A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Ἰωάννης ὁ Ζωναρᾶς), a celebrated Byzantine historian and theologian, lived in the twelfth century under the emperors Alexis I. Comnenus and Calo-Joannes. During the reign of Alexis he held the high offices of Great Drungarius, or commander of the emperor's body-guards, and of Protoasecretis (Πρωτοασηκρῆτις), or first private secretary of the emperor; but he quitted the world during the reign of Calo-Joannes, and retired to the monastery on Mount Athos, where he spent the remainder of his life in the composition of the various works mentioned below. He is frequently quoted by subsequent Byzantine writers, who all speak of his learning and abilities in terms of the highest praise. He is said to have died at the age of 88 years, and to have been buried in the monastery of St. Elias.