History
And what i have accurately ascertained from those who saw it, these things i will also commit to writing. 2. just now in the month of november, of the
He commanded that the triremes and the other transport ships should all be brought to anchor in a good harbor, and that they should control the sea, a
War. therefore, having gone around and seen that it was by nature difficult to enter and hard to approach for on the one side it had the sea as a saf
They would be frustrated. and having gone out of the camp, and having overrun a part of the country, when he learned from those who had been taken ali
It was easy to attack by assault, being raised to the greatest possible height, and girded with two trenches dug to a corresponding depth), and the de
Having divided his phalanx into three parts by night, he went against the scythians, and falling upon them suddenly, in a brief moment of time he wrou
Meet them, when i give the signal with the trumpets. such was the exhortation that the general delivered and the army shouted 22 and applauded, and w
6. but nikephoros phokas, the colleague of the aforementioned leo (for it is necessary, having summarized the account, to proceed with the history in
The general, having seen this, spurred his horse, quickened his pace, rode in and restrained the soldiers' onslaught, persuading them not to kill the
Having drawn up an irresistible battle-line, went through the land of the hagarenes. to them, having heard of the attack of nikephoros, it did not see
Was dignified by his rank), was hostilely disposed towards nicephorus. 11. he decided, therefore, to attempt a revolution at once but not having at h
, to proclaim him supreme commander, and to entrust the forces of asia to him, so that he might defend and check the assault of the foreigners. for th
He said, if you are persuaded to take up the rule of the east, i shall quickly declare you emperor, and restore you to the imperial thrones. speak wel
For he was gently nursing his little body), then, recovering again, he said, “speak, most brave one, what need is there to consider this?” but he said
I have assumed the imperial office, but compelled by the necessity of you, the army, and you yourselves bear witness for me that i was both shunning s
Before the report of his proclamation could fly abroad, to seize in advance the straits and passages of the sea. for thus he thought that matters woul
Numbering over three thousand, attacked the house of joseph and his collaborators along with the people. and having subjected these to plunder and pil
Especially the monks), they did not allow the man to persist in what he had decided, but urged him both to embrace marriage and not to shun meat-eatin
Makes it flood in a single hour) emboldened by these things, the barbarians mocked the emperor and insolently hurled insults at him, and making sorti
Having fallen upon it, accomplishing nothing noble or vigorous. and he considered the matter an outright disgrace and insult, and an indelible reproac
Having come to the region around tarsus, there he encamped and having pitched a palisade round about, he ordered the crops and the meadows, luxuriant
Having recovered the standards, which, crafted from gold and stones, the tarsians had captured in various battles while routing the roman force, and h
Of the spectacle, turned to flight and ran back to their own houses. and from the pushing and disorderly rush, no little slaughter occurred, with very
To blow favorably upon them, but blowing against them strongly and fiercely, it has sunk their affairs. but the account will now clearly reveal these
To those acting against the divine ordinance, if somehow at least in this way people, being afraid, would abstain from evil deeds, and would cling to
He had taken a fortress, and having crossed mount lebanon transversely, he turned his attention to tripoli, which he saw was fortified and exceptional
Being obliged to drive them away, and to guard the flocks from harm, they, in addition to not driving them away, themselves cut them down and tear the
Having come, and having been befriended by the ruler of the tauroi, and having corrupted him with gifts and bewitched him with persuasive words (for t
Reconciliation and friendship might be secured. the mysians gladly received the embassy, and putting daughters of the royal blood 80 on wagons (for it
They might do. but as they were already considering rushing to their defense, and to stoutly resist the enemy in close combat, as dawn was brightly br
Boasting to all about his brave deeds in wars. 6. having approached the emperor with these words and, 85 as was likely, having bewitched him (for he s
Having lowered from above, one by one they first pulled up all the conspirators, and then john himself. having come up, therefore, beyond all human su
The vengeance for these things, and to those who were slipping he seemed relentless and burdensome, and oppressive to those wishing to lead an indiffe
At the end of the month of december, during the thirteenth indiction of the six thousand four hundred and seventy-eighth year, a throng of select men,
