The Alexiad (Penguin Classics) (Comprehensive Summary)

The Alexiad is a historical account written by Anna Komnene, the daughter of Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos. Composed in the 12th century, it chronicles the reign of her father, focusing on the First Crusade and the political and military challenges faced by the Byzantine Empire during that period. Anna's work is significant for its detailed insights into Byzantine politics, culture, and the complexities of her father's rule, providing a unique female perspective in a male-dominated historical narrative. This Lexicon distills the key ideas of The Alexiad into original prose, making the essential themes and events accessible to modern readers.