Thirteen books of historical documentation covering the reigns of Michael VIII Palaeologus and Andronicus II Palaeologus constitute the most significant literary contribution of Georgios Pachymeres. Born in 1242 within the Empire of Nicaea, he spent his professional life navigating the intellectual and political structures of the Byzantine Empire during a period of transition following the recovery of Constantinople.
Early Life and Education
Pachymeres was born at Nicaea in Bithynia. His father had settled there after the 1204 capture of Constantinople by the Latin Empire. Following the recovery of the city by Michael VIII Palaeologus, Pachymeres moved to the capital to pursue his studies at the University of Constantinople. His academic formation provided the foundation for a career spanning legal, ecclesiastical, and imperial service.
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Upon entering the church, Pachymeres ascended to positions of significant influence within the Byzantine bureaucracy. He served as the chief advocate of the church and eventually reached the role of chief justice within the imperial court. These roles allowed him access to the central machinery of state, providing him with a unique vantage point for the historical accounts he would later compile.
Literary and Scientific Works
His output as a writer was broad, encompassing philosophy, rhetoric, and music theory. He authored a Quadrivium covering arithmetic, music, geometry, and astronomy, which serves as a valuable resource for understanding the state of these sciences during the Middle Ages. His other works included a general summary of Aristotelian philosophy, a paraphrase of the writings of Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, and poetic works including an autobiography. He also documented urban features of the capital, such as the square of the Augustaeum and the column erected by Justinian at the Hagia Sophia.
Historical Legacy and Editions
Pachymeres is primarily recognized for continuing the historical project initiated by George Acropolites, detailing events from 1261 to 1308. His history was first printed in 1835 by I. Bekker in the Corpus Scriptorum Historiae Byzantinae. The text later appeared in the Patrologia Graeca edited by J. P. Migne. More recently, the history was published in five volumes between 1984 and 2000, edited by Albert Failler with translations by Vitalien Laurent.
Fast facts
- Born: 1242, Nicaea
- Died: 1310, Constantinople
- Education: University of Constantinople
- Primary occupations: Historian, judge, astronomer, philosopher
- Key historical work: History of the reigns of Michael and Andronicus II Palaeologus
- Fields of science: Quadrivium (arithmetic, music, geometry, astronomy)
- Languages used: Latin, medieval Greek
Questions readers ask
What subjects did the Pachymeres Quadrivium cover?
It encompassed arithmetic, music, geometry, and astronomy.
Which historical period does his main history cover?
It covers the reigns of Michael VIII Palaeologus and Andronicus II Palaeologus, from 1261 to 1308.
Achievements
- Educated at University of Constantinople
- Fields of research: history
