Nicephorus a Tragedy of New Rome (Classic Reprint) - Tapa blanda

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Excerpt from Nicephorus a Tragedy of New Rome

This drama is not a dramatized version Theophano, but a Tragedy based upon the same events, though not following either the characters or the incidents of that Monograph - nor indeed the contemporary chronicles. As the play is designed for the Stage, not for the Study, it makes no pretence to poetic elaboration, and avoids all forms of ornamental diction. It seemed that characters of an heroic, tragic, and ideal type should conform to the convention of blank verse. But according to the ordinary plan, the incidental scenes are cast in prose. The object of the writer is again to direct attention to the elements of heroism and tragedy in the neglected story of the long Byzantine struggle to stem the advance of Islam. It preceded the Crusades of Europe by a century and a half; and it exceeded the Western Crusades in systematic energy and in genuine fervour.

For the purposes of this Drama, Constantinople and its Empire, are spoken of as "New Rome," or simply "Rome"; and its army as that of the "Romans" - terms by which the City and people were known in the East, and of which they were proud to claim the traditions. The historic title of the Eastern Roman Emperors was "Basileus" (Greek for king); and Basileus, Emperor, and King, are here used interchangeably, as Basilissa, Empress, Queen, and Augusta are used for his Consort. Titles of office and rank are described by modern analogues.

The great Cathedral of "Hagia Sophia" (now the Mosque of "Aya Sofia") is here called "The Holy Wisdom."

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