Chronographia

 The lord chamberlain was like an athlete and a combatant, while the emperor basil was the spectator, not so that he might crown the other, but so that

 Accustomed to ambushes and pitched battles, but more effective and valiant than him in hand-to-hand actions for indeed he who received a blow from hi

 Having driven them from the camp, they killed them all utterly and breaking camp, as if from the same impulse of the soul, they turned themselves to

 Of equal measure as if by a ruler in size, armed with a sword in the right hand and being irresistible in their charge, having set these men with him

 1.20 from this point, for basil the change was not an end of evils, but a beginning and a starting-point for immediately the emperor, having reviewed

 They became fugitives from that man and again departed, having arranged themselves on their own and, as if a broken-off part, allotted to a rank equal

 He bared his feet of the purple-dyed sandal, but as if reserving for himself a part of the tyranny he approached the emperor basil, however, seeing h

 He would suggest, and his speech held nothing terrible, nor anything elaborate. 1.31 bringing the kingdom down, therefore, from an arrogant and enviou

 He considered the unbroken formation, and by this alone he thought the roman phalanxes were invincible. but when the soldiers were burdened by the toi

 To have become emperors for from his birth until the twentieth year of his age he reigned as co-emperor in a subordinate position with his father and

 From an early age, having done away with the company of tutors, he acquired bedfellows and chamberlains for himself and these were neither of noble n

 Becoming benumbed, they indicated the multitude of both their thoughts and their words with certain signs. 2.7 and being large in body, so as to stand

 Man) is received into the palace for a marriage alliance with the emperor and the most beautiful of constantine's daughters is both seen by him and l

 Was, but a most true understanding, would have been of great benefit <ἂν> to the whole. whence he accomplished nothing more than the attempts, but rat

 He might make, or rather if he should multiply the roman army, he would become unbearable to anyone, advancing with so great a multitude both of his o

 The emperor. 3.10 so some ran in disorder, while the enemy became mere spectators of the unexpected victory, astounded as if at those who had been tur

 The rivers of money were diverted. that this is so, the account will show more clearly. 3.13 this emperor was eager to seem pious and he was indeed t

 Unformed, by which another temple is built up within us, well-pleasing and acceptable to the lord? but that man knew how to philosophize in his inquir

 Brilliant and truly rosy-cheeked. the brother, since it seemed good to him, brought this man to be seen by the emperor, who was sitting with the empre

 And some things he saw with his own eyes, and others he had heard, but he, as if willingly, both closed his eyes again and stopped up the passages of

 And sleep, settling on the tips of his eyes, quickly flew away, and all difficult things had befallen him: harshness of character, a disagreeable disp

 Having received [the confirmation] of his death through sight. but he, groaning something heavy and deep, looked about here and there, being unable to

 They all went away to honour the departed emperor as was fitting and one of those preceding the bier was the new emperor's brother, john the eunuch,

 He discerned the manifold nature of providence, and how great a share of the circumstances the cares of state collect for a true king, he was altogeth

 Terrifying, he caused distress even by his appearance for most people, shuddering at his appearance, refrained from evil deeds. and so he was truly a

 He was unwilling to make them accountable for what they had done, but covering up their unjust deeds, he courted even more freedom for their opinions,

 But his mind was restored to him, free. but whenever he went forth on foot or on horseback, a guard was present around him, and turning about, they sa

 Let it be left alone for now». but he, seizing upon the remark: 'do not suppose,' he says, 'o emperor, that you have escaped the ears of the multitud

 The emperor, i know not whether he immediately repented of what had been done, or was otherwise disposed towards his nephew, neither paid attention to

 Secretly forming images, and as if pre-engraving what he had decided to do later, he ran down his whole family, and planned to destroy all those who h

 He was planning to be delivered from the pollutions that had been attached to his soul. 4.33 so some of those who are not very well-disposed towards h

 At once having changed their habit and way of life, and having been enlisted for god, a band of youths into a register of virtues. 4.37 and he did not

 Testifying for himself from his own loins, but having either fashioned or revealed something like a sprout from that root, he cleverly persuades them,

