Tzetzes wrote to Manuel Gabrielakites, stationed in Thessaly

Summary:
Ioannes Tzetzes wrote a letter to Manuel Gabrielakites, who was stationed at Platamon in Thessaly. He said he admired Manuel, but as he was now in the area where heroes were trained, he was worried that Manuel might return as a Lapith or a Centaur. Manuel's praise of Ioannes was also exaggerated, and he wondered what his secret agenda might be. His letter to Manuel was ruined by grief for his brother Isaakios, and by the letter-carrier, who spent too long on his own affairs, gave Manuel's letter late then demanded a quick reply. Tzetzes sent best wishes from his surviving brothers, Alexios the nephew of the protovestiarios and Basileios Machetarios, to Manuel and his father 
Dates:
1139 
Alexios (nephew of protovestiarios), pupil of Tzetzes (Alexios 107)
surviving brothers of Ioannes Tzetzes (Anonymi 187)
letter-carrier, acquaintance of Manuel Gabrielakites (Anonymus 742)
  • He delayed on his own business, then was very late in giving Manuel 116's letter to Ioannes 459; he then stood over him demanding the reply, increasing the disturbance Ioannes already felt from the death of Isaakios 106 (:) Tzetzes, Letters 23.10-24.6
father of Manuel Gabrielakites (Anonymus 744)
Basileios Machetarios, acquaintance of Tzetzes (Basileios 236)
Ioannes Tzetzes, man of letters (Ioannes 459)
  • He admired Manuel 116, but as he was in the area where heroes were trained, he was worried that he might return a Lapith or a Centaur; Manuel's praise of Ioannes was exaggerated, and he wondered what his secret agenda might be (:) Tzetzes, Letters 21.8-23.4
  • His letter to Manuel 116 was ruined by grief for Isaakios 106, and by Anonymus 742, who gave the letter late then demanded a reply; he sent best wishes from Anonymi 187, Alexios 107 and Basileios 236, to Manuel and Anonymus 744 (:) Tzetzes, Letters 23.10-24.23
Manuel Gabrielakites (Manuel 116)