Ioannina, 1795. Kosmas Balanos recognizes the lost tomb of the Serbian despot of the despotate of Ioannina, Thomas Preliubovic, in the foundations of the new cellar of Ali Pasha. Thus begins a mental journey back in time, to the second half of the 14th century, when Thomas Preliubović oppressed the local nobles with heavy taxes and cruel tortures to those who opposed him.
The love of Stefanos Glykis, scion of the Constantinople family of the Glykis, for the poor Paraskevi, daughter of a worker on the estates of the Philanthropines, leads him on a life journey with stops (in the first phase) in Thessaloniki, Constantinople and Mystras. On his journey, Stefanos comes into contact with leading personalities of the time, such as George Gemistos Plethonas and the emperor Manuel Palaiologos. His personality fascinates Stefanos, who decides to follow his ruler and current mentor to the depths of Anatolia and to the cities of Western Europe.
Stefanos' tumultuous journey will bring him, in the west of his life, to Ioannina, the castle town that a few years ago was ruled by Thomas Preliubovitch and which is now ruled by Karolos Tocco. He, recognizing his value, appoints him as his advisor. After decades of wandering, Stefanos' fate is inextricably linked with that of the city.
A fascinating historical novel, which takes the reader through the late Byzantine world, focusing on the life adventure of a young nobleman in love, but also the chronicle of the city of Ioannina itself from 1372 to the Turkish conquest of 1430.
reviews
There is no review yet.