The Women’s Activity in the Field of Literature during the Komnenian Renaissance in Byzantium
The referent discusses the role, related to the field of literature, played by women associated with the dynasty ruling in Byzantium during the Komnenian Renaissance. This period was characterized by a significant development of various fields of Byzantine culture. One of the characteristics of the aforementioned Renaissance, related to literature, was the special activity of women from the imperial family. Using texts and source references from the era, the speaker shows the influence they had on the literary development. Therefore, he mentions the activity of women as patrons of writers (e.g., Irene Doukaina). In addition, he notes that numerous works created during this period were dedicated to them. For example, Constantine Manasses dedicated his work "Synopsis historike" to the sebastokratorissa Irene. The author also talks about Anna Komnene and her "Alexiad". In this work, which was unique in the entire history of Byzantine literature, she described the reign of Alexios I.