Ecclesiastical History of Anastasius Bibliothecarius

ANASTASIUS THE LIBRARIAN ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY CONTRACTED FROM NICEPHORUS THE PATRIARCH, GEORGE SYNCELLUS, AND THEOPHANES.

CARLO ANNIBALE FABROTTI, J.C., TO THE READER.

We now bring to light for the first time the Ecclesiastical History of Anastasius, excerpted from the Greek works of Nicephorus, George Syncellus, and Theophanes. How worthy of estimation this history is, those who have read Theophanes speaking in Greek will not be ignorant; he follows matters pertaining both to Roman and Byzantine affairs with no less fidelity than diligence. Anastasius translated almost the whole of this into Latin with not unsuccessful results. Whoever loves the truth will certainly not deny this, for there are many things in the Greek Theophanes that are barbarous, which would pose a problem even to men most learned in Greek today. Our mixo-barbarous glossaries—which will also be able to provide a torch for interpreting other authors of a later age—will bear witness to this. That some things are barbarous and redolent of the misfortune of those times in this version, I would indeed not deny; but these are defects of an unlearned age rather than of the writers, whose purpose was to benefit posterity by their records, not to seek the beauties of the Latin language and the flowers of eloquence in barren soil. ^A Moreover, Reader, you should be briefly advised of what we have achieved in editing Anastasius. We have collated the Roman exemplar, transmitted to us from Rome by the kindness of the most eminent Cardinal Francesco Barberini, the parent of letters, and by the labor of Lucas Holstenius, a man of great learning, with a codex of the best quality, which the most celebrated library of De Thou (Thuana) provided for us. By its help, we have removed foul errors which had perhaps crept into the Roman codex through the fault of the copyist, so that on this account also the most illustrious Jacques-Auguste de Thou, most distinguished president of the first court of the kingdom, may be judged to have merited well of the republic of letters—great offspring of a great parent. But thanks must also be rendered to the most illustrious and most learned man, D. Charles de Monchal, Archbishop of Toulouse, who wishes his library, comparable to few, to be open to all the learned: this same most illustrious man lent us a codex described by hand, by whose aid we have healed some things and restored them to their pristine splendor. Furthermore, if there were obscurities in this version, we have illustrated them by collation with the Greek codex and by citing passages from other authors, so that there are very few things that even the moderately learned would not understand, if they would not begrudge comparing them with the Greek. Farewell.

HERE BEGINS THE PREFACE OF ANASTASIUS THE LIBRARIAN OF THE HOLY APOSTOLIC SEE TO JOHN, DEACON OF THE CITY OF ROME.

You affirm, dearest brother and worthy Levite of Christ, John, that, with God as author, you are about to write an ecclesiastical history, and you demand of me that certain things be translated from Greek volumes into the Latin style, so that you may also insert and weave them into your proposed work; for in these two languages, those things which have been done in the Church are chiefly narrated. But I, not ignorant of my own ignorance and the poverty of my language, have deservedly refused to do this for so long a time, believing without doubt that so arduous an endeavor was beyond me. But since you yourself, having better executed the proposed task, ^B maintain that it is necessary if those things which cannot be found in Latin codices are gathered and apprehended first from the Greek source, I will do, with God's favor, what you urge, especially since it is God's business that we propose to do, and without doubt a cause of advancement and salvation for many. For I could not deny anything to one so dear and so wise, who indeed, imbued with the Apostle's teaching, am a debtor to the wise and the unwise. But because I believe it is especially necessary to narrate those things which were done in the Church by the emperor Theodosius the younger, to whose...

times Theodoret, Socrates, and Sozomen—following Eusebius Pamphili—wove their books of ecclesiastical history, I have thought it worthwhile to cull a few points, though succinctly, from the summary of George and the chronicle of Theophanes. Of these, the former extended the style of his work up to Diocletian, while the latter reached as far as Leo, who reigned after Michael—the father, that is, of Ignatius, who still survives and holds the reins of the Constantinopolitan Church. I shall briefly note who these men are. The one of them, having chosen the monastic life and contemning the world, surrendered himself to the light yoke and sweet burden of Christ. Furthermore, struggling in incessant labor against heretics and against the princes of this world who were raging against the rite of the Church, he was afflicted with many stripes and diverse punishments. Thus, then, bearing the stigmata of Christ in his body, he became the syncellus of Tarasius of holy memory, the primate of the royal city, as much for the constancy of his faith as for the marks of his many virtues. But not to pursue many things, I deem it sufficient for his commendation that he was approved by the Apostolic See, when in fact its legates, together with three hundred and fifty Fathers gathering for the second time in the city of Nicaea, celebrated the universal synod, since his praise is also found in that same seventh and holy council. But what shall I say of the other? Seeing that his life has been written—how, for instance, he sold his ample patrimony and took up his cross, and how, having followed Christ, he discharged his duty as abbot in the monastery of Agri, shined with virtues, flashed with miracles, and died a confessor—it proclaims this quite openly throughout Byzantium and the surrounding regions to those who are near and those who are far. Moreover, his studies, which have reached even to us, manifest to those who are diligent who and how great this man was. From the most pleasant garden of their chronicles, therefore, I shall pluck certain things, which I shall offer, ^A obediently attending to the most ample table of your work. These you surely ought not to despise, but rather should store them among your own, at the very least for the sake of their inherent virtue, first because they were elicited by your frequent exhortation; second, because among frequent and customary delicacies, sometimes those of coarser food are sought out as if they were a delight; third, because until the work of the history you have proposed is brought by God's favor to completion, ours may perchance be of some use for those who desire it, and those who have not been able to obtain your rich offerings will be, in the meantime, at least content with these meager ones of ours. To this work, ^B I have deemed it right to prefix the chronographia of the blessed Nicephorus of Constantinople, so that you might be able to glean a few things from it, and so that if at any time you decide to make use of it, your notice may in no way lack it. But I beseech your charity, which according to the Apostle endures all things and seeks not its own—nay, the entire Church of the Latins beseeches me to ensure that the work of history, which is to be begun by you, is written in such a way that those things which have happened in the Church from the very advent of Christ and are not judged unworthy of the text of ecclesiastical history are in no way omitted, except perhaps for those things that Eusebius, Theodoret, Socrates, and Sozomen are known to have written. But because it is proven that some of these men were untruthful in certain matters and omitted some things, just as the holy Pope Gregory most openly writes regarding Sozomen, I beseech you to confute their falsehoods with true proofs, and nevertheless to supply what they omitted. ^C Receive therefore, most dear one, this unpolished work, and know that nothing of mine herein is entirely certain. And if, prevented by the debt of my own departure, I should fail to bring the proposed work to the finish line, do not you, however, allow it to perish in the least, but use it to whatever extent and wherever you please. Furthermore, if perchance you desire that certain things be translated for you from the Greek or culled from various Latin writings to be inserted into your history, I will gladly satisfy your wishes. Only let your industry, led by the Apostolic, in the name of the Lord, seize upon the work which we urge, and let it carry out what has been proposed to us as impending. Moreover, I have proposed to cull certain things from these two illustrious men in such a way that I have not thought it necessary to commemorate almost everything that was commemorated by the aforementioned historiographers. From civil deeds, however, I have culled certain things summarily, although since Justinian the prince and thereafter I have omitted few of those things which were related by these chroniclers. For not, as the most blessed prelate Theophanes testifies that he thinks, does he reap the fruit of little utility who reads through the acts of the ancients. But I pray for the charity of all who read this our edition: that if they find anything profitable in it, they might devoutly pay fitting acts of thanks to God, from whom is every good thing, and that they be not loath to pray to the Lord for us, unlearned and sinners. Furthermore, if they should find anything set down improperly, let them impute it to our lack of discipline and grant pardon. For that which is offered to God according to one's strength is pleasing and acceptable to Him. ^D

A BRIEF CHRONOLOGY OF BLESSED NICEPHORUS, ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE.

It exists among the works of our edition, in this same Patrologia Graeca, vol. C, col. 1001; and also in the Latin Patrologia, vol. CXXIX, among the works of Anastasius himself.

HERE BEGINS AN EXCERPT FROM THE CHRONOGRAPHY OF GEORGE.

^A Having captured Jerusalem in war, Pompey kept Aristobulus in chains along with his sons, Alexander and Antigonus, as he hastened to Rome to celebrate his triumph, along with the kings and leaders of other nations as well. To Hyrcanus, the brother of the former, to whom the high priesthood had been entrusted, he decreed that the Jews should be tributaries to the Romans. Having entered Rome as a victor, he formed a friendship with Gaius Julius Caesar, who, having been created praetor against the Gauls and Britons, was sent off, and in great battles over ten years made the Gauls and Britons tributaries to the Romans; they possessed five hundred cities, as Plutarch the philosopher of Chaeronea writes. Then Crassus, succeeding Gabinius, obtained the Syrian principate and moved an army against the Parthians, that is, the Persians. Furthermore, Antipater made the powerful men of the Romans his friends everywhere by means of gifts and other favors. Among these he was also joined in a strong friendship with Hareth the Arab, that is, of the Saracens, on account of his marriage to the noble Arabian woman Cypris, by whom he had four sons: namely, Phasael and Herod, who after Hyrcanus emerged as the first alien king of the Hebrews, and thirdly Joseph, and fourthly Pheroras, who even then confused the legitimate rites of the Jews with those of the Arabs, just as they do now with those of the Christians.

Pompey therefore strengthened Hyrcanus in the high priesthood, and decreed that the Jews themselves should be tributaries to the Romans. The same man appointed the alien Antipater, son of Herod and father of another Herod, as procurator of Palestine. But indeed, Gaius Julius Caesar, returning to Rome, spared all the party of Pompey, to which Cicero, Brutus, and Cassius belonged, and destroyed the principate of the consuls. Then ^B too, Antony handed Arabia over to Cleopatra.

Gaius Julius Caesar is considered the first monarch of the Romans. In the year of the world 5451, Gaius Julius Caesar, coming into Judea after the death of Pompey from Egypt, strengthened Hyrcanus in the high priesthood and gave the division of power to Antipater; he was killed by the treachery of Brutus and Cassius, who could not endure the death of Pompey nor the deposition of the consuls. Octavianus Caesar, the son of his sister Atia and of Octavius, had been adopted as his heir. Then, once victory was prepared and they came to Rome, Augustus and Antony, with Helpidius, divided the entire Roman principate into three parts, and, if I may so say, the entire world; and Augustus truly was allotted Europe as far as the western Ocean, Helpidius all the lands that are around Libya, and furthermore Antony the whole of Asia. ^C

The second monarch of the Romans was Caesar Octavianus, who was also called Augustus. From the creation of the world until the beginning of the third year of Augustus Caesar, in which year the indiction was also promulgated, as the blessed Maximus testifies in his sermon on the Pascha, there are 5460 years. Cicero the rhetor and senator was killed at Gaeta in Italy; but as others say, he took his own life with poison. The principate of those seven who reigned at Pergamum ceased, having lasted for 154 years. As is reported in certain Latin editions, from Alexander down to the times of Augustus there were more or less 300 years.

The first alien king of the Jews was Herod, for 37 years, who sent for a certain Ananilus, the high priest of the Jews who were in Babylon, and appointed him high priest in Jerusalem. And after a short time, having deposed this man, he appointed Aristobulus as high priest, his wife's brother, the son of Hyrcanus. And after this man was killed, he again promoted Ananilus after a year.

In the year of the world 5500 having elapsed and 5501 beginning, the incarnation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ took place, in the month of March according to the Romans, on the 25th day, according to the divine edition which was brought forth through Moses, on the first day of the month of Nisan, which among the Hebrews is established as the first, on which the archangel Gabriel offered the glad tidings to her who is truly and properly the Theotokos, of the joy of the whole world. For thus also the day of his life-giving resurrection occurs on the same first day of the month according to apostolic traditions.

Augustus was decreed high priest. Herod rebuilt ancient Samaria from its foundations, as it was deserted, naming it Sebaste in honor of Caesar. Herod rebuilt the temple that was in Jerusalem, making it double. Herod built over the ancient tower of Straton and named it Caesarea in honor of Caesar. The same man killed the legal experts of the Jews and burned the written genealogies.

In the year of the world 5500, but in the 1st year of the divine incarnation, the good shepherd invited the first shepherds to the ineffable vision and audition through the angels.

The year of the world was 5501, Sextus the Pythagorean philosopher was flourishing. Judas the Galilean exhorted the Jews to wage strife against the Romans on account of the census. Herod died, having lived

^A 70 years; he ruled the Jews unjustly for 37 years. In the two hundred and second Olympiad, a great eclipse of the sun occurred, and at the sixth hour of the day it became night, so that even stars appeared in the heavens. A great earthquake also occurred in Bithynia, which overturned many things in Nicaea. Under him, the prophecy of Jacob was fulfilled. He was the first foreigner to preside over the Jews, being an Idumean Arab. This same man was the first to appoint a foreigner, Ananilus, as high priest of the Jews.

The second foreigner of the Jews was Archelaus, son of Herod, in whose 9th year (which was the 5506th year of the world), Augustus appointed Archelaus, the son of Herod, as prince of the Jewish nation, and he showed his other four brothers—that is, Herod, who was his namesake, and Antipas, his brother’s namesake, and Lysanias and Philip—as tetrarchs.

In the 5513th year of the world, and the 13th year of the divine incarnation, under Caesar Augustus, the distinguished wise men were Virgil, Sallust, Livy, Hortensius, Terence, Horace, Athenodorus the Tarsian, and Sitius the Alexandrian. The same Augustus, having counted the inhabitants of the city of Rome by their heads, found the number of men inhabiting it to be 131,037.

In the 5520th year of the world, the 20th year of the divine incarnation was passing, which Matthew and Luke describe, with Matthew reporting the royal lineage from David through Solomon, and Luke from the same David through his son Nathan.

Tiberius, the third monarch, sent Pontius Pilate as governor of Judea.

In the 5532nd year of the world, and the 32nd year of the divine incarnation, Herod the son of Herod—fearing, as Josephus says, because he was honored by all as a prophet—put John the Baptist to death; but as the evangelist records more truly, it was because he rebuked him on account of Herodias.

In the 5533rd year of the world, and the 33rd year of the divine incarnation, our Lord Jesus Christ, after many signs and the revealed mysteries of His divinity, willingly approached His passion and was crucified on the sixth day, at the sixth hour, on the 23rd day of the month of March, in the 3rd consulate of Nero, and rose again on the 25th day of March, at the dawning of the Lord’s day, the 8th ^B before the Kalends of April, the first day of the first month, which is named Nisan (that is, the month of March) among the Hebrews and Christians. Concerning which it is said: *In the beginning God created heaven and earth*; and again: *This is the book of the generation of heaven and earth, in the day that God created heaven and earth*. Therefore, on the same day that the world was created, Christ was conceived, and on that same day He rose from the dead.

Eusebius Pamphili concerning this very thing: "Jesus Christ, our Son of God and Lord, according to the prophecies that are about Him, hastened to the passion in the nineteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, according to which time, as is also found in other histories of the Gentiles, we will narrate by individual statements what was done. For the sun was eclipsed, Bithynia was shaken, and many things in the city of Nicaea fell; all of which agree with those things that happened concerning the passion of our Savior. Phlegon, also writing, who enumerates the Olympiads concerning these very things, asserts in his thirteenth book with these words: Further, in the fourth year ^C of the two hundred and second Olympiad, a great eclipse of the sun occurred, and at the sixth hour of the day it became night, so that even stars appeared in the heaven. A great earthquake also occurred in Bithynia, which overturned many things in Nicaea."

In the 5534th year of the world, and the 34th year of the divine incarnation, on the first day of this year, the 25th day of the month of March, our Lord rose from the dead on the third day; and on the fortieth day of His resurrection, that is, on the third day of the month of May, having been assumed, He sent the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to the apostles at holy Pentecost. However, as Clement writes, the Lord delivered the knowledge to James the Just and to John and Peter after the resurrection, and these delivered it to the others, and the remaining apostles to the seventy. In those same days, the disciples asked the Lord on the Mount of Olives if He would restore the kingdom of Israel at that time. In the same year, James the brother of the Lord was ordained as the first bishop of Jerusalem. There were two Jameses: the brother of the Lord, being the son of Joseph, who was called the Just, of whom Paul also says: *But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother*, who, being thrown from the pinnacle by the Jews, died, struck by a fuller's club. And the other, who was beheaded, namely the brother of John the Theologian.

A third foreigner presided over the Jews, Herod the son of Herod, in whose time Pilate, after the strife of the Jews regarding the images of Caesar, consumed the *corbona* (that is, the sacred treasury) for the conducting of water, and compelled them to stir up strife again. The same Pilate, in reporting to Tiberius about Christ, moved him to love the dogma and the Christian faith.

In the 5535th year of the world, and the 35th year of the divine incarnation, Peter and John going up into the temple cured the man lame from birth.

In the 5536th year of the world, by Peter, a miracle was performed in Jerusalem concerning Ananias and Sapphira, and Thaddaeus was sent to the city of Edessa, which even now reveres the whole non-human-made image of the Lord.

In the 5537th year of the world, and the 37th year of the divine incarnation, many of the faithful were dispersed, having been stirred by persecution. Stephen, the protomartyr and protodeacon, was killed by stones. Simon Magus, by Philip, one of the seven deacons going down into Samaria, was cunningly baptized. ^D Hence, even those who to this day feign to be baptized by him are entirely alien to the divine commandments and dogmas, not accepting the word concerning the resurrection, nor saying that the visible world is God’s, and pursuing every abominable and base practice. To these miserable people he gave himself to be called the Father, and for the image of Jupiter, made in his name, to be adored; but Helen the harlot, who was with him, he taught to be adored as Athena. Furthermore, to the Jews he said he was Christ, and not the Father. Pontius Pilate, under Gaius Caesar, the fourth emperor of the Romans, who was called Ca-

- ligula, falling into various calamities, as the historians of the Romans say, became his own executioner. He also slew Julius Canus, one of the Stoic philosophers.

In the year of the world 5539, year 39 of the divine incarnation, Agrippa, who is also Herod, son of Herod, the fourth foreign king of the Jews—having been consigned to custody under Tiberius Caesar on account of accusations brought against his father, and afterwards released from his chains—was sent by Gaius Caesar as king of the Jews. Herod, his father, having been relegated to exile at Lugdunum, a city of Gaul, died in extreme poverty together with Herodias the adulteress. The girl, however, who had danced at the beheading of John the Baptist, was swallowed alive by the earth. At these times Philip, one of the seven deacons, resisted Simon of the village of Gittho ^B in Samaria, who is also said to have been the first among the Gentiles to baptize the Ethiopian eunuch.

In the year of the world 5540, year 40 of the divine incarnation, Peter, the prince of the apostles, having first founded the Church at Antioch, proceeded to Rome to preach the Gospel, where he governed the Church as its first primate until his end. Furthermore, he sent his first epistle, which is one of the catholic ones, from Rome, as Eusebius writes, and the evangelist Mark, who at that time had set forth the Gospel at the request of the Romans, as Clement and Papias, bishop of Hierapolis, attest. Others, indeed, think that it was sent from Joppa. At this same time, the journey of Paul and Silas in Derbe and Lystra takes place, as well as in Phrygia, Isauria, Cilicia, Galatia, and Troas. The acts of Paul again, and of Mark, which they performed at Philippi, Thessalonica, and Beroea, are recounted. Paul also labored in Ephesus, Cenchreae, Caesarea, Antioch, Italy, and Phrygia. The acts of Paul, which he performed specifically in Ephesus. What Paul did in Troas and Miletus, he commended to the Ephesians. The things which were done in Jerusalem by the Jews against Paul. And Paul’s trial in Caesarea against Felix and Drusilla. Likewise, what Paul did in Caesarea, and the Jews against him. The evangelist Mark preached the salutary word in Egypt and Alexandria. Euodius was the first bishop of the Church of Antioch for twenty years.

In the year of the world 5540, year 40 of the divine incarnation, Claudius reigns; the prophecy of Agabus concerning the famine throughout the world is fulfilled. Claudius, registering the citizens of the city of Rome, found nine hundred and forty-one times a thousand.

In the year of the world 5546, year 46 of the divine incarnation, in the days of Unleavened Bread, a dissension having occurred in Jerusalem, about 30,000 Jews were trampled at the exits of the gates and perished. At that time also, among the Athenians, the aforementioned altar was inscribed: "To the Unknown God."

Justinus the philosopher and martyr, from his first discourse to the emperor Antoninus on behalf of the Christians: "After the Lord’s ascension into heaven, men put forward certain demons claiming they were gods; who were not only far from being rejected by you, but were thought worthy of honors. A certain Samaritan, Simon, who was of a village called Gittho, who under Claudius, doing magical things in your royal city of Rome, was considered a god, and a statue is honored by you as a god in the river Tiber between the two bridges, having this Latin inscription: *Simoni deo sancto* ('To Simon the holy god'). And almost all the Samaritans, and a few also in other nations, worship him, confessing him to be the first god."

In the year of the world 5550, year 50 of the divine incarnation, Claudius reigns. Apollonius of Tyana, a Pythagorean philosopher of Italy, flourishes, so much so that Philostratus and others of sharper intellect describe him as having been even more than a Pythagorean himself. In these times that bird, the Phoenix, was seen, as the Egyptians write, which had appeared 654 years before. And Dexippus agrees with this.

In the year of the world 5553, under the emperor Nero, the divine Apostle was presented to him for the second time. Finally, when Nero was still being milder toward the Christian dogma, hearing his reasoning, he dismissed him, the Spirit dispensing this for the completion of his preaching. But the second time, he himself requested to be sent from Caesarea of Palestine to Caesar, and thus finally he stood before Nero and received martyrdom. When the Jews saw that they could not carry out their traps of murder against him, they turned to killing James the brother of the Lord.

In the year of the world 5563, year 63 of the divine incarnation, Nero reigns, who, over all his other misfortunes, ^C showed himself the first to persecute the Christians, when indeed Peter and Paul, the divine apostles, were crowned in the struggle for Christ, one indeed suspended head downward, as he himself chose, the other beheaded with a holy stroke. Of whom the Roman writer Tertullian reports these things among others: "This persecutor of God, therefore, was the first to be proclaimed, and was elated in the slaughter of the apostles: for Paul was beheaded at the city of Rome, and Peter was suspended on a cross." And the narrative of Paul and Peter, which is kept to this present day in the cemeteries located there, makes this history credible. Caius, a historian and ecclesiastical man, writes similar things about these, who, disputing against a certain Proclus the Cataphrygian together with Zephyrinus, bishop of Rome, says: "I have the trophies of the apostles, which I shall show you: for if you are willing to go along the Via Regia which leads to the Vatican, or to the Via Ostiensis, you will find the trophies of those who established this Church." Dionysius of Corinth also writes things in agreement with these, indicating that they were martyred at the same time, saying: "But you also, having the instruction [coming] from Peter and Paul, have united the planting of the Roman and Corinthian Church. For both, having come together, taught in our church of the Corinthians, and throughout all Italy, and taught at the same time in this city, and were also crowned by martyrdom at one and the same time." In this same time, under Nero, there flourished at Rome the poets Lucan, Ovid, the satirists Juvenal and Persius, and the tragic writer Seneca, Musonius, and Plutarch.

^A After Peter, Linus stood as the supreme prelate of the Roman Church.

In the year of the world 5565, the 65th of the divine incarnation, after Nero had shamefully ended his life, Vespasian, the seventh, was named Roman emperor by the soldiers in Judea. But in Italy, Galba, coming from the praetorship of Iberia, ruled Rome for seven months; he was killed by Otho, one of the elders, who ruled Rome for three months; after him, Vitellius, having killed that one, ruled for eight months. This man killed Sabinus, Vespasian’s brother, who was fleeing in fear to the Capitol in the temple of Jupiter, and he destroyed the temple. Truly, he himself was immediately killed by Domitian the younger, the son of Vespasian. For with his elder son Titus left behind to subdue the Jews, Vespasian went to Greece rejoicing, as the Greeks confess, being strengthened in the things he heard from Apollonius of Tyana concerning the time of his reign and other benefits, speaking with him in Egypt as he was returning from the Indians, the Brahmins, and the gymnosophists dwelling there. When, therefore, he had come into Hellas, he took the refugee cities. Finally, having set out for Rome, he ruled elegantly, resisting Nero and restoring the resources and laws of the city.

In the year of the world 5566, the 66th of the divine incarnation, Ignatius is held to be the God-bearing bishop of Antioch. Now, the first of the aliens to be king of the Jews was Herod, who slew the children, for 37 years; Archelaus his son for 9 years; Herod his brother for 24 years; Agrippa, who is also Herod, the son of Herod—who was eaten by worms—for 7 years; Agrippa his son, who was called the younger, for 23 years; up to whom the kingdom of the Jews, held by aliens, lasted 100 years from the first Herod.

In the year of the world 5575, the 73rd of the divine incarnation, Mount Vesuvius, under Titus the son of Vespasian, split at the summit and emitted fire, so that the adjacent region along with its cities was burned. Domitian ordered men to be made eunuchs and his wife to be called Augusta; he was the second after Nero who brought persecution upon the Christians, many of whom were crowned by martyrdom, as Bretius writes; among whom was Flavia Domitilla, niece of Clemens Flavius the consular, who went into exile as a Christian, and he himself, Clemens, was killed for Christ. A certain Stephanus, one of his freedmen who was held to his master Clemens by an affection of love, killed Domitian by treachery; whence he was rendered worthy of honor by the senate, because he had delivered the Romans from the greatest evil.

In the year of the world 5578, the 78th of the divine incarnation, Clemens, the fourth after the prince Peter, presides over the Church of Rome, of whom the Apostle also makes mention in the second Epistle to the Philippians, saying: "With Clemens and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life." His Epistle sent to the Corinthians is well-known, which the whole Church receives, as Egesippus testifies. Also, under Pope Evaristus at Rome, many signs were brought to pass by divine power, and throughout the whole world.

In the year of the world 5589, the 89th of the divine ^B incarnation, Nerva, a man of mild disposition, wisely moderated the empire.

In the year of the world 5590, the 90th of the divine incarnation, Trajan rules. Justus of Tiberias is recognized as a Jewish writer. Tertullian narrates historically that Plinius Secundus held the presidency of certain provinces and that very many Christians were afflicted with death; being hesitant about what should be done regarding them, he suggested to Trajan that there was nothing in them worthy of death, except that they did not sacrifice to idols and would praise Christ as God, rising before dawn, abstaining from all evils. To him, Trajan wrote back that Christians were by no means to be hunted down.

In the year of the world 5596, the 96th of the divine incarnation, Irenaeus and others write that the theologian and apostle John remained alive until the times of Trajan, with whom Papias of Hierapolis and Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, are known to have been his hearers.

In the year of the world 5600, the 100th of the divine incarnation, Trajan ordered the Jews of Mesopotamia who were raising seditions to be removed by Lysius Quintus. But he, having slaughtered many thousands of the Jews, was therefore appointed governor of Judea.

In the year of the world 5609, the 109th of the divine incarnation, Aelius Hadrianus ruling, writes to Minutius Funanus, proconsul of Asia, concerning Quadratus the hearer of the apostles and Aristides the Athenian philosopher, who were writing to him on behalf of the Christians, and also concerning Serennius, a most illustrious leader who wrote that it would be unjust for Christians to be killed without judgment, that no one should be killed without an accuser and a crime.

In the year of the world 5621, the 121st of the divine incarnation, Hadrian stays at Athens and establishes libraries there; but the Jews, punished by a fate most wretched, saw the war which was waged against them brought to an end, with Jerusalem finally desolated through destruction, so that not even stone was left upon stone in it, according to the divine word. At the same time, Phavorinus and Palaemo, noted rhetoricians, as well as Herod of Athens and Marcus of Byzantium, were held to be rhetoricians. Furthermore, after Joseph of Jerusalem, Judas is ordained bishop, up to whose second year the bishops from the circumcision lasted; ^C thus was the destruction of the city and of the Jewish nation completed. Therefore, Marcus, from the Gentiles, was the first [Gentile] bishop of Jerusalem for 8 years.

In the year of the world 5630, the 130th of the divine incarnation, T. Antoninus, surnamed Pius, rules with his sons. Justin the philosopher presented an apologetic book to Antoninus for the sake of the reason of our correct doctrine. Indeed, through the times of Hyginus and Pius, the bishops of Rome, up to Anicetus, Valentinus and Cerdo, the authors of the Marcionite heresy, are known to have been at the city of Rome. Arrian, the philosopher of Nicomedia, is recognized as praetor, and also Maximus of Tyre, Apollonius the Stoic, Chalcedonius, and Basilides of Scythopolis. These were also the teachers of Verissimus the Caesar.

^A Criscus the Cynic philosopher brought about the martyrdom of our divine philosopher Justin, having been refuted by his canine barking.

In the year of the world 5640, the year of the divine incarnation 140, Pius was considered the Roman bishop, under whom Polycarp brought many at Rome back from heresy.

In the year of the world 5653, the year of the divine incarnation 155, Polycarp, the holy bishop of Smyrna, was consumed in testimony for Christ while M. Aurelius Antoninus, who is also Verus, and Lucius Aurelius and Commodus were reigning. Many also struggled legitimately for Christ in the Gauls, whose passions are recorded in the memory of those who came after. Melito, bishop of the Sardians in Lydia, was distinguished, who presented an apologetic book for the Christians to Antoninus. Dionysius, bishop of Corinth, a holy man, was recognized. By the prayers of the Christians, the Roman army, about to perish among the Quadi, was saved. Theophilus of Alexandria, whose writings are authored and extant, as well as Herodian the grammarian, were distinguished, and the pseudo-prophecy of the Cataphrygians arose.

In the year of the world 5665, the year of the divine incarnation 165, while M. Aurelius Antoninus was reigning, Soter and Eleuther governed the Roman Church. Galienus, an excellent physician, a Pergamene by race, thrived. Julian promulgated laws at Rome; Fronto the rhetorician, Aristides the Sophist of Smyrna, Oppian the poet, and Atticus the Platonic philosopher were present. Antoninus and Commodus well considered and renewed the laws and constitutions.

In the year of the world 5672, the year of the divine incarnation 172, while Commodus was reigning, Irenaeus, bishop of Lugdunum, shone with divine words and deeds. Commodus, having killed honorable men from the senate, also killed Julian the legislator.

In the year of the world 5685, the year of the divine incarnation 185, Victor flourished as bishop of the Roman Church; Julius Pertinax reigned. After him, Julian, called Didius, reigned for only two months; who, because he had obtained the empire with money, was deposed from the principate by the friends of Severus, by whom he was immediately created emperor. At which time, Clement, the Alexandrian presbyter, an excellent master in the philosophy which is according to Christ, was a composer. Pantaenus the philosopher, from the Stoics, shone in the divine Word. Africanus the Christian historian was distinguished. Musianus was acknowledged as an ecclesiastical writer. Origenes, senseless at Alexandria, followed the vain dogmas of the Gentiles.

In the year of the world 5696, the year of the divine incarnation 196, Zephyrinus presided over the Roman Church. Severus, coming to Rome, killed Albinus, who had exercised tyranny against the city of the Lugdunenses.

In the year of the world 5701, the year of the divine incarnation 201, Antoninus Caracalla reigned with his brother Geta. Then, ^A after Caracalla, the father's son, was killed, Macrinus took the empire.

In the year of the world 5710, the year of the divine incarnation 210, Callistus presided over the Roman Church; Antoninus Aurelius reigned.

In the year of the world 5715, the year of the divine incarnation 215, Urbanus held the Roman pontificate; Alexander, son of Mamaea, reigned. Hippolytus the Roman, the most holy bishop of Portus, flourished very decorously in the philosophy which is according to Christ, and composed many monuments beneficial to the soul, namely on the Hexaemeron and on those things which are after the Hexaemeron, and also on many of the prophets and especially of Ezekiel and Daniel; and also on the Song of Solomon and on other diverse old and new ^B Scriptures; in the meantime also regarding the Apocalypse of the theologian which he saw in Patmos. And he wrote against Marcion and other heresies, and he explained the canon regarding the 16-year cycle, which is accustomed to be observed in the calculation of Easter, which he concludes within the first year of Alexander the son of Mamaea. And to speak briefly, he became the Theophraetes river of the living Church, and in the end was adorned with the crown of martyrdom. From him also the unfortunate Origen took tinder for writing commentaries on the holy Scriptures, with Ambrosius inciting him and abundantly bestowing what was necessary for this work. Finally, he employed seven shorthand writers writing quickly and excellently, but also girls most learned in the art of writing for an ineffable alacrity of dictation by him. But, ^C having slipped into the abyss of a Gentile and prodigious fable, he preached restitution and pre-existence as well as certain other dogmas, and for that reason he was cast out from the choir of the saints. It is said, however, that Mamaea, the mother of the emperor Alexander, since she was a true worshiper of God, spoke with Origen while he was living at Antioch; she was also considered most kind by all who were then held as famous teachers of the Christians on account of the faith with which she burned for Christ. Emmaus, a castle of Palestine, about which we read in the sacred Gospels, was decreed to be honored by Alexander as Nicopolis, with Africanus, who wrote histories in five books, acting as ambassador.

In the year of the world 5728, the year of the divine incarnation 228, Maximinus, reigning, moved a persecution against the Christians. In these times, Antherus and Pontianus, the Roman prelates, were illustrious.

In the year of the world 5731, the year of the divine incarnation 231, Gordianus reigned. Fabian was considered the Roman bishop and martyr.

In the year of the world 5737, the year of the divine incarnation 237, Porphyrius was considered a student of the Platonist philosopher Plotinus. Theopompus the philosopher at Chaeronea and Nicator the Sophist in Athens were flourishing. The Emperor Philip was progressing so much in the faith of Christ that he would also promptly confess his sins, and on the night of the paschal festival among the multitude of the Church

^A and communicated in the prayers. From this it happened that the divine discourse gained a wider confidence.

In the year of the world 5744, in the year of the divine incarnation 244, Origen lost his glorious crown of confession and [fell into] gentile fables, not for lack of divine goodness, but on account of his proud sense and self-persuasion. But these things do not seem so to Eusebius of Caesarea, who, hastening to show him greater than all saints and teachers, in the sixth book of his Ecclesiastical History, favoring him, extolled him with many praises, not knowing what he was saying or about whom he was affirming. For too mindful of a few sacred and most blessed Fathers who had shone forth at the same time—that is, Clement of Alexandria, Hippolytus the priest and martyr, Africanus the historian, and the great Dionysius of Alexandria—and of others, he only brings forth the progress of this Origen, who held vain opinions, [a man] whom he had followed from boyhood, extolling his proclamations up to the point where he would succumb, about to come to martyrdom. And indeed, concerning the most sacred Fabian, martyr and Roman prelate, or Babylas of Antioch and Alexander of Jerusalem, he wove the history in very few words, but when he arrived at the man of his own mind, that is, Origen, he extolled him with more praises and wondrous declamations. Truly, although Eusebius used the proclamations of the impious Origen in many places, nonetheless he left his passion without martyrdom and his course unfinished. For he who will have persevered unto the end, says the Lord, he shall be saved, not he who suffers and grows weary. Eusebius also brings in testimony about the blessed Dionysius, bishop of Alexandria, granting favor to Origen and his associates, so that it might appear not only that Origen failed in martyrdom, but that he also seems to have others as participants in his defection.

Furthermore, during these times, Novatus, a presbyter of the Romans, desiring the episcopacy unworthily and not having attained it, because he had been caught in other wickedness and especially in the vices of avarice, pride, and private ambition, separated himself from the Church, under the pretext as if of those who had sacrificed during the persecution of Decius and had been received into communion by the Church through penance: and appearing as the author and heresiarch of those who styled themselves the pure through pride, he was cast out together with them from the paradise of the Church by the sentence of the forty holy fathers who met synodically in the city of Rome, together with many presbyters and deacons, who obviously, having abdicated him along with his inhumane consenting brothers who had fallen, decreed that they be received through penance. Moreover, Cornelius presided over the Church of Rome at such a council; he also writes to Fabian, bishop of Antioch, both about what pleased the synod and specifically about the malignant actions of Novatus, saying: "You know, however, that this wonderful man had long desired the episcopacy, concealing the arrogant desire within himself and covering it with the veil of hidden pride. And he appeared exalted at the beginning for this reason, ^B that he might have some companions from the confessors who had fallen. Finally, Maximus, one of our presbyters, and Urban, who obtained glory in the second instance from confession, Sidonius also, and Celerinus, a man who, by the mercy of God, most perseveringly endured all tortures and, strengthening the weakness of the flesh by the firmness of his faith, has powerfully conquered the adversary—considering him, and perceiving the craftiness and lightness that were in him, the perjuries also and deceits, as well as his excommunication, they returned to the Church, and confessed before many all his artifices and machinations, which he had for a long time been hiding and covering up, manifesting [them] to the bishops, and to a great many presbyters and laymen with no small mourning, and repenting, concerning which the agents of the deceitful and malignant beast had for a little time withdrawn from the Church. And after a few words: 'We have seen, dearest brother, an impossible conversion and transformation effected in them in a short time.' For this most clear man, who was accustomed to affirm with terrible oaths that he by no means desired the episcopacy, suddenly appears a bishop, just as if cast into the midst from a stump. This dogmatist, therefore, and patron of ecclesiastical discipline, when he strove to draw and usurp the episcopacy, which had not been given to him from above, chose for himself two accomplices ignorant of their own salvation, so that by sending them to a remote part of Italy he might try to seduce three rustic and very simple bishops by some fictitious intrigue, inasmuch as he himself was asserting and affirming that it was necessary for them to come to Rome, where all the dissension which had occurred might be resolved along with other intervening bishops. Anticipating them, as we said, as they were simpler and inclined toward the machinations and fabrications of malignant men by certain men similar to himself and troubled, at the tenth hour, drunk and given to drunkenness, he forced them by a certain imaginary and empty imposition of hands to confer the episcopacy upon him. From whom, however, one returned after not much time to the Church, mourning and confessing his sin, with whom we also communicated as a layman, with the whole people who were present interceding for him. But to the places in which the remaining bishops had been ordained, we sent successors. Therefore, the defender of the Gospel did not know that there ought to be one bishop in a Catholic Church, in which he was not unaware that there were forty-six presbyters, seven deacons, subdeacons seven, acolytes forty-two, exorcists also and readers with door-keepers 52, widows with the afflicted more than 1080. All of whom the grace and mercy of the Lord nourishes; nor did so great and so necessary a multitude in the Church, by the providence of God, neither the rich and complex number with the greatest and innumerable people, convert [them] from the deepest desperation and weariness, or recall [them] to the Church.” To these, bringing in after other things, he says: “Let us now proceed to the rest, using what deeds or what conversations he has claimed the episcopacy for himself. Or perhaps because from the beginning he had been involved in the Church, and had undergone many struggles for her, and in

^A many and great perils on account of divine worship he was present? But it is not so. For the occasion of his believing was the advent of Satan into him, and his dwelling in him for a long time, and his being helped by the exorcists. When he had fallen into a cruel malady, and was thought to be dying on the bed where he lay, he was sprinkled with grace—if indeed it is proper to say that he received any grace of that kind. But he did not obtain the rest, which he ought to have received according to the rule of the Church when he escaped from his malady. Nor did he receive the seal from the bishop. Therefore, since he did not attain these things, how, I ask, did he attain the Holy Spirit? And again he infers: "He who, because of fear and a certain private favor, denied that he was a presbyter during the time of persecution; for, when requested and asked by the deacons to come out from the cell in which he had confined himself, to help the brethren, and, as was right for a presbyter to do, to render aid according to his power to the brethren who were in danger and in need of concern, he so refused to obey the deacons that he even went away in a rage. For he no longer asserted that he was a presbyter, since he was a lover of a different philosophy." Then, a little later, he subjoins: "For that famous man deserted the Church of God, in which, having believed, he merited the presbyterate through the grace of the bishop who laid hands upon him for the lot of the presbyterate; he was prohibited by all the clergy, but also by many of the laity, who asserted that it was not lawful for one to be made a cleric on account of the infirmity which he had when he received grace while lying on his bed. But they petitioned the bishop to grant this to them for this one person alone." To these things Cornelius adds, asserting the most depraved impudence of Novatus: "For making [the] oblations, and distributing a portion to each, and handing it over, he compels the wretched men to swear instead of receiving a blessing, holding both hands of the one receiving it, and not letting go until he swears saying this: (for I will use his own words) 'Swear to me by the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ that you will never at any time abandon me, nor return to Cornelius;' and the ill-fated man does not taste it before he has first cursed himself, and instead of saying 'Amen' when he receives that bread, he says 'I will never again return to Cornelius'." Furthermore, Cornelius necessarily writes to Fabius, the bishop of Antioch, concerning the halting Novatus, as well as the things which have been mentioned above, and how many are deserting him and running to the Church. In these writings he also mentions the blessed martyr Moses, and how he, discovering the temerity of Novatus himself before his martyrdom, excommunicated him, together with his five schismatic presbyters. And he adds at the end of the letter a list of the bishops who had assembled against him at Rome, mentioning them by individual names and their parishes, and also those who, on account of necessary obstacles, had not assembled there, yet nonetheless consented by their own letters to the divine judgment rendered against him.

In the year of the world 5746, in the year of the divine incarnation 246, Gallus and Volusianus reign. Cornelius ^B and Lucius, who around these times flourished as bishops of Rome by the blood of martyrdom. Since very many Scythians, who are called Goths, had crossed the Danube under Decius and were devastating the Roman empire, these men took Nicopolis, fleeing from the Mysians. But Decius, having attacked them, as Dexippus writes, was diminished by thirty thousand being killed in the conflict, so that he permitted Philippopolis to be made deserted by them and many Thracians to perish. Moreover, Decius, the fighter against God, was killed very ignominiously at Abrytus, which is called Forothembroni, together with his son. The Scythians, however, returned to their own lands with much spoils and many captives. But the army acclaimed a certain Gallus, who had formerly been consul, as emperor together with Volusianus, the son of Decius, who also reigned, according to Dexippus, for eighteen months—doing nothing worthy of praise—but according to others for three years, and further, according to some, for two years; and they were destroyed, betrayed by their own power in the Forum of Flaminius, not in the least following the customs of Decius, as the blessed Dionysius of Alexandria, bishop to Hermammon, writes in a certain place. At these times ^C Gregory the Great and worker of miracles was shining in the perfection of the philosophy which is according to Christ. Concerning whom Eusebius of Caesarea, for I know not what reason, makes no mention, especially since he lingers on the irrational declamations of the impious Origen, which he should rather have done concerning this man, who resounds throughout the whole world of the earth and glitters with divine words and prodigies, so that he commanded even the demons themselves as if they were some kind of slaves through his great confidence in God and purity of life and speech. I believe, however, that Eusebius was silent about the greatness of the deified and God-bearing Gregory and his marvelous virtue because he was entirely pure and alien from the ravings of Origen and the blasphemies of Arius, with which Eusebius was infected. Nor did he write of the martyrdom of Cyprian, the great prelate of Carthage in Libya. Stephanus, who governed the see of the Romans after Lucius, resisted Cyprian first ^D dogmatizing that those who are converted from heresies must be purified through the laver, as if he were introducing something new beyond the custom of the Church. To this Stephanus, Dionysius sends his first letter about baptism, in which he writes among other things, saying: "Indeed all of Syria and Arabia, to which you always send, and Mesopotamia, Pontus and Bithynia, to speak collectively, all everywhere exult in the concord and love of brotherhood, glorifying God." Furthermore, this same great Dionysius, bishop of Alexandria, writes about baptism both to the same Stephanus and to Pope Xystus, and to the presbyter Philomenus, and to Dionysius, likewise a presbyter, a reasonable and wonderful man, who after a short time is placed over the Roman throne.

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY FROM THEOPHANES.

In the year of the world 5748, in the year of the divine incarnation 248, Valerian and Gallienus reign. Stephen, Sixtus, and Dionysius conduct the Roman pontificate. Paul of Samosata is held to be the fifteenth prelate of Antioch, who was expelled by the divine decree and judgment of the holy Fathers, when he had renewed the heresy of Artemon. But after Gallus and Volusianus, according to some, Aemilianus assumes the empire. Then also the Scythians, crossing the Ister again, ravaged the city of Thessalonica in Illyricum. Then also the Athenians rebuilt the wall which had been destroyed from the times of Sulla. The Scythians, however, returned to their own lands with much booty. Then also the Heruli, with five hundred ships navigating through the Maeotic marshes to the Pontus, captured Byzantium and Chrysopolis.

In the year of the world 5753, in the year of the divine incarnation 253, Claudius reigns. The Heruli also operate unsuccessfully under him again. After Claudius, Quintillus obtained the rule for 47 days, and died.

In the year of the world 5764, in the year of the divine incarnation 264, Aurelian reigns, under whom they say Philostratus the historiographer of Athens and Longinus flourished. He, namely Aurelian, when he attempted to stir up ^A a movement against the Christians, was stopped by a divine thunderbolt, and was killed by the treachery of his own people in Caenophrurium, situated between Byzantium and Heraclea. After him Tacitus reigns; when he was killed, Florianus reigns; when he was put to death, Probus reigns.

In the year of the world 5770, in the year of the divine incarnation 270, in the third year of the reign of Probus, Anatolius of Laodicea is recognized, a bishop adorned with philosophical studies. In his fourth year, the lethal destruction of the insane Manichaeans was brought upon the lives of men.

In the year of the world 5775, in the year of the divine incarnation 275, Carus reigns with his sons Carinus and Numerianus; one of whom, namely Numerianus, when he had come to Antioch, wished to enter into the ecclesiastical [affairs] and explore the mysteries of the Christians. But the holy Babylas indeed forbade him, saying: "It is not permitted for you to see the divine mysteries of the Christians, since you are polluted with idolatrous sacrifices"; and he, being indignant, killed him. Around these times Felix, Eutychianus, and Gaius were pontiffs of Rome. Moreover, when Numerianus had reigned for only thirty days, he was killed by his father-in-law, and Diocletian assumed the empire.

FROM HERE ISAAC, WHO IS ALSO THEOPHANES.

In the year of the world 5777, in the year of the divine incarnation 277, Diocletian and Maximian Herculius reign, who made Constantius and Maximian Galerius Caesars. And Diocletian indeed gave his own daughter in marriage to Galerius, but Herculius Maximian joined his own daughter Theodora to Constantine, although each had wives, whom they put away ^B because of the affection with which they burned toward the emperors. At that time also Marcellus, bishop of Rome, flourished. Diocletian and Maximian Herculius stirred up a great and horrible persecution against the Christians, and committed many thousands of martyrdoms, devising diverse torments and working many iniquities.

