Historiae p.4 From the East, this man also rebels against him and, having prevailed, seizes the imperial power, giving an evil reward to the one who h
completely senseless of what is good, who, having set a goal among themselves to destroy Komnenos and thus also destroy the porphyrogennetos, the brot
he had claimed the inheritance, at the same time also securing his own safety, so that he might not suffer any of the terrible things such as the many
another born in the purple who had departed this life, had a greater right to rule? It is clear, therefore, that the famed Alexios among emperors, hav
after he had exercised tyrannical power for many years and had overthrown almost all the East, he was appointed ambassador, having tried to join toget
dull and slow to punish. There are many other proofs of the man's virtue, and not least his renunciation of the empire how, the narrative as it proce
had been demonstrated, Doukas led him with every honor, calling him lord and emperor and deeming him worthy of precedence whenever he came to him and
of Europe, since the descendants of Hagar, having risen in sedition against one another, divided the greatest dominion into many parts, one ruling one
while encouraging his people, when his horse slipped, he was thrown to the ground with it and, breaking his neck, was killed. And when this happened,
fitting, they were attacking the towns of Armeniakon to plunder them, he took up his forces and proceeded against the Turks and, encountering them sca
to leave her unconsoled in the greatness of her suffering, adding suffering to suffering, adding your long absence to his death.” Thus the emperor. An
being present and arranging the matters of war well. For wishing to draw the emperor forward and get him within his nets, he sent out skirmishers, who
Alyates, a Cappadocian man and an associate of the emperor, commanded the right wing, Bryennius himself the left, and the emperor held the center of t
to make a disposition of the whole. Thus it seemed also to the emperor Michael and he agreed with the purpose of his uncle but those who wished to re
he seizes. But having learned this, those around the emperor and the Caesar were considering whom they might set up as an opponent to him. It seemed b
the truth shone forth like a torch hidden under soot. But those who nourished the divine fear in their hearts and were in labor with a spirit of salva
entered thickets and were saved, but of the rest some fell, and others were taken captive. And so the phalanx of Diogenes was thus dissolved and scatt
having handled the matters of his elevation with skill, he was both cast down himself and brought down the affairs of the Romans with him how the one
Therefore, having encamped, they were considering how they might drive away the attacking Turks who were sacking the towns. 2.4 But so much for them.
one different from the others, Theodotos by name, said that what was happening was not a good omen for when the night comes on, they will flee at on
he hastened to the queen of cities in order to take up the gold and ransom his brother. Therefore, having collected this in a few days, he went away t
he began to speak: 2.10 To me, men, to make no attempt at all against the enemy, but instead to betray ourselves into slavery and obvious danger, see
they were trying to help Isaacius and the glorious Alexius, he himself by name called upon the glorious Alexius and implored him to help but he, imme
was deliberating, but seeing time was still being wasted, he was enraged for he wished to be rid of the fear from that man and thus to revel fearless
But he, choosing to face extreme danger for his father's own safety, turned back and thrust himself into the midst of the enemy and having struck down
the children's cots lay there. And when they saw the cot of the one who had escaped was empty, immediately each one, just as he was, beat the pedagogu
