Priscus (left) with the Roman embassy at the court of Attila the Hun, holding his ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ (History, which the painter has incorrectly spelled ΙΣΤΩΡΙΑ). (Detail from Mór Than's Feast of Attila.)
Priscus was born in Panion (located in Thrace) between 410 and 420 AD.[1][2] In 448/449 AD, he accompanied Maximinus, the head of the Byzantine embassy representing Emperor Theodosius II (r. 402–450), on a diplomatic mission to the court of Attila the Hun.[1][2][4] While there, he met and conversed with a Greekmerchant, dressed in "Scythian" (or Hunnic) fashion, who was captured eight years earlier (c. 441–442) when the city of Viminacium (located on the Danube east of modern-day Belgrade) was sacked by the Huns.[5][6] The trader explained to Priscus that after the sack of Viminacium, he was a slave of Onegesius, a Hunnic nobleman, but obtained his freedom and chose to settle among the Huns.[6][7] Priscus ultimately engaged in a debate with the Greek defector regarding the qualities of life and justice in both the Byzantine Empire and in barbarian kingdoms.[1]
Priscus was the author of an eight-volume historical work, written in Greek, entitled the History of Byzantium (Greek: Ἱστορία Βυζαντιακή), which was probably not the original title name.[1][2] The History probably covered the period from the accession of Attila the Hun to the accession of Emperor Zeno (r. 474–475), or from 433 up until 474 AD.[2] Priscus's work currently survives in fragments and was very influential in the Byzantine Empire.[1] The History was used in the Excerpta de Legationibus of Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus (r. 913–959), as well as by authors such as Evagrius Scholasticus, Cassiodorus, Jordanes, and the author of the Souda.[1] Priscus's writing style is straightforward and his work is regarded as a reliable contemporary account of Attila the Hun, his court, and the reception of the Roman ambassadors.[2] He is considered a "classicizing" historian to the extent that his work, though written during the Christian era, is almost completely secular and relies on a style and word-choice that are part of an historiographical tradition dating back to the fifth century BC.[8]
Priscus account of a dinner with Attila the Hunedit
Priscus recounted the story of a dinner with Attila the Hun which took place at one of Attila's many houses. This house was said to be greater than the rest (having been made for celebration) due to it being constructed of decorative polished wood, with little thought to making any part of the place for defense. The dinner was at three o’clock; Priscus entered the house bearing gifts to Attila's wife; her name was Kreka and she had three sons. Priscus and the embassy of Eastern Romans were placed at the end of the table farthest from Attila but still in his presence; this was meant to show that he was greater than the Roman guests, and that Attila considered his people to be more important than Priscus and the Roman embassy. As Priscus and the Eastern Roman embassy stood, they followed the cultural tradition of being served tea from the cupbearers; they were to pray and have a drink before having a seat at the table. The seats were arranged parallel to the walls; Attila sat on the middle couch. The right side of Attila was reserved for his honored Chiefs, and everyone else including Priscus and the Roman embassies sat on the left. After being seated, everyone raised a glass to pledge one another with wine. Once the cupbearers left another attendant came in with a platter of meat, followed by bread and other foods of the time. All of the food was served onto plates of silver and gold. Priscus also notes that Attila didn't use any silver or gold plates but instead used a cup made of wood; also, his attire was not very grand. Once the first round was finished, they stood and drank again to the health of Attila. When evening arrived torches were lit and songs that were about Attila's victories were sung.[7][9][10]
Priscus in fictionedit
Priscus is an important character in Slave of the Huns by Geza Gardonyi. He is depicted as a kindly master and scholar, and part of the novel is based on his account of his visit to Attila.
He is one of two main interlocutors in Gore Vidal's novel Julian.
Remaining worksedit
The remaining works of Priscus are currently published in four collections:
Given, John (2014). The Fragmentary History of Priscus. Merchantville, New Jersey: Evolution Publishing. ISBN978-1-935228-14-1.
Blockley, Roger C. (2009). The Fragmentary Classicising Historians of the Later Roman Empire. Vol. II. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Francis Cairns. ISBN978-0-905205-51-9.
Gordon, Colin Douglas (1966). The Age of Attila: Fifth-century Byzantium and the Barbarians. Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Press. ISBN9780472061112.
Dindorfius, Ludovicus (1870). Historici Graeci Minores (Volume 1). Leipzig, Germany: B. G. Teubneri.
^Toynbee & Myers 1948, p. 14: "The renegade Greek business man from Viminacium whom the Greek historian and Roman diplomatist Priscus encountered in Attila's ordu on the Alföld in A.D. 449 has already come to our notice."
^ abChristophilopoulou 1986, p. 209: "For information about Attila, his court and the organization of life generally in his realm we have the authentic and reliable evidence of contemporary Greek historian Priscus, who accompanied Maximinus, the head of the Byzantine embassy, in 448."
