The Byzantine quote that the Pope Benedict XVI referred to has an interesting history. The Byzantine Empire was in decline and alone in facing it’s greatest enemy. After existing nearly 1000 years, it’s time was nearly over.
A 14th-century Byzantine emperor, Manuel II Paleologus, in a conversation with a “learned Persian” on Christianity and Islam asked:
“Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread the sword by the faith he preached.”
Another insight into the Moslem invaders came when he asked why they changed the names of Christian cities they pillaged and devastated, he received the answer:
“the way we destroy them their name is also disappearing from earth…”.
So sayeth the ‘Religion of Peace.”
Manuel II is an interesting fellow and here is some of his history and a link:
“Manuel II Palaeologus (1350 – July 21, 1425) was Byzantine emperor from 1391 to 1425, and son of Emperor John V Palaeologus. By Helena Dragas, the daughter of a Serbian prince, he had seven sons: Michael (died 1406), John, Theodore, Andronicus, Constantine, Demetrius, and Thomas.
At the time of his father’s death he was a hostage at the court of the Ottoman emperor Beyazid I at Proussa (modern Bursa), but succeeded in making his escape; he was forthwith besieged in Constantinople by the sultan, whose victory over the Christians at the Battle of Nicopolis, however (September 25, 1396), did not secure for him the capital.
Manuel subsequently set out in person to seek help from the West, and for this purpose visited Italy, France, Germany and England, but without material success; the victory of Timur at the Battle of Ankara in 1402, and the death of Beyazid in 1403 were the first events to give him a genuine respite from Ottoman oppression. He stood on friendly terms with Mehmed I, but was again besieged in his capital by Murad II, in 1422. Shortly before his death he was forced to sign an agreement whereby the Byzantine Empire undertook to pay tribute to the sultan.
Manuel was the author of numerous works of varied character — theological, rhetorical, poetical and letters.”
The Byzantine Empire around year 1400…. surrounded.
It is clear to me that Emperor Manuel II was a man of great courage… and vision. Besides the fundamentalist menace, the outbreak of bubonic plague in 1349 had weighed heavily on the empire. Nevertheless, Manuel II handles his world with great skill and even though his efforts in acquiring support from other European nations was little and late, he is still offering lessons for those willing to listen.
Pope Benedict XVI wasn’t wrong in reminding the world that we have seen this threat before.
Europe… just as in the 14th century… is refusing to recognize the threat of fudamentalist Islam … which they ignore at their own peril.
Roger Freberg