Two similar chronicles have been associated with the name of Theodore Skoutariotes: the Chronika Parekbolaia and the Synopsis Chronike. The Synopsis Lambros is a third text that has much in common with the Synopsis Chronike. Skoutariotes had a prominent ecclesiastical career under Michael VIII Palaiologos (1259– 1282) and was bishop of Kyzikos from 1277 to 1283. He was deposed by Andronikos II (1282– 1328) because he supported Michael VIII's efforts at union between the Catholic and Orthodox churches. Skoutariotes owned a rich library and is known from the notes in his collection of manuscripts.

Chronika Parekbolaia

This text runs from Adam to the death of Alexios Komnenos in 1118. It is found in Vaticanus Graecus 1889 and is known as the Chronika Parekbolaia from its title and first word of its subtitle: Chronika – Parekbolaia syntetm ē mena apo tou Adam achri kai tēs basileias tou Alexiou tou Komnenou diexionta osoi te basileis kai osoi patriarchai gegonasin (Chronology: Excerpts hewn together recounting how many emperors and patriarchs there were from Adam until Alexios Komnenos). A comparison of the handwriting of the chronicle with other annotations known to have been made by Skoutariotes in Parisinus Graecus 1741, indicates that the text in Vaticanus Graecus 1889 was written by Skoutariotes himself. Raimondo Tocci considers Skoutariotes to have been the author/ compiler of the chronicle and believes that the Chronika Parekbolaia was an initial draft of the Synopsis Chronike. Tocci dates the composition of Chronika Parekbolaia to between 1270 and 1280. The sources seem to have been similar, but perhaps not identical, to those used by Zonaras, Manasses, and Glykas. Zafeiris offers a detailed analysis of potential sources.

Synopsis Chronike

The text known as the Synopsis Chronike, “Summary Chronicle,” is found in Marcianus Graecus 407, a manuscript dated to the 1340s. It was first published by Constantine Sathas, and is sometimes called the “Synopsis Sathas.” This chronicle runs from Adam through 1261. It briefly discusses reigns from Adam through Nikephoros Botaneiates (1078– 1081). Then from Alexios I (1081– 1118) to Michael VIII Palaiologos's reconquest of Constantinople in 1261, it provides a detailed exposition of politics.