Chronicon OF GEORGE THE MONK LIVES OF THE NEW EMPERORS.

 he summons to the palace Nikephoros the renowned patriarch and with him the leading bishops and priests in the presence of the senate, and says, Know

 a man-slaying fruit of a seed bitterly kept and sprouted in our generation, I know not whence this terrible condemnation was allotted to the Romans. w

 and the fool will speak foolish things. For being exceedingly ignorant and nonsensical, he did not know at all those Cherubim wrought of gold, which t

 we have recorded as being preserved. 21 And sight is a witness, a truthful teacher. Both the length of time and the building of the venerable churches

 This apostolic preaching they continue to uphold and never in another jurisdiction, where there are Christians, is that wicked and lawless and God-ha

 {THE REIGN OF MICHAEL THE STAMMERER.}

 Therefore, having plundered it moderately, but not as he had hoped, but as divine providence allowed on account of our sins, he accomplished nothing m

 {THE REIGN OF THEOPHILOS.}

 of impiety and insolence, and of tyranny and madness, the deluded and vain-minded one. Since therefore he was possessed by the same deceit and derange

 this? But the emperor, as if rebuked, forcefully dragged him from the sanctuary, and having inflicted no small number of blows upon him, exiled him,

 as was fitting, he received him, immediately making him magister and domestic of the scholae, and receiving his children from holy baptism. 14. Elated

 most lawless ones, or Pharaoh the Egyptian, or Nebuchadnezzar the Assyrian? Or should we bring all these together and name you one and the same, since

 he wished to take, but he received two pounds for him, the general having also been ordered to test him, and if he was brave, to make him a guardsman.

 Then, having impiously committed many shameful, terrible, and absurd acts, they were driven from there as apostates. But having fled to the imperial c

 having secretly brought out Theophobos through Boukoleon, they saved him near Narsou, in what is now called 'of Theophobias', and they placed this the

 and overturned every day. And so finally, through imperial commission and cooperation, the fathers in exile and bitter prisons were recalled and resto

 Theophilitzes said, My lord, 817 I have a young man, most experienced and most brave with horses, just as your majesty desires, by the name of Basil.

 church, having a warden named Nicholas. And on that night a divine voice called the warden, saying Arise, bring the emperor into the oratory. And ha

 to Bardas, Do not strike the logothete. But they slaughtered him and cut him limb from limb in the Scythian manner, showing the rawness and savagery

 having constructed it very beautifully with flowing water. And when this was completed, there was someone in the city named Peter, a man of letters an

 plotting against him. But he heard these things as nonsense. But Basil, hurrying to convince the emperor, befriends Symbatios, a patrician and logothe

 standing on a high rock, cried out loudly to the emperor, A fine journey you have made, O emperor, having slain your own kinsman and your paternal bl

 Peganes to cense him with an earthenware censer with sulfur. And they blind Symbatios in one eye, and they also cut off his right hand, and they set h

 the emperor. And John the Chaldos immediately with his sword striking the emperor cut off his hands. And Iakobitzes the apelates, the Persian, woundin

 and having been eaten by worms, he died. 3. And the emperor, having come forth on the day of Christ's nativity during the procession to the great chur

 before the fleet arrived, with the emperor lamenting and mourning greatly. 12. And when Niketas Xylinites, the epi tes trapezes, was accused of being

 he made Leo fashion and wear in his boot, saying to him that Often when your father is looking for a small knife for some need, why do you not give i

 of the drome and having gone up to the ambo of the church, having read the charges against the patriarch Photius, they brought him down from the thro

 to make war against Hagion. And when an engagement occurred, those with Constantine were defeated and slaughtered, with him barely escaping. 9. And th

 He having died, Symeon sought pretexts to break the peace for seeking other captives as well, he advanced against the Romans. And the emperor Leo app

 he having given his word to Basileios, he confided everything to him. But Samonas, entering in to the emperor, said to him that, my lord, I wish to te

 Of Nicholas the Patriarch, the monks were pardoned from death, Karamalos to the Pikridiou monastery, and Eustathios to the Stoudiou monastery. And the

 He was persuading, he fled to Siricha to the precious cross, pretending that he had come on account of faith in the cross. So Constantine, the son of

 Andronikos, learning this, despairing, along with his relatives and his children and his men, went away and seized the fortress of Kabala, having come

 Samonas said, Against whom is the affliction? The metropolitan said to him, Against you and if you get past the 13th of June, from then on you wil

 he dressed it and made an illumination for the animals. For this reason the hand of God was lifted from him, as one who attached the honor of God to i

 of the detachments fell, and so many that the place was flooded with blood pouring down like a river. And Gregoras the son of the Doux was also killed

