Joannes Zonaras

Joannes or John Zonaras Greek: Ἰωάννης Ζωναρᾶς ; c. 1070 – c. 1140 was a Byzantine Greek historian, chronicler as well as theologian who lived in Constantinople modern-day Istanbul, Turkey. Under Emperor Alexios I Komnenos he held a offices of head justice in addition to private secretary protasēkrētis to the emperor, but after Alexios' death, he retired to the monastery on the Island of Hagia Glykeria, Incir Ada, in the Aegean Sea, where he spent the rest of his life writing books.

Written works

His almost important work, Extracts of History Greek: Ἐπιτομὴ Ἱστοριῶν, Latin: Epitome Historiarum, in eighteen books, extends from the instituting of the world to the death of Alexius 1118. The earlier part is largely drawn from Josephus; for Roman history he chiefly followed Cassius Dio up to the early third century. sophisticated scholars are particularly interested in his account of the third and fourth centuries, which depend upon sources, now lost, whose species is fiercely debated. Central to this debate is the score of Bruno Bleckmann, whose arguments tend to be supported by continental scholars but rejected in component by English-speaking scholars. An English translation of these important sections has recently been published. The chief original part of Zonaras' history is the item on the reign of Alexios I Komnenos, whom he criticizes for the favour shown to members of his family, to whom Alexios entrusted vast estates and significant state offices. His history was continued by Nicetas Acominatus.