Theophanes Continuatus and Michael Psellos. A Discreet Relationship

Abstract

The circulation of Theophanes Continuatus, the “official history” of the ruling house of the Macedonians, which survived in Vaticanus gr. 167, was most probably confined to the narrow boundaries of the palace. In addition to the anonymous annotator of the Vatican codex, the readership of the historical work in question also includes two well-known scholars, John Skylitzes (11th c.) and John Zonaras (11-12th c.). In the eleventh century, however, another eminent member of the court, Michael Psellos, would also seem to have been acquainted with Theophanes Continuatus, and in particular its fifth book, the famous Vita Basilii, as a passage from his Chronographia reveals

Keywords

• theophanes continuatus
• vita basilii
• michael psellos
• john skylitzes
• john zonaras