“Vivid and Loquacious Voice” of The Roman History of Nikephoros Gregoras

This paper focuses on Gregoras’ perception of history and the importance of historical writing, as well as highlighting the main points in his work, which reflect his understanding of a historian’s task: what to present and how to present it. Special attention is, therefore, paid to the introductions to his Roman History, for it is well-known that the historical work of Gregoras contains not one, but two main prooimia. In the long period of its creation (1328/9–1361), The Roman History changed its character and its envisioned purpose. However, the principles of its author, in respect to the perception of historical truth, remained unchanged and were skillfully woven into Gregoras’ entire work. The existence of “opposing historiography” is also pointed out by the historian, but it was the “vivid and loquacious voice” of Gregoras’ work that survived the centuries and was preserved for posterity