In the year of the world 5788, in the year of the divine incarnation 288, during the reign of Diocletian, Eusebius is held to be the prelate of Rome. He, namely Diocletian, killed Achilleus at Alexandria. There was also with him Constantine the son of Constantius, who, although he was still very young, acted bravely in battles; observing whom, Diocletian, moved by envy, strove to destroy him by treachery: but God unexpectedly saved him and restored him to his father. It is reported otherwise, however. For while Constantine the son of Constantius was staying in the East and Palestine and favoring the Christians, Galerius Maximian, seeing him make progress ^C in understanding and in the strength of soul and body and in talent regarding erudition, and perceiving him to be a future destroyer of tyranny and of his own dogmas, plotted to consign him to death by treachery. But he, having known of the treachery by divine providence, like David, purchased safety by flight, and returning safely to his father, offered many thanks to Christ, who saved him. Around those very times Miltiades and then Silvester hold the prelacy of the Roman Church. Moreover, the divine Theotecnus, whose parent Galerius Maximian, while sacrificing to demons and receiving responses, aroused a persecution against the Christians, flowed with the warnings of the Savior, and sent them to all places in injury, and ordered the teachers of letters to teach the boys, striving so that our mystery might be derided. Furthermore, Constantius dies in the Britains, when he had reigned for eleven years; he who had proclaimed as emperor in his stead Constantine, his firstborn son, in the sight of all the people, with the other sons of his also present, the compatriots of Constantine, namely Constantius and Anaballenus, who is also called Dalmatius, who had been born from Theodora, daughter of Herculius: for Constantine had been from Helena, the former spouse of Constantius. But Constantius the father of these was the grandson of the emperor Claudius, born from his daughter. Moreover, Eusebius of Caesarea says that Diocletian, having become insane together with Herculius, deposited the empire and embraced a private life.

^A At that, the Roman citizens who had requested him to rise to their aid, liberated from the tyranny of the wicked Maxentius, crowned the city, receiving with joy Constantine the victor, together with the cross that grants victory, and acclaiming him savior with joy.

One of them indeed ended his life by hanging, but the other, that is Diocletian, wasted away, consumed by a long illness. However, Gelasius, the prelate of Caesarea, says that, led by repentance and wishing to rule again, they were killed by a common decree of the senate. With these things thus moved out of the way, and with Constantius deceased, who was well-disposed toward things pertaining to Christianity, Constantine Augustus and Maximian Galerius obtained the empire, as I have already said.

In the year of the world 5797, of the divine incarnation 297, the most sacred and most Christian Constantine began to rule in the Gauls and Britain; with whom at the same time Maximian Galerius ruled equally, along with the two Caesars, Severus and Maximinus. Maxentius the tyrant, ruling unjustly at Rome, behaved cruelly in all things. Then the Romans also appealed to Licinius as Caesar, granting favor to Constantine, since he was honored by his marriage to his sister Constantia, and who falsely feigned piety for the Christian religion. Meanwhile, Severus having died, Peter, bishop of Alexandria, while he was in custody by the order of Maximian Galerius and his son Maximinus, was gloriously martyred by having his head cut off; he had previously excluded from communion Arius, who was then a deacon, who later became the patron of a most wretched heresy and drew many away from piety. But many others also, under these tyrants, were adorned with the crown of martyrdom for Christ, among whom are Phileas, bishop of Thmuis in Egypt, Peleus and Nilus, bishops in Egypt, Anthemius ^C bishop of Nicomedia, Tyrannio, bishop of Tyre, Silvanus, bishop of Emesa, and Silvanus, bishop of Gaza, Lucianus, priest of Antioch, Zenobius, priest of Sidon, Pamphilus, priest of Caesarea, and countless others. Finally, Galerius Maximian ordered the total extermination of the Christians to take place, not so much because of his impiety as because of the plundering of their patrimonies.

Furthermore, in the sixth year of his reign, Constantine arose for the destruction of the tyrants. But the impious Maxentius, by a deed done in the river that flows around the city of Rome, directed a battle line from ships against the great Constantine, who stood in fear of the sorceries of Maxentius, who slaughtered young children for the sake of wicked divinations. And while he stood in much hesitation, a precious cross formed of light appeared to him at the sixth hour of the day, having the inscription, "In this conquer." The Lord also stood by him in a vision of the night and said: "Use what has been shown to you, and conquer." Then, a golden cross having been formed, which exists even to this day, he ordered it to be carried before him in battle; and when the engagement took place, those who were around Maxentius were defeated, with very many of them being slain. But Maxentius, fleeing with the survivors, was submerged in the river when the bridge was broken by divine power, just as Pharaoh once was with his entire army, so that the river was filled with horses killed along with their riders. ^B But indeed the Roman citizens... liberated from the tyranny of the wicked Maxentius, crowned the city, receiving with joy Constantine the victor, together with the cross that grants victory, and acclaiming him savior with joy.

In the year of the world 5803, in the seventh year of his reign, when by divine aid he had obtained Rome, Constantine ordered that before all else the bodies of the holy martyrs should be collected and committed to holy burial. And the Romans were celebrating a triumphal festival, praising the Lord, and also magnifying the life-giving cross for seven days, and Constantine the victor.

In the ninth year of Constantine, Maximinus, the son of Galerius, attacking and turning the empire toward himself, ended his life shamefully in Cilicia. But Maximian Galerius, the father of this man, hearing that his son Maxentius had been submerged at Rome by Constantine through the power of the cross, feared, and caused the persecution which he was waging against the Christians to cease.

In the tenth year of his reign, Constantine, together with Licinius Caesar, led by zeal for God, moved his camp against Maximian Galerius, who was governing the East. But he, having been restored against them, attacked them with an immense multitude, trusting in the divinations of demons and magical devices. And when the life-giving cross preceded the great Constantine, the tyrant, along with his force, was turned to flight; as the multitude was being slaughtered, he laid aside his imperial vestments and, surrounded by military garb, with a few of his supporters accompanying him, he hastened in secret flight from villa to villa, and he killed not only the priests of the idols and those defamed for magical arts, but also their gathered soothsayers, as being deceivers.

Meanwhile, while Constantine was in the eleventh year of his reign, and was about to attack the living Galerius Maximian, divine wrath, anticipating him, seized him: for a fire, ignited from the midst of his bowels and marrows, cast him face down upon the earth panting with intolerable pain, so that each of his eyes popped out, and blinded, he was truly left a villain. But when his flesh rotted ^D and fell away due to the innumerable burning of his bones, he himself poured out his soul while fighting against God.

In the twelfth year of his reign, Constantine, sharing part of the Roman lands with Licinius, who seemed to be contending with him yet falsely feigned Christianity, called him emperor, and extorted from him treaties that he would do nothing against the Christians. And from this time, by the grace of God, the persecution of the tyrants ceased.

In the year of the world 5810, of the divine incarnation 310, in the fourteenth year of his reign, Constantine, having been made monocrator of the entire Roman world, every care...

^A he transferred to divine things, erecting churches and liberally endowing them from public funds. He wrote the first law for the temples of idols to be handed over to those who were dedicated to Christ. With him, his son Crispus issued laws. The second was that Christians alone should serve in the military and command the armies, but those who persisted in idolatry should undergo capital punishment. The third was that two paschal weeks—one, that is, before the resurrection and the other after—should be celebrated without the burden of any work. As these things were done, deep peace and tranquility possessed the world and joy the faithful, as all nations were continuously flocking to the faith of Christ, being baptized, and smashing the idols throughout the fatherland.

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Constantine, Licinius began to move persecution against the Christians; and first, indeed, he persecuted the Christians who were in the palace, consigning to oblivion the destruction of the preceding tyrants and the pacts made with the great Constantine. He did not cease, however, from raging against women and oppressing and killing Christians. Though Constantine ordered him by letter to withdraw from such madness, he could in no way be restrained. Hence, he also caused Basil, the bishop of Amaseia, and, as some say, the holy forty martyrs and others to be finished off by torments.

In the sixteenth year of the reign of Constantine, Arius, named from his insanity, made his heresy manifest in the church at Alexandria and worked a schism, with the assistance of the malignant adversary who cannot bear to see the peace of the Church. Moreover, a most severe earthquake occurred at Alexandria, such that many houses fell and a great multitude of people perished.

In the seventeenth year of his reign, Constantine, having learned of the disturbance of Arius, was greatly troubled and wrote a common letter to Alexander and Arius, giving counsel for the settling of the wicked disturbance and for returning to mutual peace. He also sent Osius, the bishop of Corduba, to Alexandria against Arius and to the East, intending to correct the Easterners who were celebrating the Pascha worse than the Jews according to an ancient custom. Yet he returned from both without success. In this year also, Constantine made his son Constans Caesar and sent him into the Gauls.

In the eighteenth year of his reign, as some say, Constantine with his son Crispus was baptized at Rome by Silvester. For as many as reside in senior Rome even to this day have the baptistery as a testimony that he was baptized at Rome by Silvester after the destruction of the tyrants. But the Easterners say at Nicomedia that he was baptized near his death by Eusebius of Nicomedia, the Arian, where it also happened that he fell asleep; for he delayed, they say, his baptism, hoping to be ^B baptized in the river Jordan. To me, however, it appears more true that he was baptized at Rome by Silvester, and that the so-called constitutions, which are attributed to Melchiades, were faked by the Arians, who seek to acquire glory for themselves from this, or even to lacerate the most pious prince, while they wish from this to show him unbaptized, which is irrational and most false. For if he was not baptized at the Nicene synod, then he was not a participant in the divine mysteries, nor did he pray with the holy Fathers, which it is most wicked both to say and to think. Some, however, among the Arians and pagans detract from the great Constantine as if from a bastard, although they themselves are lying. For his royal genealogy existed even before Diocletian was. For Constantius, his father, was the nephew of the Emperor Claudius, and he had the great Constantine from Helena, his first wife. Furthermore, he also had children from Theodora, the daughter of Maximian Herculius, who was the sister of Maxentius, who exercised tyranny at the Roman city, and who was destroyed by Constantine at the Milvian bridge, when indeed he saw the sign of the cross in the sky, and of Fausta, the wife of the great Constantine: and let no one wonder if, before baptism, while they were still keeping pagan rites, father and son took two sisters. The generations of them are noted as follows below:

CONSTANTIUS from Theodora, daughter of Herculius, begets Constantine, father of Dalmatius, from whom was Dalmatius the younger, brother of the traitor Julian. Anaballianus, who also Gallus. Constantius, husband of the wife of Licinius. from Helena, however, he begets Constantine the Great alone.

MAGNIFICENT CONSTANTINE [OR] MAGNUS CONSTANTINUS from Fausta, daughter of Herculius, begets Crispus, Constantius, Constantine, Constans, and Helena, wife of the renegade Julian.

In the year of the world 5815, of the divine incarnation 315, the pious Constantine was in the nineteenth year of his reign; who, seeing Licinius abusing the persecution more insanely than usual and meditating counsel against his benefactor, took up arms against him by land and sea. And when the public battle was fought, Licinius was captured alive in Bithynia near Chrysopolis and handed over to the hands of Constantine, who, using his accustomed humanity, granted him life and sent him to Thessalonica to be imprisoned. However, not long after, because he had hired barbarians and was about to prepare a rebellion, had the most mild Constantine not foreseen this and ordered him to be cut down with the sword. And thus, from then on, the affairs of the Christian manner of life were made perfectly ^D secure in tranquility, the tyrants having been put to flight by the virtue ^C of the life-giving cross, and the Roman empire especially attaining divine assistance with Constantine. With his children therefore established as Caesars, he enjoyed the desired peace. The man was in every way illustrious in the virtue of his soul, in the sharpness of his mind, in the erudition of his words, in equity...

^A of justice, in readiness of beneficence, in dignity of manner, in the virility and success of his wars, great among the barbarians, and unconquerable among his fellow-tribesmen; whence he obtained victory against all his enemies through his prayers.

In the 5816th year of the world, and the 316th year of the divine incarnation, the vicennial celebrations of the reign of Constantine Augustus were held, and the holy and universal first synod of 318 Fathers took place, many of whom were workers of miracles and men equal to angels, bearing the stigmata of Christ in their own bodies. For the Roman interest, Vitus and Vincentius were present. This holy synod deposed Arius and those of one mind with him, except for Eusebius of Caesarea, who at the time professed with his own voice that he held the faith of the homoousios. And so, when the impious Arius was brought before the synod in person, Eusebius of Nicomedia, and Theognis and Maris and Narcissus and Theophantus and Patrophilus endeavored to defend him; they, having composed a book of blasphemous doctrine, presented it to the synod. When this had been unmasked, those who had made it turned back and condemned Arius, with the exception of Secundus of Ptolemais in Egypt and Theonas of Marmarica. When these, along with Arius, had been repulsed and anathematized, they dictated the holy symbol of the faith, and all subscribed to it with the most august emperor; and after praise had been spoken, the assembly was dissolved in the year in which Byzantium began to be built. The holy synod was therefore held on the 20th day of the month of May, in the 12th indiction, which wrote an epistle to Alexandria, Libya, and Pentapolis, by which ^C it made known the expulsion of Arius, Secundus, and Theonas. It also signified concerning Meletius that he should reside quietly and apart in his own city. Those however who had received the laying-on-of-hands from him, were to be confirmed by a more mystical consecration. It also wrote concerning Pascha, that it should in no way be observed with the Jews, but according to the form which is kept throughout Italy, the rather to be celebrated on the Lord's Day. Likewise, the most pious emperor wrote epistles everywhere commanding the same things which the holy synod had promulgated, and confirming them. Furthermore, as the festival of his twentieth year of rule was at hand, he called all the Fathers to a banquet, having feasted among them; and, honoring them decorously, he kissed the places of Paphnutius and similar confessors, from whom eyes had been gouged out in the persecution, or even other limbs truncated, hoping to profit by a sanctification from them. Furthermore, he committed to the fire the petitions which some had presented against one another, confirming with an oath that if he had seen a bishop involved in adultery, he would have covered him up immediately. He also commanded all the churches ^B to honor the priests, and thus he dismissed all rejoicing. He built Constantinople, which he endowed with the greatest liberality and where he established those men of reason who came from the city of Rome in illustrious houses; and choosing according to their station from other places, and assigning great houses to them, he brought it about that the city was inhabited. At that time also, the prince, a friend of God, built the temple of Holy Sophia, and of Holy Irene, and of the Apostles, and of Saint Mocius, and of the Archangel. Then, after the temple of Asclepius at Aegae and that of Venus at Aphaca had been destroyed to their foundations, and many others razed, he gifted their revenues to the churches. Then many nations approached for baptism, moved by the miracles which were performed by captive priests who had been captured under the emperor Gallienus; and firstly indeed among the Goths, and Celts, and Galatians, and the peoples of the West who had been against the Romans, but now, under the victor Constantine, a great multitude of the nations was illuminated, running to Christ. For the interior Indians and Iberians also, as Rufinus writes, and likewise the Armenians, believed perfectly under him, receiving salvation through King Tiridates and their bishop, Gregory. Then also Dorotheus, bishop of Tyre, who had suffered many evils, exiles, and torments under Diocletian, flourished, producing numerous writings in both Latin and Greek, having attained no small experience of both languages, and having become knowledgeable in many things through his genius. He also diligently wove together a history of the bishops of Byzantium and many other places: he who was also found in the synod, and returning to his own parish, ^D endured until the fugitive Julian. And because that detestable man was not attacking the Christians openly, but hideously through wicked judges, the blessed Dorotheus again set out for Odyssopolis, where he was apprehended by the judges of Julian, and after being subjected to many beatings, in his supreme old age he died by torments for the confession of Christ, when he was already 107 years old.

In the 5817th year of the world, 317 of the divine incarnation, the Jews and Persians, seeing that Christianity was becoming more and more powerful in Persia, slandered Simeon, the archbishop of Ctesiphon, before Sapor, king of the Persians, as if he were a friend of the Roman emperor and a betrayer of Persian affairs. Wherefore a great persecution was moved in Persia, and many were adorned with martyrdom for Christ; among whom Heustazades, the tutor of Sapor, and Simeon, and along with others a hundred clerics and bishops, were martyred in one day.

^A From the third hour until the fifth. As for Arius, he and his followers from Nicomedia rose up with an oath, offering to the emperor, who was thirsty for the unity of those who had been divided, bills of orthodoxy; and they persuaded him, lying in saying that they agreed with the Fathers who had gathered at Nicaea. Since the credulous emperor was stirred against Athanasius for the reason that he had not received Arius and Euzoius, who had been deposed by Alexander, and since Euzoius was a deacon, then an innumerable other multitude; of whom ^A eighteen thousand martyrs were numbered, having perished in persecutions by Sapor, with horrible and unnatural torments. During the same time, also blessed Helena slept in the Lord at the age of eighty, entrusting much to her son for the piety that is owed to Christ. She was buried in the temple of the Holy Apostles at Constantinople, which her son Constantine built to bury deceased Christian emperors. But blessed Helena is the first of all to be buried there, honored by illustrious monuments and vigils. Furthermore, the holy virgins, of whom she herself stood by the tables as a servant, proclaimed her blessed without ceasing at these divine monuments.

^B In the year of the world 5818, of the divine incarnation 318, while Constantine was in the twenty-second year of his reign, through the power of the holy cross he subjected the Germans, Sarmatians, and Goths to extreme servitude. Then Eusebius of Pamphili testified that the symbol of faith set forth by the holy Fathers at Nicaea held all orthodoxy, writing to his fellow citizens and interpreting the statements according to their meaning. Athanasius, however, in the epistle sent to the Africans, bears witness to Eusebius that he accepted the term of consubstantiality. But Theodoret says that he was in agreement with the Arians, namely Eusebius of Nicomedia and those who thought as he did. Whence he even consented to the deposition of the most holy Eustathius of Antioch; and persuading the emperor along with them that he was justly deposed, he worked for him to be sent into exile in Illyricum.

^C During the twenty-third year of Constantine’s reign, he began to build an octagonal temple at Antioch; and when he was in the twenty-fourth year of his reign, crossing the Danube, he built a stone bridge over it and subdued the Scythians. Furthermore, in the twenty-fifth year of his reign, he decreed that Constantinople be called New Rome, while Marcus held the presidency at Rome. Constantine, moreover, in the twenty-sixth year of his reign, extended his persecution to the destruction of idols and temples. During the same time, Athanasius is held to be the prelate of Alexandria. Nevertheless, in the twenty-seventh year of his reign, Julius is acknowledged as Roman pope.

In the year of the world 5823, of the divine incarnation 323, there was a famine in the East, such that a modius of grain became 400 silver coins, during the twenty-eighth year of Constantine’s reign; in the twenty-ninth year of whose reign Arius, recalled from exile through feigned repentance and sent to Alexandria, was not received by Athanasius.

In the thirtieth year of Constantine’s reign, his tricennalia were celebrated, when a star appeared in the sky at Antioch during the day against the eastern part, smoking vehemently, as if from a furnace.

But when Constantine was in the thirty-first year of his reign, Eusebius and those who were with him, having found an opportunity, fought against Athanasius as if against a fighter for the true faith; and the Meletians also joined with them. And first, his ordination was attacked, although Apollinaris the Syrian bears great witness regarding the ordination of Athanasius; secondly, regarding the linen garment, which his enemies falsely claimed the saint was wearing; thirdly, regarding Philamenus, to whom they mendaciously asserted he had sent much gold so that he would lay an ambush for the emperor. But when the emperor had summoned Athanasius and found everything to be false, he sent him back to Alexandria with an epistle and honor. Then the Arians, disparaging Athanasius with various accusations before the emperor, after many things, presumed to say with an oath: "We heard Athanasius threatening and forbidding the shipment of grain which was coming from Egypt to Byzantium"; whence, the prince, a friend of Christ, having been moved to anger, took action so that the great Athanasius would be relegated to exile at Trier, a city of Gaul.

In the thirty-second year of Constantine’s reign, the Persians declared war against the Romans. Then Constantine, having crossed into the city of Nicomedia to fight against the Persians, was prevented by illness and slept in peace. Then, as some of those who think with Arius claim, he merited to receive holy baptism from Eusebius of Nicomedia, translated to Constantinople; but that is a lie, as has been proven above: for he was baptized at Rome by Sylvester, just as we have also previously shown. He lived, moreover, through all the days of his life for sixty-five years, ^D having reigned for thirty-one years and ten months.

In the year of the world 5825, of the divine incarnation 325, when the great and holy Constantine had rested, his three sons took possession of the Romans; and Constantius took the East, and Constantine Italy. But Constantine, at first receiving the *homousios*, afterwards was changed by the levity of his mind, seduced by the Arian presbyter and Eusebius, the first of the eunuchs, and also by Eusebius of Nicomedia.

Therefore, in the third year of the reign of Constantius, Constantine...

^A the younger, the son of the great Constantine, having set out for the territories of his brother Constans and engaged in war, was killed by the soldiers, and Constans held the land of the entire West alone. Furthermore, Constantius, holding the empire in the East, handed over Gallus and Julian to be instructed at a villa called Demacelle, which is situated near Caesarea in Cappadocia. These two brothers were made readers and took care to build a church to the martyr St. Mamas. But in the part where it happened that Julian was constructing, the earth would in no way receive what was being built. Furthermore, having shorn their hair, they feigned a monastic devotion. Meanwhile, Constantius and Constans issued laws that no one should buy a Jewish slave, otherwise he would be taken away and turned over to the public treasury. Furthermore, if anyone dared to circumcise a slave, he was to be punished with the sword for presuming such things.

In the year of the world 5834, of the divine incarnation 534, Julius holds the Roman papacy. Constantius triumphed over the Assyrians; Sapor persecuted the Christians of his own kingdom, but Constans devastated the Franks. At the same time, a huge earthquake occurred, and Neocaesarea in Pontus fell, with the exception of the church and the bishop's residence and the religious men found therein. At that time, Paul the Confessor was ordained bishop of Constantinople. Truly, when Constantius was in the eighth year of his reign, the Alexandrians killed Gregory, who like a bandit had leapt upon Athanasius and held the see for six years. In the following year, Dyrrachium in Dalmatia was ruined by an earthquake, and Rome, shaken for three days, suffered losses. Around these times, Liberius sat on the Roman throne. But Athanasius and Paul, and as many as had been cast out for the rectitude of their speech, fled to Rome to Julius, and each of them instructed Julius about himself; and he restored them to their churches with letters. Athanasius and Paul, and those who were with them, relying on the letters of the Roman Pope Julius, received their own thrones. In the meantime, because of a great earthquake in the city of Berytus in Phoenicia, a large part of it collapsed, so that many Gentiles entered the Church, promising that they would observe the Christian rite according to our custom. Hence, some rising against them, having defrauded the structures of the Church in a certain way, cut them off, and calling it a place of prayer, they received the multitude into it, imitating all things that are of the Church, having become similar to us, just as the heresy of the Samaritans lives among the Jews in a Gentile manner. Moreover, Constantius, angered at Liberius for writing to him on behalf of the consubstantiality and the most holy Athanasius, sent orders that he be relegated to exile at Beroea ^B in Thrace. And then they consecrated Felix in his stead, who had been a deacon of the Church and embraced the Council of Nicaea. Furthermore, by imperial order, a synod was gathered at Milan, with three hundred Western bishops, but very few of the Easterners. Furthermore, this was dissolved ^A as an ineffective plan, with the Westerners not accepting the machinations ^B which were being prepared anew against the most holy Athanasius. Indeed, compelled by the petitions of the Romans, he recalled Liberius and restored him to his see. But Felix, having left the city, never returned; Damasus succeeded him. Meanwhile, Constantius, in the eighteenth year of his empire, ordering Gallus—whom, having been made Caesar, he named Constantius—to be killed, held his brother Julian in custody. But Eusebia, the wife of Constantius, having requested him, sent him to Athens; and when he had arrived there, he was instructed in Gentile studies, intending to build wickedness upon good foundations, and not following these things as he should have.

In the year of the world 5847, of the divine incarnation 547, Acacius of Caesarea and Patrophilus of Scythopolis deposed Maximus of Jerusalem, as they were Arians, and substituted Cyril in his place, thinking he would be in accord with them. Then the sign of the cross appeared in the heavens on the day of Pentecost, having the appearance of light, extended from Golgotha to the Mount of Olives; and in the circuit of the sign that appeared there was a crown, having the appearance of a rainbow. But this also appeared to Constantius on the same day. Moreover, a letter from this Cyril to the emperor Constantius is reported, in which he called him "most pious." Hence some disparage him as if he were an Arian, saying that he even remained silent on the word "consubstantial" (homousios) in the instructions which he set forth for the progress of the unlearned masses who were coming to baptism due to the miracles of the life-giving cross. But they are mistaken and in error: for it was necessary both for the emperor—who was led into heresy by the simplicity of his mind and not by an affection for the intrigues of the Arians, and who was not yet perfectly converted from paganism—to be called "most pious" out of a sense of accommodation, and to keep the word "consubstantial" silent for the time being, which was still troubling many and causing the candidates for baptism to recede due to the contradiction of enemies, but otherwise to express the word "consubstantial" through expressions signifying the same power; which the blessed Cyril also did, unfolding the Nicene faith according to the expression, and preaching the true Son of God from the true God the Father. Furthermore, Athanasius and Paul, upon the death of the impious Eusebius at Constantinople, where he had presided, again descend to Rome to Bishop Julius and to the Emperor Constans, the brother of Constantius. ^D However, the people, after Eusebius died, restored Paul to the throne of Constantinople, saying that he had gone to Rome to Julius and returned with his letters. Having discovered this, Constantius was indignant and ordered Prefect Philip to pursue Paul and restore Macedonius to the throne. But the Prefect, fearing the people, used his ingenuity and sent Paul to Thessalonica, from where he had originated. The Emperor, however, even then threatened to bring death upon Athanasius, whom he, fearing, became a fugitive and went again to Rome. To whom Paul also, coming from Thessalonica, joined himself; and they, departing, told Constantius what they had suffered.

Constans, grieving for the saints, wrote to Constantius that he should either restore their own sees to Paul and Athanasius, or surely know that he should have to move into conflict against him. He also urged him to hold the synod at Sardica, at which three hundred bishops of the West gathered, and thirty-six of the East. These latter resisted the Westerners, demanding that Athanasius and Paul be expelled first. But Osius, bishop of Corduba, and Protogenes of Sardica, did not allow the holy Athanasius and Paul ^A to be absent. Then the Orientals, coming to Philippopolis, shamelessly anathematized the homousion; but those who were found to be orthodox at Sardica, anathematizing the Anomoeans, confirmed the term of the faith set forth at Nicaea. Furthermore, they restored the thrones to Athanasius and Paul and to Marcellus of Ancyra, who confessed the homousion and gave an explanation for himself, because those who assailed him with accusations had not understood his writings. Meanwhile, in the twenty-first year of his reign, Constantius came to Rome to fight against Magnentius, where at the request of his own wife, Eusebia, he had Julian led from prison, made him Caesar, and sent him into Gaul, joining to him in marriage his sister Helena, who was also called Constantia.

In the year of the world 5850, in the year of the divine incarnation 350, a great earthquake occurred and Constantinople was destroyed. Then, after Constantius died in the twenty-fourth year of his reign, Julian became sole emperor; he lived shamelessly and like a pagan, washing away the holy baptism with the blood of sacrifices, and doing all things by which demons are accustomed to be appeased.

In the year of the world 5856, in the year of the divine incarnation 356, Jovian, a commander, a man most mild and an orthodox Christian, was named emperor of the Romans by the whole army, magistrates, and consuls in the same place in the land of the Persians where the apostate had died. He refused the empire, asserting that he could not rule an army that had become pagan under Julian; to which all shouted unanimously that they were Christians. ^B Furthermore, Jovian wrote to the most holy Athanasius that he should signify to him in writing the strictness of the immaculate faith; which he also did, writing to Jovian an epistle of the whole orthodoxy. Whence Jovian, having been made stronger in orthodoxy, gave many gifts to those who preached the homousion, and established that they should remain without tribute.

When he was dead, Valentinian was acclaimed Augustus by the soldiers; who, immediately coming to the royal city, made Valens his brother a sharer in his empire, granting him the Eastern parts, while he himself kept the Western. Meanwhile, Valentinian Augustus called his son Gratian Augustus, a sharer in his father's empire, and already proclaimed consul, and Valens his brother emperor. Now the orthodox approached Valentinian through Hypatius, bishop of Heraclea, beseeching him to order a meeting to be held ^C regarding the correction of the dogma of the homousion. To whom Valentinian said: To me, dealing curiously with matters of this kind regarding the subject people is not lawful. Therefore, do as seems best to you priests. Then they came to Lampsacus, and having stayed there for two months, finally rendered void the things that had been perpetrated by Eudoxius and Acacius at Constantinople, and decreed that the faith set forth at Seleucia should be held. But the impious Valens destroyed the things that had been done at Lampsacus, and sent into exile the bishops who had gathered there. Meanwhile, Liberius, the Roman Pope, and Athanasius and Meletius and Eusebius of Samosata, who had been recalled from exile by the command of Jovian, flourished in the discourse of orthodoxy, as too did Cyril of Jerusalem and other bishops who were champions of the orthodox faith. Now the Arians were led at Alexandria by Lucius, and at Antioch by Euzoius, while Paulinus led one party of the orthodox, and Meletius the other. Some, indeed, say that Dominica, the wife of Valens, persuaded him to follow the opinion of Arius so strongly. Moreover, others write that after he had reigned, having been baptized by Eudoxius, he confirmed by an oath at the baptism itself that he would think with Arius and would not accept the homousion at all, and thus both of them brought ten thousand persecutions upon the orthodox. They also sent Eustathius of Armenia and Silvanus of Tarsus and Theophilus of Castabala to Liberius, promising through them to accept the homousion. These, coming to Liberius, presented a document on behalf of the homousion, professing that they would avoid every heresy that was adverse to the Nicene synod; and having received these, Liberius communicated with them, and by writing bore witness to the Orientals of their orthodoxy. ^D

In the year of the world 5861, in the year of the divine incarnation 361, the Council of Tyana was celebrated, in which were found Eusebius of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Gregory Nazianzen, father of Gregory the Theologian—who himself also is called Nazianzen—and Trienus of Melitene and others; who, exulting over the letters of Liberius, signified to all orthodox bishops that they should gather at Tarsus for the confirmation of the true and right faith; upon hearing which, Valens forbade them to gather. Now the people of Cyzicus pursued Eunomius as a heretic and blasphemer, who, coming, was united with Eudoxius. For he was a blasphemer and most bitter, presuming to say that God knows nothing more about His own substance than we do. Furthermore, Valens gave the pagans license to celebrate sacrifices and solemnities. In like manner also he cherished and honored the Jews, pursuing only the orthodox in the apostolic Church.

In the ninth year of his reign, St. Athanasius of Alexandria migrated to the Lord, having held the episcopate for forty-six years, of which he lived forty in persecutions for the sake of piety and in dangers. To him succeeded Peter, who, being driven out by the Arians who were raging in the slaughter of many men, fled to Rome and hastened to Damasus, whose sentiment he also held, at which time also they wrote by epistle of the horrible things that were done by the Arians at Alexandria.

^A In the same year, Basil also was made bishop of Caesarea, when Eusebius had piously fallen asleep. In the year of the world 5866, of the divine incarnation 306, Ambrose was ruling the church of Milan after Auxentius. As the entire West was preaching the Trinity as consubstantial, certain men petitioned Valentinian, held a synod in Illyricum, and confirmed the Nicene faith. At that time, Gregory the Theologian was also known to be presiding over the Church of Constantinople, fighting for the dogmas of Basil, Meletius, and the rest of the pious. And if he had not been invited to the city of Constantinople beforehand, it would surely have been filled with the pollutions of Arius and Eunomius: for they possessed all the churches, except the oratory of the martyr Anastasia. Demophilus was presiding there over the Arians. At that time also, Gregory of Nyssa and Peter, brothers of Basil, were shining forth, as were Optimus in Pisidia and Amphilochus in Iconium. Valens sent Bishop Barses of Edessa and Pelagius of Laodicea, as champions of the orthodox faith, into exile. The race of the Sauromatae, a small and weak people, rising up against Valentinian and being overcome by him, sent legates and asked for peace. When Valentinian inquired of the legates whether all the Sauromatae were of such stature and such lowly bodies, they answered saying, "You have the best of them here before you." Then he cried out most powerfully, saying: "The Roman empire sustains a terrible burden, reaching even to Valentinian, if such Sauromatae as these are rising up against the Romans." Through excessive anger and the clapping of hands, a vein was ruptured, and with much blood flowing out, he died in a certain town of Gaul. ^B Furthermore, Valens sent the magistrate Trajan against the Goths, who, having been conquered, returned in disgrace. When Valens reproached him for his cowardice, he replied: "I am not conquered, Emperor, but you, who fight against God and reconcile His will to the barbarians." Damasus of Rome and Peter of Alexandria were the first to condemn the Sabbatians; and the impious Eunomius presumed to celebrate baptism in a single immersion, not in the Trinity, saying that one ought to be baptized in the death of Christ, and he rebaptized those who had been baptized in the Trinity. At the same time, the great Ephrem also shone in study and divine doctrine, bringing forth many ascetical sermons and even more dogmatic ones from the divine Spirit. He also delivered some of his studies to the Syrians to be sung, drawing the ancients along through melody. They say, therefore, that he published three hundred myriads of verses, truly founded in divine wisdom, in which you will find the virtue of the man to be learned. In the year of the world 5868, of the divine incarnation 368, the heresy of the Messalians—that is, the Euchites and Enthusiasts—arose. These go about singing and clapping with their hands, which things they insensibly and rapidly adopted from what is found in David. The leaders of this heresy were Dadoes, Sabbas, and Adelphius, and, as some say, Eustathius of Sebaste; against whom Amphilochius of Iconium and Litoius of Melitene strongly resisted. Furthermore, Valens, having devastated every church, came to Caesarea from the East, raging against the most saintly Basil; he did what great Gregory argues against in his epitaph for Basil. Then indeed Mavia, queen of the Saracens, having done many evils to the Romans, sought peace and requested that a certain Moses, a bishop of those living in the hermitage, be given to the Saracens who were being converted to Christianity among them. The Emperor doing this readily, Moses would not be consecrated by the Arian Lucius, but by certain of the bishops who had been in exile; and this was done. Having received this man, Mavia made many Saracens into Christians. They say, moreover, that she herself was a Christian, of Roman nationality, and having been taken captive, she pleased the king of the Saracens for her beauty, and thus obtained the kingdom. Sozomen writes many things about the same race, whence it took its origin and whence it is so named, and that it is circumcised in the 13th year. Furthermore, the Goths, attacked by the Huns, requested aid from the Emperor through their bishop, the Arian Hulfia, who had tarried under Constantius with the Arians Eudoxius and Acacius. He taught the Goths to be Arians, who, having gathered, devastated almost twenty provinces of Greece. ^C Upon hearing this, Valens, while he was residing at Antioch, came to Constantinople. At Byzantium, the people heaped insults upon him as an invalid and one who fled from wars. But Isaac, a holy monk, holding the reins of Valens’ horse as he was finally going out to battle, said to him: "Where are you going, Emperor, fighting against God and having God as your adversary?" Being angry, he delivered him to prison, threatening him with death if he returned, just as Ahab once did to Micaiah. After his departure, however, some of his men confessed that he had ordered divinations to be performed concerning the onset of the war that was hanging over him. When he was defeated by the Goths, he fled to a certain cottage; when the barbarians arrived at it, they set fire to the house, and, not knowing, they burned all who were in it. They say, however, that holy Isaac, in the stench of the prison, by divine grace and the purity of his soul discerned that Valens was being burned, and predicted his destruction to those who were with him before messengers had arrived to announce the deeds of the battle. Having discovered this, Gratian Augustus invested Theodosius with the purple and named him Emperor, and directed him against the Goths. Trajan the patrician, however, in his history, states that the Goths are commonly called Scythians. Theodosius, moreover, was orthodox and wonderful in wars. Furthermore, Gratian and Valentinian, by given law, recalled the bishops from exile and persecuted the Arians, with the cooperation of Pope Damasus of Rome. ^D In the year of the world 5874, of the divine incarnation 374, Theodosius reigns, in the fifth year of whose reign the holy and universal second synod was celebrated, over which presided Timothy of Alexandria, Meletius of Antioch, Cyril of Jerusalem, and the divine Gregory of Constantinople. Indeed, those who thought with Macedonius, thirty-six bishops, having been exhorted by

the Fathers to accept the Nicene dogmas, according to that for which they had offered their petitions to Liberius, and having been sent to Rome—those who were around Silvanus—refused to acquiesce to the truth and departed, having become objects of laughter to all; holding one opinion but promising another, and seductively bringing back the letters of Liberius, bearing witness to their own orthodoxy. The holy synod confirmed the episcopate of Constantinople for Gregory the Theologian, and seated him on the throne against his will, inasmuch as he labored much and was liberating the city from the lesion of heresy. And when this most wise and most blessed man learned that some from Egypt envied him this matter, he withdrew of his own accord from the throne of the royal city with a composed speech. Upon his refusal of the throne, the emperor and the synod brought forward Nectarius, a Tarsian by birth and then the head of the Praetorium; who, although not yet baptized, was nevertheless religious and of venerable life. Furthermore, the holy and universal synod confirmed the *homousion*, and added to the creed the theology of the Holy Spirit. Then Gregory of Nyssa, and Pelagius, and Eulogius of Edessa, and Amphilochius of Iconium were shining with great Gregory and the aforementioned men. However, the great Meletius of Antioch fell asleep in peace after the synod had ended. Flavian was ordained prelate of Antioch, while a certain Paulinus was still alive, although this same Flavian had confirmed by oaths given that he would never in any way accept the laying on of hands for the episcopate. Therefore, turbulence again occupied the Church of Antioch, some indeed obeying Paulinus, but others indeed obeying Flavian. ^B In Palestine, in the village of Emmaus, a complete child was born, divided from the navel upward, in such a way that he had two chests and two heads; and each had his own senses, and one would eat and drink, and the other would not eat; one would sleep, and the other would keep watch. Sometimes, however, they would even play together, and both would weep, and they would strike one another. They lived for nearly two years; and one died, but the other lived for four days, and then he too died. Theodosius, in the eleventh year of his empire, came with his son Honorius to Rome and placed him as emperor there.

Furthermore, when the Roman emperor had arrived, there came to him the bishop, by the counsel of Innocent the Roman pontiff, against Flavian, the bishop of Antioch. The emperor, however, admonishing them in matters that pertain to peace, united them after seventeen years, ordering the bishop from the East to come to Rome, with whom Acacius of Beroea was also sent.

In the year of the world 5890, of the divine incarnation 590, Arcadius reigns with Honorius, in whose sixth year of empire Nectarius dies. Theophilus, bishop of Alexandria, being present, sought to prevent the election of John Chrysostom, testifying that a certain Isidore, his presbyter who had ministered to him, was worthy of the episcopate of the royal city. But the emperor and the whole state wished John to be fetched from Antioch and consecrated for this office by him. ^B John was of the most illustrious of the Antiochenes, born of Secundus his father and Anthusa his mother. Since he was most eloquent by divine grace, he was held in admiration even by the sharpest of the pagan sophists; whence Libanius, being asked by his disciples near his death who would receive his learning after him, said: "John, had not the Christians stolen him from us." For Chrysostom was learned in the divine Scriptures under a certain Carterius, an abbot of a certain monastery, but in the encyclical arts under the aforementioned Libanius. A certain Macedonian, however, through his teaching approached the Church; he, having exhorted his own wife to convert and receive communion, could scarcely persuade her. She, however, giving the communion to her maid, who was of the Macedonians, ordered her to hold it with her. And when she had approached Chrysostom, receiving the communion from his holy hands, she, feigning to take it, stretched out her hand to the maid at the last; and taking the communion of the Macedonians, she brought it to her mouth, and found it turned into stone. ^C Then, terrified and trembling, she fell at the feet of John, confessing her rashness and sincerely returning to the Church. The stone was stored away to be kept in the repository of the vessels. Through the same time, Arsenius, who had been great in the world, despising all things, pursued divine philosophy in Egypt, shining in the monastic order by his life, his word, and his miracles.

In the year of the world 5890, of the divine incarnation 390, Nectarius, bishop of Constantinople, prohibited the presbyter who was set over penance on account of a sin that had been committed by a certain deacon in the church with a woman who was under penance. However, at Rome and in the whole West, this is carefully preserved even to the present, and a place is set apart for those doing penance. Theodosius wrote a law that a woman is not to be promoted to deaconess unless she has exceeded sixty years, according to the Apostle. Meanwhile, John Chrysostom, being a presbyter of Antioch, published marvelous sermons for the admonition of those who had presumed to act against the imperial statues.

In the year of the world 5896, of the divine incarnation 396, John Chrysostom, shining in life and word and divine charisms, and existing strictly in every virtue, was loved by the people, who were greatly edified by his teachings. But those who lived luxuriously turned themselves away from him; those who also operated in the war which was waged against him, among which occurred those things that were done concerning the eunuch Eutropius; and indeed the contention of Severianus of Gabala against Serapion, the archdeacon of John; and that which was done concerning the "Long Brothers," who had fled from Egypt on account of Theophilus; and furthermore that concerning the letters of Theophilus to Epiphanius; from which all... ^D

^A servants of God, John was sought by traps. Meanwhile, Epiphanius of Cyprus, coming to the Hebdomon, performed consecrations and synaxes against the will of John. But John, considering these things of little importance on account of divine love, was not appeased, having been preoccupied by the accusations of Theophilus made against blessed John. In the following year, however, John delivered a sermon against wicked women, by which those who were insane and enemies of the truth agitated Eudoxia, saying that the sermon had been delivered against her. And she, telling Arcadius that she had suffered atrocious things from John, acted so that Theophilus would be summoned, since he was obviously an enemy of John; and he, approaching, laid traps against John, and then sent him from the city. Upon learning this, the people stirred up a great sedition, not suffering John to be driven out; among whom Eudoxia, inclined by the pleas of the populace, asked Arcadius, and having sent the eunuch Criso, brought John back from Prenetus, who, not letting him enter the public synod, remained in the suburb. But the people, shouting to the emperor, forced John to enter and be placed on the throne, so that Theophilus and those who were with him, fearing, fled from the city. Then sixty bishops, gathering together, legally decreed all things that had been done by Theophilus and his associates against the divine John to be void. Moreover, in the following year, the empress Eudoxia, making a silver statue of herself, set it in the place which is called Pittacia, near holy Irene. But the prefect of the city, since he was a Manichaean and favored pagan ways, by celebrating applause, dances, and leaps, and making a tumult, distressed the pontiff, not allowing him to celebrate divine offices in quiet: for he often disturbed those chanting the psalms. But John mitigated him with words; he, however, excited Eudoxia against John, as if he were acting against the honor of her statue. Therefore, against John there was again hatred, again anger. He himself, however, issued a sermon, the beginning of which is: Herodias again rages. Then the enmity of the empress against him was consummated, and there followed another deposition and exile. But the people burned the church, and many were endangered on behalf of John; who, driven from the city, was sent into exile, where he also died in the Lord. When he was in exile, Arsacius, the brother of Nectarius, who had been bishop of the royal city before Chrysostom, was consecrated. Innocent of Rome, however, did not consent to the ejection of John, but consoled the clergy of the city by letter, and was indignant over the rash acts. Epiphanius, however, sailed to Cyprus, God Himself having heralded his migration. They say, moreover, that he also signaled to John that his end in exile would soon come, and similarly that John signaled to Epiphanius the death he suffered on the ship. In the same year also Eudoxia died. Arcadius, when he saw that he was to die in the completed fourteenth year ^B of his reign, seeing that Theodosius the younger was a small child, and considering that he might be sought by the traps of someone, called him emperor, and appointed Hisdigerdes, king of the Persians, to be his guardian by his testament. Hisdigerdes, however, having received the testament of Arcadius, and having used peace toward the Romans without envy, preserved the empire for Theodosius, and sending Antiochus, a certain wonderful and reasonable man, as his tutor and pedagogue, wrote these things to the Roman senate: Now that Arcadius sleeps and has appointed me the guardian of his son, I have sent one who may supply my place. Let no one, therefore, attempt traps against the boy so that he does not stir up an intolerable war against the Romans. Now Antiochus had come with the emperor. But Theodosius was expertly taught by his uncle Honorius and his sister Pulcheria in those things which pertain to Christians, and there was peace between the Romans and the Persians, with Antiochus writing many things especially in favor of the Christians; and thus Christianity ^C was expanded in Persia, through the mediation of Marutha, bishop of Mesopotamia.

In the year of the world 5901, in the year of the divine incarnation 401, Theodosius the younger reigns; in the second year of whose reign Atticus, bishop of Constantinople, admonishing a certain paralyzed Jew, persuading and baptizing him, brought him forth sound from the bath: for he is said to have advanced in piety toward God. In the seventh year of the reign of Theodosius, upon the death of Theophilus the Alexandrian, Cyril, his cousin, was ordained bishop in his stead. Then also Hesychius, a presbyter of Jerusalem, flourished in his teachings.

In the year of the world 5912, in the year of the divine incarnation 412, Theodosius reigns; in the fifteenth year of whose reign Honorius dies, and a certain John, one of the imperial clerks, seizes the empire at Rome, and sends an embassy to Theodosius, beseeching that he be accepted as emperor. But Theodosius, having cast the legates into prison, sends Ardaburius the general against him; whom the tyrant, having attacked at Ravenna, imprisoned. Upon Theodosius learning this, he sends Aspar, the son of the former, against him. Then, by the prayer of the God-beloved emperor, an angel of the Lord, appearing in the habit of a shepherd, led Aspar and those who were with him, and leads them through an impassable marsh which lies adjacent to Ravenna, which God made passable, just as in the time of the Israelites; and passing through on dry land, having found the gates of the city open, they killed the tyrant, but released Ardaburius from his bonds. In the following year, Marutha, bishop of Mesopotamia, healed the son of the Persian king Hisdigerdes, who was vexed by a demon. Meanwhile, emperor Theodosius, moved by great kindness, although he conquered the Persians most powerfully, nevertheless, sparing the Christians who lived in Persia, embraces peace; for the sake of which thing he sent the legates ^D Heleo the patrician, whom he considered very worthy of honor.

