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Death Quote by Anna Comnena

“Even now I cannot believe that I am still alive and writing this account of the emperor's death. I put my hands to my eyes, wondering if what I am relating here is not all a dream - or maybe it is not a dream: perhaps it is a delusion and I am mad, the victim of some extraordinary and monstrous…” quote by Anna Comnena
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““Even now I cannot believe that I am still alive and writing this account of the emperor's death. I put my hands to my eyes, wondering if what I am relating here is not all a dream - or maybe it is not a dream: perhaps it is a delusion and I am mad, the victim of some extraordinary and monstrous hallucination. How comes it that when he is dead I am still numbered among the living?””

Anna Comnena

About This Quote

Source Chronicle: Alexiad by Anna Komnene, c. 1148

She doubts the reality of surviving the emperor’s death, questioning sanity and the nature of existence.

In simple terms: She feels surreal about living after a traumatic event.

Key Takeaway

Accept uncertainty and seek grounding.

Themes

history psychology survival

Mood

conflicted reflective

Type

historical personal

When to use this quote

  • studying ancient texts
  • mental health reflection
  • philosophical contemplation

Key Concepts

existential doubt trauma memory

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do we distinguish memory from delusion?
  • What anchors us in reality after trauma?
A Different Perspective

The account may be colored by personal bias and limited perspective.

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