Chronographiae quae Theophanis Continuati nomine fertur Liber quo Vita Basilii Imperatoris amplectitur

This edition of Chronographiae quae Theophanis Continuati nomine fertur Liber quo Vita Basilii Imperatoris amplectitur offers a reliable biography of Emperor Basil I.

The text is grounded in the manuscript known as Vaticanus gr. 167, which serves as the foundation for all existing copies. The editor has also utilized a draft edition created by the renowned Byzantinist Karl de Boor in approximately 1903. This scholarly work details the life of Emperor Basil I (867–886), who is recognized as the founder of the Macedonian Dynasty. Notably, this biography is the only surviving secular account in Byzantine literature and holds significance comparable to Einhard’s Vita Caroli Magni.

Composed within the intellectual circle surrounding Basil’s grandson, Constantine VII Prophyrogennitos, the Vita Basilii was initiated around 957-959. It stands as a crucial source for understanding the cultural and political landscape of Byzantium and its neighboring regions during the 9th and 10th centuries. Previous editions of this text, produced in the 17th and 19th centuries, relied on secondary manuscripts, leading to inaccuracies due to arbitrary conjectures and numerous unjustified additions from alternative sources.

This current edition distinguishes itself by relying solely on Vaticanus gr. 167, ensuring a more accurate representation of the original work. The editor has meticulously removed the insertions made by earlier editors, providing readers with a clearer insight into the historical narrative. The careful reconstruction of this text allows for a deeper appreciation of Emperor Basil I's legacy and the era he influenced.