Tzetzes tried to find employment for his protegé the priest Leon

Summary:
Ioannes Tzetzes wrote two letters, trying to get a job at Xeros, near Apros (Thrace), for Leon the priest, brother of a good friend of his. He claimed that Alexios, nephew of the protovestiarios, who was working as a tax collector in the area, had promised him a position, and he sent Leon (with the letter) to fill it. The second recommendation reported rumours that Alexios liked employing priests local to the area. He should therefore choose Leon, either for that reason or out of affection for Tzetzes 
Dates:
1143 (Uncertain) 
Alexios (nephew of protovestiarios), pupil of Tzetzes (Alexios 107)
  • He had promised Ioannes 459 rights to a tax-gatherer's job in the village of Xeros, near Apros; Leon 212 was sent for the position, a man whom Alexios should treat like Tzetzes himself, whatever his status and background (:) Tzetzes, Letters 46.13-47.18
  • He received another letter from Ioannes 459 about Anonymus 760's brother Leon 212; the man should be given a position, either because (as rumour had it) Alexios favoured priests with local connections, or out of affection for Tzetzes (:) Tzetzes, Letters 49.1-50.12
Ioannes Tzetzes, man of letters (Ioannes 459)
  • He had a promise from Alexios 107 about a tax-gatherer's job in the village of Xeros, near Apros; he sent Leon 212 for the position, a man whom Alexios should treat like Tzetzes himself, whatever his status and background (:) Tzetzes, Letters 46.13-47.18
  • He continued to press Alexios 107 for a position for Leon 212, brother of his good friend Anonymus 760; rumour had it that Alexios favoured local priests: if so, let Leon have a position, if not, he should have it out of affection for Tzetzes (:) Tzetzes, Letters 49.1-50.12
Leon, priest and protegé of Tzetzes (Leon 212)
  • He was sent to fill a job in the village of Xeros, near Apros, which Alexios 107 had promised to Ioannes 459; Alexios was asked to treat Leon just like Tzetzes himself, whatever his status and background (:) Tzetzes, Letters 46.13-47.18
  • He was again recommended for a position by Ioannes 459, friend of his brother Anonymus 760; Alexios 107 should give him a job, either because (as rumour had it) he favoured priests with local connections, or out of affection for Tzetzes (:) Tzetzes, Letters 49.1-50.12