The concept and ideologeme of Byzantism in publicistic writings of K. N. Leontiev

The article's theme is the conception of Byzantism by K. N. Leontiev. The purpose of the study is analysis of the key concept of Leontiev's program article “Byzantism and Slavdom” (1871). The line of the research determines the choice of a cultural and historic approach to analysis of literary phenomena. The tradition of comprehension of the image of Byzantium in the world culture is important for understanding this conception. A biased image of Byzantium, appeared in the sources of Leontiev's article (Schlosser, Thiery, Guizot), proves the common viewpoint of the role of the Eastern Roman Empire in the world cultural sphere which is hardly ever corresponds to historical facts. Negative evaluation of Byzantism appears in lifetime criticism of the writer, in reviews of the article and collection of articles “The East, Russia and Slavdom” (1886). Opposing the accepted opinion Leontiev used the notion “byzantism” intentionally as an authentic ideologeme. Such comprehension of Byzantine heritage may indicate at a new approach to the study of traditional writers and journalists.