Constantine Manasses (Greek: Κωνσταντῖνος Μανασσῆς; c. 1130 - c. 1187) was a Byzantine chronicler who flourished in the 12th century during the reign of Manuel I Komnenos (1143-1180).[2]
It consists of about 7000 lines in political verse. It obtained great popularity and appeared in a free prose translation; it was also translated into Bulgarian in the 14th century. [3]
He was the author of a chronicle or historical synopsis of events from the creation of the world to the end of the reign of Nikephoros Botaneiates (1081), sponsored by Irene Komnene, the emperor's sister-in-law. Written at the request of Emperor Manuel I’s sister-in-law, Irene, the chronicle surveys a period from the Creation to 1081.
He wrote a variety of other poems, as well as descriptive pieces in prose (some on works of art), and a number of orations, including an address to Manuel I and a funeral eulogy of Nicephorus Comnenus.[4]
In 1969 Bulgaria issued two sets of stamps depicting important scenes of the chronicle, to celebrate it.
It is written "truth", amen" - "let it be"[5]
Miniature 51 from the Constantine Manasses Chronicle, 14 century: Krum of Bulgaria celebrating his victory over emperor Nikephoros.[5]
Miniature 19 from the Constantine Manasses Chronicle, 14 century: Escape of Paris and Helen and the beginning of the Trojan War.[5]
Miniature 1 from the Constantine Manasses Chronicle, 14 century. Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria with Jesus Christ and Constantine Manasses. [5]
Miniature 65 from the Constantine Manasses Chronicle, 14 century: John I Tzimiskes conquers Preslav and Basil II conquers Pliska. [5]
[1] Bozhkov, A. Bulgarian historical painting. First part: miniatures, icons, murals. Sofia, 1972, 80-109. Image.
[2] Chisholm, H., ed. (1911). "Manasses, Constantine". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 17 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 541.
[3] Bekker, B. 1837; the Bulgarian translation, Cronica lui Constantin Manasses, by Ioan Bogdan and I. Bianu, Bucharest, 1922.
[4] Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.). Constantine Manasses. Britannica Academic.
[5] Uvaliev, N.,"The copy of the Manasses Chronicle - a valuable Bulgarian written monument". 2023. Images.