Romanus Melodus


Romanus Melodus


Born in the late fifth century in Emesa, Syria; died circa 560 in Constantinople. Byzantine church poet.

Romanus Melodus gave literary polish to the kontakion, a versified sermon with stanzas and a refrain, often containing elements of drama. His poetry is notable for the uniformity of its moral passion and the simplicity and vividness of expression. Eighty-five texts bearing Romanus’ name have survived, of which 60 are authentically his. Some of his kontakia became part of the church service in the Slavic countries, including Rus’.


Romanos le Mélode. Hymnes, vols. 1–3. Introduction, critical text, translation, and notes by J. Grosdidier de Matons. Paris, 1964–65.
In Russian translation:
In Pamiatniki vizantiiskoi literatury IV–IX vv. Moscow, 1968. Pages 209–14.


Istoriia Vizantii, vol. 1. Moscow, 1967. Pages 426–28.
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