^A Since Nestorius would in no wise suffer the patriarchs to stay silent while the churches were so disturbed, he persuaded the emperor to send a sacra full of stinging rebukes to Cyril; he, thinking to restrain him by these means, angered him all the more. For, rising up, he wrote to the emperor and to his sisters regarding both the right faith and the sinister opinion of Nestorius, at the same time requesting a universal holy synod to examine Nestorius canonically. Then the emperor Theodosius wrote to all the bishops that without any delay they should assemble at Ephesus after Easter, decreeing that he who was not found in the council at Ephesus on the day of Holy Pentecost would have no excuse before God or before us. Celestine the Roman, moreover, wrote to Cyril of Alexandria to retain his place at the council. And so, in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of Theodosius, the third holy synod was celebrated at Ephesus. When all the prelates had truly gathered, John of Antioch and the Orientals failed to arrive on the appointed day, or on the one that had been set before. Furthermore, on the sixteenth day after the designated time, as John had not arrived, Nestorius arrived with much boasting, and the synod was celebrated on the twentieth day of the month of June, with Nestorius, Cyril, and Juvenal presiding. Furthermore, since Cyril was acting in the place of the Roman pontiff and was discussing all things theologically, Nestorius said with much boasting: "I would never call him who was two or three months old God, and therefore I am clean of your blood, and for this reason I shall in no way come to you." And with these words he departed with the six bishops who had followed him of their own accord. But those who were with Cyril, assembling on the following day, sent three bishops to summon him, and he did not obey. In like manner, summoned a second, third, and fourth time by the synod, he did not come; but he even caused those who had been sent to be subjected to injuries and insults. Then the synod, having received the bishops who had been harassed by injuries and ignominy, pronounced sentence against him and decreed that he was a stranger to all sacred dignity, ^D having delivered the deposition to his face. When these matters were thus concluded, three days later John of Antioch arrived, having with him twenty-six bishops; and when they learned that Nestorius had already been deposed, they split from the holy synod and, sitting with Nestorius, deposed—as they supposed—Cyril and Memnon of Ephesus. Theodoret, indeed, thinking that Cyril had offended in the twelve chapters, making a narration contrary to the truth, vomited forth the poison of Nestorius there; but Cyril, rising up powerfully for the sake of those same chapters, gave an account, interpreting what was contained in them and demonstrating that they were an ecclesiastical treasure, and manifesting his pious intention to all. Therefore, John of Antioch, having been called by the third council, and not obeying so as to come, received the sentence along with those who were with him, that they should be strangers to all ecclesiastical communion, until recognizing themselves, they should…

They then reconciled those who had been separated from the Church on account of his deposition. Under this ^A Proclus of holy memory, there were great earthquakes in Constantinople for four months, so that the people of Byzantium, fearing for their lives, stayed outside the city in the place called the Field, remaining there with the bishop and crying out to God with prayers and litanies. Therefore, on one day, as the earth was shaking and all the people were crying out more intently, *Kyrie eleison*, at about the third hour, in the sight of all, it happened that a certain young boy was lifted up by divine power into the air, and a divine voice was heard admonishing him to tell the bishop and the people that they should perform the litanies in this manner and say: "Holy God, Holy Strong One, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us," adding nothing else. Proclus, having received this instruction, commanded the people to chant thus, and the earthquake ceased immediately. Furthermore, blessed Pulcheria, marveling beyond measure at this miracle together with her brother, decreed that this divine hymn should be chanted throughout the whole world; and from then on, all the Churches began to chant this to God every day.

^B The Church once again united them. Under this Proclus of holy memory, great earthquakes occurred in Constantinople for four months, so that those in Byzantium, fearing for the city, were staying in a place called the Campus, persevering there with the bishop, and crying out to God with prayers and litanies. Therefore, on a certain day while the earth was heaving and all the common people were crying out most attentively, *Kyrie eleison*, at about the third hour, in the presence of all, a certain young boy was lifted up by divine power into the air, and a divine voice was heard admonishing him to announce to the bishop and the people that they should perform the litanies thus and say: "Holy God, Holy Strong One, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us," adding nothing else. Proclus, having received this instruction, ordered the people to sing in this way, and immediately the earthquake ceased. Furthermore, blessed Pulcheria, together with her brother, admiring the miracle beyond measure, decreed that this divine hymn be sung throughout the whole world; and from then on all the Churches received it to sing to God every day.

From that time on, under the reign of Theodosius the Younger, Valentinian was unable not only to save Britain, Gaul, and Spain, but he also lost Western Libya, which region is called Africa, in this way. There were two praetors, namely Aetius and Bonifacius, whom Theodosius sent to Rome at the request of Valentinian. And when Bonifacius had received the governorship of Western Libya, Aetius, inflamed by envy, made an accusation against him, as if he were meditating rebellion and striving to obtain Libya; and indeed he confessed this to Placidia, the mother of Valentinian. Otherwise, he wrote to Bonifacius that, if he were summoned, he should not come: for you are accused, and the emperors wish to deal with you deceitfully... Bonifacius, receiving this, and trusting Aetius as if he were his own servant, delayed coming when summoned. Then the emperors received Aetius as if he were a devoted man. At that time, the Goths were there, and many other great nations living across the Danube in Hyperborean regions, of whom the four most rational are: the Goths, that is, and the Hypogoths, the Gepids, and the Vandals, changing only the name and nothing else, and using one language. But all were of the Arian malice in faith. These, crossing the Danube under Arcadius and Honorius, were settled in Roman territory. And the Gepids indeed, from whom the Lombards and Avars were afterwards divided, inhabited the villages which are around Singidunum and Sirmium. The Hypogoths, however, after ravaging Rome under Alaric, departed to the Gauls and obtained what is there. The Goths, on the other hand, held Pannonia first, then in the nineteenth year of the reign of Theodosius the Younger, they inhabited the villages of Thrace for fifty-eight years, tarrying in Thrace, and they also obtained the western principate. Furthermore, the Vandals, having joined the Alans to themselves and called in the Germans who are now called the Franks, crossing the river Ninos under the leadership of Modigisclus, inhabited Spain, which is the first of Europe.

^A Bonifacius himself, fearing the Roman emperors, crossed from Libya into Spain and came to the Vandals. When he found that Modigisclus was dead and his sons Gonzaris and Gizericus were governing the principality, he urged them to divide the western Libya into three parts. They promised that each would rule its third part, yet in common they would rise up against any enemy. On these conditions, therefore, the Vandals crossed the strait, traversed Libya, and dwelt from the Ocean as far as Tripoli, which is near Cyrene. The Hypogothi, however, rising up from Gaul, held Spain as well. Then certain members of the Roman senate, friends of Bonifacius, brought a false accusation to Placidia, showing also a letter written some time ago by Aetius to Bonifacius, which Bonifacius himself had sent to them. Placidia was stunned, yet she did not harm Aetius in any way, but sent a message of exhortation to Bonifacius, confirmed with an oath. Afterwards, when Gontharis died, Gizericus became emperor of the Vandals. Bonifacius, therefore, having received the word, armed himself against the Vandals, as a great army was coming to him both from Rome and from Byzantium, whose master was Asper. But when a battle was joined against Gizericus, the Roman army was defeated, and thus Bonifacius, coming with Asper to Rome, dissolved the suspicion, having shown the truth of the matter. Thus was Africa subjected to the Vandals. At that time also Marcian, who later became emperor, while he was a soldier and serving under Asper, was captured alive by Gizericus.

In the year of the world 5957, the year of the divine incarnation 437, Leo holds the pontificate of the Roman see, while Theodosius reigns, in the thirty-ninth year of whose empire Proclus of Constantinople dies; he is succeeded by Flavian, presbyter and sacristan of the church of Constantinople, a holy and energetic man. And Cyril, bishop of Alexandria, also died, to whose see was substituted Dioscorus, a man in no way teacher-like, but rather savage and fierce.

In the year of the world 5940, the year of the divine incarnation 440, the eunuch Chrysaphius, holding the palace and the emperor himself, because he envied the consecration of Flavian, suggested to the emperor, who was innocent and staying at Chalcedon, to command ^B the patriarch to send him blessings for his consecration. Once this was done, Chrysaphius turned and demanded that the emperor seek gold blessings. But the bishop reported that he did not have the money to send, unless, he said, I should perhaps use the sacred vessels. From this, therefore, a not insignificant grief arose between them, without Pulcheria being aware of it. But these things were at Constantinople. As for Alexandria, Dioscorus immediately began to devastate the kin of Cyril in his early days, ^C and he plundered their patrimonies, and deposed Cyril’s kinsman Athanasius, a presbyter, without fault. He did these things in opposition to the correct faith of Cyril, being a heretic and, as it were, of soft character, harboring the views of Origen. He was also angry with Flavian, because he conferred little aid to the kin of Cyril. Since Chrysaphius was therefore impious, not able to endure the concord of the Churches, he gave effort to disturb them, and acted in various ways to drive Flavian from the episcopate, wishing to promote to his bishopric a certain Eutyches, an archimandrite of his own thinking; and since he could do nothing while Pulcheria held the civil affairs, he first laid snares for Eudocia, who was not yet experienced in his traps, and incited her to envy against her own mother-in-law, and urged her to disparage her before the emperor and take away her steward, since the steward was most necessary to Pulcheria for the management of affairs. But the emperor, fatigued by the troubles from his wife, sent and said to her: "Let this not make you sad: for it is not possible for me to have a steward, nor do I reject my sister, who manages all things well and diligently and piously." Chrysaphius, therefore, having become ineffective regarding this, turned to another instrument, and suggested to Eudocia that she should pester the emperor to order the patriarch to consecrate her as a deaconess, as one who had chosen virginity. And Eudocia, long pestering the emperor, finally persuaded his levity. Upon which matter Flavian, ordered by the emperor, was greatly saddened, ^D foreseeing the scandals that would arise from this. And he promised the emperor, but wrote to Pulcheria, begging her not to come even before his face, "lest I be compelled," he said, "to do any of the things that sadden you." She, therefore, understanding from what had been written what they were planning, sent away Eudocia’s steward, and she herself went out to the Hebdomon and lived in silence. Consequently, the emperor and Eudocia were made very sad toward Flavian, because he had revealed their secret. Furthermore, Eusebius the Scholastic, who first rebuked Nestorius, having been promoted to the bishopric of Dorylaeum, and disputing about the faith with the archimandrite Eutyches, found that he did not think correctly; when he could not help him despite much admonition, he reported him to Bishop Flavian, who, having gathered a council of forty bishops, brought in Eutyches, and according to the entire consequence of ecclesiastical canons, investigating the cunning and heretical invention, deposed him. Chrysaphius, however, holding the palace in harmony with him, upon learning these things, was inflamed with even greater anger against Flavian, and informed Dioscorus of Alexandria that he would cooperate in everything that was dear to his heart, if he would join him in the slanders against Flavian and Eusebius and labor for Eutyches.

^A And she also [spoke] to Augusta Eudocia regarding the sadness of Pulcheria, recounting to her the things against Flavian; and both of them labored so that the emperor would decree that a second council be gathered at Ephesus, the presidency of which they granted to Dioscorus, sending him a large army for support. And when he presided over this robber-synod, he did not permit any other notary to be present at the council, but had only his own men write down what was being done. Therefore, when the inquiry was made, Eutyches was required to set forth his own opinion, and he responded, saying: "I confess that our Lord was from two natures before the union: but after the union, I confess one nature." Then Dioscorus said: "And we all assent to these things." And indeed the representatives ^B of Pope Leo of Rome, seeing the violence of Dioscorus, and that he did not allow the letter of the Pope to Flavian to be read, nor that which he had sent to the synod, but treated them with contempt, fled and departed for Rome. Furthermore, Dioscorus restored the priesthood to Eutyches, but held Eusebius of Dorylaeum and Flavian of Constantinople in readiness to be deposed, who, even before the deposition, having been subjected to kicks and shoves by Dioscorus, lost his life; and from then on, the bishops were compelled to subscribe by the force of soldiers and swords. Domnus, however, the bishop of Antioch, after he had written by force, returning to himself, rose up against the prince Dioscorus, crying out against the things that had been done, calling the council impious, and seeking to take back his subscription. Having learned these things, Pope Leo went with tears to the emperor Valentinian ^C and to the Augustae, seeking that letters be sent to the emperor Theodosius for the correction of the things which had been wickedly and irregularly done at Ephesus; he wrote back to Eudocia his daughter thus: "I wish it to be known to your sweetness that I desire this, because Flavian was cast out from the churches by divine judgment as the author of many disturbances." Moreover, Dioscorus deposed Theodoret and Ibas and Andrew and Domnus of Antioch and other Eastern bishops. But the emperor Theodosius was unstable, carried about by every wind, whence he would even subscribe to papers without reading them. In that same year, Geiseric, having grown opulent from the Vandal multitude, and calling himself king of the land and sea and of many islands, was causing distress to Theodosius. ^D But not long after, Theodosius repenting, and recognizing that he had been deceived by the wiles of Chrysaphius, was saddened over the impiety and injustice that had been done regarding Flavian and the rest of the bishops. And being vehemently indignant, he first made Chrysaphius an exile on an island, but against Eudocia he was extremely moved, calling her the cause of all these evils, inasmuch as she had persecuted Pulcheria from the imperial [palace] and [he was] reproaching her for the things she had done concerning Paulinus. She, however, in despair asked to be sent away to Jerusalem, and having assumed Severus the priest and John the deacon, she came to Jerusalem. Meanwhile, the emperor, learning that they were frequently approaching her in the city and were again with her in Jerusalem, and that she was bestowing many things upon them, sent [men] and beheaded them. Then the emperor, asking the blessed Pulcheria, brought her back to the imperial palace, which she soon sent to Ephesus and brought back from there the body of the holy Flavian, and carrying it with much reverence through the middle of the city, buried it near the holy apostles. Meanwhile, Attila the Scythian, a strong and proud man, having removed his elder brother Bleda, and being the sole leader of the Scythian kingdom—whom they call Huns—ran through Thrace, and reduced every city and camp into servitude, except for Adrianople and Heraclea, which was once called Perinthus. Theodosius is therefore compelled to send an embassy to Attila, and, offering six thousand pounds [of gold] for his withdrawal, he promises to pay one thousand pounds as an annual tribute. Therefore, when the Roman virtue had returned from the war which had been intended against Attila, not long after Theodosius died. Furthermore, the blessed Pulcheria, with no one yet realizing the emperor's death, having summoned Marcian, who lived in religion and chastity, being a man both elderly and suitable, said to him: "Since the emperor is dead, and I have chosen you as one well-pleasing to the entire senate, give me your word that you will guard my virginity, which I have committed to God, and I will proclaim you emperor"; and upon his promising this, having summoned the patriarch and the senate, she proclaimed him emperor of the Romans.

In the year of the world 5943, of the divine incarnation 443, Marcian, having been shown to be a pious emperor by divine decree, recalled all who were in exile. Pulcheria surrendered the hateful eunuch Chrysaphius to the son of Jordan, John, who exercised tyranny in the Roman city, and with many churches erected to Christ, and especially in Blachernae, she built a church for our praiseworthy Lady, the Mother of God, at the beginning of the reign of the pious Marcian. Furthermore, the blessed Pope Leo wrote to Marcian, requesting that the things which had been presumed by Dioscorus and Eutyches at Ephesus against St. Flavian should be examined before a universal synod, and the emperor ordered all the bishops to be gathered. Thus, the fourth synod was held a second time, in the month of October, in the fifth indiction. All the bishops having gathered together in the martyr-shrine of St. Euphemia with the senate, the things that were done in the first indiction concerning Eutyches, and the things that were rashly perpetrated at Ephesus by Dioscorus, were discussed. But Dioscorus, being questioned concerning these things, took refuge in ignorance of the proceedings: but being unable to escape the refutation, which was carried out in the acts, he failed, and the truth was exposed. Then, having no excuse, he was confused. But these men, who with him had consented to the robber-conclusions...

^A of the synod, were received upon requesting pardon; one of whom was Juvenal, Bishop of Jerusalem. And when Dioscorus had failed, having no excuse, he dared not appear again in the synod. Then the synod, in the presence of the Emperor Marcian and the senate, brought forth a sentence against Dioscorus and Eutyches and deposed them. But the emperor relegated Dioscorus into exile at Gangra, and praising the synod, said: "I give greatest thanks to God, the author of all our blessings, because discord being removed, we have all come to one and the same confession." And kindly honoring those six hundred and thirty Fathers, he absolved each one to return home in peace. Furthermore, Proterius was consecrated Bishop of Alexandria in place of Dioscorus.

In the year of the world 5945, the year of the divine incarnation 445, the blessed and pious Pulcheria fell asleep in Christ. She did many good deeds and left all her possessions to the poor; and Marcian, since there was much, distributed it readily. She also built many oratories, and houses for the poor and for strangers, and also erected sepulchers for pilgrims; among which she built the temple of the Holy Martyr Lawrence. But truly, that pestilent man, the monk Theodosius, having descended in haste to Jerusalem after the Council of Chalcedon had taken place, and having learned that the Augusta Eudocia was ablaze with affection toward Dioscorus, who had been deposed by the synod, began to cry out against the synod as if it were subverting the true ^B faith. And having suborned the Augusta and the monks, using his own dwellings in a barbaric manner, he seized the archieratic throne and, having men who were ministers to the Augusta as bishops, he promoted them throughout the cities, while the bishops were still in the synod. But Severianus, the Bishop of Scythopolis, who had not been deceived by his evil opinion, he expelled from the city and killed; and he incited perseverance against those who did not communicate with him, and indeed afflicted many with torments, and delivered the houses of some to the fire, so that it might be estimated that the city had been captured by Barbarians. He also killed Athanasius, a deacon of the Holy Resurrection, who was reproaching and refuting his impiety, and having carried his holy body in procession through the city, he delivered it to the dogs. But the lord archbishop of Antioch fled into the desert, as did Juvenal of Jerusalem. Furthermore, when the pestilent Theodosius had held the throne of Jerusalem for 20 months, he was ordered to be arrested; and he, fleeing, hastened to Mount Sinai; with his flight having failed, along with those whom he himself had advanced, Juvenal again received his throne.

Meanwhile, Maximus, the nephew of Maximus, killed the tyrant Valentinian, and having forcibly joined himself to Eudoxia, he also obtained the empire: for by the things a man sins, by these he is also punished. Therefore, being pressed in these circumstances, and thinking that there would be no help from Byzantium, since her father Theodosius and Pulcheria were dead, Eudoxia summoned Geiseric to the city of Rome, ^C requesting to be liberated from the tyranny of Maximus. But when Geiseric was sailing to Rome with his fleet, Maximus, fearing, took to flight: but those who were with him killed him. Furthermore, Geiseric, with no one resisting him, entered Rome on the third day of the flight of Maximus, and having taken all the wealth and the marvels of the city into his ships—in which there were ecclesiastical treasures, all made of gold and adorned with precious stones, and the Hebrew vessels which Titus, the son of Vespasian, had brought to Rome after the captivity of Jerusalem—sailed to Africa along with the Empress Eudoxia and her daughters.

Marcian was, moreover, most religious and God-fearing, who would walk on foot with the litanies of the Campus, granting many benefits to the needy. Observing this, Anatolius the patriarch himself also, from that time, no longer moved ^D borne upon a litter according to custom, but walked on foot performing the litanies. But Timothy Aelurus, using subterfuge, would go about the cells of the monks by night, calling each one by name, and upon receiving a response, he would say: "I am an angel, come to tell everyone that they should depart from the communion of Proterius and those who met at Chalcedon, and that they should advance Timothy Aelurus as Bishop of Alexandria."

In the year of the world 5950, the year of the divine incarnation 450, Leo was crowned emperor by Anatolius the patriarch, but Timothy, surnamed Aelurus, was disturbing the city of Alexandria. By buying a multitude of restless men, he tyrannically obtained the see of Alexandria, and because he had been deposed, he moved himself to be advanced by two who were deposed. Whence all scandals arose from Alexandria: for while all the priests of the inhabited world were receiving the definition of the Council of Chalcedon, this wicked man, infected by a certain rabies, attacked them with injuries, and was performing ordinations of bishops, though he himself was unordained, and he was baptizing, though he was not a presbyter. But the blessed Proterius, sensing that a council had been formed against him, gives place to wrath and on the first day of Pascha flees to the venerable baptistery. But that forerunner of Antichrist, reverencing neither the holy day nor the holy places, sends and kills the innocent pontiff, along with six others who were with him; and pulling his corpse with ropes, they cast it out from the holy font, and having carried it in procession through the city, at last they delivered it to fire without any mercy, and scattered his ashes into the air. In the same year, the body of St. Anastasia was brought from Sirmium and deposited in her temple in the porticoes of Domnus. But Timothy Aelurus, finding the writings of the great Cyril, adulterated them in many places, as Peter of Alexandria writes. In the following year, the Emperor Leo, having learned of the unjust death of Proterius and the unjust promotion of Aelurus, sent to Caesarea and relegated to exile, with their tongues mutilated, those who had communicated in the killing of Proterius: but regarding the wicked Timothy, he did nothing, saying that it was fitting for bishops to pass judgment upon him. He sent letters to the bishops of each province, so that they might individually write.

their own personal views, whether the things defined at Chalcedon were pleasing to them, and what they said concerning the creation of Aelurus. Among those to whom he wrote were St. Simeon the Stylite, the monk Baradatus, and Jacob the miracle-worker, testifying that they should set forth their judgment on the controversies in such a way that they would be rendered a reckoning to God, the Lord of all. They all, unanimously and consistently, affirmed that the holy Synod of Chalcedon was holy and accepted the decree issued by it, while consistently rejecting Timothy as a murderer and a heretic. Gennadius also exerted himself before the Emperor to take vengeance for these things that had been rashly perpetrated; against him, Aspar the Arian resisted. Then the pious Emperor relegated Aelurus to exile at Gangra; but even there he began to assemble conventicles and to stir up disturbances, which the Emperor discovering, again sent him into exile at Cherson, and in his place was consecrated as bishop of Alexandria another Timothy, surnamed Leucos—who is also called Salophacialus—an orthodox man, good and altogether lovable to all. Meanwhile, a vast fire having occurred in Constantinople, Marcian the oeconomus, ascending upon the roof of St. Anastasia, holding the Gospel, with prayers and tears saved the house from harm. The following year, when a certain painter had presumed to paint the Savior according to the likeness of Jupiter, his hand withered; him, when he confessed his sin, Gennadius healed. For some of the historians say that the form with curly and sparse hair is more traditional for the Savior. About the same time, the Emperor Leo made Zeno his son-in-law commander of the whole East, and appointed Basiliscus, brother of the Augusta Verina, commander of the Thracians. Zeno, however, coming to Antioch, found Martyrius as bishop there. But Peter the Fuller accompanied Zeno while he was still a presbyter; he, persuading Zeno to assist him in hiring certain followers of Apollinaris, stirred up ten thousand disturbances against the faith and Bishop Martyrius. He anathematized those who did not say that God was crucified, and, rending the Antiochene people, added to the trisagion hymn: “Who was crucified for us.” Which from then until today has continued to be said among the Theopaschites. Martyrius, however, came to the Emperor Leo and was received with much honor, through the zeal of Gennadius, Bishop of Constantinople. Returning then to Antioch, and finding the people dissenting and Zeno favoring them, he renounced the episcopate before the church, saying: “I renounce a clergy not submissive, a dissenting people, and a defiled church, keeping for myself the dignity of the priesthood.” When he departed, Peter the Fuller leaped into the Alexandrian throne, and soon promoted John also as bishop of Apamea, who was one under deposition. But when Gennadius had these things reported to him, he explained everything to the Emperor and ordered Peter the Fuller to be exiled. Hearing this, Peter escaped exile by flight. But when the election ^A of a successor was moved, Julian, a certain bishop of Antioch, was chosen.

In the same year, the prophet Elisha was translated at Alexandria into the monastery of Paul the leper: for he healed a leper, and made a leper, and he was translated into that state where the lepers were.

About these times, Anthimus and Timocles, the composers of hymns, were known. Furthermore, Cassius the quaestor of Antioch and philosopher was denounced to the Emperor as a pagan, and the Emperor ordered him to be examined by the praetorian prefect in Constantinople. And when he was led into the Zeuxippus, his hands bound behind his back, Poseius the prefect said to him: “Do you see, O Cassius, in what condition you have been placed?” He said: “I see, and I do not wonder: for since I am a man, I have incurred human calamities. But judge in my case, as you were wont to judge with me.” Upon hearing these things, the assembly praised the Emperor, upon learning of which, the Emperor rejoiced and sent him back to his own region.

In the year of the world 5963, in the year of the divine incarnation 463, when Eudoxia, granddaughter of Theodosius, had spent sixteen years in Africa with her husband Huneric, and had born a boy, Hilderich, from him, she was carried with difficulty toward her husband, as he was an Arian. Whence, having found an opportunity, she fled and came to Jerusalem, and having adored the venerable places, and having saluted the sepulcher of her grandmother Eudoxia, and having stayed for a few days in the holy city, she died in peace, leaving everything to the holy Resurrection.

^C In the year of the world 5967, in the year of the divine incarnation 467, Basiliscus was proclaimed Emperor in the Field. He made his son Marcus Caesar, and crowned his wife Zenonida Augusta, and immediately fought against the faith, with Zenonida especially inciting him to this, and recalled Timothy Aelurus by decree, and Peter the Fuller, who had been hidden in the monastery of the Acoemetae. And as many other enemies of the holy Council of Chalcedon there were, they acted confidently against the truth. Aelurus, however, with the restless Alexandrians who were dwelling in Constantinople gathered, came from the palace with a litany into the church, riding an ass; who, arriving at the place which is called the Octagon, grew terrified, broke his foot, and with confusion returned. Basiliscus ^D sent this man to Alexandria with a decree against the synod, and confirmed Peter the Fuller at Antioch, strengthening both against the truth. But Timothy Salophacialus, the Alexandrian bishop, discovering that Timothy Aelurus was arriving, withdrew to the monastery of Canopus. But Aelurus, though many were afflicted, could not harm Timothy, for the reason that he was loved by all. And when Aelurus entered Alexandria, his zealots were shouting that shameful thing: “You have fed your enemies, Pope.” But the wicked man shouted back against them: “Truly, I even fed them.” This impious man also anathematized the Council of Chalcedon. Julian, however, the bishop of Antioch, died from grief on account of the things that were being done. But Peter the Fuller, arriving at the see, in anathemas and disturbances...

erupted. Hence occurred slaughters of men and plunderings on account of the addition to the Trisagion. Furthermore, Basiliscus, by a general edict, rejected the Council of Chalcedon, ordering Acacius of Constantinople to do the same; but the entire city, with women and children, assembled in the church against Basiliscus and forbade this to be done. Moreover, because the clergy and monks of Constantinople were struggling for the Chalcedonian synod, Acacius, fearing the multitude, feigned agreement with them; hence, standing before the ambo, he cried out against Basiliscus and Zeno. Basiliscus, however, having learned of these things and fearing the fervor of the people, departed from the city, ordering the senate not to speak with Acacius. For it was likely that the people would burn down the city. Daniel the wonderful Stylite, having taken with him the monks and those who emulated the people, went out against Basiliscus, and he disputed with great confidence. Meanwhile, Zeno, arriving with Ariadne at the royal city, was received by the people and the senate. Basiliscus, however, coming to the church, laid aside the imperial crown upon the holy table and fled to the baptistery with Zenobia, his wife of ill repute. Furthermore, Zeno turned against Peter Cnapheus because he had sided with Basiliscus. By a decree of the Eastern synod he was deposed, and with him John, who was ejected after the third month, and after him Stephen, an honorable man, was promoted as bishop of Antioch. Peter, however, was about to be led into exile to Pityus, but, deceiving those who were leading him, he fled to Saint Theodore of Euchaita. Meanwhile, Timothy Helurus died, in whose place Peter Moggus was introduced, a wicked man and enemy of the truth, who had already been deposed. He was consecrated by one bishop, and that one already deposed; against him the monks, through zeal for God, rushing headlong for thirty days, repulsed him while he held the bishopric by robbery and restored Timothy Salophacialus to the throne by right. Stephen, meanwhile, having been promoted to the Antiochene bishopric by common election, was accused by the followers of Peter Cnapheus before Zeno as being a Nestorian. But the Eastern synod convening at Laodicea restored him to his see at the order of the emperor, as innocent. ^A defender of the dogmas who had been a presbyter and steward of the church at Alexandria. Furthermore, Illus the patrician, with Leontius and the rest, came to the castle of Papyrius, and having brought out the Augusta Verina, he had her crowned in Tarsus of Cilicia outside the city at the church of St. Peter.

Moreover, in the tenth year of Zeno, the followers of Peter Moggus, by means of money and seductions, persuaded Zeno to eject John Tabennesiotes, the Alexandrian bishop, as one consecrated against his wish, and to restore Peter Moggus to Alexandria. Then Zeno also composed the Henoticon, as some say, dictated by Acacius of Constantinople, and transmitted it everywhere. Before his return to Alexandria, Zeno ordered Peter Moggus to communicate with Simplicius of Rome and with Acacius, who—that is, Acacius—wrote to the Alexandrians to receive Moggus and to eject John. John, however, having heard of Peter’s presence, although the clergy with the people forbade him to leave, considering what ought to be presumed by Peter, departed wisely and without disturbance.

In the seventh year of the emperor Zeno, upon the death of Stephen, bishop of Antioch, they ^D consecrated another in his place as Stephen, whom the enemies of the faith, out of the desire with which they burned against Cnapheus, slaughtered with sharp reeds in the baptistery of the holy martyr Barlaam and threw into the Orontes river, arming their madness with rage. Zeno, however, because of those things which were presumed against Stephen, ordered Acacius of Constantinople to appoint a bishop of Antioch, who ordained Calandion. The Antiochians, however, through ignorance, also consecrated John, who was called Codonatus, whom Calandion enthroned after he was transferred to Tyre, which is the first throne of the Antiochene diocese. In the same year, at Alexandria, Timothy Salophacialus also died, and John Tabennesiotes was consecrated, a holy man and ^B

In the year of the world 5972, of the divine incarnation 472, Theodoric Valamer, whose fame among the Barbarians and Romans is great—as one who is brave and prudent, and not inexperienced in reason, for having been given as a hostage to Byzantium in times past, he adhered to the best of masters—while his father Valamer alone was leader after the sons of Attila, lived under the empire of Leo as a Goth. Meanwhile the Eastern bishops wrote to Acacius with reproaches because he had received Moggus into communion; who, disregarding them all, impudently forced them to communicate with Moggus. But those who were from the royal city, and also from the East, petitioned Felix, the Roman bishop, signifying that Acacius was the author of the evils. Among whom John, the Alexandrian, also went to Rome saying the same things. Felix, however, a synod having been held in the temple of the highest apostle Peter, sent two bishops and a defender of the Church to Constantinople, writing to Zeno and Acacius that they should eject Peter Moggus from Alexandria as a heretic. In the following year, those who had been sent from Rome having been held at Abydus by the will of Zeno and Acacius, and their letters taken away and they themselves sent into prison, Zeno threatened to kill them unless they communicated with Acacius and Peter Moggus. Furthermore, Zeno, by the counsel of Acacius, compelled the Eastern bishops to subscribe to the Henoticon and to communicate with Peter Moggus. The legates of Felix of Rome, however, meeting [Acacius] and being seduced by money, he persuaded to communicate with Acacius contrary to what had been commanded them, although the orthodox protested against it three times: first, by placing a rope around them and instructing one of them in public, second, they put them into a book, and third, they placed them into a basket of vegetables. Felix, however, having learned what was done by his apocrisiaries, deposed them, writing to Acacius of the deposition. Moreover, he who was bringing this, fleeing those who were at Abydus, arrived at the monastery of the Sleepless Ones (Dii). The monks of the Dii on the Lord’s day presented the letter to Acacius in the sanctuary. But those who...

were of Acacius’s part killed some of the monks who had handed over the letter, and delivered others to prison after punishing them. ^A Indeed, Acacius acted senselessly regarding the deposition, and took the name of Felix away from the diptychs. Furthermore, Calandio, the bishop of Antioch, brought back the body of the great Eustathius from Philippi, where he had slept, being held in exile, and the whole city came to meet him at the tenth milestone with great honor. Those who had separated themselves from the Church on account of that same saint were reunited after one hundred years from his falling asleep. Indeed, when Acacius had died, after Phravitas had held the episcopate for three months, he wrote to Felix that he was in communion with him, but that he was not in communion with Peter Mongus. Conversely, Mongus wrote that he was in communion with him, but that he rejected Felix the Roman. However, Felix, before the apocrisiarii of Phravitas had arrived with the synodical letters, having received the copies that had been destined for Mongus by the orthodox, sent them back with dishonor. After Phravitas died, Euphemius, a presbyter and the *ptochotrophos* of Neapolis, held the episcopate of Constantinople; he immediately with his own hands erased the name of Mongus from the diptychs, and sitting on the throne, inscribed in them the name of Felix.

In the year of the world 5982, in the year of the divine incarnation 482, Peter Mongus died at Alexandria, in whose place Athanasius was consecrated, nicknamed the *Cilites*. But the emperor Zeno, having obtained rest from the Barbarians, expelled Calandio from the church of Antioch, sending him into exile in the Oasis, and appointed Peter the Fuller (Cnapheus) in his place. ^B He ordered that certain bishops be cast out from their churches—Nestor of Tarsus, Cyrus of Hierapolis, John of Cyrestes, Romanus of Chalcedon, Eusebius of Samosata, Julian of Mopsuestia, Paul of Constantinople, Manus of Armenia, and Andrew of Theodosiopolis—under the pretext of favor as if regarding tyrants, but in truth because they did not accept the *Henoticon*. Peter the Fuller, having entered Antioch, committed many evils, namely the anathemas of the Council of Chalcedon, the unjust depositions of bishops, illicit substitutions and creations, and similar things, adding before all else to the Trisagion hymn: "Christ the King, who was crucified for us." But Peter later cut away the words "Christ the King." ^C Furthermore, Xenochias, a servant of Satan, claimed that the image of the Lord and the saints should not be received. For since he was a Persian by birth and a slave by status, fleeing from his master under Calandio, he was drawing those who live around Antioch away from the faith; although he was not baptized, he claimed to be a cleric. Calandio drove him out, but Peter the Fuller, ordaining him bishop of Hierapolis, called him by the changed name Philoxenus. But when he later learned that he had not been baptized, he said: "Consecration is sufficient for him in place of baptism." Euphemius, however, being orthodox, drove Anastasius the Silentiary—who after this abused the empire—from the church as a heretic and one who consented to Eutyches; he also overthrew him in the church, threatening that unless he ceased from such things, he would shave his head and deliver him to the mobs to be exposed. Having complained against him to Zeno, he obtained power. In the following year, which was the seventeenth year of the reign of Zeno, Felix, having received the synodical letters of Euphemius, was joined to him as to an orthodox man, but he did not receive the bishop himself, because he had not removed the name of Acacius and his successor Phravitas from the diptychs. In the same year, after the death of Peter the Fuller, Palladius, a presbyter of the church of St. Thecla the first martyr at Seleucia, was promoted as bishop in his place, along with whom John of Constantinople and Anastasius the Silentiary—who later reigned wickedly—were ejected. ^D For when Zeno died, and his brother Longinus was repelled while attempting the empire, Anastasius the Silentiary was proclaimed emperor by the counsel of Ariadne and the senate, and of the whole army. When he had taken up the empire, he was requested by Euphemius to make a profession in writing that he would not move anything from the Church or concerning the faith, as he claimed to be unworthy of the Christians and the empire. But due to the constraint placed upon him by the empress Ariadne and the senate, he took up the document in his own hand, that he would accept into the definition of the faith the dogmas of the Council of Chalcedon, and thus crowned, he took Ariadne to marriage, not having been joined to a wife before. Furthermore, in the year that Zeno died and Anastasius began to reign, the years according to the Romans were 5999, but according to the careful calculation of the Alexandrians, 5983.

In the year of the world 5984, in the year of the divine incarnation 484, the emperor Anastasius ordered Peter the Fuller to return to Antioch to his own see. But although he had recalled him from exile, he did not allow him to depart for Antioch, causing Palladius to be consecrated for Antioch. Euphemius of Constantinople, however, having gathered the visiting bishops, preached the holy Council of Chalcedon. Furthermore, John Tabennesiotes, when he was in Rome, hearing that Anastasius was reigning, came to Byzantium, hoping for good turns from him, since he had made him *oikonomos* of Alexandria; he even took care to sustain him when he had been stripped naked after a shipwreck, so that he would feel nothing of his calamity at all. But Anastasius, hearing that he was coming, breaking faith and using great ingratitude, ordered him to be sent into exile, not accepting him at all. John, foreknowing this, was saved by fleeing to Rome. Meanwhile, with the turbulence of the Barbarians and brigands and internal wars, Cono, the bishop of Apamea, twice abandoned his throne and, having been taxed as an armed soldier and praetor, resisted. The emperor, however, exhausted because the war was being prolonged, confidently trusted Euphemius the bishop because he desired peace, and ordered the visiting bishops to be gathered, as if to petition on behalf of the Isaurians. But Euphemius revealed the secret of the emperor to John the patrician, the brother of Athenodorus, the primate of the tyrants, who running this...

to the emperor, produced such an unexpected amount of enmity against Euphemius in the Emperor Anastasius as to make it irreconcilable. Hence he also ascribed the gatherings of the Isaurians to Euphemius. ^A Indeed, certain men laying in wait for Euphemius persuaded someone to strike his head with a sword before his martyrdom. But a certain Paulus, one of the church defenders, received the blow on his own head and was endangered, but he killed the assailant. Therefore, when they lay in wait again for Euphemius in the Collecta, they conspired to kill him, but he, having put on private attire, bought his safety by flight. Furthermore, the Emperor Anastasius violently extorted from Euphemius his profession [of faith], of which mention has been made before. And when the Isaurians were defeated, he sent word through Eusebius the [magister], saying: "Your prayers, O great one, have stained your friends with soot." ^B Accordingly, when the bishops had gathered from abroad, the emperor made complaint against Euphemius; and they, favoring the emperor, decreed the deposition and excommunication of the patriarch. The emperor then advanced Macedonius as bishop of Constantinople, who at that time was the [sceuophylax] of that very church. The people, however, stood divided over Euphemius, and running into the Hippodrome, they held litanies, although they were able to achieve nothing, as the emperor was intent on winning by ill means. Furthermore, Macedonius, wickedly obeying Anastasius, subscribed to the [enoticon]. The emperor then sent Euphemius into exile to Euchaita; Euphemius begged for a word [(18)] through Macedonius to be allowed to remain uninjured while he was being led away. ^C But when Macedonius was ordered to give his word, and was about to enter the baptistery to Euphemius, he ordered the archdeacon to take the [superhumerale] from him, and thus went in pure to Euphemius, and having borrowed money, he gave it to Euphemius, so that he was praised by many. For he was a religious and holy man, inasmuch as he had been nurtured by Gennadius, and was his nephew as well. In the same year, upon the death of Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, there was consecrated in his place John, a monk, priest, and steward, surnamed Hemula. Furthermore, Macedonius, by the counsel of the emperor, strove to unite the monasteries of the royal city which had been split because of the [enoticon] of Zeno. But not succeeding, he gave counsel to the emperor to have the bishops from abroad gather to confirm in writing the things that were well dogmatized at Chalcedon. ^D Which, through the written action, was also done. And he exhorted the monasteries to unity, especially the monastery of the Bassiani and of the Acoemetae, and that of Matrona, and all those which were more divided by the one who accepted the [enoticon] of Zeno, and they gladly endured exiles. Since therefore they persisted, Macedonius considered it better to dismiss them with their own will than to raise persecution against them. Matrona, a holy woman, still living, and not communicating with the religious nuns who were with her, showed this, as Chrysaorius, a deacon of the church, compelled her. And another woman named Sophia, a woman of distinction among the consecrated virgins, having suffered many things, showed great patience. ^A Furthermore, Theodoricus the African, having a deacon—an extremely orthodox man whom he loved—when he had been converted to Arianism, favoring Theodoricus, he killed him with a sword, saying: "If you did not keep faith with God, neither will you keep it with me." Indeed, when Palladius, bishop of Antioch, died, the emperor chose Flavianus, a priest and [apocrisiarius] of the church of Antioch, whom they say was opposed to the dogmas of the Council of Chalcedon. Furthermore, a certain Arian, Olympius, while he was washing in the bath of the Helianenses, was blaspheming cruelly and died in it most miserably, as is depicted in the image. Indeed, a certain Eutychianus, first of the [diaetarii], persuaded by gifts, took down the erected image of Olympius; he, from that day forth, wasted away physically and died. ^B In the year of the world 5992, in the year of the divine incarnation 492, Festus, a senator of the city of Rome, sent to Anastasius for certain civil needs, requested that the memorials of the holy Apostles be celebrated with greater festivity, which is observed even to the present. Macedonius, however, wishing to send a [synodicon] to Anastasius, the Roman bishop, through Festus, was forbidden by the emperor. Furthermore, Festus, intending to return to Rome, promised the emperor Anastasius to persuade Pope Anastasius to accept the [enoticon] of Zeno; not finding him alive, he corrupted many with bribes and, contrary to the custom of the Romans, chose a certain Laurentius as bishop, who was ordained by one faction. ^C The more orthodox, however, consecrated Symmachus, one of the deacons. Hence then many disturbances and massacres of men and pillaging were committed for three years, until, namely, Theodoricus, the prince who then held Rome, although he was an Arian, held a local synod and confirmed Symmachus as bishop of Rome; Laurentius, however, he ordered to be located as bishop in the city of Nuceria. He, however, by no means remaining quiet, but stirring up seditions, was deposed by Symmachus and sent into exile, and thus the strife ceased. In the same year, Anastasius removed the taxes on gold and silver and the venationes, and promoted positions, which were venal, for free. ^D In the following year, when Symmachus held the Roman pontificate and Anastasius the empire, the incursion of the Saracens into Phoenicia and Syria occurred again, after the death of Agar, [by] Vadicharinus, his brother, [appearing/rushing] like a whirlwind and racing through the places even more swiftly. In this same year, that is, the first of Pope Symmachus and the eleventh of the empire of Anastasius, the Bulgars ran through Illyricum and Thrace before they were recognized. At Neocaesarea, then, when an earthquake was about to occur,

a soldier traveling along the road saw two soldiers behind her, one of whom was crying out: "Preserve the house in which the tomb of Gregory is." When the earthquake occurred, the greater part of the city fell, except for the house of Gregory the Wonderworker. ^A

In the year of the world 5999, which is the year of the divine incarnation 499, Anastasius, having enjoyed peace from wars, sought to turn the patriarch Macedonius away from the orthodox faith. Many of the bishops, bestowing favor upon Anastasius, resisted the Council of Chalcedon; the first of them was Eleusius of Sasima. Furthermore, Anastasius brought from Cyzicus in the guise of a priest a certain Manichaean Syrian, who was also a Persian, who presumed to write things foreign to the holy icons of the Church and fables in the palace of the Helenianenses, congratulating the Manichaeans according to the desire of the emperor. Whence a great sedition of the people also occurred. Then Anastasius also contrived for the prefect to follow in the assemblies and litanies: for he feared the seditions of the orthodox, and it became a custom. Indeed, Anastasius brought Xenaias, a man of the same mind as Manes, to Constantinople as his follower, whom Macedonius judged to be worthy of neither communion nor discourse with the clergy, monks, and the disturbed people. Whence Anastasius secretly led him out of the city. Macedonius indeed commanded that a certain Acholius, who had drawn his sword against him, receive rations every month out of submission to his enemies, and he was praised for his gentleness. He did this also for the needy sacrilegious. ^B

In the year of the world 6001, in the year of the divine incarnation 501, Emperor Anastasius forced Flavian of Antioch to subscribe to Zeno’s Henoticon; and he, having made a synod of the bishops living under him, wrote an epistolary document of many verses, confessing the Nicene, Constantinopolitan, and Ephesian synods, but remaining silent on Chalcedon. He condemned Diodorus, however, subjoining four chapters through which it appears that he does not agree with the Council of Chalcedon, especially by attacking the expression of the two natures. Some say, moreover, that these were the words of Acacius of Constantinople. Furthermore, Flavian wrote a secret epistle to Anastasius, following his intention. Similarly, the impious Xenaias, who also, while behaving presumptuously, added to these chapters an anathema against the most divine Leo the Roman and the synod and those who agree with them. But Constantine, bishop of Seleucia, was anathematizing the Council of Chalcedon. Furthermore, Flavian wrote to the emperor as one disparaging him, indicating these things. The emperor, however, was indignant at him, rather supporting Constantine and Xenaias. Anastasius wrote to Elias, bishop of Jerusalem, ordering him to decree against the Council of Chalcedon; and he wrote back to the emperor, anathematizing Nestorius, Eutyches, and Diodorus, and accepting the Council of Chalcedon. Meanwhile, two hundred heretical monks, coming from the East to Byzantium together with the impious Severus, were struggling against Macedonius and the council. ^C

Anastasius received honorably those who were enemies of the truth, and those who had disturbed the East, and these men who were doing the same things. Indeed John, the bishop of Alexandria, promised to give the emperor two thousand pounds of gold if he would perfectly cast out the Council of Chalcedon; but the emperor was forcing Macedonius to communicate with the apocrisiarii of John, and to receive John, neither receiving him nor rejecting him. But Macedonius resisted, saying that he would not communicate with them unless they confessed the Council of Chalcedon as mother and teacher. Moreover, Deuterius, bishop of the Arians at Byzantium, baptizing a certain man named Barbarus, dared to say, contrary to the dominical tradition: "Barbarus is baptized in the name of the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit"; and immediately the water of the font dried up. Barbarus, terrified by fear, fled and made the miracle known to all. Furthermore, the emperor was forcing Macedonius, the bishop of Constantinople, to anathematize the Council of Chalcedon, just as he did with Elias of Jerusalem. But Macedonius confessed that he would find this impossible to do without a universal synod that had the Roman bishop as primate. Whence the emperor became an enemy to him and ordered those fleeing to the churches to be dragged out by force, and he granted the churches of the heretics the definitions of blamelessness; but as many clerics and laymen as there were in Byzantium busied themselves with Severus and the Eastern Manichaean heretics, working against Macedonius. Moreover, the God-bearing monks who were in Palestine, moved by divine zeal, came to Byzantium against Severus and the monks who were with him. Dorotheus, an Alexandrian monk, published a book of many verses in defense of the Council of Chalcedon, which he gave to Magna, the wife of the brother of Anastasius, since he was orthodox. She, however, offered the book to Anastasius, hoping that through it he would be changed; but when he had read it and discovered it was against his own will, he sent Dorotheus into exile at the Oasis and held the book as nothing, because it was titled "Tragedy," that is, a prophecy of the impending constitution, just as they say was said by the great Basil against Julian. Macedonius indeed anathematized Flavian of Antioch and all those who presumed to say anything against the synod, and he anathematized the apocrisiarii of Flavian who had come to him on account of certain necessities and followed them. In the twentieth year of the reign of Anastasius, a synod is prepared at Sidon. For Soterichus, bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, having to be ordained by Macedonius, professed in writing the dogmas of the Council of Chalcedon as the accepted definition of the faith. After this, however, he became such an enemy that he was seen to wish to die; and, having spoken in the East with Xenaias, both of them petitioned the emperor for the sake of holding the synod at Sidon, for the total ejection of the holy Council of Chalcedon; which statute was dissolved more maturely, the emperor sending to this end Eutropium the tribune, who also dis- ^D

posed of matters in such a way that Flavian of Antioch and Elias of Jerusalem, together with their bishops, wrote to the emperor regarding what had occurred at Sidon. Flavian, indeed, wrote that he accepted only the three synods and the Henotikon of Zeno, making no mention of the Council of Chalcedon. Elias of Jerusalem also wrote that he likewise rejected Chalcedon. But Soterichus of Caesarea and Xenaias suggested to the emperor, against Flavian and Elias, that since they knew them to be expressing sentiments against the Council of Chalcedon, they had conspired with one another. ^A Anastasius, being angered, incited certain base monks to assemble at Antioch and rise up against Flavian, demanding that he anathematize the Council of Chalcedon and Diodorus, Theodore, Ibas, and Theodoret. Flavian, having become pusillanimous, did this, and anathematized them against the Church along with the synod. In the same year, the emperor was operating against Macedonius; and the schismatics, with hired mobs, singing the Trisagion in the Archangel of the palace and in the Great Church on the Lord's Day, added to it: *Who was crucified for us*, so that the orthodox, of necessity, pursued them with blows. The emperor, however, manifestly through the schismatic monks and clerics, and Julian—then of Caria, but afterwards bishop of Halicarnassus—and Severus the bishop, who was still a monk, attacked Macedonius, subjecting him publicly to base insults. But the multitudes, with the women and children and the abbots of the orthodox monks, gathered and shouted: "It is the time of martyrdom, Christians! Let us not abandon our Father," being indignant at the emperor and berating him as a Manichaean and unworthy of the empire. Fearing this, he closed the palace gates and prepared ships to flee. ^B Macedonius, whom he had sworn never to see again, he then asked to see, fearing the multitudes. While he was coming to him, the people protested to the hegumenoi and monks, saying: "We have our Father from you." And the crowds shouted praises to him as he passed. Having entered in to Anastasius, he argued with him as an enemy of the Church; he feigned agreement with him for an hour. But in the following year, the emperor deceived Macedonius through the magister Celer, making a formal notification 19 to him, in which he professed to accept the first and second synods, but dismissed the Ephesine and Chalcedonian; which brought great disgrace upon Macedonius. For through this he also received the Henotikon of Zeno, to which he had even subscribed in order to be consecrated. Furthermore, Macedonius, departing to the monastery of Adalmati, gave an account to the clerics and zealous monks who had been scandalized by this, delivering a declamatory sermon that he accepted the holy Council of Chalcedon, and held as heretics those who did not accept it; and they served with him. The emperor, however, persuaded his cohorts—namely, the clerics and monks—with gifts to elect another bishop; which also saddened Arcadus ^C and the great men among the senators: for Macedonius was beloved because of the purity of his life and the rectitude of his dogmas, even though he had been deceived. The emperor instructed certain wicked men to accuse Macedonius as a sodomite and a heretic, and to submit these accusations in writing to the prefect and the magister. Likewise, [he acted] against the orthodox presbyters and deacons. He ordered the magister Celer to depose him violently from the bishopric, while Macedonius cried out that he would answer them promptly not only in the praetorium, but even in the theater. Many of the clergy were indeed sent to prisons; but those who were able to flee were dispersed at Rome and in Phoenicia.

