Byzantine literature of the Komnenian and Angelid periods refers to the period of Byzantine literature from the ascension of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos to the throne in 1081 to the fall of Constantinople to the Crusaders in 1204.
The restoration of the Byzantine Empire by the Komnenian dynasty after the defeats of the 1070s brought a flourishing of Byzantine literature. In historiography, notable figures include Nikephoros Bryennios and his wife Anna Komnene, with John Kinnamos emerging in the following generation. The Komnenian era was also the last period of vitality for Byzantine chronicle writing. Highly popular works were created by authors such as Joannes Zonaras, Constantine Manasses, and Michael Glykas, who was also a theologian, epistolographer, and poet. The period of turmoil and intense religious disputes resulted in the work of prominent polemic theologians: Euthymios Zigabenos, Nicholas of Methone, and Andronikos Kamateros. The imperial efforts aimed at reconciling the divided church were reflected in the works of Theorianus and Nicetas of Thessalonica.
The Komnenian era in literature was marked by a focus on commentaries and a return to classical antiquity. Theologians (Theophylact of Ohrid, Euthymios Zigabenos, Nicetas of Thessalonica) wrote commentaries on the Scriptures and classical theological works, philosophers (Eustratius of Nicaea, Michael of Ephesus) commented on Aristotle, while philologists (Eustathius of Thessalonica, John Tzetzes) produced commentaries on Homer, Hesiod, Pindar, and Aristophanes. Numerous anonymous dictionaries were created, providing definitions of works by individual classical authors, as well as linguistic and etymological explanations.
The most outstanding poet of this period, Theodore Prodromos, turned to classical literary genres: parody, dialogue, satire, epigram, sophistic romance, and didactic poetry. Under Prodromos' influence, the sophistic romance in verse and prose, as well as satire, developed. This period also saw the emergence of the only known drama in Byzantine literature. Dialogue works were written by Prodromos, Philip Monotropos, and Michael Hapluchir, while didactic poems were penned by John Kamateros and Luke Chrysoberges. Rhetorical works, always vital in Byzantium, were represented by Michael Choniates and John Italus during this time.