Structure and Features of Anna Komnene’s Alexiad

Larisa Orlov Vilimonovic is Research Associate in the Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of History, Faculty of Philosophy, at the University of Belgrade. She has taught courses in Byzantine cultural and social history. Her main interests are Byzantine literature, rhetoric and gender studies.

• Preface, Introduction, Behind the narrative poetics of Anna Komnene’s Alexiad 1. Techne historike Discursive frame of the Alexiad Political debate — Anna Komnene and John Zonaras 2. IMAGE OF THE IDEAL RULER Refuting the invective Shaping the new Iliad In search of a paradigm — between a legendary hero and a legendary emperor 3. ANNA KOMNENE’S 'Preponderance of the Origin The story of the Imperial Birth — essence of Anna’s political agenda Sprout from the Porphyra Likeness to her father Connection to the imperial branch of the Doukai Connection with the parents 4. THE PAIN OF NIOBE AND CRY OF ELECTRA Anna’s Iliad of woes Beloved husband Setting of the Sun Allegories of the emperor’s illness 5. DOUKAI — CONSTRUCTION OF AN ALTERNATIVE DISCOURSE The rise of the Komnenoi and the problem of apostasia The Doukai in the Alexiad DRAMATIS PERSONAE Caesar John Doukas George Palaiologos John and Michael Doukas Constantine Doukas Maria of Alania Eirene Doukaina 6. KOMNENIAN PHILIA Mother of the Komnenoi How a hero is made Where two Annas meet DOULOS and DESPOTES A story without an ending Orestes and Pylades ISAAC KOMNENOS — 'The abstruse story of Adrian Komnenos Conspiracy of John Komnenos A thrice-beloved son Timeframe of the Alexiad Behind Anna’s psogos John in the episode of the birth of the Porphyrogennetoi The Birth of the Emperor’s Twins In search of a lost hero 7. CONCLUSION, BIBLIOGRAPHY, PRIMARY SOURCES, SECONDARY SOURCES, INDEX.

"In Structure and Features of Anna Komnene's "Alexiad"... Larisa Orlov Vilimonovic asks whether her book“the third recently published on Anna Komnene's Alexiad (c. 1148)“is needed, and the answer is a resounding "yes."... Her book is an important and exhilarating one, and I am delighted to have had the opportunity to read it."- Penelope Buckley, Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature 39.1, 2020