DIE OORLEWING VAN DIE KLASSIEKE LETTERKUNDE GEDURENDE DIE MIDDELEEUE DEEL 2 : DIE GRIEKSE OOSTE

Abstract

Historici dateer die aanvang en fases van die Bisantynse periode verskillend. Sandys (1921:387) onderskei 'n vroee fase vanaf die stigting van Konstantinopel in 330 tot die dood van Heraklios in 641, 'n oorgangsfase van verval vanaf 641 tot 850, en 'n laat-Bisantynse fase van opbloei van 850 tot die val van Konstantinopel in 1453. Harvey (1984:83) dateer die Bisantynse periode vanaf die sluiting van die Atheense skole deur Justinianus in 529. Hussey (1970: 11), wat ook die stigting van Konstantinopel as die beginpunt neem, verklaar: "The very foundation of an eastern capital, the seat of the senior Emperor, pointed the way to the middle ages when it was the eastern half of the Roman Empire which survived without any break in its history. It is immaterial whether it is called early Byzantine or late Roman during this formative period inaugurated by Constantine the Great. It was essentially the Roman Empire and as such its culture was predominantly Greek, though with strong oriental influences" (vgl. ook 1970:12-13; Kazhdan & Wharton Epstein 1985:1-2). Moss & Diehl (1961:1-33) verdeel hulle oorsig in die periodes vanaf 330 tot die Vierde Kruistog in 1204, en dan weer tot 1453, terwyl Baynes in die inleiding (xv) die volgende waarskuwing van R.G. Collingwood aanhaal: "There are in history no beginnings and no endings. History books begin and end, but the events they describe do not".