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Special Collection: The "Manasses’ Chronicle"

Constantine Manasses Chronicle in Panitza Library

                

 

  • Phototype edition of the Manasses’ Chronicle = Codex Vaticano Slavo 2, 1344-45, written rhymes in Greek in the 12th century, was the first historiographical text to be translated into a Slavonic language.
  • Today, it constitutes an important source about the early history of the Bulgarian people. Above Miniature 57 from the Constantine Manasses Chronicle, 14 century: Christianization of the Bulgarians.[1]
  •  In two volumes. Limited edition of 362 copies.
  • The original is at the Vatican Apostolic Library as Slavonic Codex No.2 (Vat. Slav.2). It is unique, as it is the only known illuminated transcript with miniatures depicting important military and social events.
  • Commissioned by Tsar Ivan Alexander in 1345-1350, the transcript is a national monument for the Bulgarian people.
  • The Phototype edition is a gift from GLOBUL Cosmo Bulgaria Mobile EAD.

Byzantine chronicler Constantine Manasses

Constantine Manasses (Greek: Κωνσταντῖνος Μανασσῆς; c. 1130 - c. 1187) was a Byzantine chronicler who flourished in the 12th century during the reign of Manuel I Komnenos (1143-1180).[2]

It consists of about 7000 lines in political verse. It obtained great popularity and appeared in a free prose translation; it was also translated into Bulgarian in the 14th century. [3]

He was the author of a chronicle or historical synopsis of events from the creation of the world to the end of the reign of Nikephoros Botaneiates (1081), sponsored by Irene Komnene, the emperor's sister-in-law. Written at the request of Emperor Manuel I’s sister-in-law, Irene, the chronicle surveys a period from the Creation to 1081.

He wrote a variety of other poems, as well as descriptive pieces in prose (some on works of art), and a number of orations, including an address to Manuel I and a funeral eulogy of Nicephorus Comnenus.[4]

In 1969 Bulgaria issued two sets of stamps depicting important scenes of the chronicle, to celebrate it.

     

 

It is written "truth", amen" - "let it be"[5]

Five mentions, 33 additions and 69 miniatures about the Bulgarians in one world chronicle

Miniature 51 from the Constantine Manasses Chronicle, 14 century: Krum of Bulgaria celebrating his victory over emperor Nikephoros.[5]

Miniature 19 from the Constantine Manasses Chronicle, 14 century: Escape of Paris and Helen and the beginning of the Trojan War.[5]

Miniature 1 from the Constantine Manasses Chronicle, 14 century

Miniature 1 from the Constantine Manasses Chronicle, 14 century. Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria with Jesus Christ and Constantine Manasses. [5]

Chronicle of Constantine Manasses

Miniature 65 from the Constantine Manasses Chronicle, 14 century: John I Tzimiskes conquers Preslav and Basil II conquers Pliska. [5]

Bibliography

[1] Bozhkov, A. Bulgarian historical painting. First part: miniatures, icons, murals. Sofia, 1972, 80-109. Image.

[2] Chisholm, H., ed. (1911). "Manasses, Constantine". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 17 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 541.

[3] Bekker, B. 1837; the Bulgarian translation, Cronica lui Constantin Manasses, by Ioan Bogdan and I. Bianu, Bucharest, 1922.

[4] Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.). Constantine Manasses. Britannica Academic.

[5] Uvaliev, N.,"The copy of the Manasses Chronicle - a valuable Bulgarian written monument". 2023. Images.