Theophanes Continuatus

Theophanes Continuatus refers to a group of Byzantine historians who continued the chronicle of Saint Theophanes the Confessor. Saint Theophanes was a monk, theologian, and chronicler who lived from approximately 752 to 818 CE. His work, the Chronographia, is a vital source for understanding 7th and 8th-century Byzantine history, offering details on events like the siege of Constantinople and the Battle of Pliska.1

The Continuators, writing in the late 9th century, picked up where Theophanes left off. They focused on recording the origins and early days of the Macedonian dynasty, often with a degree of partiality. Their work, alongside other Byzantine historical writings, reflects the Byzantines' strong connection to their past and their efforts to place themselves within a grand narrative of world history.12