Moreover, the impious emperor endeavored to obtain from Macedonius through the magister the authentic document of the acts of the Council of Chalcedon and to destroy it. Macedonius, however, signing it, placed it upon the altar: which Calopodius the eunuch and steward of the Great Church took by stealth and delivered to the emperor. Then, leading Macedonius out by night, the emperor violently sent him to Chalcedon, and from there commanded him to be relegated to exile at Euchaitae, not daring to inquire into any of the things he objected against him, fearing the multitudes. On the following day, he brought forward a certain bishop, Timothy, a presbyter and steward of the church, byname Lytrobules and Celon on account of certain acts consistent with the names; who, having entered the churches, first cast down the images of Macedonius, and so celebrated the masses 20. He ordained John of Alexandria in the diptychs, and wrote synodical letters to him. The emperor, however, considering that he had sent Macedonius into exile without deposition and without judgment, sent the magister and had him brought beyond Claudiopolis in Honorias; and so they deposed him in his absence, although they themselves were both the accusers, the witnesses, and the judges—especially since he had already been driven out before the judgment—and they sent the deposition through the bishops and the presbyter of Cyzicus. When Macedonius had seen these men, before he spoke with them, he asked if they accepted the Council of Chalcedon; and when they said: "Who are you?" he then said: "If a Sabbatian or a Macedonian were to bring me a deposition, it would be appropriate for me to accept it." And thus they returned fruitless, and he himself arrived at Euchaitae. Then, too, the emperor hastened to cast Flavian from the See of Antioch, and in his place [to introduce] Severus, the manifest enemy of the truth.

^A His detractors, however, added that he had anathematized the synod only with his mouth, and not from his heart. Furthermore, they accepted counsel from the judges who had been sent by the emperor to remove him and to exile him briefly on account of the disturbance; having gone out to the Platanos, he immediately appointed the impious Severus, who had previously been a monk in a monastery of schismatics near Majuma of Gaza. He banished Flavian to Petra. He also bound several other bishops in iron chains, along with priests and deacons. When Elias of Jerusalem was being coerced by the emperor either to communicate with Severus or to be driven from his episcopacy, he chose—with the monks encouraging him—to be cast out of the episcopacy, and in his place was consecrated a certain John from the Staurophylakes, who had promised to do whatever they wanted; but once consecrated, he did neither.

The Emperor Anastasius, along with the wicked Constantinopolitan bishop ^B Timotheus, caused many evils to the monks, clergy, and laity who persisted in defending Macedonius and the synod, to such an extent that he sent many into exile in the Oasis of the Thebaid. Timotheus sent the synodical letter and the deposition of Macedonius to the bishops of individual cities to be signed; some, who were stronger, resisted both, but others, terrified by the emperor's fear, signed both writings. Still others, falling in the middle, did not sign the deposition of Macedonius, [but] signed the synodical letters of Timotheus—which was the very same thing, even if it seemed to them different. ^C When Timotheus desired to set the name of Severus in the diptychs and to cast out that of Flavian, he was prevented by the people: for all the orthodox, and especially the monks, fled the communion of Severus; he killed many of these, punishing them with a crowd of peasants, subverting altars, and melting down the holy vessels of the orthodox like a sacrilegious man.

Juliana, a most illustrious woman who had built the temple of the Theotokos at the Honoratae, strove greatly for the Council of Chalcedon, so much so that not even the emperor, devising many guiles against her, was able to persuade her to communicate with Timotheus. ^D Nor could Timotheus himself, though he often went to her, persuade her of this. He also [troubled] Pompeius, her cousin, and his wife—a woman who was adorned and generous in bestowing benefits—and humiliated them with many imperial distresses, so that he could exile the zealots of the synod and those who were providing what was necessary to Macedonius.

Those who had been sent to Alexandria by Timotheus to John of Nicaea anathematized the Council of Chalcedon from the ambo. When the abbot of the monastery of the Dii died, Timotheus came to ordain the abbot; but the one who was to be promoted said that he would not accept a blessing from a man who spurned the Council of Chalcedon. To this Timotheus said: "Anathema to every man who does not accept the Council of Chalcedon." And then he agreed to be promoted by him. Furthermore, John, the archdeacon of Timotheus—since he was a Manichaean—assailed Timotheus with taunts, ^A and reported to the emperor what he had said. But the emperor found Timotheus ignominiously and harshly denying it when confronted to his face, and on the contrary anathematizing those who had received the Chalcedonian synod.

Moreover, John of Alexandria prohibited the Egyptians from ascending to Jerusalem, that they might not communicate in the exaltation of the Chalcedonian Council. Terrible things were done at that time in Jerusalem by those who were possessed by a demon. For Anastasius, desiring to become the leader of Palestine, promised the emperor three hundred pounds of gold if he would persuade John, the successor to Elias of Jerusalem, to communicate with Severus. Having received the principate, he came to Jerusalem and sent John, who was not obedient to him, into prison. ^B Zacharias, however, a prince of Palestine and a man beloved by God, suggested to the bishop, led by divine zeal, that he promise the leader that he would do what pleased him, provided that he were restored to his throne; once he had absolved himself and was restored, having gathered the monks in the temple of St. Stephen, he ascended the ambo and anathematized Nestorius, Eutyches, Severus, and Soterius, proclaiming the four holy and universal synods.

Hypatius, the brother of the emperor, was also present and did not communicate with Severus at all. When he was communicating then with John, he gave one hundred pounds of gold to St. Theodosius, who was the exarch of the monasteries, to distribute these to the monks who were of the right faith and who burned with zeal for the Council of Chalcedon. ^C The emperor ordered some of the princes in the temple of St. Theodore Sphoracius to permit the addition to the Trisagion [to be sung] on the ambo, so that the multitudes, indignant, left during the day of the litany, at which time he also ordered through a written monitorium to all the Churches that the Trisagion with the addition be said in the litanies, which many did out of fear. But the monks came chanting another psalm. Seeing them, the people cried out: "The orthodox have arrived well," and there was a great tumult, a burning of many houses, and ten thousand homicides, with the crowd clamoring against Anastasius and Vitalian, and demanding the emperor, so that Anastasius fled and hid, and was even lacerated by injuries from Ariadne herself as one who had become the cause of many evils to Christians. ^D When Alamundarus, the prince of the Saracen people, had been baptized, Severus sent two bishops infected with the stain of his depravity to communicate with him: but by the providence of God he had been baptized by the orthodox who received the council. And when the bishops of Severus hastened to subvert the prince from the true dogma, Alamundarus refuted them in a wonderful way with such a story. He said to them: "I have received letters today," he said, "that Michael the Archangel is dead." To those saying that this was impossible, the prince said: "And how, according to you, was God nakedly crucified, unless Christ possessed two natures, since not even an angel dies?" And thus the bishops of Severus departed in confusion.

^A Furthermore, Cabades hamstrung certain Christians who were in Persia, who nevertheless walked afterward.

In the twenty-third year of the reign of Anastasius, Hormisda, the Roman Pope, held the pontificate. Vitalianus, moreover, whom the people had sought as emperor, having taken all of Thrace, Scythia, and Mysia—having with him the Bulgars and a multitude of the Huns—took Anchialus and Odyssopolis. He also captured Cyrillus, the Master of Soldiers of Thrace, and arrived at Byzantium, committing pillage; while sparing the city, he pitched his camp at Sosthenium. Anastasius, however, struck with despair, sent some from the senate, asking him to make a pact and swear, along with the senate, that he would recall the bishops from exile to Heraclea in Thrace. Furthermore, Vitalianus added that the commanders of every regiment should also swear to this; and that Macedonius and Flavianus, who had been wickedly expelled, should recover their thrones, and likewise all the other bishops, and that in this way a synod should be celebrated, with the Roman and all the bishops assembling, and that those things which had been presumed against the orthodox should be judged and proven by the common decision. And so, when the emperor, the senate, and the other leaders and peoples had sworn and confirmed that it should be done in this way, peace was made, and he returned to his own lands. Hormisda, in truth, the Roman bishop, fatigued by the troubles caused by Theodoric, who favored Vitalianus, sent Ennodius the bishop and Vitalianus the archdeacon to celebrate a synod at Heraclea. Bishops from diverse places, numbering nearly two hundred, came, who, having been deceived by the iniquitous emperor and Timotheus, the bishop of Constantinople, departed ineffectual. The impious emperor, however, violating the pacts, secretly intimated to the Roman Pope not to come: for he had sent a sacred letter to Vitalianus so that he might transmit it to Rome, so that the Pope might set out to celebrate the synod at Heraclea. But all the people and the senate in his presence cursed Anastasius as a perjurer. Furthermore, Vitalianus, indignant against Anastasius because of the perjury, demonstrated many evils to the armies of Anastasius, killing, plundering, stripping of arms, and finally, to his injury, selling each soldier for a single copper coin.

^D In the year of the world 6008, in the year of the divine incarnation 508, the Huns, who are called the Sabir, crossing the Caspian Gates, ravaged Armenia, Cappadocia, Galatia, and Pontus, such that they even reached Euchaita. Whence also Macedonius, fleeing and nearly in danger, was saved at Gangra. When this was discovered, Anastasius ordered that he be guarded there bitterly, sending, as they say, men to kill him. Having died, he was placed at Gangra in the temple of the holy Martyr Callinicus near his relics, performing many healings; and when he lay breathless, it is said that he signed himself with the sign of the cross with his hand.

^A Furthermore, Theodorus, a certain one of those who were with him, ^B saw him in a dream saying to him: "Take and go, read to Anastasius, and say: 'I indeed go to my fathers, whose faith I have kept; but I will not cease to grow in the Lord, until you shall come and we shall enter into judgment.'" In the same year at Alexandria, many men and women and children, atrociously possessed by demons, suddenly barked. In a dream, however, a certain man saw someone saying that they were suffering these things because of the anathemas of the synod. Furthermore, the monks of the desert, moved by divine zeal, composing four protestations, two of which were for the miserable emperor, one for the leaders of the region, and one for John, the bishop of Jerusalem, protesting that they would neither violate the holy Chalcedonian synod nor communicate with the impious Severus, and that they even held death as ready, burning even the holy places. Indeed, because the bishop of Thessalonica was communicating with Timotheus, the bishop of Constantinople, out of fear of the emperor, forty bishops of Illyricum and Greece assembled in one place, and by a profession made in writing, departed from their own metropolitan; and sending to Rome, they professed in writing that they communicated with Romanus. The historian Theodorus, however, calls the bishop of Thessalonica a patriarch irrationally, not knowing for what cause.

In the twentieth year of the reign of Anastasius, upon the death of John Niciota, the heretical bishop of Alexandria, Dioscorus the younger, the cousin of Timotheus Aelurus, was made bishop of Alexandria. When he had come to ^C Byzantium, to intercede with the emperor on behalf of the Alexandrians because of the incident involving the son of Calliopius the Augustalis, he was publicly assailed by insults from the orthodox, when he appeared, as they believed he had arrived to uphold doctrines against the right. Therefore, when he had interceded on account of the homicide, he departed with haste. The cause of this slaughter was this: When Dioscorus had received the imposition of hands, crowds of rustic people departed, saying that if it were not done according to what the canons of the holy apostles contain, the bishop would not be received: for the prince had enthroned him. But Dioscorus came to St. Mark, and the clerics who came clothed him a second time, and consecrated him again. And thus coming to St. John, he celebrated the collect. When, however, Theodosius, the son of Calliopius the Augustalis, and Acacius the Master of Soldiers, were there, the disturbed crowds began to inflict injuries upon the Augustalis, because he praised the emperor Anastasius. But when the brawl had been stirred up, some, leaping forward, cast the son of the Augustalis from his seat, and killed him. But truly Acacius, the Master of Soldiers, killed as many as he could take. Hearing this, the emperor was angered against them. Furthermore, Dioscorus intervening, mitigated him. Between the Indians and the Persians, however, is a fortress by the name of Zubdaber, where Cabades, king of the Persians, learning that there were many riches and precious stones,

sought to take it. But the demons residing in that place prevented anyone from approaching it. Having therefore exhausted every scheme of his magicians, and being subsequently thwarted by the counsel of the Jews, he believed in the prayer of the Christians, which is directed to God, to prevail over this, and he entreated a certain Christian bishop who was among the Persians concerning this matter. Having gathered the assembly and having partaken of the divine mysteries, the bishop approached the place, drove out the demons that were in it, and without any labor delivered the fortress of Cabadi. Astonished at this sign, Cabades honored the bishop with the first throne, whereas up to that time Manichaeans and Jews had presided there; furthermore, he granted license to those who wished to be baptized. ^B

In the twenty-seventh year of the reign of Anastasius, the same emperor saw in a vision a terrible man carrying a codex; who, opening it and finding the name of the emperor, said to him: "Behold, on account of your evil faith I strike out fourteen," and he struck them out. Having awakened, and having summoned the praepositus Adamantius, he told him the vision. "And I," he said, "saw these things this night, that as I stood before your imperial power, a great swine came, and having seized my robe, threw me to the ground and killed me." Having therefore summoned Proculus the conjecturer, he told him what had been seen; who foretold that both were soon to die. Now, upon the death of Timothy, bishop of Constantinople, they created John the Cappadocian, bishop and syncellus, as bishop of Constantinople. Once consecrated, on the third day of Pascha he put on the apostolic stole. The people, however, made a great clamor that John should anathematize Severus. Furthermore, in that same year the impious Anastasius died, and the pious Justin reigned in his stead, a man older and very experienced, because he had advanced from being among the soldiers all the way to the senate, being an Illyrian by birth. Some, however, say that Anastasius perished having been struck by a divine thunderbolt.

In the year of the world 6011, the year of the divine incarnation 511, in the first year of the reign of Justin, Vitalian became very dear to the same emperor after the death of Anastasius, ^C so much so that he was called consul, and he had such confidence before the emperor that he even ordered Severus to be cast out and killed: for Vitalian was extremely orthodox. Having heard this, Severus fled, as did Julian, the bishop of Halicarnassus. Departing into Egypt, they disturbed it, stirring up talk about the corruptible and the incorruptible, while Dioscorus was bishop in Alexandria. But the bishops and clergy arriving in Rome, having obtained authority from Hormisdas, the Roman bishop, through the zeal of Vitalian, while John the Cappadocian was still living as bishop of Constantinople, they ordained the holy Council of Chalcedon in the diptychs, along with the other three sacred councils. But when the impious Severus had been driven into exile, Paulus was consecrated at Antioch, and the emperor gave to the city of Antioch one thousand pounds of gold. ^D But he also showed benevolence to the other cities, prohibiting public disturbances as well. As for Xenaias, who was also called Philoxenus, the bishop of Hierapolis, since he was a Manichaean, as well as Peter of Apamea together with all those who participated in his stain, he relegated them to exile. He recalled, however, all those who had been unjustly constituted as exiles by Anastasius. But he even made the patrician Appion, whom he had consecrated as a presbyter in the city of Nicaea, and whom the emperor, as a truly prudent man, had made prefect of the praetorium. In the following year, upon the death of John the Cappadocian, bishop of Constantinople, Epiphanius, the presbyter of that same church and syncellus, was promoted; and similarly, since John of Rome was sleeping [in death], Hormisdas received the bishopric.

In the third year of the prince Justin, a war having been stirred up between the Romans and the Persians, the same Justin sent envoys and gifts to Zeliches, king of the Huns, and he promised with oaths that he would provide aid to the emperor against the Persians. Upon the sending of these, Cabades also made a promise to him. Justin, truly learning of this, was greatly saddened. Furthermore, Zeliches directed twenty thousand to the Persians to conquer the Romans. But in truth Justin dispatched an embassy to Cabades, king of the Persians, for the sake of peace, and as if writing about something else, he also indicated concerning Zeliches, that he has oaths of aid with the Romans, that he also accepted many gifts, and that he wishes to be a traitor to the Persians, and that it is necessary for us, since we are brothers, to come to friendship and not to be mocked by these dogs. Then Cabades, secretly summoning Zeliches, inquired if he had accepted gifts from the Romans, encouraging him against the Persians; who said: "Yes." And Cabades, angered, killed him, and by night, having sent a multitude of Persians, he destroyed his people, suspecting that they had come to him with treachery; however, as many as were able to flee returned to their own lands. Furthermore, Euphrasius of Antioch excluded the Council of Chalcedon from the diptychs, but also the name of Pope Hormisdas of Rome. After these things, however, fearing the four councils, he confirmed them.

In the fifth year of the reign of Justin, Zathus, king of the Lazi, departing from the kingdom of the Persians while Cabades was reigning and Zathus was being loved, who had even promoted him as king of the Lazi, came to Byzantium to Justin and asked him that he might become a Christian and be called emperor of the Lazi by him. But the emperor, having received him with joy, enlightened him and called him son. The emperor of the Lazi, having been promoted by Justin, carried a crown and an imperial white chlamys. Having discovered this, Cabades, king of the Persians, signified to the emperor Justin, saying that "Since there is friendship and peace between us, what hostility..."

have you practiced against me, and you have taken those who from of old were under the power of the Persians?" He replied to him: "We have neither taken any of your subjects under our empire, nor have we subverted them. But Zathus ascending to our imperial majesty, falling down, implored that he might be freed from the wicked and pagan dogma, from impious sacrifices, and from the error of demons, and that he might approach the Creator of all, God, and become a Christian. We, baptizing him, released him to his own region." From that time, therefore, enmity arose between the Romans and the Persians. In that same year also, the events concerning St. Arethas occurred.

In the sixth year of the reign of Justin, Theoderich, holding Rome and favoring the things that are of Arius, compelled Pope John to come to Byzantium to the emperor Justin and to intercede for the Arians, so that he would not force them to depart from their heresy. For Theoderich was also threatening to do this to the orthodox who were in Italy. John, however, coming to Byzantium and invited by the patriarch Epiphanius, did not consent until Epiphanius should preside, as he was the Roman Pope. He indeed communicated with all the bishops, but he did not communicate with Timothy of Alexandria.

Now Cabades, king of the Persians, the son of Perozes, destroyed many thousands of Manichaeans in one day with their bishop Indazarq, together with the Persian senators who shared their sentiments. For the Manichaeans, instructing his son, named Pthasuarsan, from boyhood and making him share their sentiments, promised him, saying: "Your father has grown old, and if it happens that he dies, the princes of the magi will make one of your brothers emperor, because he holds their dogma. We, however, can by our prayers persuade your father to renounce the empire and to promote you, so that you may everywhere confirm the dogma of the Manichaeans." He promised to do this if he should become emperor. When Cabades had learned this, he ordered a convention to be held, as if he were about to make his son Pthasuarsan emperor, and ordering all the Manichaeans, together with their bishop and their women and children, to be present at the convention, likewise the prince of the magi, Glonazes, and the magi, and the bishop of the Christians, Boazanes, beloved by Cabades as an excellent physician. And having called the Manichaeans together, he said: "I rejoice in your dogma, and I wish to give, while I live, my son Pthasuarsan, who is of your mind. But separate yourselves [into a group] to receive him." They, relying on their confidence, separated themselves. But Cabades, commanding his armies to enter, slew them all with the sword, under the gaze of the prince of the magi and the bishop of the Christians. ^B

In the year of the world 6019, of the divine incarnation 519, while the earthquake at Antioch still persisted, Euphrasius the bishop was overwhelmed by the earth and died, and the entire house and the church fell, and the beauty of the city was destroyed: for such a divine vengeance had not occurred in any other city through all the ages. But the most pious emperor Justin, having learned of these things, was greatly grieved in his soul, so that, with the diadem removed from his head and in purple, he mourned, sitting in sackcloth for many days, so much so that on a feast day, proceeding to the church, he did not suffer himself to wear a crown or the chlamys. Furthermore, in the month of April of that same fifth indiction, the emperor Justin having become sick, advanced while he was still alive his nephew ^C Justinian to be emperor, who also reigned with him for 4 months. In the month of August of the same fifth indiction, Justin died. In that same year, Justinian obtained the sole empire.

The king of the Heruli, Gtes by name, came to the Romans and arrived in Constantinople with his people and begged the emperor that he might become a Christian. The emperor received him, having baptized him at the Theophany, and he promised to assist the emperor in whatever he might wish. In the same year, a certain woman from the Huns, who are called the Sabiri, a barbarian, Boazer by name, joined the Romans, a widow possessing with her one hundred thousand Huns. Then also the king of the Huns who are near the Bosphorus, Gorda by name, approached the emperor and became a Christian and was received by the emperor; and with many gifts bestowed upon him, he sent him into his own region to guard Roman affairs and the Bosphorus city, which is called Bosphorus because it brought oxen to the Romans for money every year. ^D He also stationed a number of Roman soldiers and tribunes to guard the city on account of the Huns and to collect the tribute of oxen.

The emperor also published a regulation concerning bishops, oeconomi, orphanotrophoi, and xenodochia, that they should not possess inheritances except what it could be proven they had before they were promoted, of which they could have also made a testament. But from the hour in which they were promoted, no one had the license to dispose of such things, but all was to be inherited by his venerable house. And the emperor set forth valid laws against the licentious, and many were punished, and great fear and caution arose. He also renewed contrary laws, making a single codex, and calling it the Novellae Constitutiones, in which he does not permit a governor in the places over which he presides to buy possession or build a house or leave an inheritance to an extraneous person, unless someone is his own blood relative.

In the same year, Antioch suffered again from divine indignation, two years after the former affliction, and a great earthquake and a most grave storm occurred. And all who had remained made a litany, barefoot, shouting "Kyrie, eleison."

and casting themselves face down upon the snow. A vision appeared to a certain God-fearing man, telling him to say to all the rest that they should write upon their lintels, "Christ is with us, stand." By doing this, the wrath of God stayed. And again, the emperor and the Augusta donated much money for the restoration and building of the city of the Antiochenes, which the emperor also renamed Theopolis.

Furthermore, on the 12th day before the Kalends of April of the 7th indiction, Alamundarus Zecius, a chieftain of the Saracens, burst forth and plundered lower Syria as far as the borders of Antioch into the place that was called Litargum, and he killed many and burned the outer parts of Chalcedon. And the leaders of the Romans, hearing of this, went out against him. Upon learning this, the Saracens, having taken spoils and captives, fled. Furthermore, the Samaritans and Jews in Palestine, crowning a certain Julianus as emperor and taking up arms against the Christians, committed looting, murders, and arson; God delivered them into the hands of Justinian, who killed them all and beheaded the tyrant Julianus. ^A Meanwhile, in the third year of his reign, Emperor Justinian promulgated that neither pagans nor heretics should serve as soldiers, unless they were orthodox Christians only, giving them a three-month truce for conversion.

In the seventh year of the reign of Justinian, the Vandal wars took place, and Belisarius recovered Africa. Vandals, under Arcadius and Honorius, had come to Spain with their king Godigisclus, and moving from there into Libya, they seized it. Upon the death of Godigisclus, Gizerichus assumed his leadership. He was succeeded by his son Honorichus, who attained the kingdom; he showed many evils to the Christians who were in Libya, and he forced them to become Arians, and he killed many, and he cut the tongues from the throats of some, who even by the grace of God spoke thereafter. However, a certain bishop from the Eastern part of the empire encouraged Emperor Justinian, saying that a vision had occurred to him from God, instructing him to go to the emperor and request that he liberate the Christians who were in Libya from the tyrants. Having heard this, the emperor could not restrain his mind any longer, but surrounded both the army and the ships with arms and prepared provisions [(26)], and ordered Belisarius to be in readiness to be sent to Libya as praetor, whom the emperor appointed as supreme praetor, and in all matters. Procopius, the writer of these events, was also with him; setting out from the royal city, they went to Abydos. Belisarius was careful that the entire fleet should sail together and turn into the same estate; and when he had arrived in Sicily, he sent Procopius the writer to Syracuse, to see if he might find some who would guide them to Libya. He himself, having received the fleet, ^B hastened to the villa of Caucana, which is two hundred stadia distant from Syracuse. Procopius therefore, having entered Syracuse, bought provisions from Amalasuntha, the wife of Theuderichus and mother of King Atalarichus of Italy, who had a friendship towards Justinian. He also unexpectedly met a man who had been his friend since boyhood, and who had experience of the places in Libya and the sea; only three days had passed since he had come from Carthage. And he asserted that they all had complete security, and that he feared no army moving against him, as Gelimer was lingering at a distance of four stations [(27)] by sea. Having taken this man, Procopius arrived at Caucana and presented him to Belisarius. Upon learning these things, Belisarius crossed over and went out into a certain farm; and making a deep trench and rampart, they set up camp. And since the place was waterless, by digging a trench the earth brought forth water for every use, as much for the animals as for the armies.

But on the following day, the populace rushed to the spoils. The praetor, having summoned them, spoke these things to them: “To inflict violence, indeed, and to be fed by what belongs to another, is injustice in every time, especially when we are established in dangers. For I, trusting in this, have brought you into this land, so that by justice and good work we may please God as well as attract the Africans to ourselves. But this intemperance of yours will result in the opposite for you, and will cause the Africans to be aided by the Vandals. But yielding to my word, buy provisions and carry them off, and do not seem to be unjust, nor turn the friendship of the Africans into enmity, but strive rather to please God. Cease to leap upon the property of others, and shake off gain that is full of dangers.”

Belisarius sent an elect army that captured the city without trouble; for coming to it by night, and entering along with the wagons of the farmers who were entering, they obtained it; and when day had dawned, they apprehended both the priest and the leaders of this city, and sent them to the praetor.

Belisarius, therefore, with Carthage captured, exhorted the soldiers, saying: “See how great prosperity has been done to us, because we showed sobriety towards the Africans. See that honesty is preserved in Carthage ^C and that no one oppresses anyone, nor steals anything of theirs. For when they had suffered many evils from the Vandal barbarians, our emperor sent us to aid them and to grant them freedom.” Saying these things, he entered Carthage and, ascending the palace, sat upon the throne of Gelimer. To him approached the merchants of Carthage, and as many as lived near the sea, complaining that they had suffered looting by the fleets. But he bound Calonymus, the leader of the ships, by an oath that he should carry off everything that had been seized.

and restore it to its rightful owners. He who defrauded them and perjured himself did not long enjoy his gains; for, having lost his senses and beginning to devour his own tongue, he died. Truly, the praetor possessed the city without tumult, so that he neither inflicted any harm upon any person, nor did he allow any house to be shut against others in the forum, but the soldiers bought what they needed and rejoiced. He led forth those Vandals who had fled to the sacred [churches], after having pledged his faith to them. He also displayed foresight for the city walls, which had previously fallen into decay through neglect. Furthermore, a ^B rumor was current at Carthage, an ancient saying, namely, that "Gamma shall pursue Beta," which was now fulfilled: for previously Gezerich had pursued Boniface, and now Belisarius pursued Gelimer. Moreover, such a multitude of riches was found as had never before been seen in any place. In short, having despoiled the principate of the Romans, they had transported much wealth into Libya. And since the region itself was very excellent and fertile, the revenues of their money had become vast. For ninety-five years the Vandals held Libya, and although they had collected much wealth, on that day all the riches returned into the hands of the Romans. For in three months since Belisarius had begun the fight, that is, from the Kalends of October to the Kalends of December, he subdued the whole of Libya. He sent John the Armenian with two hundred men to pursue Gelimer until he could capture him alive or dead; and he would have captured Gelimer first, had not an event of this kind occurred. A certain Huliares was among the armor-bearers of Belisarius, and he was with John; being drunk with wine, and seeing a bird perched on a tree, he drew his bow and shot at the bird. He did not hit the bird, but struck John in the back of his neck; and he, being wounded, died, leaving much grief both to the Emperor Justinian and to Belisarius, as well as to all the Romans and Carthaginians. Thus Gelimer, escaping on that day, fled to the Moors; Belisarius pursued him to Mount Papua, in the remotest parts of Numidia, and besieged him through the winter, until all his necessities failed him: for among the Moors there is neither bread, nor wine, nor oil, but they eat emmer and unripe barley, like irrational animals. ^C Falling into these straits, Gelimer wrote to Faras, whom Belisarius had left to guard him, that he should send him a lyre, a loaf of bread, and a sponge. Faras, however, hesitated, wondering what this meant, until the one who had brought the letter told him that Gelimer truly desired to see bread, not having seen any since he ascended the mountain, while he sought the sponge for his eyes, which were unwashed and inflamed by the air, so that they might be cleansed, and the lyre so that he might lament and bemoan his calamity. Having heard this, Faras, sympathizing and deploring the lot of humanity, did according to his requests, and sent all things whatsoever Gelimer required. Furthermore, when the winter had passed, Gelimer, fearing the siege of the Romans and having pity on his own kinsmen who were enduring the same misery, was broken in mind and wrote back to Faras that, his word of faith having been received, he and those who were with him would hasten to Belisarius. Faras having confirmed this with an oath, he took all his belongings and came to Carthage. Belisarius received him gladly. But indeed, Gelimer entered to Belisarius laughing. Some thought that he had lost his mind through the excess of a passion that is beyond nature; his friends, however, thought him to be a wise man, and since he had been a king and of royal lineage, and had possessed great strength and vast wealth, because he had been turned to flight and had endured evils in Papua and was now being led as a captive, they believed that he considered all human things as worthy of nothing but much laughter. Belisarius, however, kept him, along with all the leaders of the Vandals, not in dishonor, so that he might lead him to the Emperor Justinian at Byzantium. ^D Immediately, Belisarius sent Cyrillus with the head of Zatzas, the brother of Gelimer, to the island of Sardinia, which was called Kyrnus, and he was the first to subdue it for the Romans. To Caesarea, which is in Mauretania, he destined another John, which lies at a distance of thirty days' journey from Carthage and near Gades and the setting of the sun. He also directed another John, one of the praetors, to the strait which is at Gades and to the fortress that they call Septum. Furthermore, he destined Apollinaris, a good man, to the islands which are near the Ocean, namely Majorica and Minorica. He also sent into Sicily certain of the Africans and ordered them to capture the Vandal fortress. The Goths who were guarding this made these things known to the mother of Athalaricus. She wrote to Belisarius that he should not seize the same fortress by tyranny until the Emperor Justinian should know, and until he could effect what seemed right to him. In these events, therefore, the Vandal war ended. But envy, as usually happens in great prosperity, befel Belisarius also: for some slandered him to the Emperor, saying that he was meditating tyranny. But the Emperor, having sent Salomon, tested the intention of Belisarius, as to whether he would come to Byzantium with Gelimer and the Vandals, or whether he would remain there and send them on. Belisarius, however, set out for Byzantium, having left Salomon as praetor of Libya. And when Belisarius had arrived at Byzantium with Gelimer and the Vandals, he began to receive great rewards. [index: entries preserved]

^A It was a merit, indeed, in those ancient times that praetors of the Romans were deemed worthy of such great victories. For six hundred years had passed, and no one had attained such an honor except Titus, Trajan, and other Emperors, who, having held a magistracy against barbaric nations, triumphed miraculously; and he made public these things in the middle of the city in processions with the spoils of the enemy and those captured in the war, which the Romans call a triumph. Thus, in the old manner, but walking on foot from his house all the way to the Hippodrome. The spoils were as many as were fitting to the administrative rank of the prince, that is, golden thrones and carriages in which the wives of kings are conveyed, and ornamentation composed of precious stones, also many thousands of talents of silver, and various imperial vessels which Gezerich, having despoiled the Roman palace, had brought to Africa, among which were the vessels of the Jews, which Vespasian’s son, Titus, had brought to Rome after the capture of Jerusalem. The captives, in truth, were from the triumph, Gelimer himself, wearing a certain purple garment, and his entire kin, and as many of the Vandals as were of a very tall stature and good body. And when Gelimer had reached the Hippodrome and had seen both the emperor sitting upon the tribunal and the folk standing on either side, he did not remain silent, crying: "Vanity of vanities, and all is vanity." But as he reached the emperor's tribunal, they forced him to take off his purple, to fall prostrate, and to adore the emperor. But the emperor bestowed upon Gelimer many pleasant estates in Galatia and permitted him to live there with all his kindred. However, he did not promote him to the order of patrician, because he would not consent to depart from the Arian sect.

Salomon, furthermore, while governing the republic, the Maurusii waged war against the Africans. Furthermore, the Maurusii descend from the nations that Jesus Nave drove out from the region of Phoenicia, dwelling from Sidon to Egypt. Those who arrived at Egypt, and not being received by them, came to Libya; and, as they inhabited this, at the latest time the Roman emperors, obtaining the land, named it ^B Hoen, setting up two pillars above a great fountain of white hollow stones, having Phoenician letters, saying these things: "We are those who flee from the face of Jesus the robber, son of Nave." There were also other peoples in Africa, first being indigenous, having a king, Asclepius, who reigned with Heraclius, whom they asserted to be a son of the earth who founded Carthage. But Salomon, having taken armies from Carthage, pressed on against the Maurusii, who, turned to flight and casting themselves into the precipices, destroyed themselves. But there were dead in this war of the Maurusians fifty thousand, but of the Romans, utterly none. In fact, not one of them received a blow, but all remained unharmed and attained victory. Many of their princes, indeed, were joined to the Romans. The Romans captured such a multitude of women and children that they sold a Maurusian slave to those wishing to buy for the price of a sheep. And then the old prediction of a certain divine [(30)] woman came to pass for them, because their multitude perished by a curse from a man without a beard: for Salomon, from a boy, was made a eunuch against his will, losing his genital parts through suffering. Furthermore, all of Libya having been taken, he returned to Carthage. Furthermore, as spring began, Belisarius was sent to make Sicily tributary to the Romans. Where, while he was ^C lingering, the Romans in Libya created quarrels against Salomon in this way. For, having taken the wives of the slaughtered Vandals, they held their fields as their own and did not wish to pay taxes to the emperor for them. But Salomon indeed warned them not to contradict the emperor, but to return entirely to him what had been decreed. Some of them, however, fell, and especially the Goths, into the Arian sect; whom the priests of the Church segregated and did not even wish to baptize their children. Whence, even on a feast day, a discord was created. Soldiers, indeed, took counsel to kill Salomon in the temple; who, having heard this, sought to persuade them to withdraw from the attempted sedition, which, not after a little while, he attained. But Belisarius, taking Sicily and Rome held by Ugium and receiving the cities round about, brought Ugium and Byzantium to Justinian with his wife and children. And the emperor sent Narses the chamberlain to Rome with a fleet to hold those things which were there. Salomon, however, fortified the cities of Libya with walls. And since the Maurusii departed from Numidia, having been defeated, he made the region of Zaben and Mauritania and the metropolis of Sitifim tributary to the Romans: for of the other Mauritania, Caesarea is the first metropolis. Meanwhile, the king of the Iberians, Zamassardus by name, ascended to Constantinople to the Emperor Justinian with his wife [(31)] and his senators, begging him that he might be a supporter and brother-in-arms of the Romans. But the emperor, having accepted his proposal, honored him with many gifts and his senators. In like manner also the Augusta, his wife, gave him ornaments inlaid with gems, and they dismissed him in peace to his own kingdom.

In the eighth year of the reign of Justinian, Pompeiopolis of Mysia suffered from divine indignation: for the earth was split by an earthquake, and the center of the city was buried with its inhabitants, and they were under the earth, ^D

and their voices were heard crying out that mercy should be shown to them, and the emperor donated much for their upbringing and support, and liberally assisted the survivors. In that same year, Justinian handed over for chanting in the church that which is sung: *Only-Begotten Son and Word of God*.

In the year of the world 6029, of the divine incarnation 529, Agapitus holds the rule of the Roman Church; Justinian is in the tenth year of his reign, when, Epiphanius bishop of Constantinople having died, Anthimus, bishop of the Trapezuntines, was translated to Constantinople. Now Agapitus, the Roman bishop, going up to Constantinople in this year, celebrated a synod against the impious Severus and Julian of Halicarnassus and the other Theopaschites; among whom was Anthimus, who, being of their persuasion, was deposed and cast from the throne and departed, having held the episcopate of the royal city for ten months; and Menas, presbyter and administrator of the poor-house, Sampson, was consecrated in his stead by Pope Agapitus of Rome. Furthermore, Agapitus fell asleep in Byzantium, and Silverius was consecrated in his stead.

In the eleventh year of the reign of Justinian, the first dedication of the Great Church of Constantinople took place, with Patriarch Menas riding in the royal carriage, and the emperor performing the litany with the people.

In the twelfth year of the reign of Justinian, when Vigilius was bishop at Rome, two kings of the Bulgars were moved, namely Vulger and Droggo, with a multitude into Lycia and Mysia, when Justinus was Master of Soldiers of Mysia, and Baudarius of Scythia, who, going out against the Bulgars, joined battle. And Justinus, Master of Soldiers, was killed in the war, and Constantine of Florentius was made in his stead. And the Bulgars came as far as the regions of Thrace, and the Master of Soldiers of Illyricum went out against them, Hoccum the Hun, whom the emperor had received through holy baptism, and having sent the Bulgars into their midst, they cut down copious multitudes, and recovered all the booty; and they conquered powerfully, their two kings having been killed.

In the same year, Chosroes, king of the Persians, captured great Antioch of Syria.

In the thirteenth year of the reign of Justinian, Mundus, descended from the Gepid race, was allied to the Romans.

In the fourteenth year of the reign of Justinian, Chosroes, king of the Persians, made his fourth incursion into Roman territory; whom Belisarius, coming back again from the Hesperian regions, by his wisdom compelled to return ineffectual to his own lands.

In the same year, Timothy, bishop of Alexandria, having died, the impious Severus, the adulterous prelate of Antioch, and Julian of Halicarnassus, having fled to Alexandria, disputing against one another concerning the corruptible and the incorruptible [nature of Christ], became as if foreigners to the truth; and one ^A indeed [promoted] Theodosius, the other promoted Gaianus as bishop of Alexandria.

And Gaianus indeed held the episcopate for one year, but Theodosius for two. Emperor Justinian, sending for them, brought them to Byzantium, and commanded that each be kept in separation. And he promoted a certain Paul, who was thought to be orthodox, as bishop of Alexandria. He, making mention of the wicked Severus, was ejected from the episcopate by the emperor's wrath, and coming to Jerusalem, he resided there.

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Justinian, in the month of October, there was a mortality at Byzantium; and in the same year, the *Hypapante* (Meeting) of the Lord took its beginning, so that it might be celebrated at Byzantium on the second day of the month of February.

In the sixteenth year of the reign of Justinian, it happened that there was a war between the kings of the Azumitae and the Jewish Indians for the following reason. The king of the Azumitae beyond Egypt is a Judaizer. Now, Roman merchants go through the Homerite territory to the Azumitae and to the interior parts of the Indians and Ethiopians. But when the merchants, according to custom, had entered the borders of Homeritis, Damianus, their king, killed them and took away all their goods, saying that the Romans do evil to the Jews who are in their region, and kill them. And from this, they broke off trade with the interior Indians of Azumitis. And Adad, the king of the Azumitae, indignant, sent to Homeritis, [saying]: "Because you have harmed my kingdom and the interior India, forbidding Roman merchants to enter unto us." And they came into great enmity, and entered into war with one another. And when they were about to fight, Adad, king of the Azumitae, made a vow, ^B saying: "If I conquer the Homerite, I shall become a Christian, because I fight for the Christians." And by the operation of God, he conquered most powerfully, and took captive the king himself, Damianus, alive, and their region and kingdoms; and giving thanks to God, Adad, king of the Azumitae, sent to Emperor Justinian, that he might receive a bishop and clergy, and might be taught, and might become a Christian. And Justinian rejoiced exceedingly over this, and ordered that a bishop such as they requested should be given them; and the same legates, having inquired carefully, chose the *mansionarius* ^C of the Great Church of St. John of Alexandria, a venerable man and a virgin, by the name of John, who was sixty-two years of age. Upon his being accepted, they departed to their own region to their king, and thus they believed in Christ, and were illuminated.

In the year of the world 6036, of the divine incarnation 536, in the seventeenth year of the reign of Justinian, a great earthquake occurred in the whole world. And in the same year, a certain man from the region of the Italians appeared, running through the villages, by the name of Andreas, having with him a red and blind dog, which, commanded by him, performed miracles. For when he himself stood in the forum, and a crowd was present round about, ^D he would call to the dog...

and the rings of the bystanders — golden, silver, and iron — were brought forward and placed on the pavement. He would cover them up, command the dog, and it would pick them up and give each man his own. Similarly, he would hold out coins of various emperors, mixed together, by their names. But when a crowd was present, of men, that is, and women, upon being asked, he would point out those who were pregnant, and fornicators, and adulterers, and misers, and the noble-minded. He would point them all out with truth. Whence they said that he had the spirit of Python.

In the eighteenth year of the reign of Justinian, the sea overflowed throughout Thrace for four miles, and covered it around the parts of Odyssus and Dionysopolis, and many were killed in the waters; and again by God's command, the same sea was restored to its places.

In the nineteenth year of the reign of Justinian, Peter ruled the Church of Jerusalem and Domnus the Church of Antioch; and there was a shortage of grain and wine and much rain, and a great earthquake occurred in Constantinople, and a subversion concerning holy Easter. The common people began to abstain from meat in the month of February, on the fourth day. But the emperor ordered meat to be served the following week, ^A and all the meat-sellers slaughtered [animals] and served [the meat], but no one bought or ate it. For the rest, Easter was held as the emperor commanded, and the people were found fasting during the superfluous week.

In the twentieth year of the reign of Justinian, Rome was captured by the Goths, and Pope Vigilius came to Constantinople, and, being received by the emperor with great honor, he promised to make unity in the Catholic Church and to anathematize the three chapters, and he gave the excommunication of four months to Menas, the bishop of Constantinople, as a penance. But the emperor, indignant against Vigilius because of the penance, and because he was delaying the fulfillment of what seemed proper regarding the unity of the Churches, sent to have him seized. Fearing the attack of the emperor, he took refuge at the altar of the martyr Sergius in the monastery of Hormisdas. And having been dragged from there, he grasped the columns supporting the altar, and overturned them, although he was heavy and large of body. But the emperor, led by repentance, received Pope Vigilius; and Vigilius, having been asked by Theodora Augusta, received Menas, the patriarch of Constantinople, on the twenty-ninth day of the month of June, on the feast of the Apostles.