^ abJones 1964, p. 866: "Priscus of Panium met one of these in Attila's camp. He was, he said, a Greek who had settled at Viminacium on the Danube and prospered in trade and married a rich wife. He was wealthy enough to be allotted as a special prize to Onegesius, one of the Hunnic nobles, when the town was captured."
Kelly, Christopher (2004). Ruling the Later Roman Empire. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. ISBN0-674-01564-9.
Robinson, J. H. (1905). "Priscus describes the court of Attila king of the Huns (448)". Readings in European History. Boston: Ginn. pp. 46–49. Retrieved 2 December 2016 – via Fordham University, Internet Medieval Source Book.
Toynbee, Arnold Joseph; Myers, Edward DeLos (1948). A Study of History (Volume 8). Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.
Further readingedit
Gordon, Colin Douglas (1964). "Fifth Century Chronology of in the Fragments of Priscus". New Review. IV (2–3).
Thompson, E. A. (July–October 1945). "Priscus of Panium, Fragment I b". The Classical Quarterly. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. 39 (3/4): 92–94. doi:10.1017/s0009838800022643. JSTOR 637017.
External linksedit
Media related to Priscus at Wikimedia Commons
Georgetown University: "Priscus at the Court of Attila" (Translation by J. B. Bury)
January 12, 2024
priscus, other, uses, disambiguation, panium, greek, Πρίσκος, 410s, 420s, after, century, eastern, roman, diplomat, greek, historian, rhetorician, sophist, left, with, roman, embassy, court, attila, holding, ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ, history, which, painter, incorrectly, spell. For other uses see Priscus disambiguation Priscus of Panium ˈ p r ɪ s k e s Greek Priskos 410s AD 420s AD after 472 AD was a 5th century Eastern Roman diplomat and Greek historian and rhetorician or sophist 1 2 3 4 Priscus left with the Roman embassy at the court of Attila the Hun holding his ISTORIA History which the painter has incorrectly spelled ISTWRIA Detail from Mor Than s Feast of Attila Contents 1 Biography 1 1 History of Byzantium 1 2 Priscus account of a dinner with Attila the Hun 1 3 Priscus in fiction 2 Remaining works 3 References 3 1 Citations 3 2 Sources 4 Further reading 5 External linksBiography editPriscus was born in Panion located in Thrace between 410 and 420 AD 1 2 In 448 449 AD he accompanied Maximinus the head of the Byzantine embassy representing Emperor Theodosius II r 402 450 on a diplomatic mission to the court of Attila the Hun 1 2 4 While there he met and conversed with a Greek merchant dressed in Scythian or Hunnic fashion who was captured eight years earlier c 441 442 when the city of Viminacium located on the Danube east of modern day Belgrade was sacked by the Huns 5 6 The trader explained to Priscus that after the sack of Viminacium he was a slave of Onegesius a Hunnic nobleman but obtained his freedom and chose to settle among the Huns 6 7 Priscus ultimately engaged in a debate with the Greek defector regarding the qualities of life and justice in both the Byzantine Empire and in barbarian kingdoms 1 After an interlude in Rome Priscus traveled to Alexandria and the Thebaid in Egypt 1 2 He last appeared in the East circa 456 attached to the staff of Euphemios as Emperor Marcian s r 450 457 magister officiorum 1 He died after 472 AD 1 History of Byzantium edit Priscus was the author of an eight volume historical work written in Greek entitled the History of Byzantium Greek Ἱstoria Byzantiakh which was probably not the original title name 1 2 The History probably covered the period from the accession of Attila the Hun to the accession of Emperor Zeno r 474 475 or from 433 up until 474 AD 2 Priscus s work currently survives in fragments and was very influential in the Byzantine Empire 1 The History was used in the Excerpta de Legationibus of Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus r 913 959 as well as by authors such as Evagrius Scholasticus Cassiodorus Jordanes and the author of the Souda 1 Priscus s writing style is straightforward and his work is regarded as a reliable contemporary account of Attila the Hun his court and the reception of the Roman ambassadors 2 He is considered a classicizing historian to the extent that his work though written during the Christian era is almost completely secular and relies on a style and word choice that are part of an historiographical tradition dating back to the fifth century BC 8 Priscus account of a dinner with Attila the Hun edit Priscus recounted the story of a dinner with Attila the Hun which took place at one of Attila s many houses This house was said to be greater than the rest having been made for celebration due to it being constructed of decorative polished wood with little thought to making any part of the place for defense The dinner was at three o clock Priscus entered the house bearing gifts to Attila s wife her name was Kreka and she had three sons Priscus and the embassy of Eastern Romans were placed at the end of the table farthest from Attila but