John was probably of noble descent, but other relatives have not been identified. He was well educated and served in the
Byzantine army before retiring as a monk. His career encompassed the eventful reigns of
Nikephoros II Phokas (r. 963–969),
John I Tzimiskes (r. 969–976) and the early years of
Basil II (r. 976–1025). As a result, his poetry is full of references to the contemporary Byzantine conflicts with the
Bulgarians and the
Rus', as well as the rebellions of
Bardas Skleros and
Bardas Phokas. Among the Byzantine emperors, he singles out Nikephoros II Phokas for particular praise, while he denigrates his murderer and successor John Tzimiskes. He was previously erroneously identified with another John, Bishop of
Melitene. John Geometres wrote both in verse and in prose. His works include
epigrams, including a collection on monasticism called
Paradeisos ("Paradise"), hymns to the
Virgin Mary, an
encomium to an oak tree, as well as prose works on
rhetoric, oratory and
exegesis. == Editions ==