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John Geometres

935 – 989

Byzantine poet, rhetorician and theologian

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About John Geometres

Lived 935 – 989 (aged 53–54). John Geometres was a Byzantine poet, monk, prose writer, scholar, mathematician and writer.

John Geometres or Kyriotes (, ), was a Byzantine poet, soldier, and monk. He is one of the main literary figures of the Macedonian Renaissance.

Biography and work John was probably of noble descent, but other relatives have not been identified. He was well educated and served in the Byzantine army before retiring as a monk. His career encompassed the eventful reigns of Nikephoros II Phokas (r. 963–969), John I Tzimiskes (r. 969–976) and the early years of Basil II (r. 976–1025). As a result, his poetry is full of references to the contemporary Byzantine conflicts with the Bulgarians and the Rus', as well as the rebellions of Bardas Skleros and Bardas Phokas. Among the Byzantine emperors, he singles out Nikephoros II Phokas for particular praise, while he denigrates his murderer and successor John Tzimiskes. He was previously erroneously identified with another John, Bishop of Melitene. but his edition contained many errors. A revised edition with a translation in French was published by Émilie Marlène van Opstall in 2008. An edition and English translation of Geometres's prose Life of the Virgin Mary was published by Maximos Constas and Christos Simelidis in 2023.

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Important facts

Born
935, Constantinople
Birth century
Died
989
Nationality
Also known as
Iōannēs Geōmetrēs

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John Geometres's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Geometres?

Byzantine poet, rhetorician and theologian

When was John Geometres born?

John Geometres was born in 935 in Constantinople.

When did John Geometres die?

John Geometres died in 989.

What was John Geometres's occupation?

John Geometres was a poet, monk, prose writer, scholar, mathematician and writer.

What nationality was John Geometres?

John Geometres was Byzantine.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Geometres

· Wikidata: Q3172469

· DBpedia: John Geometres

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Geometres. https://biography.guide/john-geometres/

MLA: "John Geometres." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-geometres/.

Chicago: "John Geometres." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-geometres/.

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