In Pursuit of Alternative Histories of the 14th Century: Nikephoros Gregoras and John Kantakouzenos on Their Writing Opponents

The Byzantine historians Nikephoros Gregoras and John Kantakouzenos have left detailed accounts of the events that shaped the history of the Byzantine Empire in the 14th century. Their narratives are mutually complementary, as they occasionally present divergent interpretations of specific events, while at other times they enrich one another by supplying missing details. Nonetheless, both historians provide information about other authors and works produced during their time. Although such references are scarce, they offer valuable insights into 14th-century Byzantine writings that stood in opposition to the dominant narrative—one that ultimately prevailed and endured to recount the civil wars and the rise and fall of the Kantakouzenos family. The aim of this paper, therefore, is to explore the contents of these writings, to identify their authors or patrons, and to examine the intended audiences to whom they were addressed.