 Strengthening, he both mounted the horse and held his seat firmly and skillfully managed it with the bridle, then he followed, joining the sections, a

 They are reconciled to each other, and from then on they lived together, and conversed with one another, except that each suspected the other. 4.49 bu

 Fleece of christ, and taking the covering from his head, they place upon it the helmet of salvation then indeed, having armed his chest and back with

 Of a brother of superior intelligence, that they should think anything noble either about the empire or about the state of public affairs, whence they

 He varied, now not waiting for his opinion in imperial affairs, and now doing and saying something else which he knew that man would not tolerate. 5.7

 The matter fanned him into hatred and anger. from this a hatred for the whole family smoldered in him but he did not immediately attempt to destroy t

 Would supplicate and entreat him, and transfer him more quickly to the imperial courts. and as he withdrew, his own bodyguard followed, and a great mu

 Ministered. 5.16 but his plans were thus being brought to completion, and he was winning over the chosen populace of the city and all those who belong

 Ours but let this, as it has more objections from either side, be moved to another inquiry. 5.20 the emperor at that time, then, concealing the natur

 He personifies the action and introduces a scene, and reveals to the senate, supposedly, the things being planned against him by her, and how he had s

 Were seen outside the women's quarters, coming forth in public and shouting and beating their breasts and terribly lamenting over the suffering of the

 But now the rebellion became manifest, and the people gathered in companies, and the encampment had become formidable, then indeed he was terribly agi

 She did not share power, but she was exceptionally honored, and she partook of the splendor in the palace next after her sister but since kinship is

 To the city, immediately every soul which until this point had been fearful and trembling is lifted up and some were offering thanks-offerings to god

 5.43 the nobelissimos, then, answered me with such words but the one who had been tyrant, gently shaking his head and with difficulty releasing a tea

 They lead them out but they had not yet gone far on the road when those who had been ordered to put out their eyes met them. and having made the sent

 Invites him and makes him a partner in the state. and she did so but theodora does not entirely put aside her respect for her sister, nor does she ta

 And her hand was most sharply prepared for both equally, i mean for death and for life, and in this respect she resembled the waves of the sea that bo

 6.9 to many, therefore, it seems that only now for the first time have the nations around us poured over the roman frontiers, bursting in all at once

 Romanus, then, not being very jealous, turned a deaf ear to such a rumor. but michael removed him from the palace and, under the pretext of a more ven

 Michael, who indeed after romanos had ascended to power for this reason, even when he became emperor, he did not abandon his jealousy against that ma

 Having passed over for reasons i shall state the things done by some, or changing it otherwise, not making a history, but fabricating events as if on

 Unconquerable, but the character of each is from the majority, how i should be ashamed to say if anything has not also been done by him justly and fit

 Having transferred proud offices this, then, at that time brought forth ceremonies and festivals, and the entire city was in a state of excitement, a

 To shape the tongue for seemliness with words, and to purify the mind with philosophy, not having long mastered rhetorical speeches, so as to be able

 It only bubbles with the great stream of words, and concerns itself with the composition of the parts of speech, and has put forth certain discourses

 Are brought to light together, but for others, not only have other things miscarried, but even the matters of their speech are not well-organized. 6.4

 Had preceded, he would have immediately offended them, had it not seemed good even so to his wife, whether because she concealed her jealousy, or beca

 6.55 so he would pretend each time that something or other was being built, and would often go away during the month, on the pretext of inspecting som

 And as she narrated, indescribable graces surrounded her. at any rate, she captivated me by often asking again and again about greek myths, and she he

 Was kindled for her, and of the attendants, one would divide the quantities of spices, another would mix them together, and another did something else

 To come, but nevertheless he revelled in his thoughts but this cut off his reflections and her hopes, and a sudden disease took hold, opposed to ever

 I now forbear to detail the action, but i have chosen to walk a middle road between those who have written of the antiquities of elder rome's leadersh

 And struck from the side. 6.78 but since we had been despoiled of italy and had been deprived of the most august part of the empire, the second michae

 6.83 such, then, were the circumstances concerning him but the emperor, when he had learned both of the murder of the ambassador and of the usurper's

