Nationalist discourse and the political myth in two Memoranda written by Georgios Gemistos Plethon

The author of the presented dissertation argues that the Byzantine scholar and philosopher, Georgios Gemistos Plethon, is employing national discourse in two Memoranda which were written by himself and which are concerned with the affairs of the Peloponnesian peninsula. The first chapter offers an overview of theoretical approaches to nationalism and it focuses on defining the core terms such as nation, ethnic group, nationalism and ethnicity, while basing on the ideological framework of the ethno-symbolists. It is argued that both nationalism and ethnicity are discursive in their character, hence their essence tends to alter over time: it is constantly redefined and renewed. It is stressed that the national symbols, myths play vital role in the formation of collective ethnical and national identities. Lastly, 15th century historiographical sources are analysed in short in the search for the prevailing mode of Byzantine self-ascription which is, it is concluded, Roman in its essence.The second chapter of the thesis focuses on Plethon himself and the period wherein he lived. Philosopher's biography along with major literary works are summarised. Consequently, the author presents a short history of the Byzantine Hellenism from the early Christian times up until the last century of Byzantium. The aim of this survey is to exhibit that Plethon is the last link in a long chain of Byzantine Platonists and to show that the world-view conveyed by his works is utterly incompatible with the ideas pronounced by the Eastern Orthodox Church.The subsequent chapter of the presented thesis is centered on the political myth which is the core rhetorical device used by Gemistos in the analysed Memoranda. Ernst Cassirer's approach to the phenomenon of the political myth is described in short and it is applied to the analysis of Plethon's texts. It is argued that the myth reinforces the revived Hellenic identity constructed by the author of the speeches. Plethon's programme of return to pagan religion presented in the Nomoi and the reform of the calendar are mentioned in the closing sections of the third chapter. It is assumed that these measures, with their overt pagan foundation, complete Gemistos' national call.The final part of the proposed dissertation elaborates on the radical reformist programme laid down in the two analysed Memoranda. The reforms are divided into administrative, juridical, social, economic and military measures. Each of the afore-mentioned areas is set against the status quo of the last century of the Byzantine empire. Moreover, the author of the thesis focuses on their Platonic character, to demonstrate how they complete the revived Hellenic identity. It is contended that the reforms provide concrete form to the Hellenic identity and exhibit how it can be realised.