–1310 Choumnos served as governor of the Empire's second-largest city,
Writings
Choumnos was a prolific writer, greatly influenced by the Classics, which he had studied as a young pupil.[2] His works, several of which remain unpublished, include rhetorical pieces, such as the eulogy to Andronikos II, as well as treatises on philosophy, especially on elemental theory, meteorology, cosmology and theology. Several of these treatises often appear to have been composed on the occasion of literary gatherings within the court, sometimes with the emperor presiding. From his extensive correspondence, 172 letters survive.[10][13]
In his philosophical works, Choumnos proves himself an "ardent and skillful" defender of
According to the French
Family
Nikephoros' brother Theodore was also a court official.[3] From his marriage to an unknown wife, Choumnos had several children:
- John Choumnos, parakoimōmenos (chamberlain) and general.[3]
- megas stratopedarchēs (grand master of the camp).[3]
- Irene Palaiologina Choumnaina, married the despotēs John Palaiologos. Following his death in 1308, and having no children, she became a nun by the name of Eulogia, and founded the monastery of Christ Philanthrōpos in Constantinople.[16][17] Despite her retreat into the convent, she remained very active in the intellectual life of the capital, maintaining a large library, commissioning copies of manuscripts, as well as conversing and corresponding with scholars.[18]
References
- ^ Craig (1998), p. 161
- ^ a b Nicol (1993), p. 164
- ^ a b c d e f g Kazhdan (1991), p. 433
- ^ Angelov (2007), p. 59
- ^ Nicol (1993), p. 102
- ^ Angelov (2007), pp. 72, 177
- ^ Nicol (1993), pp. 102–103
- ^ Boojamra (1993), pp. 98–99, 101–102, 125
- ^ Boojamra (1993), p. 99
- ^ a b c Kazhdan (1991), p. 434
- ^ Angelov (2007), pp. 278–279
- ^ Kazhdan (1991), pp. 433–434
- ^ a b Ierodiakonou & Bydén (2008)
- ^ a b Vasiliev (1958), pp. 700–701
- ^ Moutafakis (2003), pp. 204–205
- ^ Necipoğlu (2001), pp. 239–240
- ^ Nicol (1993), p. 152
- ^ Cavallo (1997), p. 137
Sources
- Angelov, Dimiter (2007). Imperial ideology and political thought in Byzantium (1204–1330). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-85703-1.
- Boojamra, John Lawrence (1993). The Church and social reform: the policies of Patriarch Athanasios of Constantinople. Fordham University Press. ISBN 978-0-8232-1335-1.
- ISBN 978-0-226-09792-3.
- Craig, Edward (1998). Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-0-415-07310-3.
- Ierodiakonou, Katerina; Bydén, Börje (2008). "Byzantine Philosophy". Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Stanford University. Retrieved 8 May 2009.
- ISBN 0-19-504652-8.
- Moutafakis, Nicholas J. (2003). Byzantine philosophy. Hackett Publishing. ISBN 978-0-87220-563-5.
- ISBN 0-246-10559-3.
- Necipoğlu, Nevra (2001). Byzantine Constantinople: monuments, topography, and everyday life. BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-11625-2.
- Ševčenko, Ihor (1962). Études sur la polémique entre Théodore Métochite et Nicéphore Choumnos (in French). Brussels: Éditions de Byzantion.
- Vasiliev, Alexander A. (1958). History of the Byzantine Empire, 324–1453. University of Wisconsin Press. ISBN 978-0-299-80926-3.
- Verpeaux, Jean (1959). Nicéphore Choumnos. homme d'état et humaniste Byzantin (ca 1250/1255-1327) (in French). Paris: A. et J. Picard.
