Open AccessA History dedicated to Mehmed II? Kritoboulos of Imbros and the enshrining of a Superior's memory after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453
Author(s) -
Rike Szill
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
history in flux
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2706-414X
pISSN - 2706-4441
DOI - 10.32728/flux.2019.1.4
Subject(s) - victory , interpretation (philosophy) , conquest , literature , history , panegyric , eschatology , epistemology , classics , sociology , philosophy , poetry , law , linguistics , ancient history , art , political science , politics
This article examines the perception and productive acquisition of historical realities thereby questioning the imperative applicability of terms like "victory" or "defeat". This complex matter will be exemplified by an extremely controversial source: the ξυγγραΦή ίστοίων, the History of Kritoboulos of Imbros, an author who is notorious for being a biased admirer of Mehmed II. It will be argued that his work is not a mere product of Ottoman panegyric but a productive and innovative attempt to come to terms with the historical events on a broader scope. In this respect, it offers both an alternative explanatory approach and an innovative counter concept to Christian eschatology contributing to the literary discourse on the perception, interpretation and evaluation of the outcome of events. Hence, focal passages of Kritoboulos’ History such as the introductory letter of dedication and the general assault on Constantinople are analyzed.