Anna Komnene organised the study of philosophy, commissioning commentaries on Aristotle

Summary:
Anna Komnene promoted the study of philosophy, commissioning commentaries on Aristotle, guided by scholars like Niketas, metropolitan of Nikomedeia and Michael of Ephesos. Michael claimed that his loss of sight was due to working all night on his commentaries on Aristotle. Anna, engrossed in her philosophical studies, found extra strength in Christian belief to bear many losses, especially that of her mother Anna Doukaina 
Dates:
1130: (Guess) 
Anna Komnene, daughter of Alexios I and historian (Anna 62)
  • She commissioned commentaries on Aristotle from Michael 275; as a result he once complained to Georgios 25002 that she was responsible for his loss of vision (:) Tornikes, Georgios 283.9-11
  • She gathered all the experts and began to discuss philosophy, beginning from Plato and (especially) Aristotle, but covering many persons and schools, in depth, herself disputing in public; her Christian faith was included, and strengthened her to endure losses, like the death of Eirene 61 (:) Tornikes, Georgios 281.4-301.19
Georgios Tornikes, man of letters and metropolitan of Ephesos (Georgios 25002)
  • He once heard Michael 275 complaining that his loss of vision was due to working all night on commentaries on Aristotle, commissioned by Anna 62 (:) Tornikes, Georgios 283.9-12
Michael of Ephesos, philosopher (Michael 275)
  • He was once heard by Georgios 25002, complaining that his loss of vision was due to working all night on his commentaries on Aristotle, commissioned by Anna 62 (:) Tornikes, Georgios 283.9-11
Niketas, metropolitan of Nikomedeia, philosophical writer (Niketas 168)
  • He acted as the guide of Anna 62 in the most challenging subjects, introducing her into profound mysteries (:) ᾧ ... χρωμένη μυσταγωγῷ ... Tornikes, Georgios 299.30-301.1