This detailed classicizing history covers the period from 1034 to 1079 and is a vital source for eleventh- century history, often offering an enlightening alternative to the Chronographia of Michael Psellos. The history is dedicated to Nikephoros III Botaneiates (1178– 1181) and it ends with an encomium to Botaneiates.

Attaleiates's History is interested in explaining the decline of the Byzantine Empire in the eleventh century. The text focuses on the military and territorial losses suffered by the empire, such as the Norman conquest of Sicily, as well as numerous rebellions and civil wars. The text's theme is one of “growing political instability in the empire, and the incompetence and disloyalty of the political and military orders.” The text casts Botaneiates as a savior who ought to end imperial defeat. Krallis argues that the final encomium to Botaneiates is insincere on the grounds that the stories, inserted into the historical narrative, about Botaneiates's career before he became emperor do not portray Botaneiates as exhibiting the characteristics of a virtuous Roman ruler.

The History narrates the years 1034 to 1079 but the majority of the text is devoted to the final two decades, when Attaleiates was a well- connected eye- witness. Attaleiates's coverage becomes increasingly detailed and comprehensive as it reaches more contemporary events. He presents himself as accompanying Romanos Diogenes on the ill- fated campaign to Mantzikert and recounts Romanos's downfall with great sympathy. The history is written as a single, continuous text rather than being divided into books. The focus of the text shifts geographically from west to east as dictated by the narrative.

The history was dedicated to Botaneiates in 1079 or 1080. All appearances of Botaneiates in the text prior to 1070 are clearly later insertions to an existing text, according to Kaldellis and Krallis. This suggests that Attaleiates began work on the History before Botaneiates became emperor.