Byzantine History in the 11th Century

Byzantine history in the 11th century, specifically about my characters.

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 a secretary in the Great …

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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. However, history records that its …

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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 volunteered their time to review …

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Michael Psellos

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 the  period than his friend, …

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Coins from the Byzantine & Christian Museum in Athens, Greece

Overspending, Politics & Currency Devaluation

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 …

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