# Georgios Syncellus

> 9th century Byzantine historian, philosopher and writer

**Wikidata**: [Q366382](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q366382)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Syncellus)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/georgios-syncellus

## Summary
Georgios Syncellus was a 9th-century Byzantine historian, philosopher, and writer known for his scholarly contributions to the exploration and presentation of history. As a cleric and intellectual, his most notable work is the *Chronographia*, a historical chronicle that preserves valuable sources from late antiquity.

## Biography
- **Born**: c. 800 CE (exact place unknown)
- **Died**: c. 810 CE
- **Nationality**: Byzantine Empire
- **Occupation**: Historian, philosopher, writer, cleric
- **Field(s)**: History, philosophy, theology

## Contributions
Georgios Syncellus is best known for his *Chronographia*, a historical work that compiles and preserves earlier sources, particularly those related to Byzantine and early Christian history. His writings serve as a critical bridge between ancient and medieval historiography, offering insights into lost texts and traditions.

## FAQs
**What was Georgios Syncellus's most important work?**
His *Chronographia* is his most significant contribution, synthesizing earlier historical records and providing a foundation for later Byzantine chronicles.

**When did Georgios Syncellus live?**
He lived in the early 9th century, with his birth estimated around 800 CE and death around 810 CE.

**What roles did Georgios Syncellus hold?**
He was a historian, philosopher, writer, and cleric, contributing to both secular and religious scholarship in the Byzantine Empire.

## Why They Matter
Georgios Syncellus's work is vital for understanding the transmission of historical knowledge from antiquity to the Middle Ages. His *Chronographia* preserves fragments of earlier historians, ensuring their survival for modern scholars. Without his efforts, much of this material might have been lost.

## Notable For
- Author of the *Chronographia*, a key historical chronicle.
- Preserver of earlier Byzantine and Christian historical sources.
- Recognized as a significant figure in 9th-century Byzantine intellectual history.

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Georgios Syncellus was born around 800 CE in the Byzantine Empire. Little is known about his early life, but his later works indicate a deep engagement with historical and philosophical studies.

### Career and Works
Syncellus is primarily remembered for his *Chronographia*, a historical compilation that draws on earlier sources to create a continuous narrative from creation to his own time. This work is particularly valuable for its preservation of excerpts from lost texts, including those of early Christian and Byzantine historians.

### Influence and Legacy
His writings influenced later Byzantine chroniclers, such as Theophanes the Confessor, who continued his chronicle. Syncellus's role as a cleric and scholar underscores the intersection of religious and historical scholarship in the Byzantine world. His work remains a critical resource for historians studying the transition from late antiquity to the medieval period.

### Identifiers and References
Syncellus is referenced in numerous academic and library catalogs, including:
- **VIAF**: 000000044886895X
- **Library of Congress**: n85257538
- **GND**: 118716980
- **Open Library**: OL1130606A
- **Wikidata**: Q122250780

These identifiers reflect his enduring presence in historical and bibliographic records.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. CiNii Research
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Perseus Digital Library](https://catalog.perseus.tufts.edu/catalog/urn:cite:perseus:author.1956)
6. LIBRIS. 2006
7. Clavis Historicorum Antiquitatis Posterioris