Reality and finction of the coptic hagiographers (Diocletian’s image in the literature of cycles, mid-7th — mid-8th cc.)

Abstract

This article deals with the legend of the Emperor Diocletian drawing on the material of hagiographic texts called “cycles” (mid-7th — mid-8th cc.) developed in Coptic literature. Its comparison with data of Greek and Latin historians (Eusebius Pamphilus, Lactantius, Aurelius Victor, Eutropius) allows us to speak about the consistent transformation of the historical image in accordance with the principles of the development and existence of martyria and vitae, the peculiar feature being the fact that the hero is an antagonist. Even fantastic or non-historical narratives from Diocletian’s life are not a random fi gment of imagination, but systematic work within the framework of already developed canonical schemes (primarily related to martyrdom) and of ideal images (primarily of the ruler). The technique of antithesis is also applied: the features missing in the historical description are recreated as the opposite of the accepted ideal. Features most fully appropriate to the created character are chosen from the historical material, i.e. the authors are interested in the truthfulness of the image, as they understand it, rather than the reliability of the factual data. Those plots that are constructed by analogy with biblical narratives or in the light of the exegetical tradition are perceived as legitimate and acceptable. An interesting phenomenon is the consistent perception of hagiographic plots as a source of credible information.

Keywords

• Coptic hagiography
• literature of cycles
• legend about Diocletian
• Emperor Constantine
• Emperor Julian
• fi ction as means of structural construction
• transformation of plots
• Antioch
• Coptic martyrs
• betrayal of the bishop