Medieval Composers: (born before 1150): Romanos the Melodist

Romanos the Melodist or "The Hynmographer" was one of the most greatest Greek hynmographer ever.

Icon of Romanos the Melodist

Biography 
He was born in 490 into a Jewish family in either Emesa or Damascus, Syria.
He was baptized as a boy. Then he went to Berytus and was ordained
as a deacon in the Church of Resurrection. Then he moved Constantinople
and worked for Anastasius I (or Anastasius II). He died in 556 age 66.

Music
He wrote kontakias. It was a type of hymn.

These are known kontakias:
The Nativity of Christ
The Martyrdom of St. Stephen
The Death of A Monk
The Last Judgement
The Prodigal Son
The Raising of Lazarus
Adam's Lament
The Treachery of Judas