Alexiad

work by Anna Comnena

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June 18, 2026

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The Alexiad is a historical work written by Anna Comnena, a Byzantine historian and daughter of Emperor Alexius I Comnenus. It chronicles the life and reign of her father, offering a pro-Byzantine perspective on the early Crusades. Anna, who received a comprehensive education, wrote the Alexiad while in a convent after a failed plot against her brother, Emperor John II Comnenus.1

The work provides insights into the religious and intellectual life of the Byzantine Empire and reflects Byzantine views on imperial leadership. While it suffers from chronological inaccuracies and excessive praise for Alexius I, it is a valuable source for understanding the leaders of the First Crusade and other figures Anna encountered. The Alexiad is written in Greek.1

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John Cinnamus
…the period 1118–76, continuing the Alexiad of Anna Comnena, covers the reigns of John II and Manuel I, down to the unsuccessful campaign against the Turks of Iconium when the Byzantines were routed (1176) at Myriocephalon. Cinnamus was probably an eyewitness to the events of the last 10 years of…
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…the period 1118–76, continuing the Alexiad of Anna Comnena, covers the reigns of John II and Manuel I, down to the unsuccessful campaign against the Turks of Iconium when the Byzantines were routed (1176) at Myriocephalon. Cinnamus was probably an eyewitness to the events of the last 10 years of…
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heraldry
The historical development of heraldry
The Alexiad, the history of Byzantine Emperor Alexius I Comnenus (reigned 1081–1118) written by his daughter, Anna Comnena, contains a vivid description of the “Frankish barbarians”—as the Crusaders were called by the civilized Byzantines. She gave a careful account of the Crusaders’ armor. She said that…
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The Alexiad, the history of Byzantine Emperor Alexius I Comnenus (reigned 1081–1118) written by his daughter, Anna Comnena, contains a vivid description of the “Frankish barbarians”—as the Crusaders were called by the civilized Byzantines. She gave a careful account of the Crusaders’ armor. She said that…
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Anna Comnena
She is remembered for her Alexiad, a history of the life and reign of her father, which became a valuable source as a pro-Byzantine account of the early Crusades.
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She is remembered for her Alexiad, a history of the life and reign of her father, which became a valuable source as a pro-Byzantine account of the early Crusades.
Read More