still in his presence this was meant to show that he was greater than the Roman guests and that Attila considered his people to be more important than Priscus and the Roman embassy As Priscus and the Eastern Roman embassy stood they followed the cultural tradition of being served tea from the cupbearers they were to pray and have a drink before having a seat at the table The seats were arranged parallel to the walls Attila sat on the middle couch The right side of Attila was reserved for his honored Chiefs and everyone else including Priscus and the Roman embassies sat on the left After being seated everyone raised a glass to pledge one another with wine Once the cupbearers left another attendant came in with a platter of meat followed by bread and other foods of the time All of the food was served onto plates of silver and gold Priscus also notes that Attila didn t use any silver or gold plates but instead used a cup made of wood also his attire was not very grand Once the first round was finished they stood and drank again to the health of Attila When evening arrived torches were lit and songs that were about Attila s victories were sung 7 9 10 Priscus in fiction edit Priscus is an important character in Slave of the Huns by Geza Gardonyi He is depicted as a kindly master and scholar and part of the novel is based on his account of his visit to Attila He is one of two main interlocutors in Gore Vidal s novel Julian Remaining works editThe remaining works of Priscus are currently published in four collections Given John 2014 The Fragmentary History of Priscus Merchantville New Jersey Evolution Publishing ISBN 978 1 935228 14 1 Blockley Roger C 2009 The Fragmentary Classicising Historians of the Later Roman Empire Vol II Cambridge United Kingdom Francis Cairns ISBN 978 0 905205 51 9 Gordon Colin Douglas 1966 The Age of Attila Fifth century Byzantium and the Barbarians Ann Arbor Michigan University of Michigan Press ISBN 9780472061112 Dindorfius Ludovicus 1870 Historici Graeci Minores Volume 1 Leipzig Germany B G Teubneri References editCitations edit a b c d e f g h i j Kazhdan 1991 Priskos p 1721 a b c d e f g Chisholm 1911 p 361 Toynbee amp Myers 1948 p 14 The renegade Greek business man from Viminacium whom the Greek historian and Roman diplomatist Priscus encountered in Attila s ordu on the Alfold in A D 449 has already come to our notice a b Christophilopoulou 1986 p 209 For information about Attila his court and the organization of life generally in his realm we have the authentic and reliable evidence of contemporary Greek historian Priscus who accompanied Maximinus the head of the Byzantine embassy in 448 Halsall 1996 Kelly 2004 p 176 Toynbee amp Myers 1948 p 14 a b Jones 1964 p 866 Priscus of Panium met one of these in Attila s camp He was he said a Greek who had settled at Viminacium on the Danube and prospered in trade and married a rich wife He was wealthy enough to be allotted as a special prize to Onegesius one of the Hunnic nobles when the town was captured a b Halsall 1996 Given 2014 p xvii Robinson 1905 Ase Berit Rolf Strandskogen 2016 Lifelines in World History Routledge ISBN 978 1317466031 Sources edit Chisholm Hugh ed 1911 Priscus Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol 22 11th ed Cambridge University Press p 361 Christophilopoulou Aikaterine 1986 Byzantine History Volume 1 Amsterdam the Netherlands Adolf M Hakkert ISBN 90 256 0836 1 Given John 2014 The Fragmentary History of Priscus Merchantville New Jersey Evolution Publishing ISBN 978 1 935228 14 1 Halsall Paul March 1996 Priscus at the Court of Attila Retrieved 4 December 2011 via Fordham University Internet Medieval Source Book Jones Arnold Hugh Martin 1964 The Later Roman Empire 284 602 Volume Two Norman Oklahoma University of Oklahoma Press ISBN 0 8018 3354 X Kazhdan Alexander Petrovich ed 1991 The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium New York New York and Oxford United Kingdom Oxford University Press ISBN 978 0 19 504652 6 Kelly Christopher 2004 Ruling the Later Roman Empire Cambridge Massachusetts Harvard University Press ISBN 0 674 01564 9 Robinson J H 1905 Priscus describes the court of Attila king of the Huns 448 Readings in European History Boston Ginn pp 46 49 Retrieved 2 December 2016 via Fordham University Internet Medieval Source Book Toynbee Arnold Joseph Myers Edward DeLos 1948 A Study of History Volume 8 Oxford United Kingdom Oxford University Press Further reading editGordon Colin Douglas 1964 Fifth Century Chronology of in the Fragments of Priscus New Review IV 2 3 Thompson E A July October 1945 Priscus of Panium Fragment I b The Classical Quarterly Cambridge United Kingdom Cambridge University Press 39 3 4 92 94 doi 10 1017 s0009838800022643 JSTOR 637017 External links edit nbsp Media related to Priscus at Wikimedia Commons Georgetown University Priscus at the Court of Attila Translation by J B Bury Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Priscus amp oldid 1177474628, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
