The Book of Emperors: A Translation of the Middle High German Kaiserchronik
The Kaiserchronik (c.1152-1165) is the first verse chronicle to have been written in a language other than Latin. This story recounts the exploits of the Roman, Byzantine, Carolingian, and Holy Roman kings and rulers, from the establishment of Rome to the start of the Second Crusade. As an early example of popular history, it was written for a non-monastic audience who would have preferred to read, or may only have been able to read, in German. As a rhymed chronicle, its combined use of the styles of language found within a vernacular epic and a factual treaty was a German innovation. The Book of Emperors is the first complete translation of the Kaiserchronik from Middle High German to English. It is a rich resource not only for medieval German scholars and students, but also for those working in early cultural studies. It brings together an understanding of the conception of kingship in the German Middle Ages, from the relationship between emperor and king, to the moral, theological, and legal foundations of claims and legitimacy and the medieval epistemological approaches to historiography. This translation includes a substantial introduction that discusses the historical and philological context of the work, as well as the themes of power and kingship. Each chapter begins with a brief introduction that distinguishes historical truths from the epic fiction found within the original text.

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The Book of Emperors: A Translation of the Middle High German Kaiserchronik
The Kaiserchronik (c.1152-1165) is the first verse chronicle to have been written in a language other than Latin. This story recounts the exploits of the Roman, Byzantine, Carolingian, and Holy Roman kings and rulers, from the establishment of Rome to the start of the Second Crusade. As an early example of popular history, it was written for a non-monastic audience who would have preferred to read, or may only have been able to read, in German. As a rhymed chronicle, its combined use of the styles of language found within a vernacular epic and a factual treaty was a German innovation. The Book of Emperors is the first complete translation of the Kaiserchronik from Middle High German to English. It is a rich resource not only for medieval German scholars and students, but also for those working in early cultural studies. It brings together an understanding of the conception of kingship in the German Middle Ages, from the relationship between emperor and king, to the moral, theological, and legal foundations of claims and legitimacy and the medieval epistemological approaches to historiography. This translation includes a substantial introduction that discusses the historical and philological context of the work, as well as the themes of power and kingship. Each chapter begins with a brief introduction that distinguishes historical truths from the epic fiction found within the original text.

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The Book of Emperors: A Translation of the Middle High German Kaiserchronik

The Book of Emperors: A Translation of the Middle High German Kaiserchronik

The Book of Emperors: A Translation of the Middle High German Kaiserchronik

The Book of Emperors: A Translation of the Middle High German Kaiserchronik

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Overview

The Kaiserchronik (c.1152-1165) is the first verse chronicle to have been written in a language other than Latin. This story recounts the exploits of the Roman, Byzantine, Carolingian, and Holy Roman kings and rulers, from the establishment of Rome to the start of the Second Crusade. As an early example of popular history, it was written for a non-monastic audience who would have preferred to read, or may only have been able to read, in German. As a rhymed chronicle, its combined use of the styles of language found within a vernacular epic and a factual treaty was a German innovation. The Book of Emperors is the first complete translation of the Kaiserchronik from Middle High German to English. It is a rich resource not only for medieval German scholars and students, but also for those working in early cultural studies. It brings together an understanding of the conception of kingship in the German Middle Ages, from the relationship between emperor and king, to the moral, theological, and legal foundations of claims and legitimacy and the medieval epistemological approaches to historiography. This translation includes a substantial introduction that discusses the historical and philological context of the work, as well as the themes of power and kingship. Each chapter begins with a brief introduction that distinguishes historical truths from the epic fiction found within the original text.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781935978701
Publisher: West Virginia University Press
Publication date: 05/01/2013
Series: WV MEDIEVEAL EUROPEAN STUDIES
Edition description: 1st Edition
Pages: 416
Product dimensions: 5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Henry A. Myers is Professor Emeritus of History at James Madison University.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Editor's Note xii

Introduction

1 The Book of Emperors and its Treatment of History 1

1.1 The tradition of world historiography in the Middle Ages: Augustine, Orosius, and Otto of Freising 3

1.2 Mid-twelfth-century Germany: "deeds" replace the "two cities" 8

1.3 "I tell you this for sure" 10

2 The Value of the Book of Emperors as a Source of Intellectual History 14

2.1 The ancient law uniting church and empire 15

2.2 True kingship 19

2.3 The Donation of Constantine and the translation of Empire 21

2.4 Christian clemency and draconic law enforcement 24

2.5 Prayer-answering as within a feudal contract 26

3 Composition and Utilization of the Work 30

3.1 Authorship 30

3.2 Patronage 35

3.3 Sources 38

3.4 Influence 41

4 Stylistic Considerations 52

4.1 The author's style: scholarly urgency 52

4.2 This translation 55

4.3 This title 59

The Book of Emperors

Note to readers: Verse line numbers accompany the names of each chapter in brackets as a guide to the original work.

Prologue [1-42] 65

1 Rome's Founding: Roman Gods for Each Day of the Week and the Bells that Warned of Revolt [43-246] 67

2 Julius Caesar [247-602] 71

3 Augustus Caesar [603-670] 80

4 Tiberius [671-1114] 82

5 Caius Caligula (Jovinus Legend) [1115-1218] 90

6 Faustinian [1219-4038] 93

7 Claudius [4039-4082] 134

8 Nero [4083-4304] 135

9 Tarquin [4305-4834] 140

10 Galba and Piso [4835-4846] 149

11 Otho [4847-4860] 150

12 Vitellius (Odnatus Legend) [4861-5098] 151

13 Vespasian [5099-5364] 156

14 Titus [5365-5556] 160

15 Domitian [5557-5682] 164

16 Nerva [5683-5838] 167

17 Trajan [5839-6096] 170

18 Philip [6097-6150] 176

19 Decius [6151-6450] 177

20 Diocletian and Maximian [6451-6621] 182

21 Severus [6622-7135] 186

22 Helvius (Helius) Pertinax [7136-7211] 194

23 Helius Adrianus (Hadrian) [7212-7243] 196

24 Lucius Accommodus [7244-7425] 197

25 Achilleus [7426-7451] 201

26 Gallienus [7452-7603] 202

27 Constantius Chlorus [7604-7805] 205

28 Constantine I "the Great" [7604-10510] 209

29 Sylvester [10511-10634] 250

30 Julian [10635-11137] 254

31 Heraclius [11138-11351] 263

32 Narcissus (Legend of the Two Theodorics) [11352-12812] 267

33 Justinian [12813-13066] 289

34 Theodosius [13067-13650] 294

35 Constantine Leo [13651-13824] 304

36 Zeno [13825-14193] 308

37 Constantine VI [14194-14281] 316

38 Charles I "the Great" [14282-15091] 318

39 Louis I "the Pious" [15092-15235] 334

40 Lothair I [15236-15316] 336

41 Louis II [15317-15399] 338

42 Charles III "the Fat" [15400-15518] 340

43 Arnulf [15518-15581] 343

44 Louis III "the Child" [15582-15651] 345

45 Conrad I [15652-15759] 347

46 Henry I [15760-15849] 350

47 Otto I "the Great" [15850-15974] 352

48 Otto II [15974-16063] 355

49 Otto III [16064-16141] 357

50 Henry II "Saint Henry" [16142-16253] 359

51 Conrad II [16254-16375] 362

52 Henry III "the Black" also "the Good" [16376-16531] 364

53 Henry IV [16532-16847] 368

54 Henry V [16848-16941] 375

55 Lothair II [16942-17179] 377

56 Conrad III [17180-17283] 382

Bibliography 385

Index 390

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