Maria Lekapene, Empress of the Bulgarians. Neither a Saint nor a Malefactress
Zofia Brzozowska|Mirosław J. Leszka
The book presents the biography of Maria, daughter Christopher Lekapenos (the eldest son emperor Romanos I). For about 35 years, she was tsaritsa Bulgarians at side her husband, tsar Peter (927–969). Her character is but dimly visible in sources; interestingly, few sources that do mention are almost exclusively Byzantine provenance. Most scholars who have dealt with life – usually, we may add, as a note to their studies on Peter’s reign saw representative interests Constantinople and propagator culture. Some gone so far call agent Bulgarian court. Through meticulous analysis primary profound knowledge literature subject, authors first monograph Maria ever been written able construct balanced narrative tsaritsa’s role 10th century Bulgaria, putting aside biases negative emotions. publication supplemented by translation fragments Hellenic Roman Chronicle second redaction devoted Peter. Zofia A. Brzozowska Mirosław J. Leszka treat protagonist undeniable sympathy (as signaled already title). Following footprints Lekapene, paint vivid picture Byzantium half century, well present history its neighbor state; for it there grand political game court ‘cast’ Lekapenos. Lekapene (...) an eagerly awaited international Byzantinological Slavicist community; I predict will be scholarly success. eminent experts field history, which guarantees factual accuracy high level work (...). Prof. Ireneusz Milewski University Gdansk