In the twenty-first year of his reign, great earthquakes and rains occurred, and Theodora Augusta died. Similarly, in the following year, lightning and thunder occurred, such that those sleeping were injured by the thunder, and fires occurred near Byzantium.

In the year of the world 6046, the year of the divine incarnation 546, in the twenty-third year of the reign of Justinian, an emissary of the Indians came to Constantinople, leading an elephant, and he entered the Hippodrome. In the month of January, the name of Menas the patriarch of Constantinople was put in its place [in the diptychs], ^B and the name of Vigilius was placed foremost in the diptychs. Meanwhile, in the month of March, an elephant escaped from the stable at night, and killed many, and indeed injured others. Furthermore, in the month of June, the dedication of the [Church of the] holy Apostles took place at Constantinople, and the relics of the apostles Andrew, Luke, and Timothy were deposited; and Bishop Menas went with the holy relics, sitting in the golden imperial chariot, adorned with stones, holding the three cases of the holy apostles on his knees, and he thus celebrated the dedication.

In the twenty-fourth year of the reign of Justinian, in the month of April, Narses the chamberlain was sent to Rome to fight against the Goths, who had seized Rome, because after Belisarius had captured it, the Goths rose up again and retook it.

In the twenty-fifth year of the reign of Justinian, the dedication of Saint Eirene took place across from Constantinople at Sycae, and the holy relics went out from the Great Church along with the two patriarchs, namely Menas of Constantinople and Apollinarius of Alexandria, and both sat in the imperial chariot, holding the holy relics on their knees, and they came as far as the strait; and as they were crossing, the emperor met them, and they opened the same church of the holy martyr Eirene. In the same year, Menas, the bishop of Constantinople, died, and Eutychius, the apocrisiarius of Amasea and a monk of the monastery that is near Amasea, and a presbyter, was [appointed] in his place. On the very day of the funeral of Menas, while he was still lying in the chapel, in the month of August, the trophies of Narses the chamberlain and exarch of the Romans arrived from Rome. For he had entered into battle with Totila, king of the Goths, and had most powerfully prevailed, and captured Rome, and killed Totila; and he sent his blood-stained garments, together with his camelaucum adorned with precious stones, to Constantinople, and they were cast at the feet of the emperor before the senate.

In the twenty-sixth year of the reign of Justinian, the ^C holy and universal fifth synod was held against Origen the madman, and Didymus the blind, and Evagrius, and the madness of their pagan notions, and again against the chapters. Now Vigilius of Rome did not sit with those who were assembled. Having been dismissed, however, by the emperor after much trouble, he died in Illyricum while returning to Rome.

In the twenty-seventh year of the reign of Justinian, a terrible earthquake occurred at Constantinople and in the cities all around, which lasted for 40 days, and the people were gradually brought to compunction, holding litanies and frequenting and communicating in the churches (33). And after the great mercy of God had occurred, men fell back into worse habits. Now the memory of this earthquake is held every year in the Campus, as the people hold a litany.

In the year of the world 6047, in the year of the divine incarnation 547, in the twenty-eighth year of the reign of Justinian, there occurred horrific thunder and lightning, and an African wind ^D

^A And the emperor was also moved to build a bridge over the Agoreos river, and diverting the same river into another channel, he turned five marvelous arches, and made it fordable, whereas before it had been wooden.

In the twenty-ninth year of the empire of Justinian, the Jews and Samaritans of Caesarea in Palestine stirred up a sedition, and acting as if they were in the order of the Green faction, they rushed upon the Christians of the same city, and killed many, and burned the churches, and slew Stephen the prefect of that city in the praetorium, and stole his substance. His wife, however, going up to the city, approached the emperor, who ordered Adamantius, the master of the soldiers, to descend into Palestine and seek out the slaughter of Stephen. Coming there, those whom he found he some hanged, others beheaded, while others he maimed and confiscated their property. And a great fear fell upon all the Oriental parts.

In the thirtieth year of the empire of Justinian, Pelagius managed the episcopate of the Romans. In this year died Timothy, exarch of the monasteries and hegumen of the monastery of Dalmatius, and there was made in his stead Anthimus, a recluse of the same monastery. And there appeared a fire in the sky, like a species of lance, from the north even to the west. ^B

In the year of the world 6050, in the year of the divine incarnation 550, in the thirty-first year of the empire of Justinian, there occurred a very horrible earthquake, such as no man in that generation recorded as having happened upon the earth: for the earth was shaken by night after the ten mercies of God. But the emperor did not wear his crown for forty days; and he even proceeded to church without it on the holy Nativity of Christ; so that he even caused the luncheons, which usually took place in nineteen or twenty couches, to cease, and bestowed the expenses of these upon the needy. In the same year, a race of those who are called Avars entered Byzantium unexpectedly; and the whole city ran to the sight of them, as though they had never seen a race of such a kind: for they had hair plaited, very long, bound with ribbons and tangled; while the rest of their clothing was like that of the other Huns. These, fleeing from their region, came into the parts of Scythia and Mysia, and sent legates to Justinian asking that they might be received.

In the year of the world 6051, the year of the divine incarnation 551, in the thirty-second year of the empire of Justinian, the dome of the Great Church at Constantinople was built, ^C raised by more than twenty feet in the upper parts above the building that had been there before.

In the thirty-third year of his empire, the emperor began...

In the thirty-fourth year of the empire of Justinian, it was rumored at Constantinople that the emperor was dead: for he had come from Thrace, and saw no one. Therefore the common people suddenly seized bread from the places in which it was made and sold; and about the third hour, no bread was to be found in the whole city. The workshops also were closed, and the palace whispered, because no one from the senate saw the emperor, on account of the fact that he was suffering from a headache, and from this they believed that the emperor was defunct. Meanwhile, about the ninth hour, the senate held a council, and sent the prefect, and they made public proclamations throughout the whole city, because the emperor was made whole, and in this way the city was snatched from turmoil. But after the emperor was restored to health, Eugenius, who had been prefect, accused Georgius and Etherius, the curators, as if they had wanted to make Theodorus emperor, the son of Peter the magister. And when the cause had been diligently investigated and in no way proven, Eugenius fell into the emperor’s wrath, and his house was surrendered to the public treasury. But he, fleeing to the church, was saved. There was also a vast mortality in Cilicia and Anazarbus and great Antioch, and likewise an earthquake; and the Orthodox and the Severians joined in conflict against one another, and many homicides were committed; and the emperor, having sent Zimarchus the count of the Orient, restrained the unruly, and sent many into exile and confiscated their property and weakened their limbs.

In the year of the world 6054, in the year of the divine incarnation 554, in the thirty-fifth year of the empire of Justinian, the city of Hobes was captured by the Huns: and the emperor sent Marcellus the master of the soldiers with a great army, that he might rescue the city.

In the thirty-sixth year of the empire of Justinian, trophies came from Narsis the patrician at Rome, signifying that he had encompassed two fortified cities of the Goths, namely Verona and Brixia. ^D But on the twenty-fifth day of the month of November, late in the day, certain men meditated an ambush, that they might slay the emperor. They were Ablabius and Marcellus, a seller of monies, and Sergius. Their meditation, however, was of this kind: when he sat in the dining room late, before permission to depart was given, they should slay him, having their men assisting them, [missing text]...

^A in the Silentiarium, and in the Archangelus, and in the Currus, so that when the plot was carried out, they might cause a disturbance. Moreover, the same Ablabius also accepted five hundred pounds of gold from Marcellus, a dealer in silver, so that he might assist him. But God willing, Ablabius trusted Eusebius the ex-consul, who was the count of the foederati, and John the logothete, saying that "this evening we wish to attack the emperor." When they had reported this to the emperor, he arrested them, and found them carrying hidden swords. And Marcellus the silver-dealer, frustrated in his hope, and having drawn the sword he was carrying, dealt himself three blows while seized in the dining room, and died. Sergius, however, fled to the Blachernae; being brought out of the church there, and interrogated, he was persuaded to confess that both Isacius the silver-dealer and the most glorious patrician Belisarius were privy to such a plot, and that Victus, a money-dealer, and Paul, the curator of the same Belisarius, knew of the plan. They were arrested and handed over to the prefect Procopius, and they confessed, and testified against Belisarius, who soon fell under the anger of the emperor. Many indeed used flight. Meanwhile, on the fifth day of the month of December, the emperor imposed silence, bringing in also the patriarch Eutychius, and ordering their confessions to be read. Upon hearing this, Belisarius was weighed down with immense sorrow, and the emperor sent and seized all his men, and commanded him to sit at home under guard. Meanwhile, on the twentieth day of December, the second dedication of the Great Church at Constantinople took place. Furthermore, the vigils of these dedications were held at the house of St. Plato, and from there the patriarch of Constantinople, Eutychius, went out with a litany in the presence of the emperor, sitting in the same vehicle and wearing his apostolic habit and holding the holy Gospel, while everyone sang: *Lift up your gates*. In the same month some parts of Africa were captured by the Moors rising against Africa in this way: Cutzinas, an exarch of the Moors, not a man of that same race, had the custom of receiving a certain quantity of gold from the prince of Africa who was reigning at the time. When, however, he had come to receive it, John, the prince of Africa, killed him. Moreover, the sons of Cutzinas rose up, seeking to avenge their father's reception [of the gold], and rose up against him, and began to plunder parts of his territory. Therefore the emperor, having learned this, sent to the aid of Africa his nephew, Marcian, the master of soldiers, with an army to pacify the Moors; and they flocked to him, and thus Africa obtained peace. In the same year the emperor, because of certain people inciting disturbances in Constantinople, cut off the thumbs of those only who had fought with swords. On the nineteenth day of the month of March, the patrician Belisarius was admitted, having had all his dignities restored to him. In the same year, legates of Asceltus, king of the Ermechiones, who is situated within the nation of the Barbarians near the Ocean, came to Constantinople.

[A] In the thirty-seventh year of his reign, Justinian went for the sake of prayer to the Myriangeloi, that is, Germias, a city of Galatia. In the month of November, Arethas the patrician and prince of the Saracen tribes entered Byzantium, to bring the tribute owed to the emperor for the grant of his sons' debt, that is to say, so that after his death they might hold the principate of their tribe.

In the thirty-eighth year of the reign of Justinian, Eutychius, the patriarch of Constantinople, was deposed and sent into exile by Justinian to Amasia; and John, one of the scholastici, was made in his place, being the apocrisiarius of Great Antioch and a presbyter of the same church. In the same year, Emperor Justinian, stirring up a dogmatic controversy about the corruptible and the incorruptible, and having transmitted an edict everywhere alien to piety, was overtaken by God and died, having reigned for thirty-eight years, seven months, and thirteen days, and Justin the curopalates is made his successor. In the same year, the Theodosians and the Gajanitae began to build meeting-houses at Alexandria, and the prevailing Gajanitae consecrated as their bishop their archdeacon Helpidius; whom the emperor ordered to come in chains. And when he was coming through Segrin, he died. Furthermore, the Theodosians secretly ordained Dorotheus as their bishop by night, and assembling together, both Gajanitae and Theodosians enthroned a common bishop for themselves. Moreover, they flayed the beard of a certain abbot with skin and flesh. Such is the way the madness of heretics is accustomed to behave, to the point that they often perform the deeds of pagans. ^C In the year of the world 6058, of the divine incarnation 558, John presides over the Roman Church. Justin, the nephew of Justinian, reigns, crowned by the patriarch John. He was, however, by nation a Thracian, magnanimous and prosperous in all things. He had also a wife named Sophia, whom he also crowned Augusta. As he was pious, he adorned the churches which Justinian had built, namely the Great Church and the Holy Apostles as well as other churches and monasteries, giving them treasures and all provision; and he was very orthodox, and he sent the monk Photinus, the stepson of the patrician Belisarius, giving him authority against every person, and the cause of ^D pacifying all the Churches of Egypt and Alexandria.

In the second year of the reign of Justin, Aetherius and Audius, and the physician who was with them, plotted against the same Emperor Justin; who, having been discovered, were killed by the sword. In the same year, the monk Agatho, brother of Apollinaris the bishop of Alexandria, coming to Alexandria to deliver sermons, subjected to custody the monk Eustochius, who was the great steward of Alexandria, who escaping through the roof came to Byzantium, Macarius having then been driven from the church by faction, and Eustochius was consecrated bishop at Jerusalem in place of Macarius. In the third year of the reign of Justin, the most pious Augusta Sophia having summoned the money-dealers and no

[Theophanes the Confessor] ^A commanded the debtors' bonds and summary records to be brought; having read these, he accepted the records, presented them to the debtors, and restored them to their owners, and for this he was greatly praised by the entire city. Eustochius, however, having entered Jerusalem, incited the monks of the New Lavra against Apollinarius, Agathon, and Macarius, falsely accusing them of being Origenists. And for this reason, he was expelled, and Macarius was restored to his throne.

In the fourth year of the reign of Justin, Macarius was again preferred as bishop at Jerusalem, and John was held to be the prelate of Alexandria.

In the fifth year of the reign of Justin, when the great Anastasius, bishop of Antioch, had rebuked in a synodical epistle ^B John of Constantinople, who had consecrated John of Alexandria, he too was expelled from his church by the indignation of Justin through this consecration, and Gregory, a monk and apocrisiarius of the monastery of the Byzantines, was ordained.

In the sixth year of the reign of Justin, the cubicularius and protospatharius Narses, a favorite of the emperor, built the house of Narses and the monastery of the Cathari.

In the seventh year of the reign of Justin, the Romans and Persians broke the peace, and the Persian war was renewed because the Homerite Indians had sent an embassy to the Romans, and the emperor had sent Julian the magisterian with an imperial decree to Arethas, king of the Ethiopians, via the Nile ^C river from Alexandria and the Indian Sea. He was received by King Arethas with great joy, as he sought the friendship of the Roman emperor. Julian, upon his return, recounted that when he was received by King Arethas, the king was naked, having a belt around his loins and linen garments woven with gold; around his belly, however, he wore garments adorned with precious pearls. On his arms he had five bracelets, and golden armlets upon his hands; on his head he wore a jeweled cloth, having four braids from each binding, and a golden torque around his neck. He stood upon four elephants, which stood holding a yoke and four wheels, and above this was a lofty carriage, veiled with golden leaves, like the carriages of provincial princes. Standing upon these, he bore a very small gilded shield and two golden lances, and his entire senate was with him in armor, singing musical modulations. The legate of the Romans, having been introduced, bowed down, and was commanded by him to rise and be brought to him. When, however, he had received the imperial decree, he kissed the seal, as it bore the imperial breastplate. Having received the gifts as well, he rejoiced greatly. But when he had read the imperial letter, he found that he was to arm himself against the king of the Persians, to destroy the region of the Persians nearest to him, and to enter into no further treaties with the Persians. Immediately, therefore, having collected an army, King Arethas stood in the presence of the Roman legate and set the battle in motion against the Persians, sending the Saracens subject to him ahead. He himself then set out for the region of the Persians, ^D and laid waste to all which was in those parts.

King Arethas, however, holding the head of Julian, and giving him the kiss of peace, dismissed him with much benevolence and many gifts. Moreover, another matter occurred which troubled Chosroes. For at that time the Huns, whom we are accustomed to call Turks, sent an embassy to Justin, passing through the region of the Alans. Fearing this, Chosroes feigned an excuse, citing the rebellion of the Armenians against him, which had occurred on account of the approach by which they had adhered to Justin. He also demanded back those who had fled. For the Roman emperor used to pay five hundred pounds of gold every year so that the Persians would guard the camps which were near that place, so that the incoming nations would not destroy both commonwealths, and the castles were fortified at common expense. But Justin dissolved the peace, asserting that it was a disgrace for the Romans to pay tribute under the Persians; for this reason, he brought about this great war between the Persians and the Romans. Moreover, Justin created the patrician Marcianus, his kinsman, praetor of the East, and directed him against the Persians.

In the year of the world 6065, in the year of the divine incarnation 565, the eighth year of his reign, Justin fell ill and was saddened by his brother Baduarius, and he lacerated him with insults. Finally, he ordered the cubicularii to strike him with their fists and lead him into the sight of the council of senators: for he was count of the imperial stables. Having learned of this, Sophia was saddened and complained to the emperor, who repented; descending, he entered the stable to him suddenly with the prefect of the cubicularii. Baduarius, having seen the emperor, fled from place to place over the top of the manger, for fear of the emperor. But the emperor cried out: "I adjure you by God, my brother, wait for me." And when he had run, he caught him, and embraced and kissed him, saying: "I have sinned against you, my brother, but receive me as your brother and emperor; for I know that this happened through diabolical operation." He fell at his feet, and weeping said: "Truly, lord, you have the power. Nevertheless, in the presence of the senate you deformed your servant. Now, lord, give an account for this." And he pointed to the horses. The emperor, however, asked him to eat with him, and they were reconciled. In that same year, a great war occurred around Sargathon between the Romans and the Persians, and the Romans were victorious.

In the ninth year of the reign of Justin, Hormisda, king of the Persians, ordained Ardamenes the general of the Persians and sent him to lay waste to the region of the Romans; he returned having captured much booty. Having learned of this, Justin, struck by the weight of the calamity, fell into a languor of his faculties, and asked to make a pact with Hormisda, to which he consented to be done that year.

In the year of the world 6067, in the year of the divine incarnation 567, the Emperor Justin appointed his son Tiberius, the count of the excubitors, naming him Caesar, and constituted him his successor both in the Hippodromes and

in the notable days. Now, the emperor was suffering from his feet and for this reason lay more in his bed.

In the eleventh year of his reign, Justin built the great aqueduct of Valens and bestowed a bounty of water upon the city.

In the twelfth year of his reign, the Emperor Justin took away the synagogue of the Hebrews which was in Constantinople at the Chalcopratia and made it into a church of our Lady, the holy Mother of God, which is near the Great Church.

^A Tiberius sent and brought his wife Anastasia and crowned her Augusta, and cast much largess among the people.

In the second year of the reign of Tiberius, Eulogius is accounted the prelate of the church at Alexandria. Meanwhile, Emperor Tiberius sent to the King of the Persians according to custom, announcing his promotion; as he did not admit the peace, Tiberius gathered great forces and, by disseminating the royal treasures, created many armies, creating a certain Justinian as Master of Soldiers of the East.

In the third year of the reign of Tiberius, the King of the Persians, having taken his forces, hastened into Armenia. But the leader of the Romans, hearing that the King of the Persians was about to join battle in person, became prepared. For fear had entered the Roman people, and therefore Justinian, using discourses on virtues, quelled the struggle of their terror. And when the war was joined and large-scale archery had been made by the Persians, so that even the rays of the sun were obscured, the Romans stood firm, endeavoring to cast back the javelins which were being sent from the bow. But when the Roman battle line stood firm, the Persians could not withstand them, but the Babylonian host was turned to flight, and vast multitudes perished. Meanwhile, they also took the Persians' baggage and the royal tent and their whole most brilliant equipment. Moreover, the Romans took the elephants and sent those distinguished and royal spoils to Tiberius. Accordingly, the King of the Persians made a law, not enduring the confusion, that no longer would the King of the Persians sally forth to battle. But in truth, the Roman army followed up the Persian misfortunes and hastened into the interior of Persia, and wrought much destruction and captivity there, arriving even into the midst of the Hyrcanian Sea. Moreover, when winter arrived, the Quirites did not return to their own lands, but passed the winter in Persia. Furthermore, in the same year, Tiberius began to build the public building of the Blachernae and renovated many churches and hospices and homes for the elderly, and ordered himself to be inscribed in Phoenician letters as Tiberius Constantine.

^B In the thirteenth year of the reign of Justin, the Bishop of Constantinople, John, having died, Eutychius again received the same throne. But the emperor, having fallen ill and being somewhat subdued by his infirmity, summoned both the pontiff and the senate and all the priests and citizens, and, having brought in the Caesar Tiberius, openly called him emperor before everyone, using these words: "Behold God, who has done good to you. This status God has given to you, not I: honor Him, that you also may be honored by Him. Honor your mother, who was once your mistress. You know that you were her slave formerly, but now a son. Do not rejoice in bloodshed; do not participate in homicide; render not evil for evil; do not become like me in the evil of enmity. For I, as a man, have offended: for indeed I have become culpable and have received according to my sins; but I shall have my cause with those who did this to me, before the tribunal of Christ. Let not this status uplift you as it did me. Thus attend to all things just as you do to yourself. Know what you were and what you now exist. Do not be proud, and you will not sin. You know who I was and who I have become and remain. All these are your children and servants. You know that I have honored you more than my own bowels. When you see these, see all who are of the republic. Attend to your soldier. Do not take on the soldiers, lest some say to you that your predecessor so conducted himself. For I say these things, from whom I have suffered. Those who have substance, let them enjoy it; but to those who have not, give. And when the prayer had been made by the patriarch, when all had said, Amen, the Caesar fell to the feet of the emperor and said to him: If you will, I am; if you will not, I am not. And the emperor said: God, who made heaven and earth, may He Himself place into your heart all things which I have forgotten to say." And while the emperor was proceeding with these things, he was filling the whole assembly with tears. When that was dissolved, Tiberius bestowed gifts upon his subjects, and whatever things exist by custom in the appellations of an emperor.

^C In the year of the world 6071, in the year of the divine incarnation 571, Tiberius began to reign, having been crowned by Patriarch Eutychius, although he was himself of Thracian stock. And when he reigned, the factions shouted: "Anastasia Augusta, may you conquer. Save, lord, those whom you have ordered to rule." But Sophia, the wife of Justin, hearing this, was smitten in spirit: for she wished to marry Tiberius and remain Augusta: for she knew not that he had a wife. But some said that even in the life of Justin she had been intimate with him, and that she herself had persuaded Justin to make him Caesar. But

In the fourth year of the reign of Tiberius, Patriarch Eutychius died, and after six days John the Faster, a deacon of the Great Church, was promoted. Moreover, Emperor Tiberius, having bought the bodies of the Gentiles, constituted an army in his own name, equipping and arming them to the number of fifteen thousand, giving them as leader Maurice, count of the foederati, and as sub-leader Narses, and sent them against the Persians. And the great war having been fought, the Romans are mightily victorious, and took away from the Persians the cities and regions which they had taken under Justinian and Justin. But Maurice, going away to Constantinople, was received by the emperor with great honor, and Tiberius published the victories of Maurice, and admitted this man, his son-in-law, to his daughter Constantina. Similarly also he joined his daughter Charito to the praetor Germanus, making both Caesar. Mense vero

Augusto, afflicted with a morning ailment, a thing worthy of sight ^A but corrupt, he contracted consumption. And when he was about to die, having summoned the patriarch John and the senate together with the soldiers, he was carried in a litter to the tribunal; and because he could not speak, by means of an *epanagnostikon* he made clear to the people those things that were useful for the affairs of the Romans, and announced his son-in-law Maurice as emperor. And so, when all had praised the emperor’s judgment and Maurice as emperor, Tiberius turned upon his bed and died on that day, having reigned for three years, ten months, and eighteen days.

In the year of the world 6075, by the divine incarnation the year 575, Maurice reigns; and in the same year the Avars perform an embassy to the emperor Maurice, who a short time before had subdued Sirmium, a famous city of Europe, demanding eighty thousand in gold, which they had received by the year, with an additional twenty to be added by the Romans: but the emperor, desiring peace, admitted this also. He requested further that an elephant, an Indian animal, be sent for him to see; to whom the emperor sent the largest of all; which, when he had seen it, he sent back to the emperor. Similarly, he asked that a gold bed be sent to him; but the emperor sent this to him as well: but he returned this one, too—an act of contempt. He demanded, furthermore, that another twenty thousand again be added. Because the emperor did not grant this, the chagan subverted the city of Siggidon and captured many other cities subject to Illyricum. But the emperor sent the patrician Helpidius with Comentiolus as legates to the chagan. But the Barbarian professed himself willing to act in accordance with the peace agreements. In the East, he made John Mystacon the praetor of Armenia, who, coming to the River Nymphium, where it is known to join the Tigris, engaged in battle with Cardarigas, the Persian commander, and the Romans prevailed against the Barbarians. ^C Cardarigas, however, is not a proper name, but a very high dignity among the Persians.

In the second year of his reign, Maurice is called consul, and he donated many treasures to the city; he also promoted Philippicus to be praetor of the East, to whom he also gave his sister Gordia in marriage. But Philippicus, seizing the Persian parts, approached Nisibis and, suddenly entering into Persia, took much booty, which he led, saving it through the mountains, and transferred it into the region of the Medes; and having exterminated many villages there, he returned to the Roman lands. Further, the chagan of the Avars hastened to break the peace: for he armed the nations of the Sclaveni against Thrace, who arrived as far as the Long Walls, causing much destruction. But the emperor, having led the soldiers out of the palace and the common people from the city, ordered the Long Walls to be guarded, and appointing Comentiolus as general, sent him armed against the Barbarians, who, rushing unexpectedly upon the Barbarians, killed large multitudes and drove them back. And when he had arrived at Hadrianopolis, the multitudes of the Sclaveni encountered Andragastus with the booty, and he attacked them and snatched them back from captivity and was clothed with a great victory.

In the third year of the reign of Maurice, Philippicus, having taken the armies, set out for the Persian region, and having captured Arsenene, he obtained great booty and caused terror among the Persian armies. Meanwhile, falling ill, he returned to Constantinople, and the soldiers returned to their own lands without harm.

In the fourth year of the reign of Maurice, Philippicus, having departed from the royal city and taken up the equipment of the enemy, hastened to the city of Amida, and having collected the armed men, he asked them if they were ready to hasten to war. But the Romans, making him confident through oaths that they would fight eagerly, came to Anazarbus: but Cardarigas, having learned of this, treated the report with derision, thinking that what was being said was a dream; and, having summoned them, he rather questioned who would be the master of victory. But the Persians, appeasers of demons, asserted that victory would be brought by the gods. The Persians, therefore, exulting over these things and made joyful by the promises of the magi, immediately prepare wooden shackles made of wood and iron, with which they might bind the shackled Romans. The praetor, however, moves the Romans ^D lest they destroy the labors of the fields, and lest the justice of God, which hates evil, transfer victory to the Barbarians. The following day, therefore, the praetor sends out two phylarchs of the Saracens, and they capture Persians alive, through whom they learned the movements of the adversaries, because they asserted that the Barbarians wished to break into the Romans on the Lord’s day. Furthermore, Philippicus, having bid the Romans farewell at dawn, met them with three phalanxes for battle, and himself, having taken up the manly form of God—which the Romans proclaim as *acheiropoieton*—running through the ranks, he imparted divine strength to the armed men, and standing behind the line, holding these weapons, he appeased God with many tears, and he took to himself the princes of the heavenly orders as helpers. And when the battle was joined, Vitalianus, the prince of the line, moved more boldly than all, disrupted the phalanx of the Persians, and carried off the pack. But the Romans began to occupy themselves with the spoils; Philippicus, receiving them, lest the others also—having returned to the spoils—forget the battle and the converted Barbarians destroy them, having placed his own helmet on Theodore Ilibinus, sent him with a sword to strike those who were occupying themselves with the spoils; seeing whom, and thinking him to be Philippicus, having abandoned the spoils, they hastened to the battle. When, however, the battle had been waged for many hours, a shout was made by the Persian praetor to strike the horses with lances; which having been done, the Persian army was turned to flight, and the Romans, placed in a great triumph, killed many of them and despoiled them. But on the following day, having taken up his strengths, Cardarigas is again armed for battle, and after a second battle had been fought, the Romans win again, and many Persians are killed. Two thousand are even captured alive and sent to Byzantium; Cardarigas also fled, whom the Persians rejected with insults. Furthermore, Philippicus sent Heraclius, the father of the emperor Heraclius, as a sub-praetor for the exploration of the Barbarians.

And having taken his troops, he went to Babylon and besieged the fortress of Chiomarum. But Cardarigas, having chosen unskilled soldiers with pack-animals, and having collected a mob, boasted that he was moving his army, and by night, through difficult and obscure places, they reached the rear of the Romans, not at all trusting that they would be delivering their hands into them. But as an untoward fear fell upon Philippicus, he used an irrational flight. Once this was discovered, the Romans turned to flight through places difficult to traverse, encountering many dangers. And when the sun had risen, they were liberated from the calamity, with no one pursuing, and upon reaching the praetor, they blasphemed him with the worst injuries. Truly, the Persians, thinking the flight was feigned, did not dare to pursue. Furthermore, Heraclius crossed the Tigris, set fire to whatever distinguished estates there were in the Median region, and thus returned to Philippicus with much spoil.

In the year of the world 6079, of the divine incarnation 579, the fifth year of the reign of Maurice, the Chagan of the Avars, having dissolved the treaty, attacked Mysia and Scythia atrociously, overturning Ratiaria, Bononia, Aquis, Dorostolum, Zandapa, and Marcianopolis. Comentiolus reached the maritime regions, and having separated his army, he chose out the weak from the strong, and ordered forty thousand of little military worth to guard the wall, while taking six thousand of the elite, he handed two thousand of these over to Castus and two thousand to Martinus, and he himself, taking the two remaining, hastened against the barbarians. But Castus, coming to Zandapa and Emon, found the barbarians in a state of sloth, destroyed many of them, and having obtained much plunder, was bringing it to the armiger for safekeeping. Martinus, however, turning toward the city of Mean, and falling unexpectedly upon the Chagan, wiped out many of his troops, so that he purchased his own safety by flight. Martinus, indeed, having achieved a glorious victory, returned to the praetor, where he had promised he would await them. Comentiolus, however, overcome by fear, returned to Marcianopolis; his forces, not finding him there, gathered themselves together and moved their camp through the narrow pass of Mount Haemus. But Martinus, seeing the Chagan crossing the river, returned to the praetor. Castus, however, having crossed the river and approaching those who had preceded him, engaged the Avar in battle. Furthermore, deceived by the promises of a certain vain demon, he did not return to the praetor. The next day, fearing the crossing, the Chagan closed him in. The people were therefore divided, and each one, as he had the strength, fled through the woods. Thus, some were captured by the barbarians, and they indicated where Castus was hiding; and having captured him, they exulted and rejoiced. The Chagan, truly, making his journey toward the south, hastened against Thrace and took the Long Walls.

Comentiolus, who was hiding in the woods of Haemus, left for Martinus, and arriving, he found the Chagan unprepared because the multitude of the Avars was spread throughout Thrace; and at the first watch of the night, he pressed on against him, and would have truly achieved a great work if a certain event had not foiled his attempt. For indeed, as a living creature was upsetting its burden, someone shouted to the master of the animal to lift the load, in his native tongue, saying "Torna, torna, frater." And the master of the mule did not perceive the voice: but the people, having heard this and thinking that their enemies were upon them, turned to flight, shouting out at the top of their voices, "Torna, torna." The Chagan, moreover, seized by a tremendous fear, fled entirely, and the Barbarians and Romans appeared to be fleeing from each other, when no one was pursuing.

Furthermore, the Chagan, having taken his forces, besieged the city of Apiria, and strove to kill the ingenious man of the city—a man who handled siege engines—who begged to provide him with much money if he would grant him his life. He, however, presented him bound to the city. But he himself sought the inhabitants of the city to be ransomed, telling how often he had fought for the city. A certain citizen convinced the multitudes that this was not to be done. Since, therefore, Busa was of small account, he promised to betray the city to the Chagan, and having made an exterminating instrument, which they call a ram, he took the city; and by leading off the barbarian’s ingenious device, they reduced many other cities to servitude, and returned with many captives. The Byzantines, however, hearing that Castus had been taken captive by the Barbarians, used great insults against Maurice, and openly assailed him with blasphemies.

At the same time, Heraclius, the father of Heraclius, attacked a Persian fortress, which he also took. Similarly, Theodorus took the fortress of the Mazaroi, and both came to Bavides. And when the fortress was most fortified, a soldier named Saphires devised spikes, and fixing them against the joints of the stones, he made an approach for them through them. And when that brave man had climbed to the wall's crest, a Persian man pushed him off. Saphires fell down, and the Romans caught him on their shields. And he again boldly grasped the work, and was again repelled by the fortress. The Romans caught him on their shields again, and for a third time he attempted the escalation. And when he reached the top of the wall, he killed the Persian, then, offering his head to the Romans, filled them with great confidence; and many following the brave man, and climbing the wall by means of stakes, the fortress was surrendered to the Romans. And they killed some of the Persians, while they led others captive along with their possessions, having set fire to the fortress. Meanwhile, Philippicus returned again to Byzantium.

^A In the year of the world 6080, in the year of the divine incarnation 580, in the month of September, in the sixth indiction, the Lombards waged war against the Romans, and the nations of the Maurusians perpetrated great disturbances against Africa. In Persia, there is a prison which is called Lethe, and the king of the Persians had enclosed many men from various nations therein, along with captives from the city of Dara. These men, therefore, in desperation, rose up against those who were guarding them, and having killed Maruzas, they brought his head to Byzantium. But the emperor received them with great joy. The army, however, scarcely accepted Philippicus as praetor. But when the war between the Persians and the Romans took place at Martyropolis, the Romans were overcome. The emperor, however, having removed Philippicus from the praetorship again, sent Commentiolus as praetor of the East. Heraclius, finding success in the war, killed the Persian praetor. With Aphrahat also slain, the Persians fled and the Romans pursued them. And when a great slaughter had been wrought among them, they also captured the guard and sent many spoils to Byzantium. Finally, the emperor made the city splendid with equestrian games and commerce. Hormisd, king of the Persians, sent the praetor Baram, having promoted him, along with many nobles against Suania. Unexpectedly, therefore, advancing upon this, he moved his camp to the Araxes River; for since the Turks had been conquered by the Persians, Hormisd had grown so much that he even received a tribute of forty thousand pieces of gold from the Turks, whereas previously he himself had paid equivalent amounts to the Turks. But Maurice, having learned of this, promoted the Roman praetor and sent him with a force into Suania. And when Romanus had arrived in Lazica and reached the Phasis River, he moved his army into Albania. Baram, hearing of the Roman advance, mocked the matter. He also desired to capture the Roman battle line by hand, for he had not yet fought against the Romans. But in truth, Romanus divided the Roman multitude, not having approved of those left behind with the baggage. Taking ten thousand with him, he hurried against the barbarians, and ordered two thousand to precede the army. These, coming upon those who had gone before, turned the Persians back and killed them all; for indeed flight and precipice having stood in their way, all perished. But the Romans came as far as the barbarians' rampart, so that Baram was astonished at this. Hearing which, the Roman began to encourage the army, and they prepared to do battle in the plain of Albania. Baram, however, tried to steal the war, yet he was frustrated in his plan; for the Roman rose up and was most thoroughly prepared. When, however, they were joined in mutual conflict and many of the barbarians had been killed, a greatest victory was won for the Romans. The barbarians were therefore despoiled, and being left without burial, they became food for the beasts. Having heard this, Hormisd, king of the Persians, not bearing the confusion, [sent] a woman's garment [to] Baram. ^B He travelled, leaving Heraclius as leader of the Romans. Arriving however at Tarsus, and saying that the emperor had directed the appointment of Priscus as praetor of the East, he wrote to Heraclius, after dismissing the army, to come to Narses in Armenia and to make his presence manifest to Priscus. For the emperor had ordered Philippicus to deprive the militia of a fourth part of their pay. Philippicus, however, fearing lest this should provide an opportunity for tyranny, did not obey the emperor on this matter, and for that reason he was deposed from the praetorship. Priscus, however, arriving at Antioch, ordered the soldiers to be gathered at Monocartum. He also summoned Germanus, to whom the principate of the Edessenes had been given, along with the bishop, and, together with them, he went to the army, intending to celebrate the feast of Pascha with them. But the leaders of the army came to meet him, together with the standards, two ensigns far from the army. Priscus, however, did not dismount from his horse according to custom, nor did he use the customary greetings. Hence, therefore, the beginning of hatred was made; for the multitudes suffer more severely from common insults. But after the feast day, the emperor’s harsh letters were shown. The multitudes, therefore, flocked to the praetor’s tent, some indeed carrying swords, but others throwing stones or sticks. Priscus therefore became fearful, and mounting his horse, he escaped the danger by flight. They, however, tearing apart the covering of his tent, plundered all things that were his. But he, arriving at Constantia, was being treated by doctors for the stones he was struck with and his wounds, and he sent the bishop of the city, intending to make a reckoning and promising the army that he would persuade the emperor not to deprive them of any of the customary gifts (38). But the army rejected the bishop with insults, and they proclaimed Germanus as praetor against his will, having lifted him up on a shield, and they overturned the imperial statue and demolished its images. And they would have rushed into tyranny and pillaged the cities, had not Germanus prevented them from doing so with much warning and exhortation. Priscus, however, made these things manifest to the emperor, and the emperor appointed Philippicus as praetor of the East anew. Priscus, however, returned to Byzantium. Furthermore, the army was confirming with oaths that they would not be ruled by Maurice by any means. The barbarians were certainly delighted by the Roman calamities. But the emperor sent Aristobulus, curator of the imperial houses, to the army, so that he might resolve the tyranny with oaths and gifts; and this he did. But with the tyranny destroyed, a great war of the Persians and Romans occurred around Martyropolis. But with the Romans prevailing by their power and the virtue of their leaders against the Persians, Maruzas, the Persian praetor, was killed. Three thousand of these were also captured alive, and one thousand of the Persian chiefs of the ranks returned into Persia. Furthermore, the Romans sent many things from the Persian spoils to the emperor, both the captives and all the rest along with the standards.

^A transmitted, and deprived him of his command. But preparing against the rebellion of Baram, he proceeds into tyranny, and through reciprocal insults by letters, he receded from Hormisdas, inscribing his letter thus: "Chosroes, son of Hormisdas, sends these things to Baram." Having gathered the troops, he asserted that Hormisdas was indignant against the armies, inasmuch as they had been defeated by the Romans. Moreover, he showed them forged letters as if sent by Hormisdas to reduce the soldiers' pay, bringing back to their memory the atrocity of Hormisdas, or rather his cruelty, avarice, and violence, and how he took pleasure in homicides and was averse to peace, and how he had delivered the nobles into chains, of whom he had cut down some with the sword, and others he had drowned in the Tigris, and how he compelled the Persians to be separated in great battles, so that they might be scattered and not revolt against him. With such words addressed to the soldiery, Baram kindled the greatest tyranny against Hormisdas, and with oaths, all the soldiers pledged that they would depose Hormisdas. Hormisdas, however, sent his commander Ferochanes, armed with an army, against Baram. But Baram made it known to Ferochanes and the troops that it was not fitting for Persians to bear arms against Persians, and he recalled to their memory the harshness of Hormisdas, his injustice, his joy in bloodshed, his love of homicide, his infidelity, boasting, and violence. The people who were with Ferochanes, perceiving that these things had been told to them truthfully, betook themselves to Baram, and killing Ferochanes, they united themselves to Baram and departed with a rush against Ctesiphon. Hormisdas, however, had Bindohes, a man of great dignity, in chains: and so, while affairs were in great fluctuation, Bestan, the brother of Bindohes, rushing into the prison, brought out his brother Bindohes, and having gathered a rustic or civil multitude, they entered the palace at the third hour of the day, and finding Hormisdas sitting on the throne in the royal manner, they subjected him to many insults. Bindohes, however, took the diadem from the head of Hormisdas, and they delivered him into prison, and he asked that Chosroes be placed upon the ancestral throne. Furthermore, Hormisdas sent a messenger from custody, seeking to speak to the Persians about what was expedient for Persia. The next day, therefore, the senate of the Persians having been gathered in the palace along with the multitude, they brought the shackled Hormisdas. But Hormisdas warned the Persians that it was not fitting to commit such things against kings, and how many trophies he had made since he began to reign, and in what ways he had acted for the good of the Persians, and how he had compelled the Turks to pay tribute to Persia and the Romans to love peace, and how he had captured Martyropolis; and furthermore he recounted his paternal benefits. He was asking, however, that Chosroes be deposed from the kingdom as a friend of strife and ambitious and a lover of blood and proud and injurious and one who was intent upon battles: and he claimed that he himself had another son, whom he demanded be promoted to the kingship. But Bindohes was answering Hormisdas, and bringing his excesses into the middle, he stirred up everyone against Hor- ^B misdas. And they led into the middle his wife and son, and by the cutting of a saw they divided them before the eyes of Hormisdas, and blinding Hormisdas, they placed him in prison. And Chosroes indeed for some time treated his father kindly, providing him with all his food in custody. But Hormisdas lacerated him from the other side with insults, trampling upon those things which were being sent by the king. Whence Chosroes, angered, ordered him to be beaten with clubs through the loins and to die. This act also rendered the Persians sad and increased their hatred against Chosroes. But Chosroes, having gathered the forces of the kingdoms, stepped forth against Baram and arrived at the camp of the Zaba river, where Baram had his fortification. Chosroes, having suspected that some of the princes were siding with Baram, killed them. But when the people were becoming agitated, Chosroes started to flee with a few ^C of them, and all who were with Chosroes went over to Baram. But Chosroes was indeed hesitating as to what he ought to do. Some indeed advising him to withdraw to the Turks, but others to the Romans, Chosroes, mounting his horse with the bridle of the horse loosened, ordered everyone to follow. But the horse directed its steps toward the Roman regions, and is found near Certensium, and he sends legates, making his arrival manifest to the Romans. It happened, however, that the patrician Probus, who was there, received him, and informed the emperor about him by letters. Baram, however, sent legates to Maurice, asking that he not aid Chosroes. But the emperor Maurice orders the magistrate Commentiolus at Hierapolis to receive Chosroes and to honor him with imperial services.

In the same year, the emperor Maurice ordered that litanies in memory of the Mother of God be held at Blachernae and that praises be spoken to our Lady, calling it a panegyris.

In the year of the world 6081, of the divine incarnation 581, Maurice, making Chosroes the son his king of the Persians, sent to him the bishop of Melitene, Domitian, his kinsman, along with Narses, with whom he entrusted the command of the war; who, arriving to Chosroes, bring all the Roman potentates into Persia. Baram, however, having learned of this, having gathered his forces, pitched camp in a place which was called Alexandrines, thinking to prevent the troops coming from Armenia so that they would not be united with Narses: for Maurice had ordered John Mustacon, master of the soldiers of Armenia, to receive the troops and to unite himself equaly with Narses to constitute a war against Baram. But during the night both the Roman forces were united and directed their battle line against Baram. Furthermore, Baram pitched camp on a mountain, seized by dread. And when the horrible war was being waged, Narses, disregarding the Indian beasts, dissolved the middle of the phalanx of the barbarians; and by this deed, the other phalanxes of Baram were also weakened, and a great flight of the tyrant takes place. Narses, however, without any holding back, pursuing the Persians, was laying them low with slaughter, and six thousand of them captured in chains he brought to Chosroes. But Chosroes killed them all with the sword. As for as many Turks as there were, these ^D

^A had crosses inscribed upon their foreheads, and were questioned by the emperor as to how they came to bear this sign upon their foreheads. The Turks, however, claimed that many years ago a pestilence had occurred in Turkey, and that some Christians had devised this [mark], and that from this, safety had been brought to their homeland. Furthermore, the Roman army, taking Baram’s tent and equipment, brought them along with the elephants to Chosroes. Baram, however, fled into the interior parts of Persia, and thus their war was dissolved. Therefore, Chosroes, surrounded by a great victory, received back his throne. But Narses, about to return to his own lands, said to Chosroes: "Be mindful, Chosroes, of the present day: the Romans give you your kingdom." And he, fearing a treacherous murder, requested from Maurice a thousand Romans to be held for his protection. Maurice, since he had much affection for the barbarian, fulfilled his request, and thus the Persian and Roman war ceased.

In the year of the world 6082, of the divine incarnation the year 582, Theodosius, son of Maurice, was crowned with the paschal solemnity by John, Patriarch of Constantinople.

In the same year also the Emperor Maurice completed the church of the forty holy martyrs, which Tiberius had begun to build. Meanwhile, although profound peace had occupied the East, war was looming around Europe on the part of the Avars, and therefore the emperor moved his forces from the East into Thrace. ^B On that same day, the emperor’s horse, which was surrounded by golden adornments, was suddenly torn and fell. But the emperor, though disheartened by all these things, was sad. On the following day, three men of Sclavinian race were captured by the Romans, bearing nothing of iron, but carrying only lyres. The emperor asked them as much where they were from as where their dwelling place was situated. They said that they were Sclavinians by race, but that they lived near the end of the Western Ocean. They said that the Chagan had sent an embassy to them, and gifts to the princes of their people, to assist him against the Romans. They said they had directed their own taxiarchs to render an account to the Chagan, because they were unable to send him aid on account of the length of the journey: for they alleged that they had spent eighteen months on the journey, and thus had reached the Romans. They carried lyres because they did not see anyone among their own wearing arms, since in their region they did not know what iron was. The emperor, admiring both their age and praising the bulk of their bodies, sent them to Heraclea. When he had reached the maritime regions, and learned that envoys of the Persians and of the Franks had come to Byzantium, he returned to the royal capital.

^C In the ninth year of his reign, when spring was beginning and the armies had arrived in Thrace, Maurice went out with them to see what had been devastated by the barbarians. But the Augusta, the patriarch, and the senate asked the emperor not to enter the war in person, but rather to entrust it to a general. Yet the emperor did not comply. As he was going to the Seventh [Mile], an eclipse of the sun occurred; and when he was at Rheginum, he encouraged the multitudes of the poor with money. As he was proceeding hunting, a very large wild boar made an attack against the Caesar. His horse, out of terror at the miracle, tried to throw the Caesar. He therefore struggled for a long time but could not throw the Caesar. So the boar, receiving death from no one, went away. Furthermore, while he was making the journey by ship to Perinthum, with vehement winds and rain occurring, and the sailors in despair, the emperor’s skiff was carried off, so that he arrived at the place which is called Daonium with difficulty and unexpectedly. On that night, a little woman was giving birth and emitting miserable cries; and when morning had come, the emperor sent to see what had happened. And they found an infant born, bereft of eyes and eyelids, and having neither hands nor arms; but from the loin he had what naturally adhered to him like the tail of a fish. Having seen this, the emperor ordered that [it be cared for].

