Text and Translations of the Chronicle of Michael the Great , The Edessa-Aleppo Codex

The universal history known as the Chronicle of Michael the Great (also known as Michael the Syrian), covering the creation until 1195 AD, is the largest medieval chronicle known. Cited by historians in a variety of contexts, it is considered one of the most important primary sources on the history of the Middle East, especially the period spanning from the immergence of Islam until the Crusades. As a further mark of its importance, some of the Chronicle’s sources are lost and Michael’s text is the only surviving witness of their contents.

The original Syriac text was unknown to European scholarship until the end of the nineteenth century when a unique manuscript, dated 1598, was discovered in Edessa. The manuscript is now virtually inaccessible; however, Gorgias Press has acquired exclusive rights to publish a full facsimile of the original manuscript for the first time. This facsimile edition is edited by Gregorios Yuhanna Ibrahim, with a foreword by George A. Kiraz. The publication is based on digitization of the manuscript made by the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library. Own a piece of history as Michael’s Chronicle for the first time.

The universal history known as the Chronicle of Michael the Great (also known as Michael the Syrian), covering the creation until 1195 AD, is the largest medieval chronicle known. Cited by historians in a variety of contexts, it is considered one of the most important primary sources on the history of the Middle East, especially the period spanning from the immergence of Islam until the Crusades. As a further mark of its importance, some of the Chronicle’s sources are lost and Michael’s text is the only surviving witness of their contents.

The original Syriac text was unknown to European scholarship until the end of the nineteenth century when a unique manuscript, dated 1598, was discovered in Edessa. The manuscript is now virtually inaccessible; however, Gorgias Press has acquired exclusive rights to publish a full facsimile of the original manuscript for the first time. This facsimile edition is edited by Gregorios Yuhanna Ibrahim, with a foreword by George A. Kiraz. The publication is based on digitization of the manuscript made by the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library. Own a piece of history as Michael’s Chronicle for the first time.