HIP-S-000233-0454 Detail of a page from the Madrid Skylitzes, 12th century. Theophilus with his bodyguard outside the church of Blachernae, dispensing justice to a widow who has approached him with a complaint. Two priests look on from the church door. The Emperor's Varangian Guard was made up of foreigners - Franks, Russians, Germans and Vikings. Produced by the Greek historian John Skylitzes, the Synopsis of Histories is a manuscript chronicling the history of the Byzantine Empire from the death of Nicephorus I in 811 until the deposition of Michael IV in 1057. The Madrid Skylitzes is a version of the chronicle, produced in Sicily in the 12th century Biblioteca Nacional, Madrid Credit: Werner Forman Archive / Heritage Images /Alinari Archives, Florence WARNING: Permission must be required for non editorial use. Please contact Alinari Archives Place of photography: Spain, Madrid, Biblioteca Nacional Collection: Heritage Images /Alinari Archives, Florence Technical info Image sizes (pixel): 3835 X 2797 Image sizes (cm at 300 dpi): 32 X 23 Image sizes (MB): 4.29 Color space: RGB