John Skylitzes: A Synopsis of Byzantine History, 811–1057: Translation and Notes

John Skylitzes, John Wortley
Cambridge University Press, 10/7/2010
EAN 9780521767057, ISBN10: 0521767059

Hardcover, 526 pages, 22.9 x 15.2 x 3.3 cm
Language: English

John Skylitzes' extraordinary Middle Byzantine chronicle covers the reigns of the Byzantine emperors from the death of Nicephorus I in 811 to the deposition of Michael VI in 1057, and provides the only surviving continuous narrative of the late tenth and early eleventh centuries. A high official living in the late eleventh century, Skylitzes used a number of existing Greek histories (some of them no longer extant) to create a digest of the previous three centuries. It is without question the major historical source for the period and is cited constantly in modern scholarship. This edition features introductions by Jean-Claude Cheynet and Bernard Flusin, along with extensive notes. It will be an essential and exciting addition to the libraries of all historians of the Byzantine age.

Introduction. John Skylitzes, the author and his family Jean-Claude Cheynet
Re-writing history
John Skylitzes's Synopsis historion Bernard Flusin
1. Michael I Rangabe The Kouropalates (811–13)
2. Leo V The Armenian (813–20)
3. Michael II The Stammerer (820–9)
4. Theophilos (829–42)
5. Michael III The Son Of Theophilos (The Drunkard) (842–67), and his mother Theodora (842–62)
6. Basil I Kephalas The Macedonian (867–86)
7. Leo VI The Philosopher (The Wise) (886–912)
8. Alexander (912–13)
9. Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos (913–59) bis
10. Romanos I Lekapenos (919–44)
11. Constantine VII (944–59)
12. Romanos II The Younger (959–63)
13. Basil II and Constantine VIII (976–1025)
14. Nikephoros II Phokas (963–69)
15. John I Tzimiskes (969–76)
16. Basil II and Constantine VIII bis (976–1025)
17. Constantine VIII (1025–8)
18. Romanos III Argyros (1028–34)
19. Michael IV The Paphlagonian (1034–41)
20. Michael V The Caulker / Kalaphates (1041–2)
21. Constantine IX Monomachos (1042–55)
22. Theodora (1055–6)
23. Michael VI The Elder / Stratiotikos (1056–7).