Having captured him, confines him to amaseia. having therefore from this secured sufficient safety for himself and for his affairs, and having purged
To make amends for what nikephoros had improperly introduced. for nikephoros, whether wishing to correct divine matters that were being disturbed by s
And having found him not very accurately versed in secular education, but most diligently trained in divine and our own, he anoints him patriarch of a
The bosporus, but to pass by moesia, which belongs to the romans, and has from of old been a part of macedonia. for it is said that the moesians, bein
To make replies. for we trust in christ, the immortal god, that if you do not depart from this land, you will be driven from it by us even against you
A disgrace by the raids of the scythians to send out bilingual men dressed in scythian attire into the homesteads and customs of the enemy, so that t
The romans on the one hand shouted for joy, and were strengthened for valor but the scythians, growing cowardly at the new and strange nature of the
2. the emperor, when he learned of such a revolt, was disturbed, as was likely, and having brought up bishop stephen from abydos with wingless speed,
He saw that murders along with the ensuing conspirators were proceeding harshly and inhumanely, he decided to no longer delay or be slothful, so that
Considering into what fortunes the unholy and blood-guilty john has enclosed my family, having mercilessly slain the emperor and my uncle, who was his
Eye, and to learn that these things were red, just as they had been from of old. phocas, considering this prodigy a second evil omen, and seeing also
Immediately, lest it be some ill-omened thing, and destruction befall the pursuing mysians but learning they were fleeing at full speed, he both purs
The russian minds were lifted up in audacity and boldness. therefore, the emperor, not enduring their overweening arrogance and their blatant insolenc
Being given out, and going under the earth by the inscrutable wisdom of the creator and again from the 130 celtic mountains gushing up, and winding t
Should set a phalanx against us, things will not end well for us, but in dreadful perplexity and helplessness. therefore, having strengthened your spi
Is called drista) lingering with his whole force. but in this way kalokyres escaped, and night coming on stopped the romans from battle. and just on t
And they killed up to one hundred and fifty vigorous men. but the emperor, learning of such an event, quickly mounted his horse and urged his follower
But the rest of the multitude he bound in fetters and shut up in prisons. he himself, having gathered the entire host of the tauro-scythians, numberin
1. and just as day was dawning, the emperor fortified the camp with a strong palisade in this manner. a certain low hill of dorystolon rises at a dist
He was courting them with gifts and toasts, encouraging them to proceed vigorously to the wars. 3. while these matters were in suspense, and the battl
He flees to a divine and great sanctuary, seen as a pitiful supplicant instead of a haughty and boastful tyrant. whom the men of the drungarius dragge
Having drowned. for it is said that, being possessed by greek 150 orgies, they perform sacrifices and libations for the dead in the greek manner, havi
On the next day (it was the sixth day of the week, and the twenty-fourth day of the month of july), when the sun was setting, the tauro-scythians, hav
Was being concluded. 10. but the romans, following the divine man who went before, 155 engage with the enemy, and a fierce battle having commenced, th
With purity. at any rate, having conferred a few things about a truce with the emperor, seated beside the rowing-bench of the skiff, he departed. but
Was crossed over. this is the greatest of the rivers cutting through asia, 161 and one of those that flow from eden, as we have learned from the divin
The emperor, as one who abused the power of his leadership for certain powerful men, and did not direct the affairs of the church as was established b
Having assembled forces, and having meticulously armed them, departing from the reigning city, he advanced through palestine, a prosperous land, flowi
The mainland is enclosed by strongholds, stretching upon a certain steep hill on the other side it is surrounded by the sea, putting forth a well-hav
Before until fire-bearing ships were secretly sent out from byzantium by those in power. which bardas parsakoutenos the magistros was leading, and ha
I would have been destroyed, if some divine providence had not led me out of that very danger, which caused me to ride out with speed, before the ravi
Furthermore, the star rising in the west at the setting of the morning star, which, making its risings in the evening, kept no fixed position at one c
Of the city, but already becoming feeble, and suffering from a deep and intractable panting. and having just come to the royal hearth, he was shown to
