Edited and translated by Henry A. Myers.
The "Kaiserchronik" (c. 1152-1165) is the first verse chronicle to have been written in a language other than Latin. This story recounts the exploits of the Roman, Byzantine, Carolingian, and Holy Roman kings and rulers, from the establishment of Rome to the start of the Second Crusade. As an early example of popular history, it was written for a non-monastic audience who would have preferred to read, or may only have been able to read, in German. As a rhymed chronicle, its combined use of the styles of language found within a vernacular epic and a factual treaty was a German innovation.
"The Book of Emperors" is the first complete translation of the "Kaiserchronik" from Middle High German to English. It is a rich resource not only for medieval German scholars and students, but also for those working in early cultural studies. It brings together an understanding of the conception of kingship in the German Middle Ages, from the relationship between emperor and king, to the moral, theological, and legal foundations of claims and legitimacy and the medieval epistemological approaches to historiography.
This translation includes a substantial introduction that discusses the historical and philological context of the work, as well as the themes of power and kingship. Each chapter begins with a brief introduction that distinguishes historical truths from the epic fiction found within the original text.
Author(s): Henry A. Myers (ed., transl.)
Series: Medieval European Studies, 14
Publisher: West Virginia University Press
Year: 2013
Language: English
Pages: XII+400
City: Morgantown
Acknowledgments ix
Editor's Note xii
Introduction
1. The "Book of Emperors" and its Treatment of History 1
1.1. The tradition of world historiography in the Middle Ages: Augustine, Orosius, and Otto of Freising 3
1.2. Mid-twelfth-century Germany: "deeds" replace the "two cities" 8
1.3. "I tell you this for sure" 10
2. The Value of the "Book of Emperors" as a Source of Intellectual History 14
2.1. The ancient law uniting church and empire 15
2.2. True kingship 19
2.3. The Donation of Constantine and the translation of Empire 21
2.4. Christian clemency and draconic law enforcement 24
2.5. Prayer-answering as within a feudal contract 26
3. Composition and Utilization of the Work 30
3.1. Authorship 30
3.2. Patronage 35
3.3. Sources 38
3.4. Influence 41
4. Stylistic Considerations 52
4.1. The author's style: scholarly urgency 52
4.2. This translation 55
4.3. This title 59
The "Book of Emperors"
Note to readers: Verse line numbers accompany the names of each chapter in brackets as a guide to the original work.
Prologue [1-42] 65
1. Rome's Founding: Roman Gods for Each Day of the Week and the Bells that Warned of Revolt [43-246] 67
2. Julius Caesar [247-602] 71
3. Augustus Caesar [603-670] 80
4. Tiberius [671-1114] 82
5. Caius Caligula (Jovinus Legend) [1115-1218] 90
6. Faustinian [1219-4038] 93
7. Claudius [4039-4082] 134
8. Nero [4083-4304] 135
9. Tarquin [4305-4834] 140
10. Galba and Piso [4835-4846] 149
11. Otho [4847-4860] 150
12. Vitellius (Odnatus Legend) [4861-5098] 151
13. Vespasian [5099-5364] 156
14. Titus [5365-5556] 160
15. Domitian [5557-5682] 164
16. Nerva [5683-5838] 167
17. Trajan [5839-6096] 170
18. Philip [6097-6150] 176
19. Decius [6151-6450] 177
20. Diocletian and Maximian [6451-6621] 182
21. Severus [6622-7135] 186
22. Helvius (Helius) Pertinax [7136-7211] 194
23. Helius Adrianus (Hadrian) [7212-7243] 196
24. Lucius Accommodus [7244-7425] 197
25. Achilleus [7426-7451] 201
26. Gallienus [7452-7603] 202
27. Constantius Chlorus [7604-7805] 205
28. Constantine I "the Great" [7604-10510] 209
29. Sylvester [10511-10634] 250
30. Julian [10635-11137] 254
31. Heraclius [11138-11351] 263
32. Narcissus (Legend of the Two Theodorics) [11352-12812] 267
33. Justinian [12813-13066] 289
34. Theodosius [13067-13650] 294
35. Constantine Leo [13651-13824] 304
36. Zeno [13825-14193] 308
37. Constantine VI [14194-14281] 316
38. Charles I "the Great" [14282-15091] 318
39. Louis I "the Pious" [15092-15235] 334
40. Lothair I [15236-15316] 336
41. Louis II [15317-15399] 338
42. Charles III "the Fat" [15400-15518] 340
43. Arnulf [15518-15581] 343
44. Louis III "the Child" [15582-15651] 345
45. Conrad I [15652-15759] 347
46. Henry I [15760-15849] 350
47. Otto I "the Great" [15850-15974] 352
48. Otto II [15974-16063] 355
49. Otto III [16064-16141] 357
50. Henry II "Saint Henry" [16142-16253] 359
51. Conrad II [16254-16375] 362
52. Henry III "the Black" also "the Good" [16376-16531] 364
53. Henry IV [16532-16847] 368
54. Henry V [16848-16941] 375
55. Lothair II [16942-17179] 377
56. Conrad III [17180-17283] 382
Bibliography 385
Index 390
