The Papess Joanne

The Papess Joanne
Papissa Ioanna, front cover of the first edition, Athens 1866
AuthorEmmanuel Rhoides
Original titleἩ Πάπισσα Ἰωάννα
LanguageGreek (Katharevousa)
GenreRomance, Satire
Publication date
1866
Publication placeGreece

The Papess Joanne (Greek: Ἡ Πάπισσα Ἰωάννα, romanizedHē Pápissa Iōánna) is a 1866 novel by Greek writer Emmanuel Rhoides. Published with the subtitle "medieval study",[a] the novel is an exploration of the European legend of Pope Joan, a woman who allegedly ascended the church hierarchy and reigned as pope in disguise some time in the late 9th century. Though a romance with satirical overtones, it has been described as having elements of a chronicle because of the writer's extensive research of historical sources.[1] Due to its religious commentary, the novel attracted criticism from the Greek Orthodox Church which resulted to its excommunication by the Holy Synod. The Papess Joanne became the most famous of Rhoides' works and has been established as a classic of Modern Greek literature; It got translated into several languages, earning Rhoides international recognition and praise.[2][3][4]


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  1. ^ "Πάπισσα Ιωάννα". 2008-04-20. Archived from the original on 2008-04-20. Retrieved 2023-09-24 – via e Alexandria.
  2. ^ Patrides 2014, p. 179.
  3. ^ Beaton 1999, p. 60-61.
  4. ^ Dragoumis 2004.