Digenis Acritas

Digenis Acritas (Διγενής Ακρίτας) is the most famous epic poem that emerged out of the 12th century Byzantine Empire, following the Acritic songs tradition. The Arab incursions into Byzantine territory are the context within which the first part of the tale unfolds, the events in the part of the narrative concerning the

Related Topics:
Epic poem - 12th century - Byzantine Empire - Acritic songs - Arab

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family history of the central hero seem to be located beyond a climate of conflict. The reconciliation of the two peoples through the marriage of the leading figures of the tale and the triumph of Christianity over Islam, achieved through the conversion and reception of the emir and his people into Byzantine society, is the key theme of the first part. The rest of the story unfolds against a background of peaceful coexistence of the two peoples. Written in Medieval Greek by an anonymus author, it marks together with the other acritic poems the beginnings of Greek vernacular literature.

Related Topics:
Christianity - Islam - Medieval Greek - Greek

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