Theodore Metochites (1270-1332) is one of the most important writers, thinkers, and statemen of the Byzantine Empire. Metochites and his rival Nikephoros Choumnos (1250-1327) animated the philosophical and cultural debate in Constantinople in the early fourteenth century. Each held the title of mesazon (μεσζων), a powerful position in the Byzantine government, and both men were active just before the controversy concerning the "divine light" and mystic contemplation (Hesychasm) that broke out in 1340. They had become monks before the synods were gathered to decide whether Gregory Palamas was Orthodox or not, resulting in his victory (Synods of Constantinople of 1341, 1347, 1351). Metochites is famous for his artistic patronage of the Monastery of Saint Saviour in Chora (Kariye Camii), where he retired. The monastery’s mosaics and frescoes are among the greatest witnesses to Byzantine aesthetics. Metochites’s writings are significant in the Byzantine era and are presented in this volume by some of the principal
specialists of his work.
