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

by John Skylitzes, John Wortley

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, cited constantly in modern scholarship, and has never before been available in English. 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.

Genres: History, Roman, Medieval, Nonfiction

526 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 2010

Reviews

[Peter Crouse · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm the kind of reader who feels absolutely compelled to read any foot- or endnotes that I come across: no matter how many, no matter how trivial. That made getting through this edition a real slog as a third of each page consists of footnotes, most of which are irrelevant to all but the specialist, and the constant interruption of the narrative really wore down my power of perserverance. Also, no appendices or maps: always a minus in my book - no pun intended.
Fascinating material, but only recommended for those with a high capacity to ignore textual intrusions.

[Astor Teller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not as personal as Michael Psellos, but reads more like a newspaper. A lot of interesting stories about the different Byzantine emperors, but to enjoy it, you should have an in-depth knowledge of the Byzantine Empire (which I don’t have so I got lost in all the names).

The footnotes are very handy as the author is biased and not everything should be taken a face value and also puts the narrative in a modern context (as the book was written thousand years ago).

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent first English translation of a Byzantine historian who should be better known. John Skylites gives an outline of Byzantine history from the lead-up to the Macedonian dynasty to its practical end in 1057. Skylitzes' narrative isn't necessarily original, but it preserves the work of previous historians in summary form. That sometimes means the historical work is sometimes a bit uneven that a point of view that sometimes shifts quite widely in its sympathies and antipathies. And, like any ancient and mediaeval historian, Skylitzes has his problems with chronology. However, he also gives an account of a not particularly well-attested period (up to and including Basil II's reign) which cannot help but be valuable.

This particular period should be considered as the height of the revival of Byzantine fortunes started by the iconoclastic emperors in the 8th century. Byzantium manages to push back the Muslims past Antioch as well as completely subdue the troublesome Bulgars (at least, for a time). It is also a period rich in palace intrigues and military coups. That can make tiresome reading as some reigns seem to alternate between military operations and palace intrigue. In the less than successful reigns, especially those towards the end of the period, that can mean an alternation of military disaster and palace revolutions. Not always pretty reading.

For those intrigued by the Byzantines, the emergence of this source is good news. Well-worth reading!

[Simon Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing that an English translation of such an important work was not available before this one. A must read for any Byzantophile. One thing I had heard before reading this was that Skylitzes is great on events in the capital but very vague on anything going on further afield. This is not always the case as when he is well informed by his sources the accounts of campaigns and battles are vividly detailed. The early chapters in particular are full of dramatic description of the bloody events of the 9th Century.

[Anatolikon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The notes really need some work.

[Mevlut]

Good Book.