Joannes Zonaras

Background

Very little is know about his life.

Career

After holding high office in Constantinople under Alexius I Comnenus, Zonaras became a monk and retired to a remote island. In Historical Epitome he drew on a rich collection of sources, some of which, notably several books of Dio Cassius’ Romaika, are preserved only through him. A Lexicon and theological writings are also attributed to him.

Achievements

• Under Emperor Alexios I Komnenos he held the offices of head justice and private secretary to the emperor, but after Alexios' death, he retired to the monastery in the Island of Hagia Glykeria, (Incir Ada, in the Sea of Marmara), where he spent the rest of his life writing books.