by many, and be destroyed, they selected a narrow plain, putting forward the river flowing down from Sophon as a rampart. But Artouch, having crossed
But when he was checking their assaults, he no longer waited for their incursions, but advancing on the forts held by the enemy, he set ambushes and s
to receive and, having dined with him, he finally arrests him and, having made him a prisoner, sends him to the stratopedarches, having taken hostages
a crowd is brought out and he is seen by all as if he were blind this act completely silenced the uproar. The commander of the army, then, having rec
As he was passing through the narrow straits and going down beside the sea towards Heracleia, Maurex met him, a man not of noble birth, but otherwise
he pretended to be friendly to the patriarch and behaved in a friendly manner towards him, but he was cultivating the magistrates. Therefore the doux,
3.τ Book 3 3.1 The preceding account makes clear, therefore, all that happened in the east after the deposition of the emperor Diogenes, and how many
were arranged and the nation of the Franks, having mastered Italy and Sicily, were plotting terrible things against the Romans, Michael planned for th
a guard had been entrusted, was going about in Odrysae towards the city formerly called Orestias, but now Adrianople, who, having stopped at a certain
he died with good hopes, leaving behind his most beloved child, but again the evil men seemed to be winning and the marriage was not taking place, as
impulse, but something that happened persuaded him on the following day, even unwillingly, to yield to their will. 3.9 For having encamped at Trajanop
having offered thanksgiving sacrifices, he returned home and was deliberating about what to do next, and he called all the generals and commanders to
Bryennius, seeing that the time of the siege was being wasted in vain, so that the army might not suffer further hardship, wanted to lift the siege, b
they tried to hinder his march with their arrows. But those around him, being brave, although few, nevertheless sallied out against the Turks and chec
he was pleased for since it was already a late hour, it seemed that some uproar and disturbance would happen in the city, if some were to be captured
I remained with the one in power until the end and, while all were turning to your rule, I myself have kept faith with him even until now, having sent
he hastened for the scepters of the kingdom, as much as possible, to win the goodwill of the citizens, especially when he learned about the affairs of
a man being both good in appearance and very skilled in conversation. When the ambassadors had approached and made the customary address for ambassado
he exercised and trained the soldiers through him. And whenever they were already able to ride safely and seemed to be adequately and skilfully traine
For on the evening before this, letters had been sent to him from the emperor ordering him not to fight, but to await the arrival of the allies recent
to wander, at a loss how, while they were fleeing, he both showed the horse and the broadswords and clearly proclaimed the death of Bryennios, and the
Now, the pursuers were not a great multitude, so their retreat was easy. But when many ran together and his horse was worn out and useless for running
Therefore, having taken him, he himself departed as if for Constantinople but the scarlet-dyed sandals, which that man used to wear when playing the
sleeping in his tent, without any delay he ordered everyone to arm themselves and immediately all were under arms. And when the sun was towards the we
recognizing Basilakes, he strikes him with his sword upon the helmet but with the sword having been broken near his hand and having fallen, Komnenos
counsel conquers many hands, which at that time received confirmation through his own deeds. For one man and one mind in a short time brought down th
he ordered the protovestiarios this was the eunuch John, who had long served him before his reign he was ambitious, if anyone ever was, and possesse
