ABSTRACT
Kedrenos’ Synopsis Historion runs from Creation to AD 1057 in 1,548 pages in Bekker’s 1838 edition. This chapter examines the remaining section, how Kedrenos created his own version to replace that by Theophanes for the period 284–811. For the first more complex ‘Synkellos’ period Kedrenos found a linking theme by establishing the importance for every society of obedience to God and the historical consequences of disobedience: hence a demonstration of Jewish disobedience and its consequences that continues into the second ‘Theophanes’ section. For much of his chronicle Kedrenos was evidently happy enough with the presentation and interpretation offered by Theophanes. The account is far removed from Theophanes’ lengthy portrayal of Justinian’s glorious victory. It is clear that through his treatment of the seven reigns discussed above Kedrenos has created his own interpretation of the past that differs from but still acknowledges his predecessor Theophanes’ contribution by closely following Theophanes’ wording and much of his interpretation.
