The illustrated chronicle of Ioannes Skylitzes in Madrid

Vasiliki Tsamakda. Based On The Author's Thesis (doctoral--university Of Heidelberg, 2001) Entitled: Die Illustrierte Chronik Des Johannes Skylitzes In Madrid. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [411]-419) And Index. The chronicle of Johannes Skylitzes was written about 1070 and was copied a hundred years later, as evidenced by the Madrid manuscript. Some pages from the middle and end are missing. There are also pages deliberately left blank by the scribes for illuminations that never materialized. The 574 miniatures are of great historical importance. Broadly speaking, specialists recognize two types: those of purely Byzantine inspiration and those that have also undergone a Western influence. The Islamic painting style is also easily recognizable. Undoubtedly, the miniatures were created by a diverse team of illuminators, which fits perfectly with the Sicilian reality of the moment. It is likely that the Norman kings of Sicily saw the story of the Byzantine emperors as a source of inspiration for their own imperial ambitions