George Pachymeres, who lived from 1242 to about 1310, was a Byzantine historian, philosopher, music theorist and writer born in Nicaea who served as chief advocate and chief justice of the imperial court. He studied at the University of Constantinople under George Akropolites and later taught there himself, mentoring the scholar Maximus Planudes, and his most significant work was a thirteen book history continuing Akropolites's own account from 1261 to 1308, covering the reigns of Michael VIII and Andronicus II Palaiologos. He also wrote rhetorical exercises on philosophical subjects, summaries of Aristotelian philosophy, paraphrases of the writings attributed to Pseudo-Dionysius, and a Quadrivium treatise on arithmetic, music, geometry and astronomy still valued for its record of medieval music and astronomy.
Facts
Notable PublicationByzantine history in thirteen books 1 Office HeldChief advocate of the church and chief justice of the imperial court 1 Classification
NationalityByzantine Empire (Historical) 1 In the Other Atlases
Sources
1. George Pachymeres - Wikipedia
Life, Birth
Pachymeres was born at Nicaea, in Bithynia, where his father had taken refuge after the capture of Constantinople by the Latins in 1204.
Life, Career
Upon the recovery of Constantinople from the Latin Empire by Michael VIII Palaeologus, Pachymeres settled there, studied law, entered the church, and subsequently became chief advocate of the church and chief justice of the imperial court.
Works
His most important work being a Byzantine history in thirteen books, in continuation of that of George Acropolites from 1261 to 1308, containing the history of the reigns of Michael and Andronicus II Palaeologus.
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