Hellenic Language and Thought in Pre-Conquest England
Eleni Ponirakis
Bede, reflecting on the success of Canterbury school set up by Theodore Tarsus remarked: “some their students still alive today are as proficient in Latin and Greek native tongue” [trans. Colgrave Mynors 1969, 335]. By time we get to court Alfred two hundred years later, there had been a famous decline learning from which Greek, language, not yet recovered. However, remained strong interest sacred language liturgies, prayers magical charms, later hermeneutic poetry. Theodore’s influence was limited Language, he also brought knowledge Maximus Confessor Pseudo-Dionysius. The mystical theology would find fuller expression translations associated with King via contact Carolingian court, but seeds for this reception England may already have sown. This paper will outline evidence use variety contexts, including charm staunching blood, it examine extent patristic thinking Old English texts both clerical prose secular
Anglica. An International Journal of English Studies