^D In the tenth year of the reign of Maurice, the Chagan was seeking to receive an increase in the treaties. But the emperor did not accept the barbarian’s words, and for that reason the Chagan waged war again, and devastated Singidunum, and moved his camp against Sirmium. The emperor, however, created Priscus general of Europe. But Priscus ordered Salvian, having been made deputy-general, to advance; and they went forth against the barbarians and engaged in war, and the Romans were victorious. Having heard this, the Chagan, having taken up his forces, hastened to the war. But Salvian, stunned having seen the multitudes, betook himself to Priscus. But the Chagan, discovering the Roman withdrawal, went forth to the maritime regions, then next to Saint Alexander, and handed this over to an all-consuming fire. Passing into Drizipera, he attempted to destroy the commonwealth, having operated with devastating instruments. But those who inhabited Drizipera directed a battle line from the opposite side for a long time: for even opening the gates, they threatened to defeat the barbarians, although they were in great fear. Then, therefore, a certain divine virtue counseled them: for at midday the barbarians thought they saw, with Roman forces emerging from the city, that it would be their lot to engage in conflict with them. And trembling, they fled with tireless flight, and were ended at Perinthum. But Priscus, unable to bear even the sight of the hordes of barbarians, entered the fortress of Tzurulum and was fortified. But the barbarian attempted to besiege Priscus. Having heard these things, Maurice hesitated as to what was to be done. Then, having entered upon the best counsel, he armed [the troops] against the infinite virtue of the barbarians, and [sent] one from…

^A his own retinue with great gifts and promises to the emperor. The emperor, however, having sent Tatemer to Priscus, commanded the Romans to remain there for the entire winter season. When the Romans discovered this, they dissented, asserting that it could not be done on account of the barbarian forces and because the region was quite unfavorable to them. Priscus, however, with persuasive words swayed them to winter there and to carry out the prince’s command, even making them wander about: for we are sending,” he said, “ships across the sea, and we shall capture their families, and he [the chagan] will be forced to return to his own territory, struck with confusion and suffering great loss.” But the chagan, having apprehended and read the letters, became terrified, and having arranged for peaceable terms with Priscus for a few unworthy gifts, he returned to his own land with a powerful flight.

The thirteenth year of the reign of Maurice, at which time Gregorius was governing the Roman Church, Cyriacus the Constantinopolitan, and Anastasius the second the Antiochian, prodigies were born in the suburbs of Byzantium: namely, a four-legged boy, and another having two heads. Those who write histories with diligent study say, however, that this does not signify good things for the cities in which such things are born.

^B But the emperor deprived Priscus of the praetorship and made his own brother, Peter, praetor of the Roman virtue. Thus, Priscus, having gathered his forces, crossed the river before Peter had arrived. The chagan, however, upon hearing of the Roman army’s crossing, was greatly astonished and sent to Priscus, seeking to learn the reason and to take a share of the booty, and thus to cross the river; for he was raging excessively against the successes of the Romans. Priscus therefore sent to the chagan for this purpose a legate, Theodorus, a man adorned with medical sagacity and intelligence. This man, seeing the chagan acting wisely and speaking with excessive boastfulness (for he was putting forth threats, boasting that he was the master of all nations), mitigated the barbarian arrogance with an old story. He said: “Listen, O chagan, to a profitable story. Sesostris, a king of the Egyptians, illustrious and ^C indeed happy, famous for his wealth and invincible power, reduced many and great nations to servitude. Whence, even falling into arrogance, he would sit upon a chariot constructed for him with gold and precious stones, and compelled four of the defeated kings to draw the chariot under a yoke. And when this took place at a famous festival, one of the four kings would frequently turn his eye backward and contemplate the wheel as it rolled. When Sesostris asked him, ‘Why do you fix your eyes behind you?’ he replied: ‘I am amazed at this unstable wheel, and how it moves now in one way and now in another, elevating now the high things and again casting down the low.’ But Sesostris, understanding the parable intelligently, laid down a law that kings should no longer draw the chariot of another.” Having heard these things, the chagan smiled and said that he himself sought peace. Priscus, however, gave to the chagan the booty in return for the crossing, and having taken all the spoils, he crossed the river without expense. Furthermore, the chagan was magnificently happy with these things having been received. Priscus came to Byzantium, and Peter took up the praetorship.

The eleventh year of the reign of Maurice, Amos is considered bishop of Jerusalem. The emperor, however, sent Priscus with all the Roman powers to the Ister river, so that he might prevent the Sclavinorum nations/tribes from crossing. When he was at Dorostolon, the chagan learned of this; he sent legates to him and brought a calumny against the Romans, as if they were giving the start to the war. Priscus, however, excused himself, saying that he had not come to wage war against the barbarians, but that he had been sent by the prince to the Sclavinorum nations. Hearing, however, that Ardagastus had dispersed ^D the multitudes of the Sclavinorum to plunder, Priscus crossed the Ister at midnight and unexpectedly joined battle with Ardagastus. But Ardagastus, sensing the danger, mounted a horse naked and barely escaped safely, and the Romans, having killed the multitudes of the Sclavinorum and overturned the region of Ardagastus, sent the abundant captured booty to Byzantium through Tatemer. Furthermore, when Tatemer was making his journey unencumbered and giving himself over to drunkenness and delights, the multitudes of the Sclavinorum fell upon him; and he, pressed by fear, came fleeing to Byzantium. But the Romans, who were with him, being strongly hostile to the Sclavinorum, defeated the barbarians most gloriously and presented the captives safe to the emperor. The emperor, having rejoiced, offered hymns of thanksgiving to God together with the whole city. Priscus, however, trusting in confidence, approached the inner parts of the Sclavinorum. Now, Gipes, a man of the Christian religion, fleeing to the Romans and showing the entry to the Romans, held the barbarians. Thus, by the betrayal of the Gipedis, having crossed the river, Priscus at midnight found Musacius the king of the Barbarians, corrupted by drunkenness: for he was celebrating the funeral festival of his own brother; and having captured him alive, he performed a slaughter upon the Barbarians, and having captured much abundant booty, they give themselves over to drunkenness and gluttony. But then the barbarians, gathered together, threaten the victors, and the reciprocal turn of battle would have been more fierce than the preceding courage, had not Genzo, standing firm with the infantry virtue of the Romans, prevented the attacks of the Barbarians in a strong fight.

The twelfth year of the reign of Maurice, when Priscus had again arrived at the Ister and had plundered the Sclavinorum tribes, he had not a small part of the loot sent to the emperor. The emperor, however, having sent Tatemer to Priscus, ordered that the Romans remain there for the entire winter season. When they learned of this, the Romans dissented, asserting that it could not be done on account of the forces of the Barbarians, and because the region was quite unfavorable to them. Priscus, however, with persuasive words, swayed them to winter there, and by making them wander about, he fulfilled the prince’s command.

The thirteenth year of the reign of Maurice…

The fourteenth year of his reign, Maurice ordered Peter the praetor that he should take the third portion of the pay in gold from the Romans, and a third in arms, and another third in various garments. Thus, the Romans, having heard this, were turning toward tyranny. But the praetor…

^A Peter, using seductive words, affirmed that he had not known of the movement, yet he took care to give double the booty in its entirety; and thus the Barbarians, having lost their spoils, were content with receiving a double portion in peace. Peter hastened against Peregastus, the exarch of the Slavs; and the Barbarians, having met him near the bank of the river, forbade them from crossing. The Romans, however, shooting from the straits, drove them back; and when they were turned to flight, Peregastus was struck and died. The Romans having crossed, took much booty and returned to their own lands. Because the leaders were wandering and falling into waterless places, the army was in danger. Furthermore, as they were making their journey by night, they came to the river called the Helicia; but when they were in the thickets across the strait of the river, the Barbarians, hidden among them, were shooting those who were drawing water. Great distress was therefore brought upon the Roman forces, and they were turned to flight, defeated by the Barbarians. But Maurice, having heard these things, deprived Peter of the praetorship and sent Priscus as praetor to Thrace once again.

In the year of the world 6090, of the divine incarnation 580 [590], the Roman emperor Maurice, the king of the Persians Chosroes, the Roman Gregory, the Constantinopolitan Cyriacus, the Hierosolymitan Amos, the Alexandrian Eulogius, and the Antiochene Anastasius are held as the prelates. In this year, that is to say the sixteenth of the reign of Maurice, Priscus, having set out as praetor for Thrace, numbered the forces of the army and found that a not insignificant multitude had been consumed from among them. Having taken these, he came to the river Ister and to Novae. Upon learning this, the Chagan sent embassies, inquiring the reason for his arrival. Priscus, however, confessed that he had come for the sake of hunting. But the Chagan said: "It is not ^B just to hunt in another's territory." And in response, Priscus said that it was his own territory, and reproached him for having fled from the East. The Barbarian, however, having destroyed the wall of Singidunum, set out for the land of the Romans. Upon learning this, Priscus came to the island of the Ister, and having taken dromons, came to the Chagan at Constantiola, wishing to speak with him. And when the Chagan had come to the bank of the river, Priscus sadly addressed him. The Chagan, however, said to him: "What is it to you, Priscus, regarding my land? Do you wish to take this too by falsehood from my hands? May God judge between me and the emperor Maurice, and may He require the blood of the army of the Romans and of my army from his hands." In response, Priscus said: "Render the city of Singidunum to the Romans." Who said: "You attempt to take from us one city: you will see after a little while fifty Roman cities reduced to slavery by the Avars." Priscus, however, having presented ships to Singidunum via the river, devastated it, and expelled the Bulgars from it.

In the seventeenth year of the reign of Maurice, having gathered...

his forces, the Chagan proceeded into Dalmatia and, having come to Balea, he devastated all forty cities that are around it. Priscus, having learned of these things, directed Gudohin to investigate the situation. He hid himself in a small valley and, at dawn, coming upon their backs, immediately killed them all and led the captured booty to Priscus. Furthermore, the Chagan, having learned of this misfortune, returned to his own region, and Priscus to his own.

In the year of the world 6092, the year of the divine incarnation 592, the 18th year of the reign of Maurice, Priscus, having taken his forces, came to Singidunum; but the Chagan, having gathered his own military strength, suddenly arrived at Mysia and strove to capture the city of Tomea. Because of this, Priscus, having left Singidunum, became close to it. When, however, the paschal festival was taking place and the Romans were pining from hunger, the Chagan, hearing of this, signified to Priscus that he should send him wagons to bring them food, so that they might celebrate their own festival with cheerfulness. ^A Thus he sent forty wagons full of these. In like manner also Priscus sent back certain Indian spices to the barbarian, namely, pepper and Indian leaf and costus and cassia and others of those things which are sought, while the Chagan was residing near Sirmium. When he had received these, he rejoiced over them; and until the festival day was completed, the Romans and Barbarians lived together, and there was no fear in the forces of either side. When the festival day had been completed, the Barbarians separated from the Romans and, coming to Drizipera, they devastated the city and burned the church of Saint Alexander, and despoiled his sepulcher, which had been found covered in silver; but they also afflicted the body of the martyr with injuries, and capturing much booty in Thrace, they feasted splendidly, puffed up against the Romans. And when Comentiolus had come to Byzantium, a great disturbance and heat seized the city, so that, detained by fear, they made a plan to desert Europe and migrate to Asia and Chalcedon. Nay, the emperor even fortified the Long Walls, having taken guards, weapons, and a picked wedge. The populace, however, guarded the city, and the senate advised the emperor to send an embassy to the Chagan. But God, bringing about vengeance for the martyr Alexander, inflicted ^B a pestilential malady upon the Barbarians, and in one day he killed seven of the Chagan’s sons by fever and a groin-affliction, along with many other crowds, so that in place of triumphal joy, songs, and canticles, the Barbarian possessed lamentations and tears and grief without consolation. But indeed the senate asked Caesar to send an embassy to the Chagan. The emperor, however, sent Armatius to the Chagan with many gifts to Drizipera, who coaxed the Barbarian with soft words. But he did not wish to receive the gifts, held back by an intolerable lament for his sons: for he said to the legate: "Let God judge between me and the emperor Maurice: he indeed dissolved the peace, but I return the captives to him, intending to receive one coin from him for each soul." But Maurice did not allow this to be given at all. Again the Chagan asked to receive half a coin for each single soul. But the emperor did not agree to give even this, nor even to receive it in four siliquae. Then the Chagan, moved by fury, killed them all and returned to his own lands, having imposed upon the Romans the payment of fifty thousand gold pieces. ^C Furthermore, he professed that he would not cross the river Ister. Thus from this, much hatred was moved against the emperor Maurice, and they began to subject him to curses. Similarly, the people in Thrace were also moved to insults against the emperor. The army, however, directed its procurators [(43)] to the emperor against Comentiolus, because he had committed treason in battle, among whom was also Phocas, who, having addressed the emperor somewhat severely, argued against him in the council, so that one of the patricians struck him with a blow and plucked out his beard. Truly, the emperor did not receive the complaint of the people against Comentiolus, but neglected these, rendering them ineffective, on account of which the beginning of treasons against the prince is also started.

Moreover, during the same time in Egypt, in the river Nile, while the prefect Menas along with the people was walking in the place which is called the Delta, at sunrise animals of human form appeared in the river, namely a man and a woman. And the man indeed was broad-chested and terrible in appearance, with red hair and mixed gray, and he exposed his nature as far as the navel, and was shown to all as naked; the remaining members of his body, however, the water covered. The prefect bound this one with oaths not to destroy the sight before everyone was satisfied with this unexpected spectacle. But the woman had breasts and a female countenance and long flowing hair. And until the ninth hour all the people were marveling, seeing these living creatures, which at the ninth hour were submerged into the river. Indeed Menas writes these things to the emperor Maurice.

In the year of the world 6093, the year of the divine incarnation 593, the 19th year of the reign of Maurice, Isaac is considered bishop in Jerusalem. On the day of Easter, Sophia Augusta, wife of Justin, together with Constantina, wife of Maurice, brought a crown ^D that had been constructed to the emperor. Who, having contemplated this, going into the church, offered it to God, suspending it above the holy table on triple chains interwoven with precious stones and gold. But indeed the Augustae, having learned of this, were greatly saddened, and Constantina made a feast day in a dispute against the emperor Augusta. When the emperor did not heed the complaints of the armies stationed in Thrace, Comentiolus, having again taken up arms, came to the Ister, and is united with Priscus at Singidunum, and the peace which was with the Avars is dissolved. Which being dissolved...

they arrived at Bininaelum, which is a great island in the Ister. Upon hearing this, the Chagan, having gathered his powerful forces, advanced toward the Roman territories, and having handed over ^A other duties to others, he appointed his four sons to guard the fords of the Ister. But the Romans, having constructed boats, crossed the river and brought the war against the sons of the Chagan; for Comentiolus was sitting armed in the island of Biminacium. And when the battle had been waged for many hours and the sun had set, three hundred of the Romans had fallen, but four thousand of the Barbarians had perished. But then the organized troops renewed the battle, and again eight thousand of the Barbarians were slaughtered. Similarly, on the third day, the Romans fighting from the higher ground approached the Barbarians and, turning them toward the swamp and driving them, killed many of the Avars, among whom some of the sons of the Chagan were also killed, and the Romans wore an illustrious victory. But the Chagan, having gathered his abundant forces, advanced against the Romans; but as the battle continued, the Romans turned the Barbarians and brought back a victory more notable than all the others. Meanwhile, Priscus sent four thousand men ahead and gave orders to cross the Tisson river and scout the movements of the Barbarians. But the Barbarians, knowing nothing of what had been done, were celebrating a feast day and were banqueting together. The Romans, falling upon them secretly, caused them the greatest terror; for they killed thirty thousand of the Gipedae and other barbarians, and having seized rich spoils, they returned to Priscus. And the Chagan, having ^B again gathered his powers, came to the Ister, and after the battle had begun, the barbarians were overcome and were killed in the river currents, and many of the Slavs perished together with them; but they captured alive three thousand Avars, eight hundred Slavs, three thousand Gipedae, and also two of the Barbarians. Furthermore, the Chagan sent envoys to Emperor Maurice, attempting to recover the captives. But he, not yet knowing of the glorious victory of the Romans, wrote to Priscus that he should return only the Avars to the Chagan.

In the same year, a man, clad in monastic habit and famous for his piety, running with bare sword from the forum to the bronze statue of the gladiator, announced that the emperor would die at the hands of everyone in the clash of swords. Likewise, Herodianus clearly predicted to Maurice the things that were to happen to him. And when the emperor at night, barefoot, was performing a litany with the whole city, and as he was passing to the Carpiana locations, certain men from the crowd rioted and threw stones against the emperor, so that the emperor was barely saved with his son Theodosius and could complete the prayer at the Blachernae.

In the year of the world 6094, the year of the divine incarnation 594, but the 20th year of his reign, Maurice, coming to his senses and knowing ^C that nothing is hidden from God, but that He renders to everyone according to their works, and reflecting on the excess he had committed regarding the captives, judged it profitable to balance it in this life, so that he might receive for his sin here and not in the future, and he sent the prayers he had made in writing to all the patriarchal sees and to all the cities subject to him, and to the monasteries which are in the desert and in Jerusalem, and to the lauras, money and candles and incense, so that they might pray for him, so that he might receive punishment here and not in the future age. He was also scandalized by his son-in-law Philippicus, because he was named with the letter phi. Furthermore, Philippicus swore various oaths to the emperor that he was pure in his service and held no deceit within him. And when Maurice was praying to God to grant mercy to his soul, one night while sleeping he saw in a vision that he was standing by the bronze gate of the palace before the image of the Savior, and a great crowd was concurrently standing by. Then a voice was made from the character of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, saying: "Deliver Maurice"; and the ministers of the judgments, seizing him, presented him at the purple navel which was there. And He said to him with His own voice: "Where do you wish I should render to you, here or in the future age?" And he, having heard this, replied: "Lover of men, Lord and just judge, here rather, and not in that age." And the divine voice ordered Maurice and Constantina his wife and his children and all his kin to be delivered to Phocas the soldier. Maurice, therefore, having awakened and calling him who was sleeping before him, sent to his son-in-law Philippicus, that he should quickly bring him to him. And when he ^D had gone, he called him: who, rising, having kissed his wife, said: "Farewell: you will see me no more." She exclaimed with a great shout and weeping to the chamberlain, saying: "I adjure you by God, what is the reason for which he seeks him at this hour?" But he swore that he did not know, and that the emperor, rising suddenly from sleep, had sent me. Philippicus, therefore, sought to partake of the body of Christ, and thus to proceed to the emperor. But his wife Gordia lay on the ground, rolling herself and weeping and praying to God. Philippicus, having entered the royal bedchamber, threw himself at the feet of the emperor. The emperor, however, said to him: "Forgive me for God's sake, for I have sinned against you: for until now I was scandalized in you." And ordering the chamberlain to go out, he arose and fell at the feet of Philippicus, saying: "Forgive me, because I now know most certainly that you have committed nothing against me. But tell me, whom do you know among our ranks as Phocas the soldier?" But Philippicus, reflecting, said to him: "I recognize one, who a short time ago, designated as procurator by the army, was contradicting your empire." But the emperor said: "Of what quality is he?" Who said: "A rash youth, but also a coward." Then Maurice: "If he is a coward," he said, "then he is indeed a homicide." And he related the nocturnal revelation to Philippicus. Furthermore, that night a star was seen in the sky which is called a comet. But on the following day the master of offices arrived, who had been sent to the holy [note: no footnote translated as per instructions]

^A Fathers, and he brought back from them a response of this kind: "For we," they said, "will no longer suffer ourselves to be ruled by Maurice, since God has accepted your repentance and saved your soul, and has established you with the saints along with your whole house, while He has deposed him from the empire with ignominy and disgrace." Having heard these things, Maurice gave magnificent glory to God.

Accordingly, when the autumn season arrived, since the Emperor Maurice had ordered Peter to have the army winter in the region of the Sclaveni, the Romans resisted, not consenting to do this, both because of the humiliation of their horses and because they were carrying off plundered booty, and also because of the multitude of the Barbarians who were known to be scattered throughout the region; and they meditated sedition. But the praetor, angry against the people, forced them into madness. Consequently, frequent rains fell upon the people, and there was much cold. ^B Peter, however, was lingering twenty miles away from the army. Maurice was pressing Peter through letters to cross the Ister and take the winter supplies for the people from the region of the Sclaveni, so that he would not be compelled to provide public food to the Romans. The praetor, having summoned Gunduhin, said: "The commands of the Emperor ordering Romans to winter in a foreign land are too severe for me; for it is savage not to obey them, and yet more savage to obey." Avarice, the mother of all evils, produces no good; through it the Emperor, ailing from this greatest of evils, becomes the cause of [evils] for the Romans. Having also summoned the taxiarchs of the people, he disclosed to them the intention of the Emperor. But the people, having heard this, stirred up seditions, and certain notable princes among them fled and came to the praetor. Furthermore, the multitudes, gathered together, brought forward the exarch Phocas, the centurion, ^C and, having exalted him upon a shield, they acclaimed him as exarch with praises. Having heard these things, Peter turned to flight and reported everything to the Emperor. But the Emperor, having heard of these difficult circumstances, attempted to hide them from the multitude. On the second day, however, he even celebrated an equestrian event, hiding the inconveniences of his misfortune. But the mob of the Greens shouted, saying: "Constantine and Domentiolus, lord of the Romans, thrice-August, inflict troubles upon your people, so that He may dispose crosses upon the sins we have. God, who created all things, may He subject to you every enemy and foe, both internal and external, without bloodshed." But the Emperor signified to the crowds: "Let not," he said, "the unmoderated action and restlessness of the irrational soldiers disturb you." The Blues, however, said: "God, who commanded you to rule, subject to you everyone who fights against your empire; and if there is a Roman who, having broken faith, turns his back on you, may He reduce him to servitude under you without bloodshed." The Emperor, arming us and calming us with gentle words, ordered us to stand guard at the walls of the city along with the demarchs. Furthermore, as the Emperor's son Theodosius was practicing hunting with Germanus his father-in-law near Callicratia, the Romans sent letters to Theodosius asking to be ruled by him; or if not that, at least that Germanus be declared Emperor. ^D For they say: "We will not, they say, suffer to be ruled by Maurice henceforth." Having found these things out, Maurice summoned his son, but ordered Comentiolus to guard the walls. He was also accusing Germanus, along with his son, of being the authors of these calamities. And when Germanus tried to excuse himself, Maurice said: "O Germanus, there are two arguments for my suspicion: clearly the letters of the people to you, and the fact that since everything has been devoured, and none excepted, they spared yours. Spare, Germanus, making a long speech. There is nothing sweeter than to die by the sword." Indeed, Germanus fled into the temple of the Mother of God, which is called that of Cyrus. When the Emperor found this out, he sent Stephen the eunuch to lead Germanus out of the church. And when Stephen wanted to lead him out by force, the supporters of Germanus resisted and expelled him, and taking Germanus, they escaped into the Great Church. But the Emperor was beating his son, Theodosius, with rods: for he maintained that Germanus had been put to flight by him. And he sends the excubitors to lead Germanus out of the Great Church. Hence a great rumor settled over the city. Germanus also wanted to go out and give himself up. But the multitudes would not permit him to leave at all, but reviled the Emperor with great insults, saying: "May he who loves you, Maurice the Marcionite, have no skin." Therefore, those who were guarding the walls, having discovered these things, betrayed their guard through negligence. Maurice, however, in the middle of the night, having stripped off his imperial robe and clothed in private garments, entered a dromon with his wife, his children, and Constantine, and took to flight. The troops, however, were attacking the Emperor throughout the whole night with the worst injuries; but they were blaming the patriarch Cyriacus. Therefore, with a great storm raging, Maurice was saved with the greatest dangers at St. Autonomus. But at night, arthritic ailments also came upon him, which they call pains of the hands and feet. Furthermore, he sends his son Theodosius with Constantine to Chosroes, King of the Persians, so that he might remember the things which had been done for him by him, and might pay back the return of his kindness to his son. Germanus, however, sends to Sergius, the demarch of the Green party, so that he might aid him for the sake of ruling, promising that he would honor the Green party and would raise him to great dignities. But indeed, Sergius confessed this to the manifestations of the mob, who did not admit it at all, confessing that they would never depart from their love for the Blues. The Greens, however, going out to the Regium, were extolling the tyrant Phocas with great praises, and they persuade him to come to the Septimum. Phocas therefore sends Theodore the secretary, who, having entered the Great Church before the people, read how both the patriarch and the senate and the mob should come to the Septimum. This, therefore, having been done, and with all gathered at the Septimum, Patriarch Cyriacus extorted from the tyrant a profession concerning the orthodox faith and that he should preserve the Church without disturbance. The tyrant, however, was seen to exhort Germanus. And then Germanus [was seen refusing] to be [with him]

^A and the people were praising the tyrant, the master of scepters is advanced as tyrant, calamity prevails over prosperity, and great misfortunes of the Romans swallow up the principate.

The condemnation of the tyrant took place in the temple of John the Baptist, where he lingered for two days; on the third day he entered the royal palace, sitting upon the imperial chariot. On the fifth day, he crowned his wife Leontia as Augusta. On that day, therefore, the factions rioted with one another because of the stationing of their places. The tyrant sent Alexander, his fellow-rebel, to suppress the factions. Alexander, laying hands on Cosmas, the demarch of the Veneti, struck him and tore him with insults. The Veneti, indignant, shouted: "Go, learn order; Maurice is not dead." But the tyrant, hearing these things, was moved toward the slaughter of Maurice; and having sent soldiers, he brought him to Chalcedon to the port of Eutropius, and first of all he punishes this emperor with the slaughter of his children, as it were. For his five male children were slaughtered before his eyes. But Maurice, patiently enduring his misfortune, invoked God in all things, and frequently pronounced, saying: "Righteous are you, O Lord, and upright is your judgment" (Ps. CXVIII, 137). Thus the death of his children becomes the epitaph of the father, manifesting his virtue in the mass of calamity. And when a nurse had stolen one of the imperial children and offered her own for it for the slaughter, Maurice did not consent, but demanded his own. Some say that when he was killed, milk flowed with his blood, so that all who observed it mourned bitterly. Thus, therefore, the emperor, having become superior even to the laws of nature, changes his life.

From that time, various and huge miseries did not cease for the Roman empire. Finally, Chosroes, king of the Persians, dissolved the peace, and the Avars devastated Thrace; and both armies of the Romans were depopulated, so that when Heraclius reigned and conducted an inquiry into the soldiers with the utmost diligence, out of all that multitude that had been found in the tyranny of Maurice with Phocas, he found no one, with two exceptions.

In the second year of the reign of Phocas, Chosroes, king of the Persians, directed a gathered, huge power against the Romans. Germanus, hearing this, was afraid. But, compelled, he joined battle; and when he had been wounded in it, his ministers carried him as far as the city of Constantine ^B, and the Romans were overcome; but Germanus also breathed his last on the eleventh day. Phocas, however, transferred his power from Europe to Asia, adding pacts with the Khagan, thinking that the Avar nation would be quiet. Having therefore divided these forces, he sent some against the Persians, but others he directed to the siege of Edessa against Narses with Leontius the eunuch and his magnate. Chosroes, however, having collected his powers, is set at Daras. Narses, having left Edessa, fled to Hierapolis. Meanwhile, Chosroes joins battle with the Romans at Ardamum—a fortification constructed with elephants—and gained a great victory, having captured quite a few Romans, whom he also punished with beheading. With these things thus performed, Chosroes returned to his own land, leaving behind the powers of Zongoos. Having learned this, Phocas rages against Leontius, and leads him to Byzantium with iron manacles and ignominy, and creates his nephew Domentiolus praetor, and makes him curator of the palace.

In the third year of the reign of Phocas, Chosroes sent Cardarigas and Rusmaizan, who depopulated not a few Roman cities. Domentiolus, however, having given his word to Narses, and with not a few oaths, persuaded him to believe that he would suffer no injury under Phocas, and directed him to Phocas. But Phocas, by no means keeping this word, burned him with fire. The Romans, therefore, were made very sad by this, because the same Narses had great fear among the Persians, so that the sons of the Persians trembled at the hearing of his name. But the Persians rejoiced with great joy.

In the first year of his reign, the tyrant Phocas perished, as it has been said, Maurice along with his five male children, and he ordered their heads to be placed ^C in the field of the Tribunal for many days; and they went out from the city and gazed at them until they gave off a stench. But his brother Peter and many other nobles were also killed. A report, however, holds that his son Theodosius escaped by flight and was thus found safe. Furthermore, Chosroes, king of the Persians, augmented this fame, lying in another way, and saying that he had him with him—as if providing for himself so that he might obtain the empire of the Romans—as he was convicted in many ways, especially because he would stir up sudden wars and devastate Roman affairs greatly. Meanwhile a certain calligrapher of Alexandria, a venerable man, going home at the morning watch ^D, sees statues pulled down from the altars and hears a voice saying: "The tyrant is killed." Many saying the slaughter of Maurice and his children by him, and all the events that had been done at Byzantion. But when morning was made, proceeding, he reported these things to the Augustalis, who ordered him to make these things manifest to no one, and writing, he waited for the day of the outcome. On the ninth day passing, behold, a messenger came indicating the killing of Maurice. Then the Augustalis published the prophecy of the demons before the people. Narses, however, formerly a Roman praetor, prepared a rebellion against the tyrant and obtained Edessa. Phocas therefore writes to Germanus the praetor to besiege Edessa. Narses, however, writes to Chosroes, king of the Persians, to congregate his forces and construct war against the Romans. Furthermore, Phocas made his brother Domentiolus master and Priscus count of the excubitors.

In the fourth year of the reign of Phocas, the Scholasticus the eunuch, a glorious man of the palace, at midnight, having taken Constantina the lady with her three daughters, fled to the Great Church by the counsel of the patrician Germanus, who desired the empire. A great sedition, therefore, happened in the city. But Germanus sent a talent of gold to the demarch of the Prasini, that he might cooperate with them,

^A but at the same time the tyrant ordered women to be seized for the church. However, the patriarch Cyriacus resisted the tyrant then, not suffering the women to be dragged off tyrannically from the temple. But upon an oath being given by Phocas that he would not harm them, they were led out of the holy temple and shut up in a monastery. Furthermore, the Persians in the same year captured Dara, and much captivity was made throughout all Mesopotamia and Syria, the number of which is not known. Moreover, upon the death of the patriarch Cyriacus, Thomas, a deacon and sacellarius of the same church, was consecrated in his place.

In the year of the world 6099, of the divine incarnation 599, and in the fifth year of the reign of Phocas, Isacius of Jerusalem, Theodore of Alexandria, and Anastasius of Antioch were held to be bishops. Now the tyrant Phocas joined his daughter Domentia to the patrician Priscus, count of the excubitors, and, having celebrated the wedding in the palace of Marina, he ordered equestrian games to be held. The demarchs of both factions set up the images of Priscus and Domentia at the four columns along with the imperial standards. Having heard of this, the emperor was enraged and, sending for them, brought the demarchs, namely Theophanes and Pamphilus, and, setting them naked, ordered them to be beheaded. For when he had sent a messenger to interrogate them as to whose order they had done this, they said that the chalk-players did this according to custom. Furthermore, the chalk-players, or masters, being interrogated as to why they had done this, said that because the sons of the emperor were named by everyone, we did this of our own accord. Indeed, Priscus was held in fear, lest he fall into the emperor’s anger. But as the crowds shouted for mercy to be granted to them, Phocas granted a pardon. From that time on, therefore, Priscus, having suffered indignation, was not right with Phocas. Meanwhile, a certain woman named Petronia became an attendant to the empress Constantina, and she carried responses from her to Germanus. Moreover, when the rumor spread that Theodosius, the son of Maurice, was alive, both Constantina and Germanus had good hope regarding this. But the wicked Petronia made these things manifest to the tyrant. And the tyrant surrendered Constantina to Theopemptus the exarch to be tortured, and while she was being tortured, she confessed that the patrician Romanus knew of her conversations. Being arrested and interrogated, he also claimed that there were others who were fellow conspirators in the tyrant’s downfall. Theodorus, the prefect of the East, was also arrested, whom the tyrant beat to death, and cutting off the hands and feet of Helpidius, he delivered him to the fire, and beheaded Romanus. Moreover, he slaughtered Constantina and her three daughters with the sword ^B in the place where Maurice was killed; likewise, he killed John and Gizan and the patrician, and Theodosius, who was held in high regard for the rank of subadjuva, and David the chartophylax of Hormisdas. In the same year, the Persians, crossing the Euphrates, plundered all of Syria, Palestine, and Phoenicia, having perpetrated great slaughter among the Romans.

In the year of the world 6100, of the divine incarnation 600, and in the 6th year of the reign of Phocas, Priscus, not being able to endure such unjust homicides and the other evils which were being perpetrated by Phocas, wrote to Heraclius, the patrician and prefect of Africa, that he should send his son Heraclius and Nicetas the son of the patrician Gregoras, his sub-prefect, so that they might come against the tyrant Phocas. For he heard that a rebellion was being plotted against him in Africa, whence ships did not sail to Constantinople this year. Phocas killed the entire family of Maurice and Comentiolus, the prefect of Thrace, and many others. In this year, moreover, there was mortality and the scarcity ^C of everything. Furthermore, the Persians, having set out together with Cardariga, captured Armenia and Cappadocia, and having fought, they turned the Roman militias, and captured Galatia and Paphlagonia, and came as far as Chalcedon, ravaging everyone without mercy. And indeed, the Persians brought tyranny upon the Romans from outside, but Phocas committed things twice as bad internally, killing and taking captive.

In the seventh year of the reign of Phocas, Sergius of Constantinople, Zacharias of Jerusalem, and John of Alexandria were held to be bishops. The Jews of Antioch, however, having stirred up trouble, killed Anastasius, the great patriarch of Antioch, against the Christians, putting his nature into his mouth, and after this dragging him through the city’s square. And they killed many of the citizens and burned them. Now Phocas made Bonosus the count of the East and Cotys the master of soldiers, and sent them against them, but they were unable to calm their unrest. The armies, having gathered, rushed upon them and killed many, and ^D sent many a citizen of their city into exile after cutting off their limbs. Phocas, moreover, held the Circus games, and the Prasini presumed to provoke him with insults, shouting: "Again you drank in the tavern, again you lost your mind." And by the order of Phocas, Cosmas, the prefect of the city, cut off the limbs of many of them, beheaded some, and drowned some others in the sea, having put them in sacks. Furthermore, the Prasini, having gathered, sent fire into the praetorium, and burned the curia, the offices, and the prisons, from which the prisoners escaped and fled. Hence, enraged [index: entries preserved]

From this, angered ^A by the Prasini, not by the military, Phocas ordered them to be rounded up. Furthermore, Heraclius, the praetor of Africa, suffering distress from the Senate, called upon his son Heraclius to be sent against the tyrant Phocas; his sub-praetor, Gregoras, also sent his own son Nicetas by land, with the agreement that whichever of them arrived first should overcome the tyrant and assume the empire. In this year, an enormous winter occurred, such that the softness of the sea was turned into the hardness of ice. Then Phocas ordered Macrobius the scribe to be shot with arrows at the Seventh [mile]-stone, where he was hanging from a lance, in the place where recruits were exercised, as if he were privy to their conspiracies. For Theodorus the prefect, a Cappadocian, and Helpidius the commander of the armory, and various others, had made a plan in the Hippodrome to kill Phocas, and at a dinner, Theodorus the prefect began to weave his intention for them. It happened, however, that Anastasius, the Count of Largitions, was found there. Therefore, after the dinner was finished and the matters of the conspiracy had been narrated, Anastasius was sorry that he had been found there, and he did not say what was on his heart, but remained silent. But Helpidius persisted, saying: "Do you not wish that, when he sits on the throne above the Hippodrome, I should seize him and gouge out his eyes, and thus kill him?" And he promised to provide them with chariots. Because of this, the note of treason against Phocas having been made through Anastasius, he ordered the prefect and Helpidius and the leaders who had known of the matter to be questioned with all diligence. And as they were being questioned, they confessed the details of the conspiracy, and that they had wanted to make Theodorus emperor. Furthermore, Phocas ordered Theodorus, Helpidius, Anastasius, and all those who had known of his conspiracies to be beheaded.

In the year of the world 6102, of the divine incarnation the year 602, and the first year of his reign, Heraclius came from Africa with castellated ships, having within them caskets and images of the Mother of God, just as George the Pisidian also relates, leading a copious army from Africa and Mauritania. Similarly, also Nicetas, the son of Gregoras the Patrician, [came] through Alexandria and Pentapolis, having with him a large force of infantry. Now Heraclius had betrothed Eudocia, the daughter of Rogatus the African, who at that time was at Constantinople together with Epiphania, the mother of Heraclius. Phocas, however, hearing that the mother of Heraclius was in the city, as well as Eudocia, who had been betrothed to him, seized them and kept them in the Domenican monastery, which is nicknamed the "New Penitence." When Heraclius had approached Abydos, he found Theodorus, the Count of Abydos, and having inquired, learned from him what was being set in motion at Constantinople. But Phocas had sent his brother Domentiolus, the Magister, to guard the Long Walls. When he had initiated his approach to Abydos against Heraclius, he abandoned the walls and fled to Constantinople. Furthermore, Heraclius at Abydos received all the exiled princes whom Phocas had previously relegated there to exile, and ascended with them to Heraclea. Stephanus, the metropolitan of Cyzicus, brought a diadem received from the church of the holy Mother of God to Heraclius. Therefore, when he had arrived at Constantinople, he turned aside to the harbor of Sophia; ^A and having conquered the tyrant through the grace of Christ, he ended the war. The masses, however, seized him, put him to death, and burned him with fire near the Bov. Heraclius, indeed, having entered, was crowned with the imperial regalia by Patriarch Sergius in the oratory of St. Stephen, situated in the palace. On the same day, his betrothed, Eudocia, was also crowned as Augusta, and both received the marriage crowns from Patriarch Sergius, and on one and the same day he was displayed both as emperor and bridegroom. In the month of May, the Persians moved their camps against Syria, and they captured Apamea and Edessa, and came as far as Antioch. The Romans, furthermore, occurring to them, were overcome, and the entire Roman people perished, to such an extent that very few of them escaped.

^B In the year of the world 6103, of the divine incarnation the year 603, and the second year of the reign of Heraclius, the Persians captured Caesarea of Cappadocia, and led away many thousands from it as captives. Heraclius the emperor, however, found the affairs of the republic dissolved, inasmuch as the Avars had rendered Europe a desert, and the Persians had entirely exterminated Asia, devastated its cities, and slaughtered the Roman army in the wars. Seeing these things, he began to hesitate as to what he should do: for scouting the armies, to see if by chance they might exist safe, he found only two out of all those who had served in the tyranny with Phocas against Maurice. In the same year, a son was born to the emperor by Eudocia, Heraclius the Younger, who was also called the new Constantine. And the Augusta died in that same fifteenth indiction.

In the third year of the reign of Heraclius, Epiphania, the daughter of Heraclius, was crowned Augusta by Patriarch Sergius in the oratory of the palace. And in that same first indiction, Heraclius the Younger, the son of Heraclius, who is also Constantine, was crowned by the aforementioned patriarch. In the same year the Saracens directed an army against Syria, and having exterminated some villages, they returned.

In the fourth year of the reign of Heraclius, the Persians captured Damascus, and led away a great multitude of people captive. Heraclius the emperor, however, having sent legates to Chosroes, begged him to spare the shedding of human blood without mercy and to define the tributes. But he sent the legates back ineffective, having given them no reason, hoping to seize the Roman principate by all means. Furthermore, in that same year, Heraclius incestuously took his niece Martina as his wife, and proclaimed her Augusta, crowned by Patriarch Sergius.

In the fifth year of the reign of Heraclius, the Persians captured the Jordan by war, and Palestine, and the holy city, and slaughtered many therein by the hands of the Jews, that is, as some say, 90,000. For these people, buying the Christians as each could afford the price, slaughtered them. And they seized Zacharias, the prelate of Jerusalem, and carried off the precious and life-giving wood [of the Cross] along with much booty into Persia. In the same year was born to the im—

-^Aperator Constantine, another, who was baptized at the Blachernae by the patriarch Sergius.

In the sixth year of the reign of Heraclius, the Persians seized all of Egypt, Alexandria, and Libya as far as Ethiopia, and having taken much booty and very many spoils and wealth, they returned to their own lands. They were, however, unable to take Carthage and, having left a guard to besiege it, they withdrew.

In the seventh year of the reign of Heraclius, the Persians pitched camp against Carthage, which they took by war. In the same year, Constantine Junior, who is also Heraclius, the son of Heraclius, was made consul, and he advanced to Caesar his younger brother, Constantine, begotten of Heraclius and Martina.

In the eighth year of his reign, Heraclius again sent envoys into Persia to Chosroes, asking for peace. But Chosroes spurned them again, asserting: I will not spare you until you renounce the Crucified, whom you call God, and adore the sun.

In the ninth year of the reign of Heraclius, the Avars directed an army against Thrace, and Heraclius, having sent emissaries to them, asked for peace. And when the chagan had promised to make it, the emperor went out beyond the long wall ^B with all royal state and many great gifts to receive the chagan, being about to receive from him oaths of making mutual peaceful sureties. But that barbarian, having spurned both the sureties and those things which had been sworn, suddenly and tyrannically set out against the emperor. The emperor, therefore, stunned by the unexpectedness of the matter, turned in flight and returned into the city. But the barbarian, having plundered all the royal equipment and furniture, and as many men as he was able to capture, overturned many villages, devastating those who had been deceived by the unexpected hope of peace.

Being pressed by poverty [(49)], he took also the many candle-bearers of the Great Church, as well as other ministerial vessels. From these metals he caused to be minted very many gold and silver coins, and he dismissed his son with the patriarch Sergius to manage affairs in the city along with Bonosus, the patrician, a sagacious man and in all things prudent and skilled. He wrote, moreover, to the chagan of the Avars, asking for him to take care concerning the affairs of the Romans, as one who had entered into a friendship with him, calling him the guardian of his son. ^C Having moved from the royal city, he went forth to the place which is called the Gates, traveling by ship. Thence, however, having set out through the remaining regions subject to him, he chose armies and added to them a new militia. When he began to train these men, he schooled them in hostile operations: for he ordered the army divided in two to hold battles and skirmishes against one another without blood, and he taught them to raise the battle cry and songs and jubilation and the impetus of rising up against one another, so that when they were in war, they would not be astonished, but would proceed confidently against the enemy as if to a game. Receiving, however, in his hands a manly figure of God, which hands did not depict, but (that which is) in the icon, the Word who shapes and composes all things without figurative painting, even as (He was the) birth without seed, he brought it forth, and trusting in this figure, painted by God, he began the contests, giving oaths to the people that he would struggle with them unto death and would cling to them as to his own children: for he wished to possess power not by fear so much as by love. And when he had found the army in great sloth and fear, in a state of restlessness and disgrace, and dispersed through many parts of the land, he immediately gathered them into one. And all as if from one harmony praised the government and the valor of the prince. He, however, strengthening them with words, declared: Behold, brethren and children, how many enemies of God have trampled our region, and have exterminated cities, and have burned altars, and have filled the tables of the unbloody sacrifices with the blood of homicides, and have filled the churches, which do not admit sins, with the most wicked debaucheries. Therefore, he again armed the ranks for military training—ordering two armed legions, and also creating trumpets and phalanxes of shields. And the people stood wearing breastplates. For when they had stationed the battle lines cautiously, he ordered them to engage in skirmish with one another. Vehement impetuses and percussion against one another were made, and the habits of war were displayed, and it was a horrible spectacle to see, danger without fear, and an impetus to slaughter without blood, but before the necessity of the moment, insofar as each one, having received the occasion of bloodless slaughter, remained safer. And he commanded all who were thus armed to abstain completely from injustice and to follow piety.

In the year of the world 6111, of the divine incarnation year 611, and in the tenth year of the reign of Heraclius, Georgius of Antioch is held to be the prelate. Heraclius, however, having sent legates to the chagan of the Avars, complained about those things which had been wickedly done by him, and exhorted him to peace. For he wished to make a pact with the chagan while distributing the battle lines to be directed against Persia. The one who feared the love of the emperor promised that he had repented and pledged to make peace; and the legates having made the treaties returned in peace. In the same year, the Persians took Ancyra of Galatia by war.

In the eleventh year of the reign of Heraclius, Chosroes laid his harsh yoke upon all men in the shedding of blood and by the assessment of tribute: for, elated by triumph, he could in no way be in constancy any longer. Then Heraclius, having taken up zeal for God, and peace having been contracted with the Avars, as he thought, transferred the militias of Europe into Asia, and thought to hasten with God's cooperation against Persia.

In the twelfth year of his reign, in the month of April, on the 4th day, in the 10th indiction, the emperor Heraclius, having celebrated the solemnity of Easter, was moved on the evening of the second feria.

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^A and all their baggage. The Romans, meanwhile, stretching their hands on high, gave thanks to God and prayed unceasingly for the emperor who had borne himself so well. For those who previously dared not even look upon the Persian dust, now plundered their tents, which had been found undisturbed. For who would have expected that the invincible race of the Persians would ever turn their backs to the Romans? Thus, the emperor, having left the army with the commander to winter in Armenia, himself returned to Byzantium.

When he had arrived at the regions of Armenia, he ordered the select troops to hasten forward. But a multitude of Saracen cavalry, who were at that time positioned under Persian treaties, planned to rush secretly upon the emperor. The emperor’s men, who had marched ahead, encountering them, brought their commander in chains to Heraclius, and, turning them to flight, slew many of them. But because winter was approaching and the emperor was turning towards the Pontic climate, it seemed good to the barbarians to besiege him while he wintered there. But he, lying hidden from the Persians and changing his route, hastened into Persis. The barbarians, having learned of this, fell into a rage at the cause of his unexpected approach. Sarbarus, the Persian commander, having received his power, came into Cilicia, so that by exiting into Romania he might force this man to turn his back. But fearing that the emperor, having entered through Armenia into Persis, might disturb it, he was compelled to follow the Roman army, anxious to steal a battle, and to attack through the obscurity of the night. But on the contrary, with the full moon shining all night long, he was frustrated by this trick, and he vilified the moon, which had previously been in his worship, because it had brought about an eclipse by chance. From this, therefore, Sarbarus feared to join battle with the emperor, and he climbed a mountain like a gazelle, scanning from on high the army of the Romans, organized by good and wise art. The emperor, having discovered their fear, remained in places filled with rest, inciting him to battle. Descending secretly from the mountain, they often joined combat, but in all instances, the Romans held the primacy, and the army obtained even greater confidence, seeing the emperor prospering in all things and fighting boldly. A certain Persian, who shortly before had been a fugitive, was counted among the emperor's army. This man, fleeing, went back to the Persians, thinking that they would exterminate the Roman army. But when he had seen their fear, after ten days he came again to the emperor, and clearly revealed all the terror of the barbarians. But Sarbarus, no longer enduring the delay, was compelled from the mountain to set out for battle. Having divided his armies into three parts, he descended suddenly at daybreak, before the rising of the sun, prepared for war. But the emperor, foreseeing this, arranged his armies into three equal phalanxes for the fight. When the sun had risen, and the emperor was positioned towards the East, the ray [of the sun], which they worshipped as God, blinded the Persians. The emperor then feigned that his own people were turning in flight. But they, breaking their phalanxes, thought to pursue them without restraint. The Romans, therefore, having wheeled around, with steady courage turned against them, and many of them were slain. Pursuing them up the mountain, they drove them into precipices and trackless places, all of them being crushed. In those precipices they remained like wild goats. Many, however, were even captured alive.

