중세 중기의 보편사에 나타나는 비잔티움 제국 인식 = Historical Perspectives of Sigebert of Gembloux and Vincent of Beauvais on the Byzantine Empire

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This paper analyzes the historical perspectives of Western European historians on the Byzantine Empire during the High Middle Ages, with a particular focus on the universal historical writings of Sigebert of Gembloux (Chronica) and Vincent of Beauvais (Speculum historiale). It underlines the concept of the translatio imperii, which is explicitly presented in the tables of dynastic reigns presented in Sigebert’s Chronica and also in a relatively overlooked passage within Vincent’s Speculum historiale. Sigebert of Gembloux emphasizes, in his tables of regna, the integration of the Roman Empire and the Frankish Kingdom concurrently with Charlemagne’s imperial coronation. Meanwhile, a lesser-known passage of the Speculum argues that because Charlemagne was a descendant of Heraclius, there was a convergence of Greek, Roman, and Germanic lineage within him, and thus the imperium was rightfully transferred to him. On the other hand, these authors disparaged the Byzantine emperors as being “the emperors of Constantinople” after the coronation of Charlemagne.
Regarding the Crusade periods, the extent of historical narratives of Sigebert and Vincent varies following the temporal contexts in which these authors were active. Particularly, the account concerning Byzantium during the Crusades in Vincent’s Speculum, compiled between the 1240s and 1250s, reflects the contemporary preoccupations of Louis IX’s crusades, with its emphasis on the conquest and the matrimonial alliances.
In conclusion, the universal histories of Sigebert and Vincent exhibit a narrowed perspective typical of medieval Western Europeans’ understanding of universal history. Nonetheless, behind their biased historical portrayals of the Byzantine Empire and selective historical narrative choices, it is still possible to find underlying political and ideological ideas and the contextual concerns of their time.