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Michael Psellos – A Life Examined
This is the third and last of three posts on Michael Psellos and his impact on medieval Byzantium. Michael Psellos – The Grey Eminence Michael Psellos’ involvement in the imperial administration of the Byzantine Empire spanned about forty years. Most of that time saw this prototype of the essential bureaucrat
Michael Psellos – A Life Examined
Michael Psellos and Emperor Michael VII Ducas This is the second of three posts on Michael Psellos and his impact on medieval Byzantium. Michael Psellos – Turncoat Michael Psellos, the quintessential Byzantine bureaucrat, began his career in the imperial justice system, working in Anatolia in the 1030’s. Eventually, he became
Michael Psellos – A Life Examined
This is the first of three posts on Micheal Psellos and his impact on medieval Byzantium. Michael Psellos – Secular Byzantine? The Byzantines have a well-earned reputation for religious devotion and fondness for theological arguments throughout their history. They had little tolerance for deviation from religious orthodoxy at any time.
The Serpent Column
I think most of us interested in Byzantine history are familiar with the historian, Dame Averil Cameron from Oxford University. She and I follow each other on Twitter and she mentioned a book a colleague of hers wrote, ‘The Serpent Column – A Cultural Biography’ by Paul Stephenson (no relation).
Byzantine History in the 11th Century – A Brief Introduction
I received great news the other day – my newest book, Byzantine History in the 11th Century – A Brief Introduction, was awarded the coveted Indie/B.R.A.G. Medallion! That means that all of my books have earned this honor. What is Indie/B.R.A.G.? The Indie/B.R.A.G. organization has writers and readers who have
Alexios I Comnenus and Upheavals
Wedding of Alexios I Comnenus and Irene Ducaena A few years back Jared Diamond wrote a best-selling book, “Guns, Germs, & Steel” which tried to explain trends in global history. Like many others, I found his observations to be enlightening, if sometimes flawed. He recently came out with a new
Review – Psellos and the Patriarchs
Letters and Funeral Orations for Keroullarios, Leichoudes, and Xiphilinos Translated by Anthony Kaldellis and Ioannis Polemis Copyright 2015 by University of Notre Dame Michael Psellos’ history, “Fourteen Byzantine Rulers” contains invaluable information for those interested in 11th century Byzantine history. This remarkable history provides more detailed (and gossipy) information about
Armenia at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Armenia in Medieval Times – An Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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