The dissertation analyses the representations of the Latins, that is, Westerners in selected works of Late Byzantine epistolography. Regarding its methodology, besides the close reading of the sources, it applies the cultural anthropological methodology devised for the analysis of ethnicity by Fredrik Barth and Thomas Hylland Eriksen and the approach of Byzantine epistolography as a literary genre. The conclusions of the dissertation can be summarised in four points. First, a wide range of generalising opinions about the Latins is presented in the analysed letters. These views can be organised into various categories, from everyday morality to violent conflicts. Second, the subjects appearing in the sources display a definite overlap with the views voiced about the Latins in Byzantine literature in general. The clear majority is constituted by those religious and secular topics that were key elements of the distinction between Byzantines and Latins in the period, such as opinions on the origin of the Holy Spirit, or perceived civilisational differences. The third conclusion refers to the attitudes displayed by the authors towards the subjects presented by them. The spectrum of evaluations in the sources ranges from rigid condemnation to enthusiastic appraisal, and both negative and positive opinions tend towards the ends of the scale, while the number of moderate opinions is relatively low. Besides, negative opinions are in a clear majority. Finally, the fourth conclusion involves the context of these opinions. The representations of Westerners in the letters display a very strong correlation with the general views of their authors regarding the Latins, that is, anti-Latin authors usually express anti-Latin views in their letters, while pro-Latins comment on Westerners in a positive light
