Title:
Alternate names/spellings: John Kaminatos; Ioannis Kaminiatis; Ioannis Caminiatae; Joannes Cameniata; John Cameniates
Dates: 850 - 950 (Dates are approximate. )
Following the 904 sack of Thessaloniki by Saracen forces, a large number of the city’s inhabitants were taken prisoner by the invaders and brought back to their bases in the Levant. Among these captives was John Kaminiates, who was released along with the majority of his compatriots after the Byzantine administration secured their ransom in exchange for the release of Muslim prisoners. Subsequently, Kaminiates penned his account of the capture of Thessaloniki, for which he is now primarily known.