Defining the ‘Turk’: Mechanisms of Establishing Contemporary Meaning in the Archaizing Language of the Byzantines

Byzantine scholars strategically redefined the term 'Turk' to reflect contemporary political and cultural shifts, demonstrating how archaizing language was adapted to serve evolving identities. This study analyzes textual evidence from the 12th–14th centuries, revealing that Byzantine authors selectively employed classical terminology to distinguish between early Turkic groups (e.g., Seljuk Turks) and later Ottoman forces, aligning with shifting imperial narratives. The research employs close reading of chronicles, legal texts, and epigraphic sources, uncovering a pattern where linguistic archaism was weaponized to legitimize Byzantine authority while marginalizing perceived 'barbarian' others.

Durak, K. (2010). Defining the ‘Turk’: Mechanisms of Establishing Contemporary Meaning in the Archaizing Language of the Byzantines. Jahrbuch Der Österreichischen Byzantinistik, 59, 65–78. https://doi.org/10.1553/joeb59s65