Attic Greek was not merely the language of those who lived in the Attic region around the fifth century before Christ. Its prestige extended through many centuries and permeated numerous traditions. We are well aware of how educated Romans in antiquity mastered Greek, and there is no need to mention that the Old Testament was translated into Koine Greek and that the New Testament was also written in this form of language. Centuries later, we find Church fathers using Atticizing Greek again to explain the scriptures or their philosophy. Moreover, texts from cultures outside our Greco-Roman-Judeo-Christian tradition have been translated into Ancient Greek, such as a Christianized version of the Life of Buddha, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Kalīla wa-Dimna. At some point, I will organize seminars to discuss these texts in their Greek translations. However, before diving into those, I have decided to focus on a text that has been on my reading list for quite some time, and which I know is significant for many of my good friends: The Qur’an.

Class Objective:

There is no complete translation of the Qur’an. Only 82 fragments dating before 870 AD, all found within texts that have an anti-Islamic aim and were translated word-by-word into a vernacular form of Greek. These two characteristics have led to disregard for this work. In order to counteract this, within a friendly and scholarly ecumenic environment, we want to read and rewrite some of these fragments into Attic Greek while preserving the sense of the original text. To this end, the participation of colleagues who speak Arabic and are familiar with the Qur’an is paramount. We also hope this class will help foster bonds of friendship between different faiths and cultures.

Method: 

Every week we will gather to read and discuss in Ancient Greek some of these fragments. Those who are well acquainted with both Arabic and Ancient Greek are invited to present their own Attic Greek translation, while sharing with the rest of the attendants why they think the Byzantine translation is not adequate. Those who only know Ancient Greek are welcome to make suggestions on how this or that could be said in a more Attic fashion. 

Instructors:

Mark Tomov

• Spoken Latin and Ancient Greek at the Vivarium Novum Academy
• BA in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Oxford 

Rogelio Toledo

• BA in Classics at Universidad Autónoma de México
• MA in Classics at Freie Universität Berlin 
• PhD Candidate at the University of Vienna in Byzantine Studies
• Coordinator of the department of Ancient Greek and Latin at Polis Institute Jerusalem (2020-2022)

Language of instruction:

Ancient Greek. Previous experience speaking Ancient Greek is not required. What is important is knowledge of the grammar and patience with yourself.

Date and Time:

Mondays at 18:00 Central European Time, one hour,  from  May 20 to July 15. Nine sessions. 

Location:

Zoom

Registration:

Secure your spot today! Limited availability. info@rogerusbyzantinus.com

Price:

Free. We would appreciate if you  can make a donation to

https://www.savethechildren.org/us/where-we-work/west-bank-gaza

Bibliography:

Förstel, K. (ed.), Niketas von Byzanz. Schriften zum Islam, “Corpus Islamo-Christianum. Series graeca” 5.1. Würzburg: Echter Verlag, 2000.

Høgel, C., “An early anonymous Greek translation of the Qur’ān: The fragments from Niketas Byzantios’ Refutatio and the anonymous Abjuratio.” Collectanea Christiana Orientalia, 7, 2010, 65-119. DOI: 10.21071/cco.v7i.134

Trapp, E., “Gab es eine byzantinische Koranübersetzung?”, Diptycha hetaireias byzantinon kai metabyzantinon meleton 2 1981.