Abstract

Byzantine authors frequently used the well-known topos of modesty in the opening lines of their literary works. This common introduction, usually served two purposes: The authors expressed a genuine, or, perhaps, feigned concern about their ability to deal adequately with their subject both in terms of form and substance, and they preemptively tried to thwart any possible criticism on the part of the audience for any shortcomings in their work by beginning with this sort of captatio benevolentiae. Typical examples of this topos are not only numerous among hagiographers throughout the Byzantine millennium, but even in such writers as Theophanes Confessor, as one can see from the preamble to his Chronography. It is only after the 11th century that “we sometimes encounter the author's frank appraisal of his talent, for example in Psellos and Tzetzes.” As early an author as John of Damascus, however, also displayed his self-appreciation for his talent and this will be the subject of this short article. Here, I shall examine John of Damascus' own personal stance to the topos of modesty/humility and, in one particular case, his rather interesting variation on it.