 Delivered from the wave and having taken a short breath, he sends up voices of thanksgiving to god, and fixes the head high up on the great theatre, s

 And he, having survived in his reign for a short time, passed away, and the rule fell to a certain obscure michael, against him they indeed armed thei

 From below they tried to bore through but those above were throwing stones and swords and when fire was also hurled upon them, and their eyes were a

 That was unshaken, not supported by natural foundations, but by firmness of calculation and better judgment. but this part i have not yet indeed perce

 Had contrived exile for him. 6.101 but even when the man had gone abroad, rumor followed him again or rather, most people, having taken this as a pre

 To punish for these reasons, before they were caught, they made it their business to anticipate him. 6.104 gathering, therefore, suddenly and unexpec

 6.107 this was the state of affairs, and the tyrant, having sped like the wind with his entire army, encamped somewhere before the city, and what was

 Insulting and dancing over them. and when he saw some of these things and heard others, and i was standing near him, treating some of the things said

 As many as happened to be standing by the emperor for they thought the tyrant would enter immediately and everyone would be destroyed. 6.114 and if a

 Were thrown off from their aim within but then those who were pulling back the engine more vigorously, having swung back the sling, hurl one of the l

 Placing his trust in the oaths, was not proved false. so, some of them had fled into one of the holy sanctuaries, and drawing their swords they threat

 He showed a sun-like and fiery head, but as much as was on his chest and belly down to his feet and the opposite parts, it showed full of whatever mea

 6.130 but i, even while writing of this man, am utterly astonished how at that time he endured, though assailed by such great pains for paralysis upo

 Was corrupted, and anyone who wishes is made a citizen. indeed, one might find among us more wearers of goatskin who have changed their dress at any

 As far as he had advanced, and how the emperor, having been unfortunate, was again fortunate against expectations. the emperor had a spirit cheerful f

 Being announced by his finding.” so he went away at once to enjoy the agreed upon pleasures and when his banquets came to an end, he came in the even

 For no small portion of flatterers was maintained by him, and one of the leaders with him, having made him entirely his own, happened to be the first

 A symposium on these occasions more splendid than usual, and the emperor himself was host and master of the feast, but the chief among the guests was

 All of our honorable things and those by which the roman empire was formerly envied. 6.154 and i, both then, was lamenting, seeing everything so consu

 Her eyes poured forth with speech. 6.158 and having become the most ambitious of all women, and for this reason corrupting everything along with it, b

 To hang from the tongue? 6.162 but i know not how i shall both preserve the truth of the history, and apportion to him the fitting reverence and yet

 I will make clear that which lies in the midst of our discussion and is doubtful to both those who praise and those who blame i lift out from the oth

 Flew down, some angel or a more divine soul, watching over the good governance of men and visiting the cities. -“but i am he for you,” the emperor had

 Stealing the truth. 6.177 i, at any rate, hold to the true story and place these things far from the circle of his good qualities, just as, indeed, th

 Makes him an initiator and an initiated, which the discourse as it proceeds will speak of more completely. 6.182 these things, therefore, being disput

 Flowing from a center with an abundant stream, it ran over the whole surface without interval and houses around with colonnades on all sides and on b

 They might increase, since they are not able to remain still, by the continuity of their movements they slide downhill, this indeed he himself did not

 But he was stricken in his soul because he was about to be deprived immediately of such a man. 6.196 at any rate, the event immediately allowed me nei

 And having snatched beforehand the better life. but when he had despaired of gentle persuasion, abandoning the fox’s skin he put on the lion’s, and ra

 To oppose himself, changing with and revolving with that one, but he is composed truly, not rhetorically, being assimilated to and sympathizing, as it

 She entrusted this office, knowing that he would very quickly be overthrown, being set forth as an occasion of envy for his messmates but seeking the

 Incorruptible by money but if someone dining with him showed a cheerful face and “stretched forth his hands to the good cheer lying ready,” as the po

 If she wanted a secret matter or to do something else of the hidden things, she would share with me the plan and the counsel. 6 τηεοδ.14 and so when i

 Ferrying across, but those imitating them in appearance, but acting hypocritically in their opinions i mean the nazirites among us, who, being refash

