Η ΠΑΠΙΣΣΑ ΙΩΑΝΝΑ / THE POPESS JOANNE
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Autor:
EMMANUEL RHOIDES
Country:
Greece (GR)
Book Theme:
Classic novels and Authors representing your country culture
Publisher:
GUTENBERG
Publishing Year:
2023
Emmanuel Rhoides was a Greek writer, journalist, and literary critic, best known for his satirical novel The Popess Joanne (1866). Born in Ermoupolis, Syros, he was educated in Europe and became fluent in multiple languages. His sharp wit and irreverent critique of religious and social institutions often brought him into conflict with the Greek Orthodox Church, which condemned his most famous work. Rhoides worked as the director of the National Library of Greece but was dismissed due to his outspoken views. Despite his limited literary output, his influence on modern Greek prose and satire remains significant.
National Award for Children’s and Young People’s
Abstract
The Popess Joanne (Η Πάπισσα Ιωάννα), first published in 1866, is a satirical historical novel by Emmanuel Rhoides that tells the controversial story of Pope Joan, a legendary woman who is said to have disguised herself as a man and ascended to the papal throne in the 9th century. Blending history, myth, and sharp social critique, Rhoides constructs a vivid narrative that follows Joanne’s journey from her difficult childhood in an oppressive medieval society to her rise within the Catholic Church. Highly intelligent and ambitious, she challenges the rigid gender norms of her time, ultimately deceiving the Church hierarchy. However, her secret unravels dramatically when she unexpectedly gives birth in public, leading to her downfall.
Rhoides uses this tale not just to entertain but to satirize religious dogma, corruption, and the hypocrisy of the clergy. His irreverent tone and biting wit led to the novel being condemned by the Greek Orthodox Church, though it remains a landmark in modern Greek literature.
A blend of historical fiction, philosophical inquiry, and dark humor, The Popess Joanne is a bold critique of institutional power and gender inequality, making it a timeless and provocative work.