^B In the year of the world 6114, in the year of the divine incarnation 614, in the 13th year of his reign, Heraclius, having set out from the royal city, hastened quickly into Armenia. But Chosroes, king of the Persians, sent Sarbanazas with his army to enter into the land of the Romans. Heraclius, however, wrote to Chosroes that he should either embrace peace, or know that he would enter Persis with his army. But Chosroes neither embraced peace, nor deemed the word of Heraclius to be true; for he did not believe he would dare to approach Persis. Indeed, the emperor entered Persis on the 12th day before the Kalends of May. When Chosroes learned this, he ordered Sarbanazas to return, and, having collected all his forces from throughout Persis, and having handed them over to Sain, he ordered them to join Sarbanazas quickly, and thus to proceed against the emperor. Heraclius, however, having called together his army, incited them with exhortatory words, saying: "Brother men, let us take the fear of God into our mind; let us hasten to seek His injury. Let us stand bravely against the enemies who have wrought many dire things upon Christians. Let us revere the Roman empire, which is the possession of its own Lord and no other, and let us stand against the enemies armed with impious missiles. Let us put on the faith that is the slayer of slayings. Let us recall that we stand within the land of the Persians, and that flight carries huge danger. Let us avenge the defilement of our virgins. Let us grieve in our hearts as we see the severed limbs of our fellow soldiers. These things do not lack reward, but are the prizes of life eternal. Let us stand manfully, and the Lord God will cooperate with us, and will destroy our enemies." And when the emperor had exhorted the people with these and many other admonitions, one responded to him on behalf of all: "You have expanded the anguish of our heart, master, dilating your mouth in admonition. Your words have sharpened our swords, and have rendered them animated. You have made us ready by your words. We are ashamed when we see you leading us in the battles, and we shall follow your commands in all things." The emperor, however, having taken his troops, soon approached into the interior of Persis, burning cities and camps with fire. Here also a certain terrible miracle occurred: for the air became moist with sweat during the summer solstice, refreshing the spirits of the Roman army, to such an extent that they took sound hope from this. Heraclius, moreover, hearing that Chosroes was at the city of Gazaco with [forty thousand fighting men...]

went forward with an impulse against him; and some of the Saracens who had been sent ahead by him, who were subject to him, met the watchers of Chosroes, and killed some of them, and others they bound in fetters and presented to the emperor along with their leader. Having discovered this, Chosroes abandoned both the city and the army, and took to flight. But Heraclius pursued them, killed some who were intercepted, while the rest were scattered here and there. And when the emperor had arrived at the city of the Gazaceni, he refreshed his army in its suburbs. But the Persians who had fled to him maintained that Chosroes, as he fled, had consumed by fire all the produce in those places, and had arrived at the city of Thebarma in the East, in which was the temple of Fire and of the money of Croesus, king of the Lydians, and the error of the Magi. Having received these things, he was traveling toward the parts of Dastagerd. The emperor, however, having departed from the city of the Gazaceni, arrived at Thebarmes, and having entered it, he consumed the temple of Fire with fire, and with the whole city burned by fire, he followed after Chosroes in the narrow passes of the region of the Medes. Chosroes, moreover, being in these two regions, was hiding, wandering from place to place, and Heraclius, pursuing him, devastated many cities and regions. Winter approaching, he was deliberating where he should winter with his people; and some maintained in Albania, others that he should press on against Chosroes himself. But the emperor ordered the people to wait for the divine oracle for three days, behaving chastely and purely, and thus having received the answer, to pass the winter in Albania. While migrating thither, he underwent no few skirmishes from the Persian wedges, having with him the copious plunder of the Persians. He himself, however, by divine cooperation, gained a triumph over all. Furthermore, when a violent storm had fallen upon him on the journey, and the frost had seized him in Albania, and he had fifty thousand prisoners, he, pitying them with his compassionate heart, dissolved their chains, bestowed care upon them, and granted them rest, so that all with tears prayed that he might become a liberator for Persia as well, and an exterminator of the world, killing Chosroes.

In the fourteenth year of the empire of Heraclius, Chosroes appointed Sarablaggas as praetor, a man full of crimes and greatly puffed up with pride, and handing over an army to him, namely those who are called Chosrohegetae and Perozitae, he directed him into Albania against Heraclius. And when they had entered into the borders of Albania, they did not dare to stand before the face of the emperor to do battle, but held the defiles which lead into Persia, thinking to lie in wait for him by besieging him. But Heraclius, when spring had soon arrived, departed from Albania through the Yptian fields, which flowed abundantly with food, and made a crossing into Persia, although he had traversed a long distance of road. Sarablaggas, however, was striving for the journey through Arotum, as being a shortcut, so that he might preoccupy him in the region of Persia. Heraclius, however, was admonishing the people, saying: We know, brothers, ^B that the militia of the Persians, wandering in pathless places, has moved with such speed against him; but their horse dissolves just as it enervates them. We, however, hasten to speed against Chosroes rapidly, so that, attacking him unexpectedly, we may throw him into confusion. But the people rejected this counsel of such a kind, and especially the Lazes and the Abasgi and the Iberians, who were the combatants. Hence they fall into distress: for Sarbarazas also arrived with his people, whom Chosroes had armed with all strength and sent through Armenia against Heraclius. Sarablaggas, indeed, followed at the back of Heraclius, and did not enter into conflict with him, expecting to be united with Sarbarazas and thus to join battle. But the Romans, having learned of the impulse of Sarbarazas, were turned to fear, and fell at the feet of the emperor with tears, knowing what an evil thing it is for a servant not to yield to the will of the lord, and doing penance for their disobedience, which they had wickedly perpetrated, and saying: Give thy hand, O Lord, before we perish, miserable as we are; for we yield to thee in whatever thou commandest. Then the emperor hastened to engage with Sarablaggas, before he could be joined to the people of Sarbaras; and with many incursions made against him by night and by day ^C he drove him into fear, and having left both back, he sped rapidly against Chosroes. Two, however, out of the Romans betook themselves to the Persians, and persuaded them to believe that the Romans were fleeing out of fear. It happened to them also to hear another rumor, namely of the arrival of Sain, the praetor of the Persians, with another militia for aid. And this being discovered, Sarablaggas and Sarbarus were striving to incite Heraclius to battle before Sain could arrive and transfer to himself the glory of victory. Believing also that they had come from fugitives, they hastened against Heraclius, and approaching him, they pitched camp, wishing to attack him simultaneously in the morning. But Heraclius, having set out from the evening, made the journey through the whole night, and having made himself far from them, and found a grassy field, he pitched his camp in it. But the Barbarians, thinking him to be fleeing from fear, followed in disorder, so that they might catch him. He, however, meeting them, began the war against them, and having seized a certain wooded hill, and the people being gathered upon it, by the cooperation of God he turned the Barbarians, and having pursued the multitude through these gorges, he killed a huge number of them. Sarablaggas also falls, wounded in the back by a sword. And when they were in these struggles, Sain also arrived with his army. And this having been turned, the emperor, and many having been killed from these, dispersed the rest who were fleeing. He also took their baggage train. Moreover, Sarbarazas, having been united with Sain, gathered the Barbarians who had been saved, and again they were arranging to set out against Heraclius. But the emperor was hastening in the region of the Huns and through their difficult places in rugged ^D and pathless spots, but the Barbarians were following after him. The Lazes, however, together with the Abasgi, fearing, withdrew themselves from the aid of the Romans, and returned to their own region. Sain, however, perceiving this, was pursuing with much fury together with Sarbarus.

^A Indeed, the Emperor, having collected his troops, exhorting them with words and soothing them with admonitions, said: "Let not the multitude of the enemy, brothers, disturb you: for one, by the will of God, shall pursue a thousand. Let us therefore kill ourselves for the salvation of our brothers; let us receive the crown of martyrs, that both the future age may praise us, and God may render rewards." With these and many other words, conferring boldness upon the army, with a cheerful countenance he orders the battle. And though they were standing at a small distance from one another, from morning until evening they did not attack each other. But in the evening the Emperor departed, taking up his journey once more, while the Barbarians followed after him; and desiring to preoccupy this road, they fell into marshy places, and wandering, they arrived in great danger. But the Emperor, passing through the borders of the Persians, traveled through Armenia. Now, when that land was held by the Persians, many joined with Sarbarus, and because of this his band grew. Furthermore, as winter was approaching, he dispersed the multitude throughout their own regions, that they might rest in their houses. Heraclius, finding this out, intended to plunder the war by night. Since a storm was at hand and no suspicion was falling upon Sarbarus, having chosen the most robust horses and the strongest of the army, and arming them doubly, he ordered some of these to proceed against Sarbarus, while he himself followed after them with others. Therefore, as they hastened through the night, and as they arrived at the estate which was called Lasbanum, at the ninth hour, the Persians who were in it, realizing the attack, rose up against them. But they killed these, with the exception of one, who reported this to Sarbarus. But Sarbarus, rising up, mounted his horse, and naked and barefooted, secured his safety by flight. But his wives and all the Persian glory, and the princes and satraps with the elite soldiers—who had climbed onto the roofs of the houses and had prepared themselves for war—he [i.e., Heraclius] brought down by fire, and some indeed he killed, others he consumed in the fire, while others were bound in shackles and fetters, so that almost none of those who had been with Sarbarus were saved. They also took the arms of Sarbarus, namely his golden shield, and his sword, and his lance also of gold and adorned with precious stones, and his belt, and nevertheless his footwear also. Having taken all these things, he proceeded against those dispersed throughout the villages, who, indeed, upon learning of the flight of Sarbarus, were fleeing without resistance. He himself, having pursued them, killed many of them and took them bound: the rest returned to Persia in confusion. Furthermore, the Emperor wintered fearlessly in those regions with his army collected in joy.

In the year of the world 6116, of the divine incarnation 616, in the 15th year of the reign of Heraclius, the Arab prince Muamet was held to be the leader. ^B Heraclius, however, having collected his army, was deliberating which road he should take: for two paths lay adjacent to him, narrow and deviating, one indeed leading to Tarentum, the other, however, into the land of the Syrians. But that which tended to Tarentum was indeed more difficult, but it had a scarcity of all provisions: while that which leads into the land of the Syrians crosses the Taurus and provides abundance and sufficiency of food. All preferred this one, although it was steeper and harsher with much snow. And so, having completed this with much labor in seven days, they arrived at the river Tigris, and when they had crossed it, they come to Martyropolis and Amida, and both the army and the captives rested. Hence the Emperor was able to send letters to Byzantium, and to make known all things which were around him, and to cause great joy to the city. Sarbarus, however, having collected the people of his own who had been dispersed, rose up against him. But the Emperor sent a wing of soldiers to guard the narrow passages which led toward him, and the approaches which were toward the East. He himself, running forward, is positioned in the face of Sarbarus. And when he had crossed the river Nymphion, he arrived at the Euphrates, where there was a bridge of a junction of ropes and ships. But Sarbarus, having loosened the ropes of the bridge, moved the entire bridge from the other bank to the other. And when the Emperor had come and had not been able to cross by the bridge, running forward he found a crossing, and crossed this unexpectedly in the month of March without hesitation, and arrived at Samosata. And again when he had passed the Taurus, he set out into Germanicia, and when he had crossed to Adana, he came to the river Saron. Sarbarus, however, with the bridge extended again in its proper place, crossed the Euphrates without obstacle, and was following after him. ^C But the Emperor, when he had crossed the bridge of Sari, having found rest for the army and for the animals, pitched camp around it, refreshing them. But Sarbarus also arrived at the part which seemed to be on the opposite side. Having found the bridge, and with the fortifications that were on it having been obtained by the Romans, he pitched camp. But many of the Romans, running out in disorder across the bridge, joined battle with the Persians, and much slaughter was committed among them. However, the Emperor was preventing them from running out in disorder, lest by chance the road might become adverse for those who were to meet with them at the bridge and to act together. The people, however, were not obeying the Emperor. Furthermore, Sarbarus, with some of his army secretly placed in hidden spots, showed himself as if fleeing, and thus drew away many Romans, ^D against the wish of the Emperor, as they crossed over to pursue him. Returning, however, and having put these also to flight, he killed as many as he occupied outside the bridge, those who had suffered the penalty of disobedience. But the Emperor, when he had seen that the barbarians had dissolved their ranks in the pursuit, and that many from the Romans standing on the ramparts (51) had been snuffed out, moved against them. Furthermore, a certain giant Persian man, meeting the Emperor, attacks him in the middle of the bridge. But the Emperor...

threw him ^A down into the current of the river. Upon his falling, the barbarians at once turned to flight, and because of the narrowness of the bridge, they cast themselves into the river like frogs; others were even slaughtered by the sword. Furthermore, the multitude of barbarians, scattered along the banks of the river, shot arrows and resisted, not allowing the Romans to cross. But the Emperor, crossing over, fought back against the barbarians like a man, struggling with a few of his own company, in such a way that Sarbarus himself was astonished at this, and said to a certain Cosmas standing nearby, a Roman defector and apostate: "Do you see, Cosmas," he said, "how bold the Caesar is in battle, and how he fights alone against such a multitude, and repels their missiles like an anvil?" For he was recognized by his red buskins, and the Emperor received many wounds, though none dangerous, in this battle. And since they had fought in this war all day, when evening came, they were separated from one another. And Sarbarus, indeed fearing the night, retreated, while the Emperor, having gathered his people, hastened to the city of Sebastia, and after he had crossed the river Alyn, he spent the whole of the winter in this joy. Furthermore, Chosroes, in a rage, sent and took the treasures of all the churches of the region that was established under the Persians, and forced the Christians to become followers of Nestorius, in order to constrain or ruin the Emperor.

In the 16th year of the reign of Heraclius, Chosroes, King of the Persians, created a new army to start a battle, assembling foreigners, citizens, and servants from every nation by means of an election; by this election, he handed over the command to Sain, and taking another 50,000 from the phalanx of Sarbarus, he joined them to this [force] and named them the Golden Spears, and directed them against the Emperor. Furthermore, he sent Sarbarus with the rest of his army against Constantinople, so that he might form an alliance with the Huns who were in the West, whom they call Avars, along with the Bulgars, Slavs, and Gepids, and that they might rush against the city and besiege it in unison. But when the Emperor learned of this, he sent his army, divided into three parts, to guard the city, and having entrusted certain things to his brother Theodore, he commanded him to fight against Sain; but he himself, having taken a humbler part, made ready for Lazica, and while dwelling there, he called the Turks from the East, whom they call Chazars, to his aid. Sain, however, having arrived along with the newly elected army, armed himself for ^B battle against the Emperor's brother, Theodore. But God, always praiseworthy through the intercessions of the Mother of God, assisting him, when the battle was joined, hail fell miraculously against the barbarians and struck down the greater number of them. But the Roman lines obtained peace. The Romans routed the Persians and slaughtered a great multitude. Having learned of this, Chosroes grew angry with Sain, who, falling into a sickness from great distress of mind, died; his body, by the order of Chosroes, was salted and brought to him; and he, dead, subjected him to many insults.

Furthermore, when the Chazars had broken through the Caspian Gates, they came into the territory of Persia, into the region of Adraliga, along with their general Zibebil, who in rank was second to the Chagan; and in whatever place they traveled through, they caught the Persians and consigned both cities and villas to the flames. The Emperor, having set out from Lazica, met them. Zibebil, however, having seen this, hastened, embraced his neck, and worshipped him, as the Persians of the city were watching: the entire Turkish people, falling to the ground and stretched out prone upon their faces, honored the Emperor with an honor that is strange among the gentiles. In like manner, their princes, climbing upon rocks, fell down in the same fashion. Moreover, Zibebil also offered his own firstborn son to the Emperor, taking delight in his conversations, and admired both his countenance and his prudence. Having selected forty thousand brave men, Zibebil gave them to the Emperor in aid. Furthermore, he himself returned to his own region. Having received them, the Emperor proceeded against Chosroes. But Sarbarus, hastening to Chalcedon, and the Avars approaching the city of Thrace, wished to depopulate it, and having moved many engines against it, and having brought an infinite or countless multitude of sculpted ships from the Ister [Danube], they filled the Gulf of the Horn. For ten days they besieged the city, waging war by land and by sea, and were overcome by the power and cooperation of God, and also by the intercessions of the undefiled Mother of God and Virgin. Indeed, after a great multitude of their own had been cast down both on land and at sea, they returned to their own places with immense confusion. Furthermore, Sarbarus, besieging Chalcedon, did not depart, but wintered there, both conducting incursions and plundering the neighboring parts, and destroying cities with fire.

In the 17th year of his reign, Heraclius, from the month of September, having entered Persia along with the Turks, unexpectedly, on account of the winter, sent Chosroes into an ecstasy when he learned of this. But the Turks, having contemplated the winter and the frequent incursions of the Persians, not being able to endure working together with the Emperor, began to melt away little by little, and all, having left him, returned home. But the Emperor addressed his own people, saying: "Know, brothers, that no one wishes to help us except God alone, and the Mother who bore Him without seed, that He might show His power, since salvation is not in the multitude of peoples or arms, but He sends His help to those who hope in His mercy." But Chosroes, having gathered all his militias, promoted over them the general Rhazates, a man most warlike and most brave, and designated him against Heraclius. But the Emperor consigned the cities and castles of Persia to the flames, and the sword consumed the Persians as they approached. On the seventh day before the Ides of October he arrived in the region of Chamaitha, and refreshed the people for a whole week. Rhazates, however, coming into Ganzach after him, followed him, with the Romans going before and consuming the food supplies. He himself, behind them, like a dog, hunger...

-bitten, was scarcely nourished by their crumbs; and when he could not find provisions, many of his animals were consumed. ^A On the Kalends of December, the Emperor came to the great river Zab, and when he had crossed it, he pitched camp next to the city of Nineveh. Rhazates, however, came to the ford, following him, and when he had gone down three miles, he found another ford and crossed. But the Emperor, having sent Bahan, the master of soldiers, with a few chosen horsemen, found a band of Persians, and having killed its commander, he brought back his head and his entire golden sword, and having slain a few others, he led twenty-six of them alive to the Emperor. Among them was the sword-bearer of Rhazates, who also announced to the Emperor that Rhazates wished to fight against him, having been so ordered by Chosroes, and that he had sent three thousand in armed aid to him, which had not yet arrived at that time. Having learned these things, the Emperor sent the baggage train ahead of himself, and he followed, deliberating how he might find a place where he should fight, before those three thousand could join them. ^B Having found a field suitable for battle, he addressed the people and drew up the battle line. When Rhazates had arrived, he also drew up his battle line in three wedges and advanced against the Emperor. On the day before the Ides of December the battle was fought, and leaping forth before all, the Emperor met the prince of the Persians, and by divine power and the help of the Mother of God, he cast him down; and those who were with him, leaping out, fled beforehand. Again, the Emperor met another and overthrew him as well. But a third also rushed against him, who struck him with a sword on the lip and inflicted a wound upon him. But the Emperor destroyed him too. And with the trumpets sounding, both sides clashed together. And while a fierce battle was being waged, the horse of the Emperor, which was called Dorcon, was wounded by soldiers in the thigh by a spear thrust. ^C He also received many blows of swords on his face, but carrying a covering woven of sinews, he did not receive a mortal wound. And there fell in this battle Rhazates and three Persian turmarchs and almost all the princes and a greater part of their army. And there were killed also fifty Romans, and several were wounded, of whom, indeed, ten died. Furthermore, the battle was fought from morning until the ninth hour. Meanwhile, the Romans took twenty-eight Persian standards, besides those which were broken, and having despoiled the dead, they took their breastplates and helmets, and indeed all their chariots. And they remained separated from each other as far as a double bowshot: for there was no flight. Nevertheless, the Romans watered their animals during the night and received them. The horsemen, however, who were further off, stood until the seventh hour of the night over the tents of the dead ^D of the Persians, and at the eighth hour of the night they moved and departed, and having accepted these, they went away, and they pitched camp at the foot of a rugged mountain, fearing. Furthermore, they took many swords enclosed in gold and golden belts with gems and the shield of Rhazates, all sprinkled with gold, having one hundred and twenty leaves, and his breastplate woven of gold, and they brought back his scaramangion with his head, and arm-guards, and a saddle entirely fashioned of gold. Moreover, Barzamuses, prince of the Iberians living under the Persians, was taken alive. But no one remembers such a war between the Romans and the Persians, which for the whole day held its position, and the Romans won. Truly this was done by the sole help of God. The Emperor indeed was egging on his army, strengthened by him, against Chosroes, in order to deter him. ^D Moreover, on the twelfth day before the Kalends of January, the Emperor having learned that the people of Rhazates, who had escaped from this battle, had been united with the three thousand which had been sent by Chosroes, and were following after him, and that they had taken Nineveh, crossing the great Zab, he sent George the turmarch with a thousand soldiers, that he might run to hold the bridges of the lesser Zab before Chosroes could know of it. And when George had run forty-eight miles by night, he held the four bridges of the lesser Zab, and he captured the Persians found in the fortresses. On the tenth day before the Kalends of January, the Emperor arriving at the bridges crossed over, and turned aside into the houses of the Iliedes, and refreshed both the army and the animals, and he celebrated the feast of the Nativity of Christ in that same place. But Chosroes, having learned that the Romans held the bridges of the lesser Zab, sent to the Persian people, over whom Rhazates presided, that they might hasten with all speed to go before the Emperor and proceed to him. They, however, hastening and crossing the lesser Zab in other places, went ahead of the Emperor and were going before him. And when the Emperor had taken the palace which was called Dezeridan, he destroyed and burned it. But the Persians, when they had crossed the bridge of the river Torna, pitched camp in that same place. But the Emperor, having captured another palace of Chosroes, which was called Rusa, destroyed this also. Furthermore, he feared that the enemies might be going to fight against him at the bridge of the river Torna. But they, knowing this, left the bridge and fled. Meanwhile the Emperor, when he had crossed without impediment, captured another palace nicknamed Bechal, where he had also built a hippodrome. But this too he gave to ruin. Indeed, certain of the Armenians, who were with the Persians, came to the Emperor at night saying: Chosroes, with his elephants and his army of five thousand, has pitched camp on this side of his palace, called Dastagerd, in a place named Barasrach, and has commanded the whole army to assemble there, so that he may fight against you: for there is also there...

a river lacking flowing water, which has a narrow bridge, and ^A many straits due to the dwellings, and indeed a small stream. The Emperor, therefore, having taken counsel with the princes and the army, occupied the palace of Bechal: he found, indeed, in one of its porticoes three hundred fattened birds, and in another portico five hundred fattened goats, and moreover one hundred fattened lambs, all of which he gave to the people. And they celebrated there the Kalends of January. Finally, finding sheep, pigs, and oxen, of which there was no number, the whole people rested, feasting and glorifying God. Furthermore, having seized those who provided these things, they learned from them more clearly that Chosroes, on the 23rd day of the month of December, having discovered that the Emperor had crossed the bridge of Torna, had immediately departed from the palace which was in Dastagerd, intending to head for Ctesiphon with great speed, loaded with all the wealth he had in the palace, as much on elephants as on camels and the pack-mules of his service, writing also to the people of Rhazat that they should enter the same palace and the houses of the princes, and carry off whatever might be found in them. Accordingly, the Emperor sent half his army to Dastagerd, while he himself went by another way to another palace which was called Bebdarach. And having delivered these to ruins and fire, they gave thanks to God, who through the intercessions of the Mother of God performs such miracles: for who ever hoped that Chosroes would flee from the face of the Roman Emperor from his palaces which were in Dastagerd, and seek Ctesiphon, when for twenty-four years he had not suffered himself to see Ctesiphon, but his royal treasures were in Dastagerd? The Roman people found in his palaces at Dastagerd three hundred bands of Romans, who had been taken at various times. They also found items that had remained, many, such as a great amount of aloe and large aloe wood, of which each one had a weight of seventy or eighty pounds, and copious silk, and pepper, and many chalbasia shirts, sugar also, and ginger, and other spices beyond measure or number; some indeed even found silver and all-silk garments, bed-linens or woven tapestries, of which there was a great supply, and all were very good things, which, because they were heavy, they utterly burned. But they also burned the tents of Chosroes and the curtains, which he used to stretch in the manner of porticoes when he encamped in the field, as well as his many statues. They found also in these palaces aviaries and gazelles and wild asses and peacocks and pheasants of an infinite multitude, and also in his menagerie ^D living lions and tigers of wondrous size. Furthermore, very many of the captives fled to the Emperor, namely from Edessa and Alexandria; but also from ^A other cities in great multitudes. Meanwhile, the Emperor held a festival of the Lights near Dastagerd, rejoicing and refreshing both the people and the beasts, and indeed destroying the palaces of Chosroes, namely the buildings which were most elegant and admirable, and the stupendous houses which he leveled to the pavement, so that Chosroes might learn how harsh was the grief the Romans had felt for their cities, abandoned by him nonetheless and burned. Now many were also captured from the courtiers of the palace, who, when asked when Chosroes had departed from Dastagerd, asserted: Nine days before you arrived. Having heard of your approach, secretly breaking through the wall of the city which is next to the palace, he went out rashly through the gardens, he himself and his wife and his children, lest there be a tumult in the city. And neither his own military nor his princes knew it, until he had gone five miles, since then he commanded that they should follow him, heading for Ctesiphon. And he who could not travel five miles a day, in fleeing traveled twenty-five, and his women and children, who had not previously seen one another, then fled mixed together, pushing one another. And when night had come, Chosroes entered the house of an insignificant peasant, in whose doorway he could scarcely remain; seeing which, Heraclius later marveled. In three days, however, he approached Ctesiphon. To be sure, Chosroes had received a reply from sorcerers and astrologers twenty-four years earlier, when he devastated the Dacos [Dacians/Romans?] in the times of the Roman prince Phocas, that at the time when he approached Ctesiphon he would perish. And for that reason he did not allow himself from that time to advance even one single mile from Dastagerd in that direction, but fled from there to this place. But he did not dare to remain in that place either, but crossing the bridge of the river Tigris, he approached the city situated beyond it, which is called Seleucia by us, but Guheser by the Persians, in which he deposited all his wealth. And he sat there with his wife Sirem and three other women, who were also his daughters; but he sent the rest of his women and his many children forty thousand miles away to the interior part of the East into a very fortified place. Certain of the Persians indeed slandered Sarbar to Chosroes, saying that he felt with the Romans and disparaged him; and he sent his spatharius with an order to Cardarigas, the co-commander of Sarbar, at Chalcedon, writing to him that he should kill Sarbar, and that he himself, having gathered the people of the Persians, should hasten into Persia to his aid. But he who was carrying the letter was intercepted by the Romans around Galatia, which being intercepted, and the Persians not knowing of it, they brought him to Byzantium and handed him over to the Emperor's son. But the Emperor, having learned the truth from the messenger, immediately approached Sarbar: who, when he had entered, ^D stood before the Emperor. The Emperor...

having handed over the letter which Chosroes had sent to Cardarigas ^A regarding Seres and his other son, Aak (though the first-born was Siroes), and having shown it to him, he read the letter. And he, being made certain of the truth of the matter, immediately turning about, made leagues with the son of the prince and the patriarch; who, having forged a false letter of Chosroes, added to it that four hundred other satraps, princes, tribunes, and centurions were to be killed. And having set the cleverly devised seal, and having gathered the leaders and Cardarigas himself, and the letter having been read, he said to Cardarigas: "You see how you must do this." But the princes, filled with fury, having deposed Chosroes, made peaceful pacts with the Emperor, and having formed a mutual plan, it pleased them to depart from Chalcedon and return to their own lands, intending to destroy nothing.

Furthermore, Heraclius wrote to Chosroes: "I am pursuing and running towards peace: for I do not willingly consume Persia with fire, but have suffered violence from you. Let us therefore cast down our arms, even now, and embrace peace. Let us extinguish the fire before it inflames everything." And since Chosroes had not accepted this, the hatred of the people of Persia grew greatly against him. Therefore, Chosroes moved the men of his princes and all his retinue and those of his women, and sent all these armed men to join the army of Rhazates, and to take their stand near the Narbas river, twelve miles distant from Ctesiphon, and he ordered them that, while the Emperor was crossing the river, they should cut the bridges.

But the Emperor, having moved from Dastagerd on the seventh day before the Ides of January, when he had journeyed for three days, pitched camp twelve miles from the Narbas river, where the army of the Persians was, among whom they also had two hundred elephants. And the Emperor sent George, the turmarch of the Armenians, to go as far as the river and learn whether the Narbas had a ford. And when he found that they had cut the bridges and that there was no ford, they returned to the Emperor; who, having moved, approached Siazuron, and went around burning the region and the cities throughout the month of February.

But in the month of March, when he had come to the estate which was called Barzan, to stay for seven days, he sent Mezeticus the praetor in advance, and to him was joined Gundabundas, a chiliarch of Sarbar’s army, with five others—three of them counts, and two indeed axiomatici ^B—and he led them to the Emperor. This man, namely Gundabundas, announced the necessary matters to the Emperor, saying: "When Chosroes fled from Dastagerd and approached Ctesiphon and Seleucia, he contracted a dysenteric illness, and he wished to crown his son Merdasan, whom he had begotten by Seres. And having returned, he again crossed the river, and with him he led Merdasan and the son of Siroes and his brothers, as well as his women, and he dismissed them beyond the river. And when Siroes discovered that he wished to crown Merdasan, he was disturbed, and sent his foster-brother to Gundabundas, commanding him and saying: 'Come cis-river, that I may speak with you.' But he feared Chosroes and did not cross, but sends to him, saying: 'Write to me, through my foster-brother, whatever you wish.' And he wrote to him, saying: 'You know how the Persian state is perishing through this wicked man, Chosroes, and he wishes to crown Merdasan, and he has scorned me, his first-born. And if you speak to the army so that they may receive me, I will increase their pay, and I will make peace with the Emperor of the Romans and the Turks, and we shall live well. And strive with your people that I may reign, and I will promote all of you and will assist you, and especially you.'

But Gundabundas sent back to him through his foster-brother, saying: 'Whatever I can, I will speak with the praetor; and I was anxious, and I spoke with twenty-two counts, and I made them of my own mind; but also with other princes and many soldiers.' And this, indeed, Gundabundas commanded to Siroes. But he sent back to him, saying that on the tenth day before the Kalends of April, he should take the younger men, and meet him at the bridge of the Tigris river, that they might receive him into the army and move against Chosroes. He reported, moreover, that with Siroees there were also two sons of Sarbarazan, and the son of Hiesdem, and many other sons of princes, and the son of Aram—all of them choice men—and that if, indeed, they could kill Chosroes, well and good: but if not, they would all go with Siroes to the Emperor.

'And Siroes sent me to you, my lord: for he fears the Roman Empire, saying that, since it once saved Chosroes, and the Roman land suffered many evils from him, and because of his ingratitude, the Emperor does not have reason to trust me.' But he sent him back to Siroes, confirming him, commanding him that he should open the prisons and lead out the Romans detained in them, and grant them weapons, and thus move himself against Chosroes.

Furthermore, Siroes, obeying the Emperor, having brought out those who were shut away, hastened against the patricidal father, namely Chosroes. And when he had attempted to flee and could not, he was seized and bound securely with iron fetters, with his hands bound behind his back as well as his feet; and they put iron weights around his neck, and cast him into the house of darkness, which he himself had built from new foundations to store his money, and giving him little bread and water, they killed him with hunger; for Siroes says: 'Let him eat the gold, which he collected in vain, and because of which he also killed many with hunger.' ^D

' And having brought his son Merdasan, whom he wished to crown, he killed him before his eyes, and they slaughtered all his other sons in his presence; and he sent ^A orders to heap insults upon every enemy of his, and to strike and spit upon him. Finally, after this was done for five days, Siroes ordered him to be executed with arrows; and thus, little by little, in his miseries he surrendered his most wicked soul. Then Siroes wrote to Heraclius, announcing to him the death of the wicked Chosroes, and he concluded a lasting and most firm peace with him, having released to him all the Christians who were held captive in prisons and throughout all of Persia, along with Zachariah, the prelate of Jerusalem, and the precious and life-giving wood, which had been carried off from Jerusalem by Sarbarazan, when he had captured Jerusalem.

In the eighteenth year of the reign of Heraclius, Siroes is held to be king of the Persians, who reigned for one year, at which time also Moamed, leader of the Arabs or Saracens, living under the Persians, was in his sixth year, about to arrive at the ninth. Meanwhile, peace having been made between the Persians and the Romans, the emperor dispatched his brother Theodorus with letters and men to Siroes, king of the Persians, so that the Persians who were in Palestine, Edessa, Jerusalem, and other Roman cities might return in peace to Persia and pass through Roman territory without harm. Finally, after the emperor had campaigned in Persia for six years, in the seventh year, having received peace, he returned with great joy to Constantinople, fulfilling a certain mystical theory in this. For just as God finished his creation of the universe in six days and called the seventh day a day of rest, so he too, after many exhausting labors, returned in the seventh year to the city with peace and rejoicing. Furthermore, the people of the city, having heard of his arrival, all went out to meet him at Hieria with intolerable longing, together with the patriarch and the emperor’s son Constantine, carrying olive branches and lamps, praising him with expressions of gratitude and tears. His son approached and fell at his feet, and after he had embraced him, both bathed the earth with their tears. Seeing this, the people all offered up grateful hymns to God. And thus, finally, having received the emperor, they entered the city rejoicing.

In the nineteenth year of the reign of Heraclius, Adesir the Persian king held power for seven months. However, the emperor, having set out from the royal city as soon as spring arrived, marched toward Jerusalem, carrying back the precious and life-giving wood to offer thanks to God. And when he had reached Tiberias, the Christians accused a certain man named Benjamin as one doing evil to them—he was, in fact, quite wealthy—who had received the emperor and his army. But the emperor rebuked him, saying, "Why are you troublesome to the Christians?" He replied, "For the sake of the enemies of my faith." Then the emperor, having admonished him and persuaded him ^B to enter the house of Eustachius of Neapolis to be baptized, admitted him, who, being a Christian himself, received the emperor. Thus the emperor, having entered Jerusalem and restored both the pontiff Zachariah and the honorable and life-giving wood of the holy cross to their proper place, gave many thanks to God; and having driven the Hebrews from the holy city, he ordered that they should not have the power to approach closer to the holy city than three miles. When, however, he had arrived at Edessa, he restored to the orthodox the church which had been held by the Nestorians from the time of Chosroes. And coming to Hierapolis, he heard that Siroes, king of the Persians, had reached his final day, and that his son Adesir had succeeded him in the rule of the kingdom. And he, having held power for seven months, rose up against him Sarbarazas, who, having struck him, ruled the Persians for two months. But when this man had been killed, the Persians appointed Baranin as king, a son of Chosroes, who held the kingdom of Persia for seven months. To him succeeded Hormisdas, by whom, once he was driven out by the Saracens, the kingdom of the Persians was brought under the Arabs, even to the present day.

In the year of the world 6121, of the divine incarnation 621, of the reign of Heraclius 20, Hormisdas reigns in Persia. When Heraclius was at Hierapolis, Athanasius, the patriarch of the Jacobites, came to him—a man of sharp and wicked character, possessing the innate deceits of the Syrians. And when he had initiated a discussion with the emperor regarding the faith, Heraclius promised him that if he would accept the Council of Chalcedon, he would make him patriarch of Antioch. And he deceitfully accepted the council, confessing two natures in Christ. He then asked the emperor about the operation and the wills, how it was necessary to speak of them in Christ, whether as twofold or as single. Then the emperor, disturbed by the novelty of the claim, wrote to Sergius, the bishop of Constantinople. He also summoned Cyrus, the prelate of Phasis, and having questioned him upon this, he found him to be in agreement with Sergius regarding one will and one operation. For Sergius, being a Syrian by race and parents, and existing as a Jacobite, wrote back and confessed one natural will and one operation in Christ. But the emperor, acquiescing to the counsel of both, found that one operation is found there where one nature is also known. However, the emperor, having become certain about this, wrote to the Roman Pope John regarding the opinion of the aforementioned; but he by no means admitted their sect. Furthermore, when George the Alexandrian had died, Cyrus, bishop of Alexandria, was sent to be preferred, who, having been united with Theodore, bishop of Faran, fashioned that painted hydra, that unity—or rather, vanity—writing that they too confessed one natural operation in Christ. As these things proceeded, the Council of Chalcedon and the Catholic Church fell into great disgrace; for the Jacobites and Theodosians boasted, rejoicing that it was not we, but rather the Council of Chalcedon ^C that had surrendered. ^D

^A While communicating to us through one operation, they confessed only one nature of Christ. In the meantime, Sophronius was consecrated Bishop of Jerusalem, who, having gathered the bishops living under him, struck with the sword of anathema the dogma of the Monothelites—that is, of those who dogmatize one will—and transmitted this synodical letter to Sergius of Constantinople and to Pope John of Rome. Upon hearing this, Heraclius was confused; he did not wish to destroy his own decree, yet he could not bear the reproach. Therefore, Heraclius, thinking he was doing something great, set forth that document which is called the *Edict*, containing that neither one nor two operations are to be spoken of in Christ. When this was read, those who favored the views of Severus, in taverns and baths, slandered the Catholic Church, asserting: "First, the Chalcedonians, who held the views of Nestorius, have repented, turned to the truth, and have been united to us through one operation and one nature of Christ. But now, repenting of their sensible judgment, they have lost both, confessing neither one nor two operations in Christ." After the death of Sergius, Pyrrhus assumed the throne of Constantinople; he impiously reinforced what had been foretold by Sergius and Cyrus. When Heraclius was dead and his son Constantine was reigning, Pyrrhus, together with Martina, murdered him by poison, and Heraclonas, son of Martina, reigned. Furthermore, the senate and the whole city rejected Pyrrhus as an impious man, together with Martina and her son. Constans, son of Constantine, reigned, and Paul was consecrated Bishop of Constantinople, himself a heretic. But the Roman pontiff John, having collected a council of bishops, anathematized the heresy of the Monothelites. Likewise in Africa, in the regions of Byzacium, Numidia, and Mauritania, various bishops, having convened, struck the Monothelites with anathema. Upon the death of John, Theodore was consecrated pope in his place. When Pyrrhus had reached Africa, he appeared in mutual meetings with the most holy Maximus—that most religious abbot, known for his monastic reprimands—as well as before the bishops residing there, who argued with him and persuaded him to go to Rome to Pope Theodore; he was received by the Pope after having delivered a libellus of orthodoxy. Meanwhile, when he had departed from Rome and reached Ravenna, he turned like a dog to his vomit. Pope Theodore, having discovered this, convened the fullness of the Church and went to the tomb of the chief of the Apostles, and, having requested the divine chalice, he dropped the life-giving blood into the ink, and thus by his own ^B hand he carried out the deposition of Pyrrhus and those who communicated with him. Furthermore, when Pyrrhus reached Constantinople, and Paul having died, the bold heretics again placed Pyrrhus on the throne of Constantinople. After Pope Theodore died, the most holy Martin was consecrated supreme pontiff at Rome. When Maximus had arrived at Rome from Africa, and had stirred Pope Martin to zeal, a synod of one hundred and ten bishops was collected, and they anathematized Sergius, Pyrrhus, Cyrus, and Paul, and more expressly declared and confirmed the two wills and operations of Christ our God. Moreover, in the new year of his reign, Constans, the grandson of Heraclius, in the eighth indiction, being filled with rage upon learning these things, had SS. Martin and Maximus brought to Constantinople, tortured, and relegated into exile at Cherson and other climates; he also punished many of the bishops of the West. Moved by zeal for God, he himself also convened a sacred synod and renounced the heresy of the Monothelites, explaining the two wills and operations. Thus, therefore, the Church, being troubled at that time by emperors and impious priests, saw the appearance of the desolating Amalec, striking us, the people of Christ, and there occurred the first terrible ruin of the Roman army—that which was brought about by the effusion of blood according to Gabata and Hermuchan and the Dathemites, after which followed the destruction of the Palestinians, the Caesareans, and the Jerusalemites, then the ruin of Egypt, and subsequently the captivity of the Mediterranean lands and islands, and of the whole of Romania, but also the total destruction of the Roman army and fleet in Phoenicia, and the battle and destruction of all the places of the Christians, which did not cease until the persecutor of the Church was miserably slain in Sicily.

In the year of the world 6122, of the divine incarnation 622, in the 21st year of the reign of Heraclius, John is held as Pope of Rome. This is the year also that Mahomet, the prince of the Saracens and false prophet, dies, having promoted his kinsman Abubachar to his principate. At that very time news of him arrived, and all were struck with fear. But the Hebrews, deceived at the beginning of his coming, supposed him to be the Christ who was expected by them, so much so that some of them who were inclined toward him approached him and accepted his religion, abandoning the religion of Moses, the inspector of God. There were ten in number who did this; they also lived with him until his death. But when they saw him eating of a camel, they recognized that he was not who they had supposed, and they hesitated what they should do, and, fearing to abandon his religion, the wretched men teach him.

^A Full of luxury and folly, they nevertheless sympathized with one another and with him in his suffering. I think it is necessary to narrate his generation. He was descended from one very general tribe, namely that of Ishmael, the son of Abraham. For Nizar, the great-grandson of Ishmael, is considered the father of them all. He begat two sons, namely Mudar and Rabia. Mudar begat Curasus, Chaison, Theomin, Asadus, and others who are unknown. All these lived in the desert of Midian, and there they kept their flocks, living in tents. There are also others more inland who are not of their tribe, but from the Lettam, namely those who are called Ammonites, that is, Homerites. Some of them used to trade with their camels. But when the aforementioned Maometh was destitute and an orphan, it seemed to him that he should enter the service of a certain wealthy woman, a kinswoman of his, named Chadigan, as a mercenary to trade with her camels in Egypt and Palestine. But gradually having gained confidence with the woman, who was a widow, he took her as his wife and acquired her camels and substance. When he came to Palestine, he conversed with Jews and Christians. He used to take certain scriptures from them. Moreover, he suffered from epilepsy. When his wife discovered this, she was very saddened, as she was a noblewoman, and because she had joined herself to such a man, who was a pauper and an epileptic. But he himself tried to appease her in this way, saying that he beheld a certain vision of the one called the angel Gabriel, and that, being unable to bear his appearance, he would collapse and fall to the ground. ^B But she, having an adulterer who was living there as an exile for infidelity, a friend of hers, revealed everything to him, and the name of the angel. And he, wishing to reassure her, said to her: "He has spoken the truth, for this angel is sent to all the prophets." She, therefore, being the first to receive the word of the false monk, believed him and preached to other women of her own tribe that he was a prophet, and thus the report reached the men from the women, initially only to Abubachar, whom he also left as his successor. And his heresy held parts of Yathrib, and finally through war. For at first it was secretly for ten years, and likewise in war for ten years, and openly for nine. He taught his followers that whoever kills an enemy or is killed by an enemy enters paradise. ^C But he promised a paradise of carnal food and drink and the union of women, a river of wine and honey and milk, and of women not present now, but others, and a commingling of many future years, and abundant pleasure, as well as certain other things full of luxury and folly, yet they sympathized with one another and with him in his suffering. In the same year, his son David was born in the East, and on the same day Heraclius, the son of Heraclius the younger, who was also called Constantine, was born and baptized by Patriarch Sergius.

In the 22nd year of the reign of Heraclius, Modestus of Jerusalem is considered the bishop, and Abubachar is the leader of the Arabs, who held the principate for three years. The Persians, however, rose up against one another and fought among themselves. During the same time, the king of the Indians sent congratulatory gifts to Heraclius on the victory over the Persians, namely pearls and many precious stones. But Maometh, who had set up four emirs to conquer the Christians who were of the Arab race, was dead. And they came against the castle of Mucheas, in which was Theodorus Bigarius, wishing to attack the Arabs on the day they were about to sacrifice to idols. But when this became known, Bigarius gathered all their soldiers who were guarding the desert, and having diligently inquired from a Saracen the day and hour when they were going to attack them, he fell upon them himself in a field which was called Mathus, and killed three emirs and a great part of the people. But one emir escaped, namely Chaledus, whom they call the sword of God. There were also certain Arabs stationed nearby, who received small payments from the emperors to guard the mouths of the desert. But at that time, a certain eunuch came to distribute the soldiers' pay. And when the Arabs had come according to custom to receive their pay, the eunuch pushed them away, saying that the Lord hardly gives pay to the soldiers, much less to these dogs. But the Arabs, seeing this, went away to the men of their own race, and they themselves led them into the region of Gaza, which was the entrance to the desert against the very wealthy Mount Sinai.

In the 24th year of the reign of Heraclius, when Abubachar had sent four commanders, who had been led, as I have mentioned, by the Arabs, they came and took Ram and the whole region of Gaza. And at last, when he had come from Caesarea of Palestine with a few soldiers, war was joined, and the first [commander] was killed along with his army, which was of three hundred men, and many captives were taken and much spoil, and they returned with a splendid victory. Moreover, in the same year, an earthquake occurred in Palestine, and a sign appeared, which is called *docetes*, in the sky toward the south, portending the power of the Arabs. It lasted for thirty days, extending from the south to the north; it was in the shape of a sword. ^D

^A In the 24th year of the reign of Heraclius, Cyrus, Bishop of Alexandria, and Sophronius, the most holy Bishop of Jerusalem, were held to be the prelates. In this year Abubacharus died, who had held the principate for two years and a half, and Hamarus assumed the principate, who sent an army against Arabia and captured the city of Bostra, along with other cities. They proceeded as far as Gabetha. Theodorus, the brother of Emperor Heraclius, having engaged them in war, was defeated and came to the emperor at Edessa. But the emperor appointed another commander named Bahanan and sent out Theodorus the *sacellarius* with the Roman forces against the Arabs. When he had come to Emesa, a multitude of Saracens met him; after some of them were killed, along with the one who was leading them, he drove the rest as far as Damascus, and there, near the river Bardanes, he sought shelter. Heraclius, however, having abandoned Syria and falling into despair, and having also removed the precious wood from Jerusalem, departed for Constantinople. But Bahanan returned from Damascus to Emesa along with Theodorus the *sacellarius*, having an army of forty thousand, and the Arabs pursued them from Emesa as far as Damascus.

