(Νικήτας), Byzantine writers.
1. ACOMINATUS (Ἀκομινάτος), also called CHONIATES, because he was a native of Chonae, formerly Colossae, in Phrygia, one of the most important Byzantine historians, was born about the middle of the twelfth century, and was descended from a noble and distinguished family. The emperor Isaac II. Angelus (1185-1195) appointed him governor of Philippopolis, at a period when the revolt of the Bulgarians, and the approach of the emperor Frederic I. of Germany, with an army of 150,000 men (1189), devolved most important duties upon the governors of the large towns in Thrace. Nicetas also held the offices of logotheta, praefectus sacri cubiculi, and others of importance,
1183
and he was honoured with the title of senator. He was present at the capture of Constantinople by the Latins in 1204, of which he has given us a most impressive and, undoubtedly, faithful description. His palace was burnt down during the storm, and after many dangerous adventures he escaped, with his family, to Nicaea, through the assistance of a generous Venetian merchant. There he continued to live at the court of the emperor Theodore Lascaris, and employed his time in writing that great historical work which has brought his name down to posterity. He died at Nicaea in, or perhaps after 1216. Modern travellers have tried, but in vain, to discover his tomb.