 They take hold of the scepters, and to these they first give both voice and sight who, as soon as they leap upon them and utter buffoonish cries, and

 They withdrew. but being men of the east and truly neighbors, they were separated from each other by short distances. for these reasons, after waiting

 With nothing new having happened, they neither planned against what had been dared, nor did they move the remaining divisions against their formations

 A shout and an attack, but immediately gave way and was scattered, fearing that the victors might turn against them, and strengthening the fugitives t

 I submit. -and what is this, he says, that you hold in reverence yourself and yet do not fully trust the embassy? -the man to whom you order me to cro

 Us, he dismissed us to the tents, which had been pitched in order very near his own. so as we departed, we marveled at the man, that he did not at onc

 Fearsome both in their looks and in their bearing, both groups with grey-blue eyes, but some adulterating the color, and emptying the edges of their e

 I praised the reasonable course of advancing to imperial rule, and that such is the order: action, then indeed contemplation, and the practical man fi

 You have, instead of these good tidings i shall be torn to pieces by your hands, are you not confirming the tyranny and becoming your own accusers? bu

 After many days have passed, i will make this man a partner in the imperial power, having made necessary pretexts for his elevation to this but if i

 And shouting aloud, they cursed the emperor and uttered every ill-omened word against him, but they acclaimed isaac as the only one most worthy of the

 To their supporters. and so they stand towards one another, the luminary returns, and immediately everything was made manifest. 7.40 at any rate the w

 Comnenus, a man vigorous in all things, immediately takes charge of the whole and begins the business of the empire from the very starting line for h

 He was known by his words. 7.48 for indeed he was, if anyone else, most concise in speech, neither letting his tongue run on at length, nor inadequate

 To remove the superfluities, but to introduce equalities, and to tear down some things, but build up others, to heal the inner parts, and to breathe i

 Having brought it into its entrails, he took away what was natural, and deprived it of a civilized and political life, and almost drove it mad and mad

 Building up, but the other, so that those who were by nature idle and useless for the order of the state might live in luxury and dishonor the reality

 He ran through the whole world, and was crowned with every victory, and none of the emperors of old would have challenged him but his lack of restrai

 Daring, and resisting all winds, some of them sank, snatched by the waves, while others were driven more violently away but for him the mixture of hi

 Having slightly warmed the cut limbs of the horse, they devour them with the gore, and thus having refreshed themselves, they rush to the nearest huts

 For the crane fell, dancing its death-dance, and now showing its front, now its back. 7.73 the emperor, then, delighting in both kinds of hunting, so

 To lay a hand on the wrist, the first of the physicians, and there is no need to say his name: but do not even diagnose the artery, he says for th

 Then indeed do you not pity us for our desolation? and what sort of soul do you have, that you withdraw yourself from the palace, but leave to me a mo

 Saying and preserving what was fitting for him for this man feared not those who hated him, but those who were attached to him, and he blocked every

 I might boast so much, but the emperor himself would know, how as a counterweight i was a counterweight, and i was assisting matters as they were carr

 7 xonst.5 thus then having sketched him in outline, i shall at once write more broadly and articulate, just as indeed i promised to do for this wonder

 As the account has detailed the whole matter in the histories concerning comnenus. 7 xonst.8 the entire multitude, then, had assented to and inclined

 Around midnight he rouses himself a little, and realizing in what circumstances he <is>, and despairing of everything, and having seen the reigning em

 This brought down the empire of the romans and changed matters for the worse, and yet i myself often tried to remove this malady from this emperor bu

 Having gathered them, he sent them against those men, and god works a wonder, not less than the mosaic prodigies for as if seeing a stronger phalanx,

 When they conspired against him, that he should not deprive these men of honour and money, but should treat them as purchased slaves instead of free m

 She kept her judgment in all respects and i would make this defense for her, that even if she had changed at all, she was not overcome by pleasures n

 The mother was sitting by the child's bed arise, she said, my most beautiful of sons and emperor, and receive your stepfather, not as a ruler in p

 Guessing reasonably. 7 ευδ,ρομ.13 he had set out, at any rate, against the barbarians with his whole army, knowing neither where he was going nor what

