1081-1204
LATE BYZANTINE PERIOD
11th - 12th Centuries
Considered to be the peak period of the city with noted construction activity.
Several distinguished churches and monasteries were built, such as:
Kapnikarea, Panagia Gorgoepikoos, Agioi Theodoroi, Sotira Lykodimou,
Agioi Aposoloi, Kaisariani Monastery, Agios Ioannis "omorfi ekklisia"
(Galatsi), Monastery of Saint John the Baptist at Kareas, the Monastery
of Agios Ioannis Theologos, the Monastery of Agios Ioannis Kynigos and the Monastery of Daphni.
1154
The Arabian geographer al-Idrisi, after a visit to Athens,
describes it as a great and flourishing city.
1167
A symbol of the height of civilization,
the city shows advanced methods in the production
of raw silk and the handicraft of silk material -
given by Benjamin of Tudela.
1018
The great Byzantine emperor, Basileios II Boulgaroktonos
(Basil II, the Bulgar-slayer) visits Athens and pays homage in the
church of Panagia the Athiniotissa, which is no other than the Parthenon.
1182-1204
The archbishop of Athens at the time is Michael Choniates,
whom, with his written works, gives us a view of the decline
of the city. This era ends with the occupation of the Latin crusaders in 1204.
