Guide to Byzantine Historical Writing

Description

This handy reference guide makes it easier to access and understand histories written in Greek between 600 and 1480 CE. Covering classicizing histories that continued ancient Greek traditions of historiography, sweeping, fast-paced 'chronicle' type histories, and dozens of idiosyncratic historical texts, it distills the results of complex, multi-lingual, specialist scholarship into clear explanations of the basic information needed to approach each medieval Greek history. It provides a sound basis for further research on each text by describing what we know about the time of composition, content covered by the history, authorship, extant manuscripts, previous editions and translations, and basic bibliography. Even-handed explanations of scholarly debates give readers the information they need to assess controversies independently. A comprehensive introduction orients students and non-specialists to the traditions and methods of Byzantine historical writing. It will prove an invaluable timesaver for Byzantinists and an essential entry point for classicists, western medievalists, and students. Contents Acknowledgments page xi Introduction i B Y Z A N T I N E H I S T O R I C A L TEXTS 1 Theophylakt Simokatta 47 2 Paschal Chronicle 52 3 George Synkellos 56 4 Chronicle of Theophanes 61 5 Patriarch Nikephoros 72 6 Scriptor Incertus de Leo V 78 7 Chronicle of 811 81 8 Megas Chronographos 85 9 George the Monk 87 10 Peter of Alexandria 93 11 Genesios 95 12 Theophanes Continuatus 101 13 Constantinian Excerpts no 14 John Kaminiates 114 15 Symeon the Logothete 118 16 Leo the Deacon 124 ij Chronicle of Monemvasia 128 18 Chronicon Bruxellense 135 19 Psellos 137 20 John Xiphilinos 147 21 Michael Attaleiates 150 22 John Skylitzes and Scylitzes Continuatus 155 23 George Kedrenos 162 24 Nikephoros Bryennios 169 25 Anna Komnene 174 26 John Kinnamos 186 27 John Zonaras 191 28 Constantine Manasses 200 29 Michael Glykas 205 30 Eustathios of Thessaloniki 210 31 Joel 216 32 Niketas Choniates 219 33 George Akropolites 226 34 Theodore Skoutariotes 232 35 George Pachymeres 237 36 Nikephoros Gregoras 243 37 Ephraim 249 38 Constantine Akropolites the Grand Logothete 252 39 Chronicle of Morea 254 40 Nikephoros Kallistos Xanthopoulos 260 41 John VI Kantakouzenos 266 42 Michael Panaretos 273 43 Chronicle of Ioannina 275 44 Chronicle ofTocco 278 45 John Kananos 281 46 John Anagnostes 285 47 Leontios Machairas 289 48 Sylvester Syropoulos 293 49 Doukas 298 50 George Sphrantzes 302 51 Michael Kritovoulos 308 52 Laonikos Chalkokondyles 312 Appendix A Time Periods Covered in the Histories 319 Appendix B Timeline of Authors' Lives 322