he saw that murders along with the ensuing conspirators were proceeding harshly and inhumanely, he decided to no longer delay or be slothful, so that by such ease the company of the apostate might not have the opportunity both to sack cities and to slip into greater desperation; but with the available forces, wherever it might seem fit, to resist powerfully, and to defend his 117 subjects. Bardas, therefore, surnamed Skleros, a man exceedingly youthful and energetic, whose sister Maria John had previously had as a partner in life, who had attained great renown for her beauty and moderation (but bitter death had already claimed her); this man, who was a Magistros and commanded the armies in Thrace, and who was nobly walling off the convulsive invasion of the Rus against the Romans, after the great deed, which he recently won by routing the Scythians, as has already been related by me, the emperor summoned him and, having proclaimed him commander-in-chief against the rebels, sent him forth to Asia; instructing him, if it were possible, not to defile the land with the blood of their countrymen, unless absolutely necessary; but by promises of honors and distributions of money and pledges of immunity to win over those who had been led astray with the apostate. And he entrusted to him documents, sealed with the golden imperial seals, in which were inscribed the honors of taxiarchs and generals and Patricians. With these he ordered him to welcome those who had a change of heart, and who rejected the authority of the tyrant, and who inclined to the service of the emperor. And the commander-in-chief Skleros, having crossed the Bosporus and seized Dorylaion, there recalled his army, and drew it up in battle-order, and trained it with daily exercises. And already seeing that the assembled army was sufficient, so as to be able to engage the enemy on equal terms if it chanced, to the 118 Doux Bardas and his kinsman by marriage (for the Patrician Constantine, Skleros' brother, had the sister of Phokas as his wife) he declared these things: 4. You have deliberated perilously and very dangerously, having acted insolently without shame against the rulers, and having plotted deadly tyranny, and having taken up arms against your countrymen, and having defiled the sanctuaries of holy houses with the plunder of uneducated conspirators. You have been deceived in vain, Patrician, prodding a sleeping lion, the invincible emperor. For you know that when he has appeared in battle, he has routed populous armies by his reputation alone. How then, persuaded by the counsels of corrupt men, have you shaken yourself into such a downfall? But, if you please, be persuaded by me, as a kinsman by marriage, and a friend, and one counseling better things; and push away this wicked tyranny, and take hold of your salvation, having asked for forgiveness for your error (and I myself guarantee that you will suffer nothing unpleasant, neither from the ruler, nor from anyone else, but also to the company following you an amnesty for their rashness will be given); and do not wish to arm the imperial wrath against you, which is inexorable for those who are unwilling to be sensible. Now then, having come to your senses, do not cast away your last anchor, but, while this act of benevolence is offered, embrace it, which hereafter you will seek but not find, and you will lament much, blaming yourself for your lack of counsel. And Phokas 119 Bardas, having considered the power of the letter, replies these things: I know well that counsel is a good and divine thing, having myself read the books of the ancients; but I reckon that it is strong at that time, when matters accept a remedy. But when they are in danger regarding the vital points, and are driven to the last extremities, I think counsel is equal to being of no strength. For I
φόνους μετὰ τῶν ἐπισπομένων συνωμοτῶν ἀπηνῶς καὶ ἀφιλανθρώπως χωρεῖν, συνεῖδε, μηκέτι διαμέλλειν ἢ ῥᾳθυμεῖν, ὡς μὴ τῇ τοιαύτῃ
ῥᾳστώνῃ καιρὸν σχοίη τὸ τοῦ ἀποστάτου ἑταιρικὸν, καὶ πόλεις πορθεῖν, καὶ εἰς μείζονα ἐξολισθήσοι ἀπόνοιαν· ἀλλ' ἐκ τῶν ἐνόντων,
ὅποι παρείκοι, ἀντικαθίστασθαι κραταιῶς, καὶ τοὺς 117 πελάτας ἀμύνεσθαι. Βάρδαν οὖν, τὸν κατ' ἐπωνυμίαν Σκληρὸν, ἄνδρα λίαν
ἐκτόπως νεανικὸν καὶ δραστήριον, οὗ τὴν σύναιμον Μαρίαν κοινωνὸν ἔσχε βίου τὸ πρόσθεν ὁ Ἰωάννης, κάλλει καὶ σωφροσύνῃ ἐς μέγα
κλέους ἥκουσαν (ἔφθη δὲ ταύτην ὁ πικρὸς κατεργασάμενος θάνατος)· τοῦτον ἐν Μαγίστροις τελοῦντα καὶ τῶν ἐπὶ Θρᾴκης στρατευμάτων
ἐπιστατοῦντα, καὶ τὴν τῶν Ῥῶς σφαδάζουσαν κατὰ τῶν Ῥωμαίων ἐπήλυσιν γενναίως ἀποτειχίζοντα, μετὰ τὴν ἀριστείαν, ἣν ἔναγχος
ἀνεδήσατο τοὺς Σκύθας τρεψάμενος, ᾗπέρ μοι ἤδη δεδήλωται, μεταπεμψάμενος ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ στρατηλάτην ἀνακηρύξας κατὰ τῶν στασιωτῶν,
ἐς τὴν Ἀσίαν ἐξέπεμψεν· ἐντειλάμενος, εἰ οἷόν τε εἶναι, μὴ μιᾶναι τὴν γῆν, ὅτι μὴ πᾶσα ἀνάγκη, τῷ τῶν ὁμοφύλων αἵματι· ἀλλὰ
τιμῶν ὑποσχέσεσι καὶ χρημάτων διανομαῖς καὶ πίστεσιν ἀπαθείας ὑπαγαγέσθαι τοὺς τῷ ἀποστάτῃ συναπαχθέντας. ἐνεχείριζε δὲ αὐτῷ
καὶ τόμους, κατασεσημασμένους ἐκ χρυσοῦ σφραγῖσι βασιλικαῖς, οἷς ἐνεγέγραπτο ταξιάρχων καὶ στρατηγῶν καὶ Πατρικίων τιμαί.