that campaign, being most experienced, and already seeing the imminent danger before his eyes, advised him to turn back. But he, receiving his words a
servants with another one of his servants, he went where they said Kontostephanos would be and seeing him calling out from afar, covering his head, he
he ordered the protovestiarios; this was the eunuch John, who had long served him before his reign; he was ambitious, if anyone ever was, and possessed an unsteady character. 4.32 So the Comnenus, having crossed over to Chrysopolis, handed over to him the armies and most of the commanders; but they, taking this badly, called back for the Comnenus again, having been long accustomed to him; but he restrained them, not wishing to take on such a task for the reason already mentioned. So, having handed over the armies to the said eunuch, and having thus taken leave of him, since he was about to depart, in the manner of youth, he wished to ride a farewell equestrian display for the soldiers. Therefore, giving full rein, he rode for the distance appropriate to such equestrian displays and stopped. At any rate, the eunuch John, as if forgetting himself, also gave rein in front of everyone and galloped; and immediately great laughter arose from all, and mocking him, they said to him the "clou clou" that is usually applied to eunuchs; but those around the Comnenus carefully restrained them. 4.33 Alexios, for his part, went to the emperor, who was staying in the palace; but the eunuch with all his forces set out against Melissenus and, having passed through the borders of Bithynia, encamped around a certain small fort, which they call Basileia, more than forty stades distant from Nicaea. And when he got there, both Palaiologos and his cousin Kourtikes advised him to plunder the things at hand as far as Nicaea, and to return by way of the lakeside road and besiege the small fort of Kyr George; which indeed they reached and immediately seized. Then, since the affairs, standing on a razor's edge, required counsel, all the chosen men of the army came to the eunuch's tent and considered whether they should besiege Nicaea, or go to Dorylaion and join battle with the sultan. But since George Palaiologos and his cousin Kourtikes, considering the war against Nicaea unprofitable, were silent, and some of the eunuch John's men, detecting this, whispered against them and made other accusations against them, the eunuch immediately declared fearlessly to all: "The emperor entrusted the command of the tagmata to me, and whatever I myself judge, this must be done." 4.34 But when Palaiologos saw that the war against Nicaea was preferred and that all had already gone to arms, guessing the outcome as one possessing much experience in military matters, he and Kourtikes spoke freely and said: "We ourselves are not ignorant that the emperor appointed you commander of the tagmata, and for this reason we have mostly been silent. But now, seeing the danger lying before us and fearing the anger to be brought upon us later by the emperor, we cannot be silent any longer. Know, therefore, that when we approach Nicaea and attempt to make an assault on it, the more daring of the soldiers will be wounded, and some will even be killed; for the battle from the ramparts against those outside is terrible; and the Turks stationed outside, upon learning of this siege, will immediately advance against us; and we, unable to withstand both those striking us from the walls and sallying from the gates and those falling upon us from outside, will of necessity be forced to retreat, and some, taking up their own wounded to nurse them, will depart wherever each one wishes, while others, overcome by grief for the slain, will be of no help to us at all." 4.35 But they were like men singing to the deaf; for that eunuch, taking no account of these words, took up his forces and proceeded straight to Nicaea and, having approached the walls, demanded that all surrender; but those inside, expecting the outside forces to come to their aid, deceiving him with deceitful words, put him off from day to day. But George Palaiologos, not bearing the irrational
