Michael Glykas

[1][2] According to Niketas Choniates, this Sikidites "was enrolled among the imperial secretaries" of Manuel I, was known of performing magic spells, conjuring serpents and demons.

The doctrine appears to have enjoyed some support in leading circles, notably of the Patriarchs of Constantinople George II Xiphilinos and John X Kamateros, but also aroused passionate opposition; in a synod in 1200, Sikidites was censured and his teachings declared heretical.

[2] He also wrote a mathematical treatise on the distinction between astronomy and astrology,[2] where he severely criticised Manuel I for his fondness for the latter; in the same vein, Glykas strongly rejected the concept of inevitable fate (ananke) as a force in history.

[1] His chief work is his chronicle (βίβλος χρονική, biblos chronike) of events from the creation of the world to the death of Alexios I Komnenos in 1118.

[2] His surviving work, including his letters, is "overtly didactic", promoting Christian virtues, and making extensive use of proverbs to this end.