 879 of Domenikos the Hetaeriarch. Zoe deposes Patriarch Nicholas along with those with him in anger, telling him to look after and care for the affair

 others in the engagement of the war, 882 both Constantine Lips and John Grapson and a sufficient number of other commanders. 17. And at some point Rom

 These things came to pass. 23 But the emperor took Nicholas the patriarch and Stephen the magister to be with him in the palace, drawing the authority

 the basileopator, having made signed golden bulls as if from the person of the emperor Constantine, containing the overthrow of such a plot, and that

 they came forth in a procession. 2. In the month of June, of the 8th indiction, on a Sunday, the union of the church took place under Romanos, with al

 and many others. Therefore, having barely been saved, he entered into the dromon. And Alexios Mouseles the droungarios also came fleeing, armed, with

 is deprived. They tonsured Bardas Boilas as a monk, since the emperor pitied him as he was a friend. 15. When the patrician nicknamed Moroleon, who wa

 of silver-shielded and silver-speared men, and of those adorned with every color of arms, all of them fenced in with 900 iron, who, having taken Symeo

 Stephen the metropolitan of Amaseia being a eunuch. 903 26. In the month of October, the mystikos John, the paradynasteuon, was accused of aspiring to

 and with Maria the daughter of Christopher and with the whole senate to the church of the most holy Theotokos of the Spring, and they blessed both Pet

 son of the emperor Romanos, whom they were about to ordain patriarch of Constantinople. 38. On the twenty-fifth of the same month an unbearable winter

 he having already reached old age and his sons being still infants. and his remains were placed in the aforementioned monastery of his father. 43. And

 Consequently, the rest of the dromons and the triremes, having sallied forth, worked a complete rout, and they sank many ships with their crews, and w

 a military force being besieged and coming into the greatest necessity, its inhabitants sent an embassy to the emperor Romanos to have the siege lifte

 a monk. 1 Constantine, his son-in-law, was therefore left as sole emperor who, having immediately honored Bardas, the son of Phokas, with the dignity

standing on a high rock, cried out loudly to the emperor, "A fine journey you have made, O emperor, having slain your own kinsman and your paternal blood with the sword. Woe to you, woe to you, for you have done these things." But the emperor and Basil, becoming angry, send a *manglabites*, Morotheodore, to slay the monk with the sword. But the people, running up to the one who had been sent, claimed that he was mindless and possessed by a demon, and so with difficulty the monk escaped the punishment. 30. But late on the Saturday of Pentecost, the emperor declared to Photius the patriarch, through Rentakios his *protovestiarios*, that he should perform the proclamation of Basil to the emperorship. And on the next 832 day two chairs were brought out. But the people were disturbed how, there being one emperor, two chairs were brought out. As the emperor was proceeding in the procession, Basil was walking behind, wearing a *skaramangion* with a sword, as was the custom for the *parakoimomenoi*. But having entered as far as the royal gates, the emperor did not take off the crown, as is the custom for emperors, but entered with it as far as the holy doors. And turning back, he ascended the steps crowned, and below the emperor was Basil the *parakoimomenos*, and below Basil was Leo Kastor the *asekretis*, holding a volume in his hands, and Michael the *praipositos* Angoures and the demarchs together with the demes. Therefore Leo the *asekretis* began to read, saying that "Bardas the Caesar plotted against me to kill me, and for this reason he led me out of the city. And if I had not been informed by Symbatios and Basil, I would not be among the living. But he perished by his own sin. But I wish Basil the *parakoimomenos*, as one who is faithful and guards my empire and who freed me from the enemy and who has great affection for me, to be guardian of my empire and administrator, and to be acclaimed by all as emperor." But Basil was filled with tears. And the emperor gave the crown to Photius the patriarch, having taken it from his own head. Who, having brought it to the holy table, made a prayer over it. And the *praepositoi* having brought 833 a *divetesion* and *tzangia*, clothed Basil, who, having put on the chlamys, fell at the emperor's feet. And the patriarch came out, and took the crown from the emperor's head, and placed it upon Basil. And with the sceptres falling, as is the custom, Michael crowned Basil, and all acclaimed, "Many years to Michael and Basil." But Kastor the *asekretis*, who had read the volume, having gone out to Nicomedia, and having gone to a men's monastery, remained in the middle of the meadow. And there was a well there, and falling into it he was drowned, and he was buried there. 31. But Symbatios, the son-in-law of the Caesar, having failed to obtain the dignity of Caesar, seeing that he had been mocked by Basil, is moved to hatred against Basil. And having conspired with George Peganes the *stratēlatēs*, on the next day he asks to be appointed *stratēgos*. But in his place Goumer was appointed *logothetēs tou dromou*, and he [Symbatios] was made *komēs* of the Opsikion. And both Symbatios and Peganes, going out together, began to ravage the people and burn both the fields and vineyards—for it was the season of summer—acclaiming only Michael, but denouncing Basil. Learning these things, the emperors ordered the other *stratēlatai* to make war against them. But Nikephoros Maleinos, having formed a plan, cast a letter among the people, so that they might seize them by deceit and not, by fighting openly, fall into a civil 834 war. And they all abandoned them. And 834 Peganes was seized, and taking him they brought him into the city, and by the emperor's order Constantine Myares the eparch blinds him, and having seated him at the Milion they gave him a bowl in his hands, and all who passed by threw into it for him, whatever they chose to give. And after 30 days Symbatios the Armenian was seized by Maleinos at Keltzene in an inn, and Maleinos brought him to the emperor, who was at Saint Mamas. And by order of the emperor they bring Peganes to meet Symbatios, having given into the hands of

