Patriarch Eutychius of Alexandria
Encyclopedia
Eutychius or Sa'id ibn Batriq or Bitriq (10 September 877 - 12 May 940) was the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria. He is known for being one of the first Christian Egyptian writers to use the Arabic language
. His writings include his chronicle Nazm al-Jauhar (Arabic, "Row of Jewels"), otherwise known by its Latin title, Eutychii Annales.
). Eutychius spent much of his life as a medical practitioner or Mutatabbib. His life was roughly contemporary with Agapius the historian
, although neither displays knowledge of the other.
He did not know Greek, but was able to access Greek texts in existing Syriac translations.
In 932 he became the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria at the age of 60. Because he had never held any clerical office, his appointment met with considerable opposition, which lasted the remainder of his life. His appointment was probably due to the influence of the Moslem rulers.
The history was adapted and continued to 1028 by his relative Yahya ibn Sa'id
, in which form it became known in Antioch and then Europe; but it continued to be expanded, and to circulate in this modified form. Numerous copies were made. However the autograph was recently located at Mount Sinai
(Sinaiticus Arabicus 582). The start and end of the manuscript are missing, but can be reconstructed from copies.
Other works are a book on medicine and an apologetic work. A manuscript of the former has been located in Aleppo, although not published. The latter text has not been found as yet.
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
. His writings include his chronicle Nazm al-Jauhar (Arabic, "Row of Jewels"), otherwise known by its Latin title, Eutychii Annales.
Life
He was born in Fustat (old CairoCairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
). Eutychius spent much of his life as a medical practitioner or Mutatabbib. His life was roughly contemporary with Agapius the historian
Agapius the historian
Agapius son of Constantine was a 10th century Arabic Christian writer, best known for his lengthy Kitab al-'Unwan . He was the Melkite bishop of Manbij .He was contemporary with the annalist Eutychius , also a Melchite...
, although neither displays knowledge of the other.
He did not know Greek, but was able to access Greek texts in existing Syriac translations.
In 932 he became the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria at the age of 60. Because he had never held any clerical office, his appointment met with considerable opposition, which lasted the remainder of his life. His appointment was probably due to the influence of the Moslem rulers.
Works
The most important work is the Nazm al-Jauhar, a world chronicle, which he began before becoming Patriarch, and dedicated to his brother. It begins with the Creation, and runs down to his own times. His Nazm al-Jauhar is a valuable source for events in Persia prior to the rise of Islam and the later Sassanid rulers. For events after the rise of Islam, Eutychius makes use of Moslem sources. He also drew on legendary and hagiographical material.The history was adapted and continued to 1028 by his relative Yahya ibn Sa'id
Yahya of Antioch
Yahya of Antioch, full name Yaḥya ibn Saʿīd al-Anṭākī , was a Melkite Christian physician and historian of the 11th century....
, in which form it became known in Antioch and then Europe; but it continued to be expanded, and to circulate in this modified form. Numerous copies were made. However the autograph was recently located at Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai , also known as Mount Horeb, Mount Musa, Gabal Musa , Jabal Musa meaning "Moses' Mountain", is a mountain near Saint Catherine in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. A mountain called Mount Sinai is mentioned many times in the Book of Exodus in the Torah and the Bible as well as the Quran...
(Sinaiticus Arabicus 582). The start and end of the manuscript are missing, but can be reconstructed from copies.
Other works are a book on medicine and an apologetic work. A manuscript of the former has been located in Aleppo, although not published. The latter text has not been found as yet.