τούτοις ἐγκελευσάμενος δεξιοῦσθαι τοὺς γνωσιμαχοῦντας, καὶ ἀθετοῦντας τὴν τοῦ τυράννου αὐθεντίαν, καὶ πρὸς τὴν τοῦ βασιλέως
ἀποκλίνοντας δούλωσιν. ὁ δὲ στρατηλάτης Σκληρὸς, τὸν Βόσπορον περαιωθεὶς καὶ κατειληφὼς τὸ ∆ορύλαιον, ἐνταῦθα τὸν στρατὸν
ἀνεκαλεῖτο, καὶ ἐς φάλαγγα καθίστη, καὶ ταῖς καθ' ἡμέραν μελέταις ἐγύμναζεν. ἤδη δὲ καὶ ἀποχρῶσαν ὁρῶν τὴν ἐπισυναχθεῖσαν
στρατιὰν, ὡς εἶναι ἱκανὴν ἐξ ἀντιπάλου παρατυχὸν τοῖς ἐναντίοις συμπλέκεσθαι, τῷ 118 ∆ουκὶ Βάρδᾳ καὶ συγκηδεστῇ (ἀδελφὴν γὰρ
τοῦ Φωκᾶ Κωνσταντῖνος Πατρίκιος, ὁ τοῦ Σκληροῦ σύναιμος, σύζυγον εἶχε) δηλοῖ ταῦτα· δʹ. Ἐπισφαλῶς ἐβουλεύσω καὶ λίαν ἐπικινδύνως,
ἀναίδην κατὰ τῶν κρατούντων ἀπαυθαδισάμενος, καὶ τὴν ὀλέθριον μελετήσας τυραννίδα, καὶ ὅπλα κατὰ τῶν ὁμοφύλων ἀράμενος, καὶ
καταμιάνας ἱερῶν οἴκων ἕδη ταῖς τῶν ἀπαιδεύτων συνωμοτῶν προνομαῖς. εἰς κενὸν ἠπατήθης, Πατρίκιε, λέοντα νύσσων κοιμώμενον,
τὸν ἀήττητον αὐτοκράτορα. οἶδας γὰρ, ὡς ἐν ταῖς μάχαις ἐπιφανεὶς οὗτος, πολυάνθρωπα στρατόπεδα ἐκ τῆς φήμης καὶ μόνης ἐτρέψατο.
πῶς οὖν, διεφθαρμένων ἀνδρῶν συμβουλίαις ἀναπεισθεὶς, εἰς τοιοῦτον ὄλισθον ἐνσέσεικας σεαυτόν; ἀλλ', εἰ δοκεῖ, πείσθητί μοι,
ὡς συγκηδεστῇ, καὶ φιλοῦντι, καὶ τὰ λῴονα συμβουλεύοντι· καὶ ἀπώθου τὴν κακίστην τυραννίδα, καὶ τῆς σωτηρίας ἀντιλαβοῦ, συγγνώμην
τοῦ σφάλματος αἰτησάμενος (ἐγὼ δὲ αὐτὸς ἐγγυῶμαι, μηδέν σε πείσεσθαι τῶν ἀηδῶν, οὔτε πρὸς τοῦ κρατοῦντος, οὔτε πρὸς ἄλλου
τινὸς, ἀλλὰ καὶ τῷ συνεπομένῳ σοι στίφει ἀμνηστεία τῆς προπετείας δοθήσεται)· καὶ μὴ βουληθῇς τὸν θυμὸν ἐξοπλίσαι κατὰ σοῦ
τὸν βασιλικὸν, ὃς ἀπαραίτητός ἐστι τοῖς εὐγνωμονεῖν οὐκ ἐθέλουσι. τῶν σεαυτοῦ λοιπὸν γενόμενος λογισμῶν μὴ προῇ τὴν ἐσχάτην
ἄγκυραν, ἀλλ', ἕως τὸ φιλάνθρωπον πρόκειται, ἄσπασαι τοῦτο, ὅπερ εἰσαῦθις ἐπιζητῶν οὐχ εὑρήσεις, καὶ πολλὰ καταθρηνήσεις,
σαυτὸν τῆς ἀβουλίας μεμφόμενος. Ὁ δὲ Φωκᾶς 119 Βάρδας, τὴν δύναμιν ἀναλεξάμενος τῆς γραφῆς, ἀμείβεται ταῦτα· Ἀγαθόν τι χρῆμα
καὶ θεῖον εἶναι τὴν συμβουλὴν ἐξεπίσταμαι, παλαιῶν βίβλους παραναγνοὺς καὶ αὐτός· ἰσχύειν δὲ ταύτην τηνικαῦτα λογίζομαι, ὁπηνίκα
θεραπείαν τὰ πράγματα δέχονται. ὅταν δὲ περὶ αὐτὰ τὰ καίρια κινδυνεύωσι, καὶ εἰς τὰ πύματα δεινὰ συνελαύνωνται, ἶσα καὶ τῷ
μηδὲν ἰσχύειν οἶμαι τὴν συμβουλήν. ἐγὼ γὰρ
