John Mauropous
Encyclopedia
John Mauropous was a Byzantine
Greek
poet, hymnographer and author of letters and orations, living in the 11th century AD.
around 1000. He came to Constantinople
, and quickly gained a reputation as a teacher. Among his students, Michael Psellos
was to be the most important. It was also Psellos who introduced him to the emperor Constantine IX Monomachos
(1042-1055). For a couple of years, Mauropous belonged to the favoured circle of poets and scholars that Constantine gathered around him, and he functioned as a court orator. But for an unknown reason, these friends suddenly fell from favour around the year 1050, and presumably on this occasion, Mauropous was appointed metropolitan
of Euchaita
. In many letters, Mauropous complained of this "honourable exile", and asked his friend Psellos to urge the succeeding emperors to call Mauropous back to the capital. This seems to have succeeded at the end of Mauropous' life: he retired to the monastery
of Agia Petra in Constantinople. He died presumably in the 1070s.
s, polemic
al and autobiographical poems, funeral orations in verse), seventy-seven letters and thirteen speeches (with for the most part religious content).
Apart from these works, Mauropous composed a huge amount of liturgical canons
. Mauropous has been seen as a precursor of the new cultural mentality in mid-11th century Byzantium. The typical blend of religious piety and classical culture links him with his pupil Psellos, and contemporary poets like Christopher of Mytilene
. A particular theme in his poems and letters are the vicissitudes and dangers of public life and political careers, which is not surprising given the political and social instability of this period.
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
poet, hymnographer and author of letters and orations, living in the 11th century AD.
Life
John Mauropous (lit. 'Blackfoot') was born in PaphlagoniaPaphlagonia
Paphlagonia was an ancient area on the Black Sea coast of north central Anatolia, situated between Bithynia to the west and Pontus to the east, and separated from Phrygia by a prolongation to the east of the Bithynian Olympus...
around 1000. He came to Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
, and quickly gained a reputation as a teacher. Among his students, Michael Psellos
Michael Psellos
Michael Psellos or Psellus was a Byzantine monk, writer, philosopher, politician and historian...
was to be the most important. It was also Psellos who introduced him to the emperor Constantine IX Monomachos
Constantine IX Monomachos
Constantine IX Monomachos, Latinized as Constantine IX Monomachus , c. 1000 – January 11, 1055, reigned as Byzantine emperor from June 11, 1042 to January 11, 1055. He had been chosen by the Empress Zoe as a husband and co-emperor in 1042, although he had been exiled for conspiring...
(1042-1055). For a couple of years, Mauropous belonged to the favoured circle of poets and scholars that Constantine gathered around him, and he functioned as a court orator. But for an unknown reason, these friends suddenly fell from favour around the year 1050, and presumably on this occasion, Mauropous was appointed metropolitan
Metropolitan bishop
In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of...
of Euchaita
Euchaita
Euchaita was a town in Pontus, in northern Asia Minor . Today the Turkish village Beyözü, which partly lies on the ruins, in the province of Çorum ....
. In many letters, Mauropous complained of this "honourable exile", and asked his friend Psellos to urge the succeeding emperors to call Mauropous back to the capital. This seems to have succeeded at the end of Mauropous' life: he retired to the monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
of Agia Petra in Constantinople. He died presumably in the 1070s.
Works
It seems that Mauropous had prepared during his lifetime a collection of his own literary works. The manuscript Vaticano Graeco 676 is a very close copy of this collection. That collection consists of ninety-nine poems (epigramEpigram
An epigram is a brief, interesting, usually memorable and sometimes surprising statement. Derived from the epigramma "inscription" from ἐπιγράφειν epigraphein "to write on inscribe", this literary device has been employed for over two millennia....
s, polemic
Polemic
A polemic is a variety of arguments or controversies made against one opinion, doctrine, or person. Other variations of argument are debate and discussion...
al and autobiographical poems, funeral orations in verse), seventy-seven letters and thirteen speeches (with for the most part religious content).
Apart from these works, Mauropous composed a huge amount of liturgical canons
Canon (hymnography)
A canon is a structured hymn used in a number of Eastern Orthodox services. It consists of nine odes, sometimes called canticles or songs depending on the translation, based on the Biblical canticles. Most of these are found in the Old Testament, but the final ode is taken from the Magnificat and...
. Mauropous has been seen as a precursor of the new cultural mentality in mid-11th century Byzantium. The typical blend of religious piety and classical culture links him with his pupil Psellos, and contemporary poets like Christopher of Mytilene
Christopher of Mytilene
Christopher of Mytilene was a Greek-language poet living in the first half of the 11th century. His works include poems on various subjects and four Christian calendars.- Biography :...
. A particular theme in his poems and letters are the vicissitudes and dangers of public life and political careers, which is not surprising given the political and social instability of this period.
Editions
- Johannis Euchaitarum metropolitae quae supersunt in cod. Vaticano graeco 676 Ed. P. de Lagarde and J. Bollig. Berlin 1882 (Standard modern edition).
- Karpozilos A., The Letters of Ioannes Mauropous Metropolitan of Euchaita, Thessaloniki 1990.
- Follieri E., "The 'Living Heirmologion' in the Hymnographic Production of John Mauropus, Metropolitan of Euchaita", Studies in Eastern Chant 4 (1979) 54-75 (for references to publications of liturgical works).