Greco-Latin Middle Ages. From Blessed Jerome to Nicholas of Cusa

Walter Bershin is a German researcher, philologist, and former director of the Institute of Philology at Heidelberg University. Before the reader is a unique study of medieval Latin literature, which the author examines from an unexpected angle: in terms of the influence of Greek writing and language on the formation of Western tradition. Indeed, the Latin literature and culture of the Middle Ages were in constant contact with the Greek: imitation, reaction, and reception succeeded one another. For a long time, European researchers have avoided this topic, leading to the perception that medieval Latin writing depended more on the Arabs than on the ancient Greeks and Byzantines. Walter Bershin's book, which has already become a classic, refutes this widespread notion. The author explores the penetration of the Greek language into Latin writing (through manuscripts, inscriptions, etc.) and analyzes the interconnections between the two cultures: for example, the interest in Greek philosophy in late antique West, the study of Greek at the court of Charlemagne, or Greek traditions in medieval monasteries. The book is built around Latin (and not only) authors who somehow came into contact with the Greek language, from Jerome of Stridon, the creator of the canonical Latin text of the Bible, to Nicholas of Cusa, who reintroduced Greek philosophy to the West. Despite the multitude of names and facts, the book is written in a captivating, at times detective, and even humorous style. This edition is addressed to philologists, historians, and a wide range of readers interested in the culture of the Middle Ages. The book has been translated by Andrei Vinogradov — a Russian historian, researcher of Byzantium and early Christianity.