Table of Contents
What is the Alexiad and why is it important?
The Alexiad, the history of Byzantine Emperor Alexius I Comnenus (reigned 1081–1118) written by his daughter, Anna Comnena, contains a vivid description of the “Frankish barbarians”—as the Crusaders were called by the civilized Byzantines. She gave a careful account of the Crusaders’ armour.
Why was the Alexiad written?
She wrote the Alexiad, an account of her father’s reign, which is unique in that it was written by a princess about her father. In the Alexiad, Anna provided insight on political relations and wars between Alexios I and the West. She vividly described weaponry, tactics, and battles.
How long is Alexiad?
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780140455274 |
|---|---|
| Publication date: | 09/29/2009 |
| Series: | Penguin Classics |
| Edition description: | Revised |
| Pages: | 608 |
Why did Anna write the Alexiad?
Anna wrote the Alexiad in the mid-1140s or 1150s. Anna cited her husband’s unfinished work as the reason why she began the Alexiad. Before his death in 1137, her husband, Nikephoros Bryennios the Younger, was working on a history, which was supposed to record the events before and during the reign of Alexios I.
What does the Alexiad talk about?
In the book “The Alexiad” Anna Komnene talks about the history of the Byzantine empire when her father was incharge. The Alexiad talks about the Byzantine Empire’s interaction with the First Crusade and the importance of the conflicts with the East and West in the early 12th century.
Is the Alexiad bias?
Although her work can be regarded as biased, the Alexiad is still an extremely important work in Western history. Not only does Comnena provide a unique perspective of the Crusades in Greek, but she additionally gave historians accounts of daily life and customs in Byzantium during this time.
When was the Alexiad written?
between 1143 and 1153
Written between 1143 and 1153 by the daughter of Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos, The Alexiad is one of the most popular and revealing primary sources in the vast canon of medieval literature.
What did Anna comnena write about?
Anna Comnena, Comnena also spelled Komnene, (born December 2, 1083—died c. 1153), Byzantine historian and daughter of the emperor Alexius I Comnenus. She is remembered for her Alexiad, a history of the life and reign of her father, which became a valuable source as a pro-Byzantine account of the early Crusades.
Who is the first female historian?
Princess Anna Comnena
Byzantine Princess Anna Comnena (Dec. 1 or 2, 1083–1153) was the first woman known to personally record historical events as a historian. She also was a political figure who attempted to influence royal succession in the Byzantine Empire.
What did Anna comnena contribute?
Anna Comnena made a crucial contribution to Western History not only because she was the first female historian, but also because the Alexiad is the only account of the First Crusade written in Greek.
What is included in the Alexiad of Anna Comnena study guide?
This Study Guide consists of approximately 28 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more – everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of The Alexiad of Anna Comnena. The Alexiad of Anna Comnena Summary & Study Guide includes comprehensive information and analysis to help you understand the book.
What is the Alexiad in the Byzantine Empire?
The Alexiad is a history of the ruler of Byzantine Emperor Alexius I Comnena who presided over what is often referred to as the Comnenian Restoration in the late 11th and early 12th centuries. The Byzantine Empire, the descendant of the Eastern Roman Empire, was ruled by the Emperor from Constantinople.
What happened in Book XI of the First Crusade?
Book XI tells the story of the First Crusade, including the conquest of Nicea, Antioch and Jerusalem. Bohemund makes trouble over Antioch but Alexius defeats him.
What happened in Book 12 of the Iliad?
Book XI tells the story of the First Crusade, including the conquest of Nicea, Antioch and Jerusalem. Bohemund makes trouble over Antioch but Alexius defeats him. Book XII covers a series of domestic conflicts, one of which Queen Irene gets caught in.