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The Papess Joanne

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description The Papess Joanne Overview

The Papess Joanne is an 1866 Greek novel written by Emmanuel Rhoides that reimagines the medieval legend of Pope Joan. The narrative blends historical fiction with picaresque satire to deliver a pointed critique of religious dogma and 19th-century social hypocrisy. Upon its release, the book was highly controversial and led to Rhoides being excommunicated by the Greek Orthodox Church. It is now regarded as a seminal work of modern Greek literature and an important example of satirical writing.

help The Papess Joanne FAQ

Who wrote The Papess Joanne, and when was it published?

The Papess Joanne is a Greek novel by Emmanuel Rhoides, first published in 1866. It was written in Katharevousa, the formal literary form of Greek used by many nineteenth-century writers, as noted by [Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27760).

What is the plot of The Papess Joanne?

The novel follows Joanna, a woman who disguises herself as a man and rises through the Roman Catholic hierarchy until she becomes pope. It reworks the medieval Pope Joan legend, which traditionally places the supposed papacy around the years 855 to 858.

Is The Papess Joanne a history book or a satirical novel?

It is a historical novel with picaresque and satirical elements, not accepted proof that Pope Joan existed. Rhoides used research, notes, and footnotes, plus the subtitle Medieval Study, to imitate the tone of a serious historical investigation while attacking religious and social hypocrisy.

Why did The Papess Joanne cause controversy in Greece?

The novel's attack on religious dogma provoked condemnation from the Greek Orthodox Church after its 1866 publication. Rhoides was excommunicated by the Holy Synod, which helped make the book one of the most controversial works of modern Greek literature.

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