Andronikos Kamateros on the Dispute between Manuel I Komnenos and Papal Legates: An Essay on the Literary Reading

Abstract

The “Sacred Arsenal” composed by Andronikos Kamateros on the request of the emperor Manuel I Komnenos (1143–1180) opens with a dialogue, which claims to be an exact record of a theological dispute organized in Constantinople between Manuel and the envoys of the Pope Alexander III (1158–1181) within the framework of Manuel’s unionist projects. Kamateros set a goal not only to refute the Filioque doctrine and put forward arguments against the primacy of Rome, but also to eulogize Manuel as a gifted logician able to develop solid argumentation based on sets of irrefutable syllogisms. Most assuredly, this peculiar focus could have been suggested by the commissioner, but, in my view, Kamateros did find a way to express his authorial self even within the strict limitations imposed by the commission. This resulted in two authorial choices, which allow the “Sacred Arsenal” to claim a place not only in the history of Byzantine theological thought, but in the history of Byzantine literature as well. Firstly, Kamateros contrasted Manuel’s self-characterization with the narrator’s view in the introductory section. If Kamateros holds Manuel’s syllogisms in greater esteem than patristic quotations, Manuel himself disregards his natural gift of a logician and distrusts syllogistic method in general. Secondly, Manuel’s interlocutors are shown in development. The cardinals enter the dialogue as Papal envoys without their own voice; then they get involved into the dispute and try to overpower Manuel in theoretical discussion. Soon enough, they realize that they are confused and ask Manuel for help in solving their perplexities thus making their way from staunch opponents to confused suppliants and disciples.

Keywords

• византия, мануил i комнин, андроник каматир, антилатинская полемика, император, константинополь, рим, силлогизмы