Michael Attaleiates

Michael Attaleiates (medium Greek Μιχαήλ Ατταλειάτης, * 1020-1030 in Constantinople Opel or Attaleia; † around 1085 ) was a living in the 11th century Byzantine historian.

Life and work

Michael studied at Constantinople and was Opel imperial judge, later finally military judge. He brought it to some prosperity, was Patrikios and Magistros and wrong in the higher circles of society of the capital. Michael also donated a monastery as well as a poorhouse. The rules for his foundations are included along with lists of icons and liturgical objects of its foundations, and autobiographical notes and records of his estate in the Diataxis of 1077. Even before that, 1073/74, he had published a legal guide with an introductory overview of Roman law from the days of the Republic to the basilicas.

Michael wrote a historical work in Greek, which covers the period 1034 to 1079 /80 and probably remained unfinished. Several emperors, such as Romanus IV, are portrayed quite positive, although Michael thoroughly criticizes. However, the " hero" of the historical work is Emperor Nikephoros III. , The piece is dedicated. Nikephoros is praised panegyrisch and his reign admits Michael broad space. Focus of the presentation is in contrast to that of Michael Psellos, less the court rather than the external action of the Emperor, for which Michael Attaleiates provides valuable material. For the purposes of mimesis Michael -oriented style of the ancient classics. But his work was apparently not widely used.

Editions and translations

  • Michaelis Attaliotae Historia. Opus a Wladimiro Bruneto de Presle, Instituti Gallici socio, inventum, descriptum, correctum recognovit I. Bekker. Bonn 1853 ( Corpus Historiae Scriptorum Byzantinae ), ( online)
  • Martín Pérez (ed.): Miguel Ataliates. Historia. Madrid 2002. [Standard Edition]
  • Dimitris Krallis, Anthony Kaldellis (ed.): Michael Attaleiates: The History ( Dumbarton Oaks Medieval Library). Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA / London, 2012. [ Original text and English translation]
Antalya Basilika Romanos IV Diogenes Nikephoros III Botaneiates Herbert Hunger Alexander Kazhdan Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium Integrated Authority File
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