 These, as spring was dawning, were plundering the land of the romans and overrunning it in great numbers he therefore went out again, bringing with h

 Some wanted the mother to be completely inactive, while others assigned the whole of the rule once again to her. but neither of these pleased me, for

 7 eud,rom.29 so they indeed were thus but we with the empress, among whom i also happened to be, being ignorant of the affair, had become all but pet

 When he was emperor, confessing thanks to him for his misfortune, bringing many soldiers he approaches this man, and urging him to be of good courage

 He was seen with goodwill the second time, as much as the first time with hostility and he stood with andronikos, partly encouraging him, and partly

 Was cast down and lamented but not even when the capture of diogenes was announced to the emperor, did he show any leap of joy, or display any other

 A change of ideas, innovation, the poetic construction of his speech, and before all these things his love for philosophy, the height of his spiritual

 7 μιξη.8 these things, then, are common for him towards all, but his feelings toward the author have no rivalry or comparison with others for he has

 7 mixe.13 so they say that heracles saw ajax, son of telamon, while he was still being nursed and wrapped him in the lionskin, but i have often embrac

 Becomes for us a source of much reverence, but being moderate everywhere and mixing seriousness with play, in this alone he is not to be restrained, n

 And the creators of the whispered rumors, the wicked men who sow tares and who, out of sheer malice, fabricate things that are not, whose irrational o

ferrying across, but those imitating them in appearance, but acting hypocritically in their opinions; I mean the Nazirites among us, who, being refashioned towards the divine, or rather being ordained to be fashioned, before they have transcended human nature, conduct themselves among us like some demigods, and they neglect the divine matters of others, for they neither regulate souls toward better things, nor do they quell the passions within us, nor do they place a bridle on some, nor bring their words like goads upon others, but overlooking these things as small, some prophesy the future and announce the divine will, while others even alter the fixed boundaries, and they abrogate some and add to others, and they make our partial nature immortal and they halt for us our natural motion, and they confirm their own words, because they always carry iron like the ancient Acarnanians, and they walk on air for a long time, from which they slip down very quickly, whenever they smell the savor of an earthly offering; such men I have often seen and condemned; these men indeed have also deceived the empress that she would be ever-living, and for this reason she nearly would have been destroyed herself and would have utterly destroyed the state of affairs. 6 τηεοδ.19 But they indeed were inventing for her endless ages and lives, but she had come near to her fate, I mean, using the word figuratively; for in fulfilling the limit of her life she approached the very end; indeed a most terrible illness seized her; for her excretory faculty having failed brought down her appetite and was discharged through the parts of her mouth, then flowing away all at once and nearly expelling everything within, had left her with few breaths; When, therefore, all had given her up, I mean all those who attended her, immediately also concerning everything, but also concerning themselves they set a purpose, and they begin deliberations; and I say these things not having heard them from someone, but having been present myself at what was decided and deliberated, seeing with my eyes and hearing with my ears, how for them, as in a game of dice, the affairs of the empire were being turned. 6 τηεοδ. For the sun had not yet stood at its midday peak, and the empress was breathing little and was expected to die immediately, but those around the tribunal, gathered in the same place and having their leader in their midst, were in deliberations about whom indeed they would set over affairs before the others, one who would both hold on to them and be ever-stable and would guard their prosperity. The one, therefore, whom they preferred over the others I do not wish to describe now, but I will not declare that they had entirely missed the best aim, except insofar as that man was not the sort to rule, but rather to be ruled and to be led; and he was near summer and within the four-month period; for all the hairs of his head were turning silver. 6 τηεοδ.21 They persuaded her therefore to deem this man worthy of the crown; and she was immediately persuaded, and she bound his head with a diadem and proclaimed him emperor; then indeed having remained in power for some short time, lacking one hour of a full year <τετελεύτηκε>, and Michael had become master of all, <μέλλων> be deprived of it immediately, wishing to speak about him I will set forth the account a little. 7.τ SEVENTH VOLUME MICHAEL VI - ISAAC KOMNENOS 7.1τ Beginning of the reign of Michael the Elder; this man ruled for 1 year. It somehow seems to those who have just obtained the throne to be sufficient for the security of their power, if the civil class acclaims them; for being near their doors, they think, if things from them are well for them, that they have been securely established in power; hence indeed at the same time as the

