The Latins in the Epistles from Ioannes Apokaukos, Metropolitan of Naupaktos (1200–1230)

Abstract

In article are examined notions of John Apokaukos, metropolitan of Naupaktos, about participants of the IVth Crusade, who became subjects of Latin Romania. Information about them is contained in epistles of 1215-1230, which are addressed to Theodore I Doukas (1215-1230) and Ecumenical Patriarch Manuel Sarantin (1217-1222). By themes sources are divided into five groups: military campaigns against Latins, organization of dioceses, which are released from enemies, dogmatic disputes, relation to them, who came over to hostile side, and division of Romans in consequence of Latin domination. Latins are represented in epistles by one nation, Italoi, who are subjects of the Kingdom of Thessaloniki. They are described as main enemies of Theodore I, whose domination created the precipice between the State of Epirus and the Empire of Nicaea. The struggle against them is the main ruler’s goal and don’t allow any compromise. It’s described by way of enkomion that is traditional for epistles to Byzantine emperors. In this context metropolitan used images of nature and compared the enemies of Theodore I with cloud, brushwood, lions and birds, while the ruler is compared with sun. Negative relation to Latins underlined by their personal wicked qualities (haughtiness and ever madness) and weakness of Catholic dogmas, which are disputed by bishops and clerics. This opinion is characteristic to other bishops in the State of Epirus (Demetrius Chomatianos and members of synod in Arta) and abroad (Michael Choniates) that testify about single understanding of two aspects: danger of Latin domination and necessity to restore Byzantine Empire.

Keywords

• латиняне, италийцы, эпирское царство, митрополит, католичество, духовенство, правитель, латинская романия, вселенский патриарх