Michael Attaliates (redirected from Michael Attaleiotes)

Attaliates, Michael 

Born at the beginning of the 11th century, in Constantinople; died circa 1085. Byzantine historian and legal scholar.

Attaliates’ History sheds light on events that occurred in Byzantium from 1034 to 1079: political disturbances and the catastrophic situation on the eastern borders resulting from increased pressure from the Seljuk Turks. His book concludes with a panegyric to Emperor Nicephorus III Botaniates, who, according to Attaliates, overcame the crisis in the empire. Attaliates glorifies the chivalrous valor, bravery, and generosity of Nicephorus. In 1077, Attaliates founded a monastery in Redesto and drew up its rule, which is a valuable source for the study of Byzantine social and economic history in the 11th century.

WORKS

Historia. Bonn, 1853.

REFERENCES

Nissen, W. Die Diataxis des Michael Attaleiates von 1077. Jena, 1894.
Tsolakis, E. T. “Aus dem Leben des Michael Attaleiates.” Byzantinische Zeitschrift, 1965, vol. 58, fasc. 1.