The Book of Emperors

A Translation of the Middle High German Kaiserchronik

Henry A. Myers

• Publisher: West Virginia University Press
• Year: 2013
• Print ISBN: 9781935978701
• eBook ISBN: 9781935978879
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Literary Collections
• Index: Literature

The Kaiserchronik (c.1152–1165) is the first verse chronicle to have been written in a language other than Latin. This story recounts the exploits of the Roman, Byzantine, Carolingian, and Holy Roman kings and rulers, from the establishment of Rome to the start of the Second Crusade. As an early example of popular history, it was written for a non-monastic audience who would have preferred to read, or may only have been able to read, in German. As a rhymed chronicle, its combined use of the styles of language found within a vernacular epic and a factual treaty was a German innovation. The Book of Emperors is the first complete translation of the Kaiserchronik from Middle High German to English. It is a rich resource not only for medieval German scholars and students, but also for those working in early cultural studies. It brings together an understanding of the conception of kingship in the German Middle Ages, from the relationship between emperor and king, to the moral, theological, and legal foundations of claims and legitimacy and the medieval epistemological approaches to historiography. This translation includes a substantial introduction that discusses the historical and philological context of the work, as well as the themes of power and kingship. Each chapter begins with a brief introduction that distinguishes historical truths from the epic fiction found within the original text.

Table of contents

• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• Prologue
• 1. Rome’s Founding: Roman Gods for Each Day of the Week and the Bells that Warned of Revolt–[43-246]
• 2. Julius Caesar–[247-602]
• 3. Augustus Caesar–[603-670]
• 4. Tiberius–[671-1114]
• 5. Caius Caligula (Jovinus Legend)–[1115-1218]
• 6. Faustinian–[1219-4038]
• 7. Claudius–[4039-4082]
• 8. Nero–[4083-4304]
• 9. Tarquin–[4305-4834]
• 10. Galba and Piso–[4835-4846]
• 11. Otho–[4847-4860]
• 12. Vitellius (Odnatus Legend)–[4861-5098]
• 13. Vespasian–[5099-5364]
• 14. Titus–[5365-5556]
• 15. Domitian–[5557-5682]
• 16. Nerva–[5683-5838]
• 17. Trajan–[5839-6096]
• 18. Philip–[6097-6150]
• 19. Decius–[6151-6450]
• 20. Diocletian and Maximian–[6451-6621]
• 21. Severus–[6622-7135]
• 22. Helvius (Helius) Pertinax–[7136-7211]
• 23. Helius Adrianus (Hadrian)–[7212-7243]
• 24. Lucius Accommodus–[7244-7425]
• 25. Achilleus–[7426-7451]
• 26. Gallienus–[7452-7603]
• 27. Constantius Chlorus–[7604-7805]
• 28. Constantine I “the Great”–[7604-10510]
• 29. Sylvester–[10511-10634]
• 30. Julian–[10635-11137]
• 31. Heraclius–[11138-11351]
• 32. Narcissus (Legend of the Two Theodorics)–[11352-12812]
• 33. Justinian–[12813-13066]
• 34. Theodosius–[13067-13650]
• 35. Constantine Leo–[13651-13824]
• 36. Zeno–[13825-14193]
• 37. Constantine VI–[14194-14281]
• 38. Charles I “the Great”–[14282-15091]
• 39. Louis I “the Pious”–[15092-15235]
• 40. Lothair I–[15236-15316]
• 41. Louis II–[15317-15399]
• 42. Charles III “the Fat”–[15400-15518]
• 43. Arnulf–[15518-15581]
• 44. Louis III “the Child”–[15582-15651]
• 45. Conrad I–[15652-15759]
• 46. Henry I–[15760-15849]
• 47. Otto I “the Great”–[15850-15974]
• 48. Otto II–[15974-16063]
• 49. Otto III–[16064-16141]
• 50. Henry II “Saint Henry”–[16142-16253]
• 51. Conrad II–[16254-16375]
• 52. Henry III “the Black” also “the Good”–[16376-16531]
• 53. Henry IV–[16532-16847]
• 54. Henry V–[16848-16941]
• 55. Lothair II–[16942-17179]
• 56. Conrad III–[17180-17283]
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Index
• About the Author