ὑψηλῆς στὰς πέτρας, ἐφώνει μεγάλως τῷ βασιλεῖ "καλὸν ταξεί διον ἐποίησας, ὦ βασιλεῦ, τὸν ἴδιον συγγενῆ καὶ τὸ πατρῷον αἷμα ξίφει ἀνελών. οὐαί σοι, οὐαί σοι, ὅτι ταῦτα ἐποίησας." θυμωθεὶς δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ ὁ Βασίλειος ἀποστέλλουσι μαγγλαβί την τὸν Μωροθεόδωρον τὸν μοναχὸν ξίφει ἀνελεῖν. οἱ δὲ λαοὶ ἐπιδραμόντες πρὸς τὸν ἀποσταλέντα προεφασίσαντο ἄνουν καὶ δαιμονῶντα αὐτὸν εἶναι, καὶ οὕτως μόλις παρῆλθε τὴν τιμωρίαν ὁ μοναχός. 30. Ὀψὲ δὲ σαββάτῳ τῆς πεντηκοστῆς ἐδήλωσε Φωτίῳ τῷ πατριάρχῃ ὁ βασιλεύς, διὰ Ῥεντακίου πρωτοβεστιαρίου αὐτοῦ, τὴν ἀναγόρευσιν τῆς βασιλείας ποιῆσαι Βασιλείου. καὶ τῇ ἐπαύ 832 ριον ἐξῆλθον δύο σελλία. οἱ δὲ λαοὶ διεταράχθησαν πῶς ἑνὸς βασιλέως ὄντος δύο σελλία ἐξῆλθον. τοῦ βασιλέως διερχομένου ἐν τῇ προελεύσει ὄπισθε Βασίλειος περιεπάτει, φορῶν σκαραμάγ γιον μετὰ σπαθίου, ὡς ἔθος τοῖς παρακοιμωμένοις. μέχρι δὲ τῶν βασιλικῶν πυλῶν εἰσελθὼν ὁ βασιλεὺς οὐκ ἀπέθετο τὸ στέφος, καθὼς ἔθος ἐστὶ τοῖς βασιλεῦσιν, ἀλλὰ μετ' αὐτοῦ εἰσῆλθε μέχρι τῶν ἁγίων θυρῶν. καὶ ἀντιστραφεὶς ἀνέβη πρὸς βαθμοὺς ἐστεμ μένος, καὶ ὑποκάτω τοῦ βασιλέως Βασίλειος ὁ παρακοιμώμενος, κάτωθεν δὲ Βασιλείου Λέων ὁ Κάστωρ καὶ ἀσηκρῆτις, ἔχων τό μον ἐπὶ χεῖρας, καὶ Μιχαὴλ πραιπόσιτος ὁ Ἀγγούρης καὶ οἱ δή μαρχοι ἅμα τοῖς δήμοις. ἤρξατο οὖν Λέων ὁ ἀσηκρῆτις ἀναγι νώσκειν, λέγων ὅτι "Βάρδας ὁ Καῖσαρ ἐβουλεύσατο κατ' ἐμοῦ ἀνελεῖν με, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο ὑπεξήγαγέ με τῆς πόλεως. καὶ εἰ μὴ διὰ Συμβατίου καὶ Βασιλείου ἐμηνύθην, οὐκ ἂν ἐν τοῖς ζῶσιν ἤμην. ἐτελεύτησε δὲ ὑπὸ τῆς ἰδίας ἁμαρτίας. θέλω δὲ Βασί λειον παρακοιμώμενον, ὡς πιστὸν ὄντα καὶ φυλάττοντα τὴν ἐμὴν βασιλείαν καὶ τοῦ ἐχθροῦ ἐλευθερώσαντά με καὶ πόθον πολὺν πρός με ἔχοντα, εἶναι φύλακα τῆς ἐμῆς βασιλείας καὶ προνοητήν, καὶ ὑπὸ πάντων εὐφημεῖσθαι ὡς βασιλέα." Βασίλειος δὲ ἐπλη ροῦτο δακρύων. καὶ δέδωκεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Φωτίῳ πατριάρχῃ τὸ στέμμα, ἄρας ἐκ τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ. ὃς εἰσαγαγὼν ἐν τῇ ἁγίᾳ τραπέζῃ ἐποίησεν ἐπ' αὐτῷ εὐχήν. καὶ οἱ πραιπόσιτοι