Immagini del libro nella letteratura di Bisanzio

Abstract

This paper explores the various ways in which Byzantine authors exploit the traditional Greek imagery related to books and writing. If in most cases they just reactivate well-known topics and metaphors, we can single out at least two themes peculiar to Byzantine culture: a bent for spiritualizing every aspect of the book, having even ink and bindings bear a mystical meaning, and the widespread habit of describing both Christ and the Virgin Mary as volumes. In Byzantium, books have completed their process of becoming ‘subjects’ and (very important) persons.