Byzantine history in the 11th century, specifically about my characters.
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 a secretary in the Great …
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. However, history records that its …
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 volunteered their time to review …
Byzantine History in the 11th Century – A Brief Introduction Read More »
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 the period than his friend, …
Above: coins from the Byzantine & Christian Museum in Athens, Greece. Few would argue against calling economics the dismal science. I’m not sure it is a science so much as wishful thinking, especially when it comes to the predictions economists make. However, my day job is in the finance industry, with economics often a topic …
Above: The royal wedding of Alexios I Comnenus and Irene Ducaena. Irene Ducaena was the wife and empress of Alexios I Comnenus, marrying him shortly after he seized the throne on April 1, 1081. Her daughter, the erudite Anna Comnena, wrote glowingly of her mother in her history, The Alexiad – extolling her beauty, wisdom, …
Romanos IV Diogenes – submitting to Alp Aslan after defeat at the Battle of Manzikert Romanos’s Father, Constantine The Diogenes family first came to prominence during the reign of Basil II early in the 11th century. Constantine Diogenes rose through the ranks of the taghmata – the central armies under the control of the emperor- …
For those of you interested in 11th century Byzantium, here is an excerpt from my novel, Imperial Passions – The Porta Aurea. This scene takes place in the church of the great monastery of St. John Stoudion. The monastery was not far from the Porta Aurea (Golden Gate) of Constantinople. It marks the end of …
Many medieval Byzantines did not use a surname. How the individual chose his surname remained fluid for many years. It often referred back to the area or town where the family originated, or from a family profession or trait.
I recently read a book about the city of Paris and the author mentioned that a particular hospital was the “first hospital in Europe”. I had to shake my head at his ignorance of the history of the Byzantines. However, it inspired me to make a list of a few things I know of that the Byzantines did long before the rest of Europe did.
1. You will not receive more than one email from me each month.
2. It may be contentious, but I may discuss Byzantine politics from time to time. Amateurish modern politics will never be discussed.
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