Monastic metropolis west of Constantinople
Cosmas returned to Alexandria to write his stories, and that’s why we know of him. Christian Topography, his lavish illustrated book, is something that...
A single piece of gleaming white marble
The throne was cut from a single piece of gleaming white marble. The visitors were surprised to see this, because they knew of such...
Ibn Battuta part 85
But no sense of the historian’s high vocation and essential impartiality could damp the racy individualism of Psellus’s approach nor the delicate artistry of...
Ibn Battuta part 84
In his introduction to the Chronographia Psellus explains that he had often been pressed to write a history of his own times and that...
Ibn Battuta part 83
Constantine Ducas when he became Emperor in 1059 had not lost touch with the friend of forty years ago and he eventually showed his...
Ibn Battuta part 82
Chronographia
The two predominating passions of Psellus’s life were to get on in the world and to promote scholarship and learning. This first characteristic is...
Ibn Battuta part 81
Whatever his father’s claims to aristocratic forebears, Michael Psellus grew up in the milieu of a middle-class family. His writings, and particularly his...
Ibn Battuta part 80
When I first undertook the work, the late Dr. W. H. D. Rouse gave me sound advice, and as I neared the end, Professor...
Ibn Battuta part 79
For that reason has deprived from many citizens of their property without giving any notice of the existing chrysobulls (certificates of holdings without taxation)...
Ibn Battuta part 78
The people had the impression that suddenly for first time in our days our neighbouring peoples have infiltrated the borders of the Romans and...
