John Tzetzes

John Tzetzes
Ιωάννης Τζέτζης
Greek manuscript of Hesiod's Theogony with commentaries added by John Tzetzes, 16th century copy.
Bornc. 1100
Died1180
CitizenshipByzantine Empire
Occupation(s)poet, scholar

John Tzetzes (‹See Tfd›Greek: Ἰωάννης Τζέτζης, translit. Iōánnēs Tzétzēs;[a] c. 1110, Constantinople – 1180, Constantinople) was a Byzantine poet and grammarian who lived at Constantinople in the 12th century. He is known for making significant contributions in preserving much valuable information from ancient Greek literature and scholarship. Of his numerous works, the most important one is the Book of Histories, also known as Chiliades ('Thousands'). The work is a long poem containing knowledge that is unavailable elsewhere and serves as commentary on Tzetzes's own letters. Two of his other important works are the Allegoriai on the Iliad and the Odyssey, which are long didactic poems containing interpretations of Homeric theology.[1]


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  1. ^ "John Tzetzes – Byzantine scholar". 12 April 2024.