Fourteen Byzantine Rulers: The Chronographia of Michael Psellus (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]

Michael Psellus (Author), E. R. A. Sewter (Translator, Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 20, 1979

This chronicle of the Byzantine Empire, beginning in 1025, shows a profound understanding of the power politics that characterized the empire and led to its decline.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

E. R. A. Sewter was a well-known Byzantine scholar and the editor of Greece and Rome. His translation of The Alexiad of Anna Comnena is still published in Penguin Classics. He died in 1976.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (December 20, 1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140441697
• ISBN-13: 978-0140441697
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #173,323 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #77 in Books > History > Europe > Greece

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Psellus is fantastic; Highly-Recommended, August 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Fourteen Byzantine Rulers: The Chronographia of Michael Psellus (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

I completely recommend Michael Psellus to anyone who wants to understand a bit more about the Byzantines and this very harsh period of time in their history. Psellus is fun to read, his commentaries are often humorous, and he seems genuinely interested in preserving this period of time as more of a memoir that tries to place together the good and the bad aspects of life. Before his commentary on Constantine IX, he notes that the position of historian, just as the position of emperor, is a very complex one -- you can try your hardest to do it as accurately as possible, but, in the end, one realizes that most people are complex and cannot be quantified in words or even pages, particularly via using the words of other subjective humans. The reviewer at the bottom concerns himself with Western pipedreams; Psellus' (or Psellos') account is a memoir from events that happened in his life, it is *not* a play-by-play logbook.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Test of Time, December 11, 2002

By 

Lilith Saintcrow "Lili" (Vancouver, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fourteen Byzantine Rulers: The Chronographia of Michael Psellus (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

I was first hooked on Byzantine history after picking up a copy of John Julius Norwich's abridged History of Byzantium. This led to an abiding interest in the second half of the Roman Empire.

Psellus' turn of phrase and genuine storytelling ability make this book a pleasure to read. I only regret I cannot read it in its original Greek, for I think it would be even better. Despite the bias against his female compatriots (only to be expected in that era) Psellus remains fresh, authoritative, winning, and as balanced as can be expected. I love the Penguin editions of classic works- I rarely buy anything else- and my copy of the Chronographia is already dog-eared and underlined.

In short, I truly recomment this edition for any serious or leisurely student of Byzantium. Psellus gives us a window into a sorely misunderstood time and age- as well as being able to tell a ripping good story when the mood takes him.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most readable book by a Byzantine historian., May 1, 1999

By 

James Pendley - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fourteen Byzantine Rulers: The Chronographia of Michael Psellus (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

I am not an expert on Byzantine history, but I'm not ignorant of it either. For such a one as myself, this book offers an enjoyable insight into what life was like at that time, in that place, and I must say that it was one of the most dynamic and interesting societies ever to exist. As for the author himself, his style was wholly unlike the stuffy, dull writings to be found among his Western contemporaries. It's informative, to the point, and even (gasp) mildly humorous at times. Buy it.