The Akathistos Hymnos and Intermedial Compositional Processes in Later Byzantium

This book explores intermedial compositional processes in later Byzantium, building on the Akathistos Hymnos. The relationship between the hymn’s text, music, and illustrations has yet to be explored in detail. The contributions here argue that these painted cycles should be studied as a result of interaction between hymnography, psalmody, and visual art, not just as mere illustration of text. Highlighting illuminated and notated manuscript copies of the hymn as evidence for varied liturgical and devotional practices, they examine how icons and murals based on the Akathistos functioned as constituent elements of sacred space. Focusing on intermediality, this book helps bridge methodological gaps between scholarly approaches to medieval culture.

Jon C. Cubas Díaz is Lecturer at the University of Göttingen, Germany. He previously held teaching and research positions at the University of Heidelberg and the University of Rostock.