διαπορθμεύοντες, ἀλλ' οἱ ἐκείνους τῷ μὲν σχήματι μιμούμενοι, ταῖς δὲ γνώ μαις ὑποκρινόμενοι· λέγω δὲ τοὺς καθ' ἡμᾶς Ναζιραίους, οἳ πρὸς τὸ θεῖον μεταπλαττόμενοι, μᾶλλον δὲ νομοθετούμε νοι καταπλάττεσθαι, πρὶν ἢ τὴν ἀνθρωπίνην φύσιν ὑπεξελ θεῖν ὡς ἡμίθεοί τινες παρ' ἡμῖν ἀναστρέφονται, καὶ τῶν μὲν ἄλλων κατολιγωροῦσι τοῦ θείου, οὔτε γὰρ ψυχὰς πρὸς τὰ κρείττω ῥυθμίζουσιν, οὐ τὰ ἐν ἡμῖν πάθη κοιμίζουσιν, οὐ τοῖς μὲν ἐντιθέασι χαλινὸν, τοῖς δὲ οἷα κέντρα τοὺς λόγους ἐπάγουσιν, ἀλλὰ ταῦτα ὡς μικρὰ παραβλέποντες, οἱ μὲν χρησμολογοῦσι τὴν πρόρρησιν καὶ τὸ θεῖον ἐξαγγέλ λουσι βούλημα, οἱ δὲ καὶ τοὺς πεπηγότας ὅρους μετατι θέασι, καὶ τοὺς μὲν ἀναλύουσι, τοῖς δὲ προστιθέασιν, ἀπ αθανατίζουσί τε τὴν μερικὴν φύσιν καὶ ἱστῶσιν ἡμῖν τὴν φυσικὴν κίνησιν, βεβαιοῦσι δὲ τοὺς αὐτῶν λόγους, ὅτι σιδη ροφοροῦσιν ἀεὶ κατὰ τοὺς παλαιοὺς Ἀκαρνᾶνας, καὶ αἰθε ροβατοῦσιν ἐπὶ χρόνον μακρὸν, ἀφ' ὧν κατολισθαίνουσι τάχιστα, ἐπειδὰν ἐπιγείου αἴσθωνται κνίσσης· ὁποίους ἐγὼ πολλάκις ἑωράκειν καὶ κατεγνώκειν· οὗτοι δὴ καὶ τὴν βασι λίδα ἐξηπατήκασιν ὡς ἐσομένην ἀείζωον, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο ἐκείνη μικροῦ δεῖν αὐτή τε διέφθαρτ' ἂν καὶ τὰ πράγματα πάντη διέφθειρεν. 6 τηεοδ.19 Ἀλλ' ἐκεῖνοι μὲν αἰῶνας ἀπείρους καὶ ζωὰς ἐκείνῃ ἔπλαττον, ἡ δ' ἐγγὺς ἐγεγόνει τοῦ εἱμαρτοῦ, λέγω δὲ τῇ φωνῇ καταχρώμενος· τὸν γάρ τοι τῆς ζωῆς ὅρον πλη ροῦσα αὐτῷ δὴ τῷ τέλει προσήγγισε· νόσος γε μὴν αὐτὴν αἱρεῖ δεινοτάτη· ἡ γὰρ ἀποκριτικὴ αὐτῇ ὑποκλάσασα δύνα μις τήν τε ὀρεκτικὴν κατήνεγκε καὶ τοῖς τοῦ στόματος ἀπεπεφόρτιστο μέρεσιν, ἔπειτ' ἀθρόον διαρρυεῖσα καὶ τὸ ἐντὸς μικροῦ δεῖν ξύμπαν ἀποβαλοῦσα, ἐν ὀλίγαις ἐκείνην καταλελοίπει ταῖς ἐκπνοαῖς· ἐπεὶ γοῦν αὐτὴν ξύμπαντες ἀπεγνώκεισαν, λέγω δὲ τούτους ὁπόσοι περὶ ἐκείνην ἐστρέ φοντο, αὐτίκα καὶ περὶ τοῦ παντὸς, ἀλλὰ καὶ περὶ ἑαυτῶν σκοπὸν τίθενται, καὶ βουλευμάτων κατάρχουσι· λέγω δὲ ταῦτα οὐ παρά του ἀκηκοὼς, ἀλλ' αὐτὸς τοῖς γε γνωσθεῖσι καὶ βουλευθεῖσι παραγενόμενος, ὀφθαλμοῖς τε ὁρῶν καὶ ὠσὶν ἀκούων, ὅπως αὐτοῖς ὥσπερ ἐν κύβων παιδιαῖς τὰ τῆς βασιλείας ἐστρέφετο πράγματα. 6 τηεοδ. Οὔπω μὲν γὰρ ὁ ἥλιος τὸ μεσημβρινὸν κατὰ κορυ φὴν εἱστήκει, καὶ ἡ μὲν βασιλὶς ὀλίγον ἀνέπνει καὶ αὐτίκα τεθνήξεσθαι ἐπίδοξος ἦν, οἱ δὲ περὶ τὸ βῆμα εἰς ταὐτὸ συνειλεγμένοι καὶ ἐν μέσῳ τὸν κορυφαῖον ἔχοντες, ἐν σκέμ μασιν ἦσαν τίνα δὴ πρὸ τῶν ἄλλων τοῖς πράγμασιν ἐπιστή σουσιν, ἀνθεξόμενόν τε αὐτῶν καὶ ἀειπαγῆ καὶ τὴν εὐδαι μονίαν φυλάξοντα. Ὃν μὲν οὖν τῶν ἄλλων προκεκρίκασιν οὐ νῦν χαρακτηρίζειν βεβούλημαι, οὐ πάντη δὲ τούτους ἀποφανοῦμαι διημαρτηκέναι τοῦ ἀρίστου σκοποῦ, εἰ μὴ ὅσον τοιοῦτος ἐκεῖνος ἦν οὐχ οἷος ἄρχειν, ἀλλ' ἄρχεσθαι μᾶλλον καὶ ἄγεσθαι· ἦν δὲ καὶ τοῦ θέρους ἐγγὺς καὶ τοῦ τετραμήνου ἐντός· αἱ γὰρ τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ τρίχες ὑπαρ γυρίζουσι ξύμπασαι. 6 τηεοδ.21 Τοῦτον γοῦν ἐκείνην πεπείκασιν ἀξιῶσαι τοῦ στέμματος· ἡ δὲ πείθεταί τε αὐτίκα, καὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν ται νιοῖ καὶ ἀναδείκνυσιν αὐτοκράτορα· εἶτα δή τινα βραχὺν ἐπιμείνασα χρόνον τῷ κράτει, ἐνιαυσίου ὥρας δεούσης μιᾶς <τετελεύτηκε>, καὶ ὁ Μιχαὴλ τῶν ὅλων ἐγκρατὴς ἐγεγόνει, αὐτίκα στερήσεσθαι <μέλλων>, περὶ οὗ ἐρεῖν βουλόμενος βραχύ τι προσκαταστήσω τὸν λόγον. 7.τ ΤΟΜΟΣ ΕΒ∆ΟΜΟΣ ΜΙΧΑΗΛ ϟʹ- ΙΣΑΑΚΙΟΣ ΚΟΜΝΗΝΟΣ 7.1τ Ἀρχὴ δὲ τῆς βασιλείας Μιχαὴλ τοῦ Γέροντος· ὁ τοιοῦτος ἐκράτησεν ἔτος αʹ. ∆οκεῖ πως τοῖς ἄρτι βασιλεύειν λαχοῦσιν ἀρκεῖν εἰς ἕδραν τοῦ κράτους, ἢν τὸ πολιτικὸν γένος τούτους κατευ φημήσωσιν· ἀγχίθυροι γὰρ αὐτοῖς ὄντες, οἴονται, εἰ τὰ παρὰ τούτων αὐτοῖς εὖ ἕξει, ἀρραγῶς κατησφαλίσθαι τῷ κράτει· ἔνθεν τοι ἅμα τε τῶν