πρωτοβεστιαρίῳ ἐκέλευεν· ἦν δ' οὗτος ὁ ἐκτομίας Ἰωάννης, πάλαι τούτῳ πρὸ τῆς βασιλείας ὑπηρετῶν· φιλόδοξος δὲ ἦν, εἴπερ τις
ἄλλος, καὶ τὸ ἦθος φέρων οὐ στάσιμον. 4.32 Ὁ Κομνηνὸς οὖν διαπεράσας ἐν Χρυσουπόλει πρὸς αὐτὸν πα ρεδίδου τὰ στρατεύματα καὶ
τῶν ἀρχόντων τοὺς πλείστους· οἱ δὲ βαρέως τοῦτο φέροντες τὸν Κομνηνὸν αὖθις ἀνεκαλοῦντο, συνήθη τοῦτον ἐκ μακροῦ ἔχοντες·
ὁ δὲ κατέστελλεν αὐτούς, μὴ βουλόμενος τὸ τοιοῦτον ἀναδύσασθαι ἔργον διὰ τὴν ῥηθεῖσαν αἰτίαν. Παραδοὺς τοίνυν τὰ στρατεύματα
πρὸς τὸν ῥηθέντα ἐκτομίαν, εἴθ' οὕτως συνταξάμενος τούτῳ, ἐπειδὴ ὑποχωρεῖν ἔμελλεν, οἷα τὰ τῆς νεότητος, καὶ τοῖς στρατιώταις
συντακτήριον ἱππασίαν ἱππάσασθαι ἤθελεν. Ἐνδοὺς οὖν ὅλους ῥητῆρας, ὁπόσον διάστημα ταῖς τοιαύταις ἱππηλασίαις προσήκει ἐξιππασάμενος
ἔστη. Ὁ γοῦν ἐκτομίας Ἰωάννης ἐπιλαθόμενος οἷον ἑαυτοῦ καὶ τὸν χαλινὸν ἐνδοὺς ἁπάντων ἐνώπιον καὶ αὐτὸς ἤλαυνεν· εὐθὺς δὲ
γέλως ὦρτο πολὺς παρὰ πάντων καὶ καταμωκησάμενοι τούτου τὸ συνήθως τοῖς ἐκτομίαις ἐπαγόμενον "κλοῦ κλοῦ" πρὸς τοῦτον ἔλεγον·
οἱ δὲ περὶ τὸν Κομνηνὸν ἐπιμελῶς τούτους κατέστελλον. 4.33 Ὁ μὲν οὖν Ἀλέξιος πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα ἀπῄει ἐν τοῖς βασιλείοις διάγοντα·
ὁ δὲ ἐκτομίας σὺν πάσαις δυνάμεσιν ὥρμησε κατὰ τοῦ Μελισσηνοῦ καὶ τὰ Βιθυνῶν διελθὼν ὅρια ἐστρατοπέδευσε περί τι καστέλλιον,
ὃ καλοῦσι Βασιλεία, πλεῖον ἢ τεσσαράκοντα σταδίων Νικαίας ἀπέχον. Ἐκεῖσε δὲ γενομένῳ συνεβούλευον ὅ τε Παλαιολόγος καὶ ὁ τούτου
ἐξάδελφος Κουρτίκης ληΐσασθαι τὰ παρατυχόντα ἄχρι Νικαίας, ὑποστρέψαι δὲ διὰ τῆς παραλιμνίου καὶ πολιορκῆσαι τὸ τοῦ κυροῦ
Γεωργίου καστέλλιον· ὃ δὴ καὶ καταλαβόντες αὐτίκα κατέσχον. Εἶτα, ἐπεὶ βουλῆς ἐδεῖτο τὰ πράγματα ἐπὶ ξυροῦ ἱστάμενα, ἅπαντες
οἱ τοῦ στρατοῦ λογάδες εἰς τὴν σκηνὴν τοῦ ἐκτομίου γενόμενοι διεσκοποῦντο εἴτε τὴν Νίκαιαν πολιορκῆσαι δεῖ, εἴτε εἰς τὸ ∆ορύλαιον
ἀπελθόντας μετὰ τοῦ σουλτάνου συνάψαι πόλεμον. Ἐπεὶ δὲ ὁ Παλαιολόγος Γεώργιος καὶ ὁ τούτου ἐξάδελφος Κουρτίκης ἀσύμφορον τὸν
κατὰ τῆς Νικαίας πόλεμον ἡγούμενοι ἐσίγων τοῦτό τέ τινες τῶν ἐκ τοῦ ἐκτομίου Ἰωάννου φωρασάμενοι ὑποψιθυ ρίζουσι κατ' αὐτῶν
καὶ ἄλλα κατειπόντες αὐτῶν, εὐθὺς ἀπεφοίβασεν ὁ ἐκτομίας πρὸς ἅπαντας· "Τὴν ἐξουσίαν τῶν ταγμάτων ἐμοὶ ἀνέθετο ὁ βασιλεὺς
καὶ ὅπως ἂν αὐτὸς κρίνω τοῦτο δέον ἐστὶ γίνεσθαι". 4.34 Ὡς δὲ ἐθεάσατο ὁ Παλαιολόγος τὸν κατὰ τῆς Νικαίας πόλεμον προκριθέντα
καὶ πάντας πρὸς τὰ ὅπλα ἤδη χωρήσαντας, στοχασάμενος ὡς περὶ τὰ στρατιωτικὰ πολλὴν ἐμπειρίαν κεκτημένος τοῦ ἀποβησομένου,
παρρησιασάμενος αὐτός τε καὶ ὁ Κουρτίκης φησίν· "Οὐδ' αὐτοὶ ἀγνοοῦμεν ὅτι σε τῶν ταγμάτων ὁ βασιλεὺς ἡγεμόνα προεχειρίσατο
καὶ διὰ τοῦτο τὰ πολλὰ ἐσιγῶμεν. Νῦν δὲ ἐφορώμενοι τὸν προκείμενον κίνδυνον καὶ τὴν ἐκ βασιλέως ἐς ὕστερον ἐπενεχθησομένην
ἡμῖν ὀργὴν δεδιότες, ἐπὶ πλεῖον σιγᾶν οὐ δυνάμεθα. Ἴσθι τοίνυν ὡς, ἡνίκα τῇ Νικαίᾳ πλησιάσωμεν καὶ ταύτης ἀπόπειραν ἐπιχειρήσωμεν
ποιεῖσθαι, οἱ τολμηρότεροι τῶν στρατιωτῶν πληγήσονται, οἱ δὲ καὶ ἀναιρεθήσονται· δεινὸς γὰρ ὁ ἀπὸ τῶν ἐπάλξεων τοῖς ἔξωθεν
πόλεμος· οἱ δὲ ἔξωθεν κείμενοι Τοῦρκοι τῆς πολιορκίας ταύτης αἰσθόμενοι εὐθὺς καθ' ἡμῶν χωρήσουσιν· ἡμεῖς δὲ πρός τε τοὺς
ἀπὸ τῶν τειχῶν ἡμᾶς βάλλοντας καὶ τῶν πυλῶν ἐξιόντας πρός τε τοὺς ἔξωθεν καθ' ἡμῶν ἐπεισπεσόντας ἀντέχειν μὴ δυνάμενοι, ἐξ
ἀνάγκης ὀπισθόρμητοι γενησόμεθα, καὶ οἱ μὲν τοὺς τετρωμένους τῶν ἰδίων ἀναλαβόμενοι ἐφ' ᾧ θεραπεῦσαι αὐτοὺς ὅπη βουλητὸν ἕκαστος
ἀπελεύσεται, οἱ δὲ κάτοχοι τῇ λύπῃ τῶν ἀποκτανθέντων γεγονότες παρ' οὐδὲν ἡμᾶς ὠφελήσουσιν". 4.35 Οἱ δὲ παρὰ κωφῷ ᾄδειν ἐῴκεισαν·
οὐδένα γὰρ λόγον τούτων ποιησάμενος ὁ ἐκτομίας ἐκεῖνος τὰς δυνάμεις ἀναλαβόμενος εὐθὺ Νικαίας ἐχώρει καὶ δὴ τοῖς τείχεσι προσπελάσας
ᾐτεῖτο πάντας παραδοθῆναι· οἱ δ' ἐντὸς τὰς ἔξωθεν προσδοκοῦντες δυνάμεις εἰς ἀρωγὴν αὐτῶν ἐλεύσεσθαι, λόγοις ἀπατηλοῖς τοῦτον
ἐξαπατῶντες ἡμέραν ἐξ ἡμέρας ὑπερετίθεντο. Ὁ δὲ Παλαιολόγος Γεώργιος, μὴ φέρων τὴν παράλογον
