Chronographia by George Syncellus -- anyone know an available edition?

MJ. Smith

I would like to see this in any European language to be in Logos.

From Perplexity

Synopsis of Chronographia by George Syncellus

George Syncellus' Chronographia is a Byzantine historical chronicle written in the early 9th century, intended as a universal history of the world from creation to his own time. Syncellus, a former monk and confidant of Patriarch Tarasius of Constantinople, compiled this work primarily from earlier historical sources, aiming to preserve an accurate and theologically sound chronology based on biblical and ecclesiastical traditions.

The Chronographia is structured as a chronological framework for sacred and secular history, emphasizing biblical genealogy, early Christian historiography, and Byzantine historical traditions. Syncellus relied heavily on previous historians, particularly Julius Africanus, Eusebius of Caesarea, and Panodorus of Alexandria. He also preserved substantial excerpts from otherwise lost works, such as those of Berossus, Manetho, and the Book of Sothis, offering an invaluable glimpse into ancient historical traditions.

The work begins with the biblical account of creation and Adam’s genealogy, following the biblical timeline closely. Syncellus incorporates elements of Jewish, Egyptian, and Babylonian chronologies, seeking to align them with the scriptural record. He critiques discrepancies between various historical traditions and asserts the superiority of the Septuagint-based chronology over other textual traditions, such as the Hebrew Masoretic text. His calculations place the creation of the world at approximately 5492 BC, a widely accepted date in Byzantine chronological systems.

Syncellus also provides extensive discussions on the reigns of ancient kings, including those of Egypt, Babylon, and Assyria, comparing their recorded reigns with biblical figures such as the patriarchs and early rulers of Israel. He frequently disputes the chronological claims of pagan historians, arguing for a harmonized timeline that upholds Christian theological principles. Notably, he challenges the reliability of Eusebius' Chronicle, despite drawing extensively from it, and offers his corrections based on alternative sources.

Though Syncellus died before completing his work, it was continued and expanded by Theophanes the Confessor in his Chronographia, covering events from the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284 AD) to 813 AD.

Historical Importance

Preservation of Lost Sources – Syncellus' Chronographia is one of the most significant Byzantine historical compilations because it preserves fragments of ancient sources that would have otherwise been lost. His extensive use of Africanus, Berossus, Manetho, and other early historians makes his work essential for reconstructing lost historical traditions.

Chronological Standardization – The work played a key role in Byzantine chronological thought, reinforcing the use of the Septuagint's timeline over other versions of biblical chronology. His calculation of world history influenced later Byzantine and Eastern Orthodox historiography, shaping medieval Christian understandings of world history.

Critique of Pagan Chronology – Syncellus provided a theological defense against competing historical narratives, particularly those of non-Christian sources. His work reflects a broader Byzantine effort to harmonize secular history with biblical revelation, asserting Christianity’s historical legitimacy.

Influence on Later Byzantine Historiography – Theophanes the Confessor’s Chronographia, which continues Syncellus’ work, became one of the most widely used historical sources in the Byzantine world. Later Byzantine chroniclers, such as Michael Psellos and George Kedrenos, drew upon Syncellus' framework for their historical writings.

Overall, Chronographia by George Syncellus is a critical bridge between late antiquity and medieval historiography, preserving ancient sources while establishing a theological vision of world history that remained influential for centuries.

NichtnurBibelleser

Wikipedia.de gives me

Alden A. Mosshammer (Hrsg.): Georgii Syncelli Ecloga chronographica. Teubner, Leipzig 1984 (heute maßgebliche kritische Edition)

William Adler, Paul Tuffin (Übers.): The Chronography of George Synkellos. A Byzantine Chronicle of Universal History from the Creation. Oxford University Press, Oxford 2002 (englische Übersetzung mit umfangreicher Einleitung und Kommentar; Rezension).

MJ. Smith

Thank you.