ἐνέγκαντες 833 διαιτήσιον καὶ τζαγγία ἐνέδυσαν τὸν Βασίλειον, ὅστις βαλὼν τὴν χλαμύδα ἔπεσεν εἰς τοὺς πόδας τοῦ βασιλέως. καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ὁ πα τριάρχης, καὶ ἦρεν ἀπὸ τῆς κεφαλῆς τοῦ βασιλέως τὸ στέμμα, καὶ ἐπέθηκεν αὐτὸ τῷ Βασιλείῳ. καὶ τῶν σκήπτρων πεσόντων, ὡς ἔθος, ἔστεψεν ὁ Μιχαὴλ τὸν Βασίλειον, καὶ εὐφήμησαν πάντες "Μιχαὴλ καὶ Βασιλείου πολλὰ τὰ ἔτη." ὁ δὲ τὸν τόμον ἐπανα γνοὺς Κάστωρ ἀσηκρῆτις ἐξελθὼν ἐν Νικομηδείᾳ, καὶ ἐλθὼν εἰς μονὴν ἀνδρείαν, ἔμεινε μέσον τοῦ λιβαδίου. ἦν δὲ ἐκεῖσε φρέαρ, καὶ ἐμπεσὼν ἐν αὐτῷ ἀπεπνίγη, καὶ ἐτάφη ἐκεῖ. 31. Συμβάτιος δὲ ὁ γαμβρὸς τοῦ Καίσαρος, ἀποτυχὼν τῆς τοῦ Καίσαρος ἀξίας, ἰδὼν ὅτι ἐνεπαίχθη ὑπὸ τοῦ Βασιλείου, εἰς μῖσος κατὰ Βασιλείου κινεῖται. καὶ συμβουλευσάμενος μετὰ Γεωργίου στρατηλάτου τοῦ Πηγάνη τῇ ἐπαύριον αἰτεῖται στρατη γὸν προβληθῆναι. ἀντ' αὐτοῦ δὲ προεβλήθη λογοθέτης τοῦ δρό μου ὁ Γοῦμερ, κἀκεῖνος κόμης τοῦ Ὀψικίου. καὶ ἐξελθόντες ἅμα ὅ τε Συμβάτιος καὶ ὁ Πηγάνης ἤρξαντο καταστρέφειν τὸν λαὸν καὶ πυρπολεῖν τάς τε χώρας καὶ ἀμπέλους ἦν γὰρ καιρὸς τοῦ θέρους, εὐφημοῦντες Μιχαὴλ μόνον, τὸν δὲ Βασίλειον ἀπο κηρύττοντες. ταῦτα μαθόντες οἱ βασιλεῖς ἐκέλευσαν τοὺς λοιποὺς στρατηλάτας τούτους καταπολεμῆσαι. βουλευσάμενος δὲ Νικη φόρος ὁ Μαλεῗνος ἔρριψεν ἔγγραφον μέσον τοῦ λαοῦ, ἵνα δόλῳ τούτους κρατήσωσιν καὶ μὴ τῷ φανερῶς πολεμεῖν εἰς ἐμφύλιον 834 ἐμπέσωσι πόλεμον. καὶ πάντες εἴασαν αὐτούς. ἐκρατήθη δὲ ὁ 834 Πηγάνης, καὶ ἄραντες αὐτὸν εἰσήγαγον ἐν τῇ πόλει, καὶ τῇ προστάξει τοῦ βασιλέως τυφλοῖ αὐτὸν Κωνσταντῖνος ἔπαρχος ὁ Μυάρης, καὶ καθίσαντες αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ Μιλίῳ ἐπέδωκαν αὐτῷ σκεῦος ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπέρριπτον αὐτῷ πάντες οἱ δια πορευόμενοι ἐν αὐτῷ, εἴ τι ἐκ προαιρέσεως εἶχον. καὶ μεθ' ἡμέ ρας λʹ ἐκρατήθη Συμβάτιος ὁ Ἀρμένιος ὑπὸ Μαλεΐνου ἐν Κελτζινῇ ἐν πανδοχείῳ, καὶ εἰσήγαγεν αὐτὸν πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα ὁ Μα λεῗνος ὄντα εἰς τὸν ἅγιον Μάμαντα. καὶ προστάξει τοῦ βασιλέως ἄγουσι τὸν Πηγάνην εἰς ἀπάντησιν Συμβατίου, δόντες εἰς χεῖρας τοῦ