The Making of Christian Moravia (858–882). Papal Power and Political Reality by Maddalena Betti
Stefan Moffat
Reviewed by: The Making of Christian Moravia (858–882). Papal Power and Political Reality by Maddalena Betti Stefan Moffat Betti, (Leiden/Boston: Brill 2014) xiii + 251 pp. This book is a re-working the author’s 2008 PhD thesis. It consists forward Thomas Noble, an introduction, three chapters, supplemented five maps, bibliography, index. author points out quickly that “the aim my research to clarify role sources concerning Methodian archdiocese within wider debate over location Great Moravia” (10). author, however, concentrates on image its Saints in records papacy. focus allows [End Page 212] contribute something new between “traditionalists” “revisionists” about means literary analysis relationship papacy missionary brothers Constantine-Cyril Methodius sources. Chapter 1 devoted overview changing historiography Cyrillic-Methodian mission, as place. begins with initial development into fifteenth nineteenth centuries, concentrating impact Slav nationalism their historical image, pointing figures were canonized pope century became important for Czech Slovak scholars early cultural icons. She follows similar process discussion Moravia, beginning eighteenth debates physical East Central Europe. makes it clear slowly emancipated Slavic conscience, due disintegration Austro-Hungarian Ottoman empires twentieth century, allowed be studied scholars, become part Slavicists’ research. culminated concepts such depiction Czechoslovakia reflection therefore strong, civilizing power Alongside textual sources, archaeological has also been oriented toward answering question Moravia’s location. discusses revisionist history led Imre Boba 1971 questioning traditional North Danube, subject ecclesiastical jurisdiction Europe Rome Constantinople pioneered František Dvorník, which freed scholarship from nationalistic framework. attempts depict papal policy ambiguous. bulk Apostolic See’s examined images Methodius, well are letters successive ninth-century popes touch sympathetic two missionaries: Nicholas I, Hadrian II, John VIII. However, Pope Stephen V, VIII’s successor, removed earlier support use Slavonic liturgy, attempted maintain supporting Frankish clergy, opposite behavior. these uses other Roman including official biographical record known Liber Pontificalis, correspondence secretary Anastasius Bibliothecarius (“The Librarian”). Other used this works (two vitae encomium), annals, documents Conversion Bavarians Carantanians, bishops. In chapter 2, associated I II. biographies mix up acts claiming was not 213] who ordained priest work missionary, when fact he did even live see whom had invited Rome. VIII referred name in...
Comitatus-a Journal of Medieval and Renaissance Studies