Linguistic Co-existence in Constantinople: Greek and Latin (and Syriac) in the Acts of the Synod of 536 C.E.

2009/11/01 by Fergus Millar · 2 citations
Social Sciences · Arts and Humanities · #Historical and Linguistic Studies #Archaeology and Historical Studies #Byzantine Studies and History

paper · doi:10.3815/007543509789745287

openalex publication_date 2009/11/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21

Abstract

This paper considers the interplay of Latin and Greek in the workings of both State and Church in sixth-century Constantinople, and the way that these two languages are represented in the written records of each. The richest source of evidence is provided by the Acts of the Church Councils and Synods, because at the end of a session, or of a multi-authored document, it was the custom for those involved to make a one-sentence statement of assent in their own handwriting. These processes also leave room for reflections of the use of Syriac (but not for items of actual Syriac text), but of no other language.

Cited by

• The Evolution of the Syrian Orthodox Church in the Pre-Islamic Period: From Greek to Syriac?
• Menas of Constantinople [wikipedia]

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