The Complete Works of Liudprand of Cremona

Medieval Texts in Translation

by Luidprand, Paolo Squatriti (Translator)

This modern English translation of all the surviving literary compositions ascribed to Liudprand, the bishop of Cremona from 962 to 972, offers unrivaled insight into society and culture in western Europe during the "iron century." Since Liudprand enjoyed the favor of the Saxon Roman emperor Otto the Great, and traveled to Constantinople more than once on official business, his narratives also reveal European attitudes toward the Byzantine Empire and the culture of its refined capital city. No other tenth-century writer had such privileged access to the high spheres of power, or such acerbic wit and willingness to articulate critiques of the doings of powerful people.

Liudprand's historical texts (the Antapodosis on European events in the first half of the 900s, and his Historia Ottonis on the rise to power of Otto the Great) provide a unique view of the recent past against a genuinely European backdrop, unusual in a time of localized cultural horizons. Liudprand's famous satirical description of his misadventures as Ottonian legate at the Byzantine court in 968 is a vital source of information on Byzantine ritual and diplomatic process, as well as a classic of medieval intercultural encounter. This collection of Liudprand's works also includes his recently discovered Easter sermon, a rare early document of Jewish-Christian intellectual polemic.

Readers interested in medieval European culture, the history of diplomacy, Italian and German medieval history, and the history of Byzantium will find this collection of translated texts rewarding. A full introduction and extensive notes help readers to place Liudprand's writings in context.

Genres: History, Medieval History

296 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 1993

Reviews

[AB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of the best pieces I have read from the middle ages.

[Jonathan Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent edition of the collected writings of Liudprand, tenth-century bishop of Cremona with a penchant for moonlighting as a diplomat and historian. He offers a fairly detailed and fascinating look at events of the late 800s through mid-900s, and his lack of impartiality can be rather refreshing. His main historical work is, after all, the Antapodosis ("Retribution"), designed to embarrass his former patron Berengar II and to further ingratiate himself with Otto I. Antapodosis takes up the bulk of the text and is quite useful in its own right; I had occasion to utilize one of his juicier anecdotes for a sermon on honesty!

He has a somewhat anti-Jewish Easter homily here, plus a small piece about King Otto, but the other great gem is his harshly bitter Embassy to Constantinople, the story of his mistreatment while on an extended diplomatic mission to the court of Byzantine emperor Nikephoros II Phokas.

On the whole, out of all the medieval histories you could be reading, Liudprand is one of the livelier choices - go for it!

[Jarod · Rating 3 out of 5]

Make no mistake, he was a wretch--as he admits, Christian he was. In fact, Luidprand's chauvinism by modern standards effectively slot him a virulent anti-Semite. Nevertheless, his biases are not without entertainment value. Getting peeved at the notion a Basileus might utilize intrigue in foreign policy, taking off in Virgil-fueled, retributive transports, and expressing schlocky shock over common human turpitude, he proves himself a capable writer of some remarkably boring history. Literary value? Yes.

[Daniel Boughter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rated this so highly because it's an amazing primary source and Liudprand is not the worst monk to ever put quill to paper, but I swear to fuck if I never have to read about how Western virility - defined by beards, hatred of the fairer sex, unwashed bodies and fleas, probably - is the height of human civilizati... Who the fuck am I kidding? An awful human being who nonetheless gives us great insight into a time where primary sources are relatively rare.

[Shef · Rating 5 out of 5]

You just can't give this a low rating. It's not only an amazing primary source, but it's also hilarious. This goes for most medieval writers, but he doesn't even try to hide his biases and includes every story and anecdote that may help him. Short and sweet (and useful) this ol book.