Tzetzes reassured the wife of the megas hetaireiarches that Constantinople was very strong

Summary:
Ioannes Tzetzes wrote to reassure the wife of the megas hetairarches that the city of Constantinople was very strong. He stressed the importance of its walls, and declared that the history of the city showed a succession of emperors who each contributed to the urban fabric and its protection. To judge from the letter, his correspondent was nervous about the approach of the armies of the Second Crusade, the circulation of gloomy prophecies and an ominous dream 
Dates:
1147: 
wife of megas hetaireiarches (Anonyma 248)
  • She was probably nervous about the approach of the crusading monarchs to Constantinople, interpreted as an attack, and about prophecies which were circulating and dreams; Ioannes 459 reassured her that the walls of the capital were strong, while the City's history showed a steady increase in strength (:) Tzetzes, Letters 87.1-88.23
Ioannes Tzetzes, man of letters (Ioannes 459)
  • He reassured Anonyma 248 that the walls of the capital were strong, while the City's history showed a steady increase in strength; he argued against nervousness deriving from the approach of the armies of the Second Crusade, the circulation of gloomy prophecies and an ominous dream (:) Tzetzes, Letters 87.1-88.23