In the 25th year of the reign of Heraclius, the Saracens directed their battle line into Arabia against the regions of Damascus, being of an infinite multitude. Bahanan, having learned of this, sent to the imperial *sacellarius* to come with his army to his aid, since the force of the Arabs was very great. The *sacellarius* therefore came to Bahanan; they set out from Emesa and encountered the Arabs. A council having been held, on the first day—which was the third day of the week, the twenty-third of the month of Loi—those who were with the *sacellarius* were overcome. A sedition having occurred, those who were with Bahanan proclaimed Bahanan emperor and rejected Heraclius. Then those who had been with the *sacellarius* departed, and the Saracens, having found an opportunity, began the battle. In the midst of this, a south wind blowing against the Romans, they were unable to face the enemy because of the dust; they were separated, and, flinging themselves into the narrow ways of the river Hieromuchthas, they perished there completely. The two commanders had forty thousand men each. Then the Saracens, triumphing splendidly, came against Damascus and captured it and the regions of Phoenicia, and dwelt there, and they directed their battle line into Egypt. Cyrus, the Bishop of Alexandria, having learned of their onslaught, exerted himself—fearing their avarice—and after pacts were confirmed, promised that Egypt would contribute two hundred thousand *denarii* to them every year, and that he would also send them gold as the price of a truce for them; having paid this, for three years he kept Egypt free from destruction. Meanwhile, Cyrus was accused before the emperor of having bestowed the gold of Egypt upon the Saracens; the emperor, being angry, summoned him and sent one Manuel, an Armenian by birth, as *Augustalis*. But when the year had been completed, the agents of the Saracens came to receive the gold. Manuel, however, drove them away empty-handed, saying: ^B "I am, as I say, Cyrus, unarmed, so that I might provide you with tribute, but I am armed." And when they had departed, the Saracens immediately armed themselves against Egypt, and after waging war against Manuel, drove him out. He himself, however, with a few others, was safely received at Alexandria. Then the Saracens placed Egypt under tribute. But the emperor, hearing of what had been done, sent Cyrus to persuade them to withdraw from Egypt under the former agreement. And Cyrus, going to the camp of the Saracens, rendered an account, claiming that he was innocent of any treachery, and that, if they wished, he would confirm the former concord with oaths. But the Saracens in no way agreed to these things, saying to the bishop: "Can you devour this largest column?" He said: "It cannot be done." But they said: "Neither to us is it possible, then, to withdraw any further from Egypt."

In the 26th year of the reign of Heraclius, Humaras directed his battle line against Palestine, and, besieging the holy city for the space of two years, took it by word. For Sophronius, the most high priest of Jerusalem, had received a promise for the security of all of Palestine. And when Humaras had entered the holy city, dressed in garments of camel hair and filth, and flaunting a Satanic simulation, he requested the temple of the Jews, which Solomon had built, to make it the place of worship for his blasphemy. Noticing this, Sophronius said: "In truth, that is the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place," and here this defender of piety wept for the Christian people with many tears. While Humaras was there, the bishop asked him to accept a linen cloth and a garment from him and to put them on. But he did not allow himself to wear them. With difficulty, therefore, he persuaded him to be dressed in them until his own were washed, and he returned them to Sophronius, and was dressed in his own. But in the meantime, Sophronius died, who adorned the church of Jerusalem by word and deed, and fought against the error of Heraclius and his supporters, the Monothelites, namely Sergius and Pyrrhus. And in the same year Humar sent Hiadus into Syria, and he subjected all of Syria to the Saracens.

^D In the 27th year of the reign of Heraclius, there came John, by surname Cateas, procurator of Osroene, to Hiadus at Chalcis, and they promised him one hundred thousand coins every year to not cross the Euphrates, neither armed for peace nor war, until they should pay the quantity of gold. Moreover, John returned to Edessa and sent the annual tribute to Hiadus. Heraclius, however, having heard this, judged John to be guilty, because he had done this without the imperial knowledge; having summoned him, he condemned him to exile. Moreover, in his place he appointed one Ptolemy as *magister militum*.

In the 28th year of the reign of Heraclius, the Arabs captured Antioch, and Maubias was sent by Humar as governor and *ameras* of the entire region which was under the Saracens, namely from Egypt to the Euphrates.

In the 29th year of the reign of Heraclius, there crossed the

^A Euphrates with his entire military force and came to Edessa. The people of Edessa opening the gates received the word together with the governor of the region and the commander of the soldiers and the Romans who were with him. But [the Saracens] went towards Constantia, and devastating it, took it by war and killed three hundred Romans; and from there they went to Dalas, and they took it also in war, and destroyed many in it; and thus Iahidus took the whole of Mesopotamia.

In the 30th year of the reign of Heraclius, the Saracens directed their battle line into Persia and engaged in war with them, and being powerfully victorious, they made all the Persians subordinate to themselves. Hormisdas, however, who ruled over the Persians, slipped away in flight to the inner Persians and discarded his royal insignia. But the Saracens indeed took the daughters of Chosroes captive with all their royal gear and brought them to Humar. And in the same year Humar ordered the whole world that was under him to be described. And a description was made of both men, beasts, and crops.

In the 31st year of his reign, the emperor Heraclius died, having become dropsical, after having reigned for thirty years. ^B But Constantine, his son, reigned after him for four months, and died, having been poisoned by his stepmother Martina and the patriarch Pyrrhus; and Heraclonas, the son of Martina, reigned with his mother Martina.

In the first year of the reign of Heraclonas, Mauhias took Caesarea of Palestine after a seven-year siege, and killed seven thousand Romans in it. In the same year, the senate repelled Heraclonas, along with his mother Martina and Valentinus, and having cut off Martina's tongue and Heraclonas's nose, they banished them into exile and promoted to the principate Constans, the son of Constantine and grandson of Heraclius, who reigned for 27 years. Indeed, Pyrrhus having been cast out from the episcopate, Paul was consecrated bishop of Constantinople, who had been a presbyter and economist of the church, and he held the episcopate for 12 years.

In the year of the world 6135, of the divine incarnation 633, but in the first year of his [Constans'] reign, indeed, when he had begun to reign, Constans said to the synclitus: "My father Constantine, who begot me, and who during the lifetime of his own father, namely my grandfather Heraclius, reigned sufficiently with him at that time, but after him for too short a time, [having been] deprived of life by the envy of my stepmother Martina, who cut off my most sweet hope—and this because of Heraclonas who was nefariously created from her and Heraclius, whom he [my father] most justly repelled from the empire along with your own, [but] with God’s decree, so that he might not see so wicked a Roman empire—inasmuch as your most ample and honorable magnificence was most provident. For which reason I ask you to have counselors and experts from the common obedience of the subjects." And having said these things, he dismissed the senate, honoring it with liberal gifts. ^C

In the second year of the reign of Constans, Humar began to build the temple in Jerusalem; and it did not stand, but the structure was falling. But when he inquired of the cause from them, the Jews said that unless the cross, which is above the temple of the Mount of Olives, is removed, the structure will not stand. And for this cause the cross was removed from there, and thus the building stood firm there. For this cause also, those who hated Christ had removed many crosses.

In the third year of the reign of Constans, Valentinian the patrician stirred up a sedition, and the emperor, sending [someone], killed him and brought the people back to his own benevolence. And in the same year Peter is held to be the bishop of Alexandria.

In the fourth year of the reign of Constans, Humar, the leader of the Saracens, was killed by treachery by a certain Persian; he had a dagger: finally, when he was worshiping, having hidden it, he stabbed him in the belly with the sword fixed [in his hand], and thus he ceased to live, when he had been *amiras* for 12 years; and after him Huthman, his kinsman, the son of Tuphan, was appointed.

In the fifth year of the reign of Constans, Huthman is held to be the prince of the Arabs, and Gregory, the patrician of Africa, stirs up hostility together with the Africans.

In the sixth year of the reign of Constans, there occurred on earth a violent wind, which uprooted many seedlings and eradicated huge trees by their roots, and cast down many of the columnar monks. In the same year, however, the Saracens hostilely approached Africa, and a conflict having been stirred up against the tyrant Gregory, they put him to flight and killed those who were with him, and drove him from Africa, and having ordered and settled tributes with the Africans, they returned.

In the seventh year of the reign of Constans, Mauhias moved an army by sea against Cyprus. He had, however, one thousand seven hundred scaphai, and he took Constantia with the whole island. When he had taken it, he exterminated it. But hearing that Cacorizus the cubicularius was coming against him with very great Roman strength, he sailed against Aradus, and applying his ship to the fort of the island municipality, he tried to take it, having used various machines. But when he had been able to do nothing, he sent to them a certain bishop by the name of Thomaricus, deterring them so that they might leave the city and be under his treaty, and might go out from the island. When accordingly the bishop had entered to them, they held him. Furthermore, they did not want to yield to Mauhias. Therefore, the siege which he had constructed against Aradus having been rendered of no importance, he returned to Damascus; for winter had approached.

In the 8th year of the reign of Constans, Mauhias moved his army powerfully to battle against Aradus, and he obtained it by word [of mouth] so that the citizens might inhabit it wherever they wished. But he burned the city, its walls having been dissolved, and he set the island uninhabitable until the present. In the same year a synod was held at Rome by Pope Martin against the Monothelites.

In the 9th year of the reign of Constans, Busur the prince, having gathered an army together with the Arabs, directed his battle lines against

Isauria, and having killed many and taken five thousand captives, returned. But the emperor Constans sent a certain Procopius to Muawiyah, seeking peace; which was also done for two years, Muawiyah taking Gregory the son of Theodore as a pledge in Damascus.

In the 10th year of the reign of Constans, Pasagnathes, the patrician of the Armenians, stirred up enmity against the emperor and made a treaty with Muawiyah, giving him his own son as well. Having heard this, the emperor came as far as Caesarea in Cappadocia, and despairing of Armenia, returned.

In the year of the world 6144, the year of the divine incarnation 644, and the 11th year of the reign of Constans, ash descended from the sky, and great fear fell upon mankind. ^B Pyrrhus also, upon the death of Paul, was restored for four months and 23 days.

In the 12th year of the reign of Constans, Muawiyah, going to Rhodes, destroyed its colossus, after 1360 years of its standing; a certain Jewish merchant of Emesa bought it and loaded 900 camels with its bronze. In the same year, Abidus, the praetor of the Arabs, moved an army against Armenia, who, having pursued the praetor Maurianos, followed him as far as the Caucasian mountains and plundered the region.

In the 14th year of the reign of Constans, Uthman, the leader of the Arabs, was killed by treachery, having been emir for ten years. Meanwhile, a civil war arose among them: for as many as were near the desert wanted Ali, the cousin and once son-in-law of Muhammad. But those who were in Syria and Egypt desired Muawiyah, who also won and held power for 24 years.

In the 15th year of the reign of Constans, Muawiyah is held to be the prince of the Arabs, who also moved an army against Ali, and both gathered between Barbalissus near the Euphrates. But those who were with Muawiyah, being stronger, seized the water. Whence those who were with Ali, coming into thirst, failed. But Muawiyah did not wish to fight, yet bore away the victory without labor.

In the 16th year of the reign of Constans, the emperor moved an army against Sclavinia and led away many captives and subdued them. ^C In the same year also those things were done which were acted against St. Maximus and his disciples, struggling for the truth against the Monothelites; whom Constans, being unable to transfer to his own perverse opinion, cut off the divinely-wise and most skillful tongue with his right hand, because he had written much against his impiety together with his disciples, as the friends of the learned do not fail to know.

In the 13th year of the reign of Constans, Muawiyah ordered a great naval armament to be made, with which their fleet might ascend to the royal city. Now all the equipment was situated at Tripoli in Phoenicia. But two brothers, friends of Christ living in Tripoli, the sons of a certain trumpeter, stung by zeal for God, went with an assault to the prison of the city. It had a multitude of Roman captives, and, the gates having been broken and the prisoners freed, they rushed upon the emir. Having killed him together with those who were with him, and having set all the preparations on fire, they crossed by ship into Romania. However, they did not cease from building the same preparation. But Muawiyah militated against Caesarea in Cappadocia, while Abulathar, whom he appointed as a shipwright, coming to the place called Phoenice of Lycia, where the emperor Constans and the Roman fleet were, fought with him by sea. And when it was about to happen that the emperor would do battle with him on the sea, he beheld a vision that night, namely, that he was at Thessalonica. Having woken up, he told the vision to a certain interpreter of dreams, who said: "Emperor, would that you had neither slept nor seen the dream: for to be at Thessalonica ^D signifies *thes allo nikēn*, which is interpreted 'place the victory elsewhere,' that is, the victory is turned toward your enemy." Indeed, the emperor, finding nothing for naval battle, prepared the Roman fleets for war. As they rushed against each other, the Romans were overcome, and the sea was made mixed with the blood of the Romans. The emperor put on someone else's garment, and the aforementioned son of the trumpeter, leaping into the royal boat, seized him and saved him, having taken him into another ship unexpectedly. But he himself, most valiant, insisting manfully upon the imperial ship, killed many, delivering himself to death in place of the emperor. Moreover, the enemies surrounding him and holding him in the middle thought he was the emperor. After the enemies had killed many, they killed him as well, together with the one who was carrying the imperial garment. But the emperor, having turned to flight in such a way, was saved, and having abandoned everything, sailed to Constantinople.

In the 17th year of the reign of Constans, a convention was made between the Romans and the Arabs, Muawiyah sending an embassy on account of the rebellion, so that the Arabs might pay the Romans every day a thousand coins and a horse and a slave. In the same year, the most holy Roman Pope Martin was led into exile, struggling bravely for the truth, and having become a confessor, he died in the climates of the East.

In the year of the world 6151, the year of the divine incarnation 651, and the 18th year of his reign, Constans killed his own brother Theodosius. But when the Arabs were at Saphin, the aforementioned Ali was killed by treachery, and Muawiyah reigned alone, inhabiting Damascus in the royal manner and hiding the treasures of money there.

In the 19th year of the reign of Constans, the heresy of the Arabs appeared, namely of those who are called Kharijites. But Muawiyah, having attacked them, humbled those who were in Persia, but exalted those who were in Syria, and some he called Hisamites, others Heraclites, and indeed he raised the stipends of the Hisamites up to two hundred coins, but lowered those of the Heraclites to thirty.

^A In the 20th year of his reign, Constans, having abandoned Constantinople, went to Syracuse, a city of Sicily, wishing to transfer the empire to the city of Rome, and sent for his wife and three sons, Constantine, Heraclius, and Tiberius, to be brought there. However, the Byzantines did not permit them to leave.

In the 21st year of the reign of Constans, the Arabs moved an army against Romania and plundered many, and devastated a number of regions. In the 22nd year of the reign of Constans, a part of Sicily was exposed to plunder, and they dwelt in Damascus at their own pleasure. In the 25th year of the reign of Constans there occurred a failure of fasts, and Abderachman Chaledi moved an army against Romania and wintered in it, and demolished many regions. Moreover, the Slavs, joining him, descended with him into Syria, to the number of five thousand, and they dwelt in the region of Apamea in the fortress of Seleucoborus.

In the 24th year of the reign of Constans, Thomas is held to be the bishop of Constantinople. Busur, however, moved an army into Romania, and Thaumasius the bishop of Apamea died, and the bishop of Emesa was burned. In the year of the world 6158, of the divine incarnation 658, but in the 25th year of the reign of Constans, Busur again armed an army against Romania, and exterminated parts of Hexapolis and Phadala, and wintered there.

^C In the 26th year of the reign of Constans, Saborias, of Persian stock, in command of the Armeniacs, revolted against the emperor Constans and sent Sergius, the master of the soldiers, to Mauhias, promising to Mauhias that he would subjugate Romania if he would assist him against the emperor. When this was discovered, Constantine, the son of the emperor, himself also sent Andrew the chamberlain to Mauhias with gifts, so that he would not yield to the rebel. And when Andrew had arrived in Damascus, he found that Sergius had arrived before him. But Mauhias pretended to sympathize ^D with the emperor. Sergius, however, was sitting before Mauhias, and when Andrew had entered, seeing him, Sergius rose up. But Mauhias rebuked Sergius, saying: "Why did you fear?" He replied that he had acted according to custom. Furthermore, Mauhias turned and said to Andrew: "What do you seek?" He said: "That you might give aid against the rebel." But he said: "Both of you, he said, are enemies, but I will give to him who offers more." And Andrew said to him: "Do not doubt, friend, since the few things of the emperor are better for you than the many of a rebel. Nevertheless, whatever is more pleasing to you, go about it." And Mauhias said: "I will deliberate on this," and ordered both to leave. Then, having summoned Sergius, he said to him: "Do not adore Andrew any further: otherwise you will achieve nothing." And so, on the next day, Sergius, anticipating Andrew, was sitting before Mauhias, and when Andrew entered, he did not rise for him as he had the day before: but Andrew, looking at Sergius, lacerated him with insults and threatened him, saying: "If I live, I will show you who I am." Sergius said to him: "I do not rise for you, because you are neither a man nor a woman." But Mauhias, restraining both, said to agree to give to Andrew just as Sergius was giving. "And how much is it?" said Andrew. But Mauhias [said] to provide the public taxes to the Arabs. But Andrew: "Woe to you," he said, "Mauhias. You give counsel to give the body and keep only the shadow. However you wish, come to an understanding with Sergius: for I do not do this at all. Nevertheless, having dismissed you to God, who is more powerful than you, we flee, that he may assist the Romans, and in him we have placed our hope." Having said these things to Mauhias, he bade him farewell, and went out from the city of the Damascenes, and went to Melitene, because there was a tyrant in those parts, to which Sergius was also going. And when he had approached Arabissus, he ran into the guard of the mountain passes: for he did not restrain the tyrant. Therefore he commanded him to watch for Sergius as he returned, so that he might bring him to him. He himself, not unmindful, went on, awaiting Sergius; but he reported what had been done to the emperor. Meanwhile, Sergius, having completed what had been seen with Mauhias, took Phadalas, the praetor of the Arabs, with barbarian aid to contend and assist Sabor. When, however, Sergius proceeded and was going with congratulations to Phadalas and Sabor, he arrived at the mountain passes and fell into the troops of Andrew, and they, seizing him bound, brought him to Andrew. But Sergius, having seen Andrew, threw himself at his feet, beseeching him to spare him. But he said to him: "You are, he said, the Sergius who boasted of your virility before Mauhias, and called me a little woman. Behold, now your virility will avail you nothing, but rather will bring about your death." With these words, he ordered his genitals to be amputated, and suspended him on a tree. Constantine, however, having heard of the arrival of Phadalas, designated the patrician Nicephorus to assist Sabor with Roman virtue to resist Saborius. Sabor, however, was dwelling at Adrianople, and when he had realized that Nicephorus was coming to him, he exercised himself for battle. But it happened one day that he went out from the city according to his custom, sitting upon a horse. And when the gates of the city...

were approached, he struck the horse with a whip; it leapt up boastfully, and as its head struck the gate, it deprived him of life, and thus God bestowed victory upon the emperor. ^A Phadalas, however, arriving in Exapolis and learning of all this, was troubled, and he sent to Mauhias asking for aid, because the Romans had gathered for concord. Mauhias sent his son Hirid to him, arming him with a multitude of Romans. Both sides met at Chalcedon and took many captives; they also captured Amorium in Phrygia, and having left five thousand armed men for its protection, they returned to Syria. When winter had arrived, the emperor sent the same chamberlain, Andreas; and since there was much snow, he came by night, and by means of a ladder they climbed the wall and entered Amorium, and they killed all the Arabs, so that not a single one remained out of the five thousand.

^B In the year of the world 6160, the year of the divine incarnation 660, and truly the 27th year of his reign, Constans was treacherously killed in Sicily near Syracuse in a bath, the name of which was Daphne; the cause was this: after the slaying of his brother Theodosius, he was hated by the Byzantines, and mostly because he had ignominiously led the most holy Roman Pope Martin to Constantinople and relegated him to exile in the regions of Cherson, and had cut off the tongue and hand of Maximus the most wise confessor, and had condemned many of the orthodox to beatings, exiles, and proscriptions, because they would not in any wise acquiesce to his heresy; furthermore, he delivered to torture and exile two Anastasiuses, who had been disciples of Maximus the confessor and martyr. Therefore, because of such things, he became hateful to all. But since he feared greatly, he wanted to transfer the empire to the city of Rome, and for this reason he wanted to take the empress and his three sons from Byzantium, had not the chamberlain Andreas and Theodorus of Colonia forbidden this plan. He indeed lived in Sicily for six years. But when he had entered the aforementioned bath, a certain Andreas, son of Troilus, entered with him, serving him; and when he had begun to be anointed with Gallic soap, Andreas, taking a bucket, struck it upon the emperor's head and immediately fled. But when the emperor delayed in the bath, those who were outside rushed in and found the emperor killed. Having buried him, they made a certain Armenian, Mizius, emperor, compelling him by force, for he was very handsome and fair of face. Moreover, Constantine, having heard of his father's death, came with a large fleet to Sicily and, attacking Mizius, killed him along with the murderers of his father; and having set the Western affairs in order, he returned to Constantinople, and reigned over the Romans together with his brothers Tiberius and Heraclius.

In the first year of Constantine's reign, the Saracens moved [their] army into Africa and took eighty thousand captives. But those who belonged to the Eastern provinces came to Chrysopolis, saying: "If we believe in the Trinity, we should also crown three." Constantine was therefore troubled because he alone was crowned, while his brothers had no dignity. And having sent the patrician Theodorus of Colonia, he appeased them, praising them greatly, and having taken the eldest among them, that they might enter the city and enter into council with the senate so that their will might be done. The emperor, having deceived them in such a way, immediately hanged them on a gallows across the strait at Sycae. But they, having seen this, departed in confusion and sorrow to their own homes; the emperor, however, immediately cut off the noses of his brothers.

In the second year of Constantine's reign, a great storm occurred, and many were imperiled, as much men as beasts. Phadalas spent the winter near Cyzicus.

In the third year of Constantine's reign, Busur set out with hostile equipment and returned having taken very many captives.

In the year of the world 6164, the year of the divine incarnation 664, and truly the fourth year of Constantine’s reign, a comet appeared in the heavens in the month of March, and all flesh trembled, so that all said that the end was at hand. In the same year, a large fleet having been constructed, the deniers of Christ, Muamed and Caisus, sailed to Cilicia and wintered near Smyrna, Cilicia, and Lycia, and a pestilence occurred in Egypt. A savage emir was also sent with another fleet to their aid, as being most suitable and bold for battle. But the aforementioned Constantine, having learned of the movement of these people who were attacking God against Constantinople, himself constructed ships of wondrous magnitude, carrying fire, and dromons.

In the fifth year of Constantine's reign, the aforementioned fleet of those attacking God advanced and landed in the Thracian parts, specifically from the summit of the Seventh [Hill], which inclines toward the west—that is, from the house which is called Magnaura—and back as far as the fortress which they call Cyclobium, which looks to the east. And so for the whole day the engagement of battle was held, that is, from morning until evening, from the Brachiolus of the Golden Gate as far as Cyclobium, each side now pressing and now being pressed. For seven years they remained in these [parts], from the month of April until September, and they would return and proceed to Cyzicus; and having grasped this, they wintered there [every year], and in every spring, advancing likewise by sea, he had a battle with the Christians. For seven years, with the same things being done, by the divine aid of God and the Mother of God, [their] multitude of warlike men having been lost and very great injury having been inflicted upon them, they returned in confusion with great sadness. But when the same fleet, destined to be drowned by God, had departed from the winter heat;

^A a storm took hold of the man near the parts of Syllæum, and he, being utterly crushed, perished in every way. But Suphias, son of Hauph, the second brother, waged war against Florus, Petronas, and Cyprianus, who held the Roman authority, and thirty thousand Arabs were killed. Then Callinicus, an architect from Heliopolis of Syria, came as a fugitive to the Romans, who, having prepared marine fire, burned up the ships of the Arabs and utterly consumed them along with their crews. Thus the Romans returned in triumph, with the marine fire having been invented.

In the year of the world 6166, in the year 666 of the divine incarnation, and in the sixth year of the reign of Constantine, Constantine is considered, who was primate of the Constantinopolitan Church for two years; and Abdelas, son of Cais, and Phadalas spent the winter at Crete. ^B In the seventh year of the reign of Constantine, a sign appeared in the sky on a Saturday.

In the eighth year of the reign of Constantine, Theodorus is considered primate of Constantinople, who presided over the Church for two years. In this year, there occurred a great locust plague throughout Syria and Mesopotamia.

In the ninth year of the reign of Constantine, the Mardaites entered Lebanon and held it from Mount Taurus as far as the holy city, and they took the peaks of Lebanon, and many servants and captives—and as well the indigenous people—fled to them, so that in a short time they numbered many thousands. When Mauhias and his counselors learned of this, they were greatly afraid, gathering that the Roman Empire was protected by God. And he sent envoys to Prince Constantine, requesting peace and promising that he would pay annual tribute to the Emperor. But the Emperor, having received envoys of this kind and heard their petition, designated John the patrician, with the surname Pitzigaudin, to go with them into Syria, as a man of ancient lineage in the commonwealth and experienced in many affairs, and having obtained great prudence for arguing most aptly with the Arabs, and for preparing beforehand those things that are consistent with peace. When he had come into Syria, and a gathering of Mauhias’s Amireans as well as the Corasinians had been effected, he received him with great honor. Many pacific words having been spoken between them, it was agreed between both parties that a pact of peace should be drafted in writing with an oath regarding the matter of an annual agreement, namely, that there be provided to the Roman commonwealth by the Hagarenes three thousand pounds of gold, fifty captives, and fifty noble horses. These things being confirmed by common consent between both parties, and mutual promises given that they would be kept for thirty years, a most expansive peace was effected between the Romans and the Arabs; and thus, with two general documents written and sworn to by oath toward one another and delivered in turn, the oft-mentioned ^C famous man returned to the Emperor with gifts as well. But when those who inhabit the Hesperian parts, namely, the Chagan of the Avars and subsequent kings as well as the exarchs and castaldi, and also the princes of the nations situated to the East, learned these things, they sought, through legates sent with gifts to the Emperor, to have a pacific love toward themselves established. The Emperor, therefore, acceding to their requests, also confirmed a donative peace regarding them; and there was great security in the East, as well as in the West.

In the tenth year of the reign of Constantine, a great earthquake occurred throughout Mesopotamia, by which the ascent to Edessa and the dome of the church collapsed; and Mauhias reconstructed it at the expense of the Christians.

In the eleventh year of the reign of Constantine, Mauhias, the protosymbolus of the Saracens, died, who had been praetor for 20 years and discharged the office of amira for 24 years; and his son Hirid began to rule. In this year also, the nation of the Bulgars came into Thrace. But between these things, it is necessary to speak also of the antiquity of the Onogunduren Bulgars and the Contragi. For in the northern parts of the Euxine Sea, where it is navigable, in the marshes which are called the Mæotides, into which is discharged the greatest river flowing from the Ocean through the land of the Sarmatians, by the name of Atel, the river Tanais, even itself emerging from the Iberian gates which are reported to be in the Caucasian mountains, flows into that same Atel. But from the mixing of the Tanais and the Atel, which occurs above the aforementioned Mæotide marshes, while the Atel is divided, there comes the one which is called the river Cucheis into the Mæotide marshes, and it returns to the boundary of the Pontic sea near the Necropylæ at the promontory which is called the Rams' Face. From the aforementioned marshes, there is a sea similar to a river, and it is carried into the Euxine Pontic sea through the land of the Cimmerian Bosphorus, from which river is caught that which is called the Murzulin and things similar to it, and in the parts of the adjacent marshes, which look toward the East as far as Phanoria or the Hebrews who are there, very many nations abide. But from the same marshes as far as the river which is called the Cuphis, where the Xistus is caught—which is a Bulgar fish—the ancient Bulgaria [is large], and ^D those who are called the Contragi, of the same [stock] as they themselves, exist. But in the times of Constantine, who reigned in the West, when Crobatus, the lord of the aforementioned Bulgaria or the Contragorum, departed this life, and left five sons, he testified that they should not in any way be separated from mutual cohabitation, for which reason they might rule over the whole nation and they themselves might serve no other nation. But after a short time of his death, coming into division, the five sons were sequestered in different directions.

together with the people whom each of them held subjected to his dominion. And indeed his first son, who was called Bathaias, keeping the command of his own father, remained in the land of his ancestors even to the present. But his second brother, named Contragus, crossing the river Tanahin, dwelt on the opposite side to his first brother. But when the fourth and the fifth crossed the river Histrus, that is, the Danube, one of them, submitting himself to the chagan of the Avars in Avaria of Pannonia, remained there with his retinue, while the other, coming not far from the city of Ravenna into Pentapolis, became subject to the Christian empire. Then the third of these, called Asparuch, crossing the Panaprin and Danastrin and coming to Onglon, ^A near the inner reaches of the Danube, dwelt between this and them, looking out upon a place safe and difficult to assault from all sides: for being marshy, and crowned on this side and that by rivers, it provided quiet for the numerous people on account of the dispersal of their enemies. But while they were thus divided into five parts and had become fewer in number, a great people of the Chazars went forth from the inner depth of Berzilia, of the first Sarmatia, and dominated all the accessible land as far as the Pontic Sea, and replaced the first brother Bathaias as prince of the first Bulgaria, having arranged tributes which are paid by him even until now. But the Emperor Constantine, having learned that the sordid and filthy people had at once fixed their tents beyond the Danube at Onglon and were overrunning the regions adjacent to the Danube—that is, the region which is now held by them and which was then possessed by Christians—was vehemently distressed, and ordered all the armies to cross into Thrace, and constructing both a land and sea fleet, he moved against them, wishing to pursue them in war, and by directing foot soldiers into line of battle against Onglon and the Danube through Epirus, and by commanding the ships to be present at the approaching shore. But the Bulgarians, seeing this swiftness and the very great multitude, despairing of their safety, fled to the aforementioned fortification and fortified themselves round about. But for three and four days, as neither side dared to go out—the ones because they were within the fortification, and the Romans because of the occasion of the adjacent marshes preventing them from engaging in battle—the polluted people, perceiving the Romans' spirits to be flagging, became refreshed and bolder. Now as the emperor was suffering acutely from pain in his feet, and was compelled to return to the south for the use of a bath along with five dromons and his own men, he abandoned the magistrates and the people, ordering them to exercise with vibrating spears, and to make an assault upon them, and to draw them out from the fortification after him, and to engage in battle with them if perhaps they should come out; but if not, then to besiege them and keep watch over them in their fortifications. But those who were of the cavalry, defaming the emperor as having fled, and overcome by fear, made use of the same tergiversation, with no one pursuing. But the Bulgarians, having seen this, pursued them from behind, and many indeed they slew with the sword, and many they wounded, pursuing them as far as the Danube. Those who crossed it, coming as far as that which is called Barnan, near the borders of Odyssi, and having viewed the Mediterranean place lying there—which consisted of great caution, in the rear indeed because of the Danube river, and in the front as well as on the flanks because of the barriers and the Pontic Sea, especially when they held control over the neighboring ^B generations of Sclavinians, who were called the Seven—the Severes indeed positioned themselves from the front barrier of the Veregabori to the eastern parts, while in the places that are to the south and the west as far as Avaria, they located the remaining seven generations, who were under a pact. Therefore, when they had been brought into these, they became arrogant, and began to destroy and plunder the camps and estates which were under the Roman republic. Whence the emperor, compelled by force, made peace with them, promising to provide them with annual pacts, to the confusion of the Romans on account of the multitude of their offenses. For it was a thing wonderful to hear for those who dwelt far away and for those who dwelt near, that he who had established all the tributaries subject to himself, namely those who dwelt toward the west and the setting sun, as well as those who dwelt toward the north and the south, had been overcome by this detestable people. But the emperor, believing that this had happened to the Christians by the providence of God, and acting evangelically, made peace, and was quiet from all enemies until his death, having the primary study of uniting all the Churches of God which had been divided everywhere from the times of Heraclius, the prince, his great-grandfather, and of the mad Sergius and Pyrrhus, who unworthily held the throne of Constantinople, of those who dogmatized one will and one operation in the Lord God and our Savior. The same most Christian emperor, aiming to subvert their wicked opinion, having convoked a universal council at Constantinople of 289 bishops, both confirmed the dogmas which had been established in the previous five holy and universal councils, and decreed that the pious dogma of the two wills and operations be promulgated by the same holy and most subtle synod of the universal council; over which presided ^C as well the most pious emperor Constantine himself, as the pious princes of the priests. Now at the same time Azid began to be the prince of the Arabs, who ruled for three years.

The twelfth year of the reign of Constantine, the holy and universal Sixth Synod was gathered in Constantinople of two hundred and eighty-nine holy fathers, by the command of the pious prince Constantine.

In the year of the world 6173, of the divine incarnation 673, in the 13th year of his reign, Constantine repelled his brothers Heraclius and Tiberius from the empire, and reigned alone with his son Tiberius.

In the 14th year of the reign of Constantine, Muchtar the liar, having exercised tyranny, obtained Persis. He used to call himself a prophet, and the Arabs were in turmoil.

In the 15th year of the reign of Constantine, the prince of the Arabs Maruhan was prefect for one year, ^D for indeed upon the death of Azid the Arabs of Ethribi rose up, constituting as their leader a certain Abdelas, son of

^A Zebur, and the Phoenicians and Palestinians assembled, they come to Damascus, and they even go as far as Gabitha and Asan in Palestine, and they extend their right hands to Maruhan and establish him as leader, who performs the duties of administration for nine months. Upon his death, Abimelech, his son, assumes the principate; and since the amira had been such for twenty-one and a half years, he attacks the tyrants and kills Abdellas, son of Zuber, and also Dodacim.

In the 16th year of the reign of Constantine, a great famine and mortality occurred in Syria, and Abimelech seized the people. And when the Mardaites were pressing hard upon the parts of Lebanon, and pestilence and famine were taking hold, the same Abimelech requested peace, which had been sought by Mauhia, by sending legates to the emperor, and promising to provide 565,000 gold coins, and 365 slaves, and in the same way, the same number of noble horses.

^B In the 17th year of his reign, the pious emperor Constantine rested, having reigned for 17 years, and his son Justinian reigned. And it must be known that some babble in vain 69, saying that the capitulars of the sixth synod, which were published, were made four years later: for just as in all things they are shown to be false where they make such claims, so too from these things are they shown to say nothing supported by the truth. For the true chronicle annotation reports that the holy universal sixth synod, which was celebrated against the Monothelites, convened in the 12th year of the reign of Constantine, the nephew of Heraclius, in the year of the creation of the world 6170 70; and because after this the same Constantine reigned for 5 years, upon whose death his son Justinian held the monarchy for 10 years. Furthermore, after Justinian was cast out, Leontius reigned for 5 years, and after Leontius, Tiberius, who is also Apsimarus, for 7 years, and again Justinian, who had been driven out, for six years, as is easily found from the published forms themselves, which are said to have been issued in the second year of the final reign of the same Rinocmet Justinian; which, namely, in their third form, have these and such-like words: "We look upon those who have inserted themselves into two marriages, and regarding the eighteenth day before the Kalends of February, of the past fourth indiction, which was in the year of the creation of the world 6199, they have served ^C in sin, and have not proposed to repent, *to be subjected* to canonical deposition." Therefore, from the annotation of the Chronicle itself it appears openly that the years from the holy universal sixth synod until the published forms are 27, with George being found as patriarch of Constantinople in the holy universal sixth synod, acting in the third year of his patriarchate, and after the synod the patriarch remaining for three other years. After him, however, there were Theodore for 5, and Paul for 7, and Callinicus for 12, and Cyrus for 2 years; so that they are also collected from the patriarchs themselves as 27 years, but from the published forms until the fourth year of Philippicus, there occurred the insane council against the holy and universal sixth synod, and with Cyrus driven out, in the sixth year of his patriarchate, John became patriarch of Constantinople, and Andrew the metropolitan of Crete and Germanus the metropolitan of Cyzicus, who clearly subscribed and anathematized, with all who were there during those same times, the aforementioned holy universal sixth synod celebrated against the Monothelites; but after three years, upon John's death, Germanus was translated from Cyzicus and became patriarch of Constantinople, and in the thirteenth year of the reign of Leo, he was expelled, and Anastasius was made patriarch, and he performed the office for 24 years, and after him Constantine for 12, and Paul for 5, and Tarasius for 21.

In the year of the world 6178, of the divine incarnation 678, but in the first year of the reign of Justinian, Abimelech becomes prince of the Arabs, who presided over them for 22 years. Theodore of Constantinople for three years and Alexander of Antioch are held to be the chief priests. In this year, however, Abimelech sends to Justinian to confirm the peace, and a peace of this kind is agreed upon between them, namely that the emperor would remove the band of Mardaites from Lebanon and prohibit their incursions, and Abimelech would pay the Romans one thousand gold coins per day, and a horse, and a slave, and that they would hold in common, by equality, the tributes of Cyprus and Armenia and Iberia. ^D The emperor directed Paul the magistrianus to Abimelech to confirm the things that had been agreed upon, and security was made in writing under the stipulation of witnesses. He, having been liberally honored, returned. And the emperor, sending, took 12,000 of the Mardaites, cut off by Roman strength; for all the cities that are now inhabited by the Arabs situated in the borders from Mopsuestia and as far as the fourth Armenia were weak and uninhabitable on account of the onslaught of the Mardaites, by whose repression the Romans suffered all sorts of dire things until the present day. In the same year, Abimelech sends Ziad, brother of Mauhia, into Persia against Muctart, the liar and tyrant, and Ziad was killed by Muctart. Having heard this, Abimelech came into Mesopotamia, and suffers the tyranny from Said, whom, having overcome by word, he made Damascus open to him, and after these things, he treacherously kills him.

Justinian, however, when he was a youth, of about 16 years, and disposing of each of his affairs inconsistently, sent Leontius as pretor into Armenia with Roman power, and with the Saracens existing there being slaughtered, he subjected this to the Romans, similarly also Iberia and Albania, and Bucanda, and Media, and many other regions were made subject to tribute.

^A Abimelech, having learned these things, approached Circesium and subjected Theopolis.

In the second year of the reign of Justinian, Paul is recorded as bishop, who presided over the throne of Constantinople for seven years; a famine occurred in Syria, on account of which many entered Romania. The emperor, coming into Armenia, received there the Mardaites who had been in Lebanon, after the bronze wall was destroyed. He also destroyed the peace established with the Bulgars, disturbing the forms which had been rightfully ordained by his father, and commanded the cavalry forces to cross into Thrace, wishing to plunder both the Bulgars and the Sclavinias.

In the third year of his reign, Justinian moved his army against Sclavinia and Bulgaria, and at first drove back the Bulgars who encountered him. Rising up as far as Thessalonica, he captured huge multitudes of the Sclavini, partly by war, and partly, when they flocked to him in the regions of Opsikion, he established them there after he had crossed through Abydos. But when he was returning, he was obstructed on his journey by the Bulgars in a narrow pass, with the slaughter of his own people and much wounding, and he was barely able to retreat. In the same year, Adelatzuber also sent his brother Musabus against Muctar, and after battle was joined with him, Muctar was turned to flight and fled into Syria; pre-occupying whom, he killed him. Furthermore, Abimelech fought against Musabus, and having defeated him, he killed him and subjected all of Persia.

In the year of the world 6181, of the divine incarnation 681, but in the fourth year of the reign of Justinian, Abimelech ^B sent against the chagan in Mecca, and he killed that chagan there, and having subjected the region, he burned the house of his idol, along with the idol of their worship, in opposition to the chagan. For this reason, that chagan advanced the praetor of Persia, and the region of Abimelech was subjected, as well as Persia and Mesopotamia and Greater Armenia to Ethrib, and through this their internal wars became quiet.

In the fifth year of the reign of Justinian, the principate of the Arabs had an end and was liberated from every war, and Abimelech rejoiced in peace, having subjected all things to himself.

^D In the sixth year of his reign, Justinian dissolved the peace which he had with Abimelech, out of madness. For he wished to migrate the people of the island of the Cypriots irrationally, and he did not admit the character which had been sent by Abimelech, since it had been seen recently and had never been done before. The multitude of Cypriots, therefore, while they struggled to cross over, was drowned and perished from languor; the remaining ones returned to Cyprus. And hearing these things, Abimelech, acting satanically, asked that the peace not be dissolved, but that he receive his money, since the Arabs would not accept the impression of the Romans on their coins. But having given the weight of gold, he said: "No harm will be done to the Romans from the fact that the Arabs strike new coins." But thinking his request was granted out of fear, he ^A perceived that their design was to check only the first incursions, and thus under the pretext of a suppositious reason, to dissolve the peace. Which also happened, and Abimelech sent to build the temple of Meccan, and he wanted to carry off the columns of the holy Gethsemane. And there requested him a certain Sergius, a most Christian man, who was the general logothete of Mansur and very familiar to the same Abimelech, and also the patrician his companion, who was presiding over the Christians who were in Palestine, who was surnamed Clausus, requesting that this not be done, but that through his petitions he should persuade Justinian to send him others in their stead; which was also done.

In the seventh year of his reign, Justinian chose from the Sclaves, who had migrated at his command, thirty thousand soldiers, and having armed them, he named them the "acceptable people," and appointed over them a prince named Nebulus. Trusting in them, he wrote to the Arabs that he would not remain in the peace by which he had formerly agreed in writing. And having taken the acceptable people and all the cavalry forces, he went to maritime Sebastopolis. The Arabs, however, dissembling, and not at all proposing to break the peace, but enduring the violence of the emperor's excess and insolence, arm themselves and they too come to Sebastopolis, protesting that the emperor should not break what had been agreed upon by a harmonious pact with oaths; otherwise God would be the avenger and judge of their sins. ^C But when the emperor could not endure even to hear such words, they, breaking the document of peace and the word, and hoisting it on a high spear as a standard for the sake of advancing, rushed with an attack against the Romans, having Muamed as their leader, and they joined battle in such a way. And at first, the Arabs were overcome. Meanwhile, Muamed, suggesting to the Sclave leader aiding the Romans, sends him a purse full of coins, and deceiving him with many promises, persuades him to flee to him with twenty thousand Sclaves, and thus he gained flight for the Quirites. Then the emperor killed the remainder of these, along with their children and wives, beyond the place of a precipice called Leucatium, which was situated by the sea near the Nicomedian gulf.

In the eighth year of the reign of Justinian, Sabbas, patrician of Armenia, having discovered the defeat of the Romans, handed over Armenia to the Arabs, and there was subjected to them the interior of Persia, which is called Cherasa. And there arose there an insidiator named Sabinus, who killed many of the Arabs, but also the chagan himself he killed in almost every way in the river. From then on, therefore, the Agarenes, having become more bold, depopulated Romania.

In the year of the world 6186, of the divine incarnation 686, but of the reign of Justinian, the 9th year, Callinicus is held to be the Constantinopolitan bishop, who presided over the Church for 12 years. Also in this year, an eclipse of the sun occurred at the third hour of the day, so that certain bright stars appeared. And he moved the army of Moamed against the Ro-

^Aman territory, and brought back many captives. Furthermore, Justinian, having concern for the business of the palace, built a dining hall—which is called Justinian’s—and appointed Stephen the Persian, his treasurer and chamberlain, who was lord and arbiter; he was a person who lay in wait for blood and was excessively cruel, who beat mercilessly all those outside, and did not cease from stoning both them and their superiors. And when the emperor had set out one day, that wild beast even presumed to whip Anastasia Augusta, his mother, like a child. In these things, and by showing many evils to the entire civic populace, he made the emperor hated by all. Likewise, in the matters of the general logothesion, he appointed a certain monk, Theodore by name, who had previously been shut away in the narrow parts of Thrace, but who was himself most savage and excessively cruel; he caused many of the principates and illustrious men of the republic—not only from the magistrates, but from the inhabitants of the city—to pay exactions and duties issued by proscription, for nothing, in vain and inexcusably, and hanging them by ropes, he afflicted them with the smoke of straw. Furthermore, the prefect, by imperial order, committed many men to prisons and commanded that they be guarded for some years. All these things caused the hatred of the people toward the emperor to grow. Moreover, the emperor demanded from Patriarch Callinicus an oration to be made, in order to destroy the church of the holy Theotokos, which was called the Metropolita, situated near the palace, wishing to place in that spot a fountain and construct bases for the common folk of the Venetians, so that they might receive the emperor there. But the patriarch said: "We have an oration for the establishment of a church, but we have not undertaken one for the destruction of a church." When the emperor compelled him, and demanded the oration in every way, the patriarch said: "Glory to God who constantly sustains and suffers, now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen." Having heard this, they destroyed the church and made the fountain. Moreover, they built the aforementioned church of the Metropolita at the Petrin.

In the tenth year of the reign of Justinian, Muamed directed his battle array against the Fourth Armenia, and returned with many captives. In that same year, Justinian was expelled from the empire in this way. He ordered the patrician and praetor Stephen, surnamed Rufus, to kill by night the populace of Constantinople, starting with the patriarch. But Leontius the patrician, formerly master of soldiers of the Orient, who had often performed well in wars and spent three years in custody under accusation, was immediately recalled and promoted to praetor of Hellas; he was ordered to be put onto three dromonds and to move from the city on the same day. But by night, near the Julian harbor, ^B towards those places called the site of the Mauri, he said farewell to his friends who were coming to him, on the point of setting out from the city. Among whom, there came to him his own blood brothers: Paul, the monk of Callistratus, who was also an astronomer, and George the Cappadocian, who had been a *clusiarches* and afterward became a monk and hegumen of Florus, who, visiting him frequently in custody, affirmed that he would be the future emperor of the Romans. But Leontius said to them: "You have made me certain in my custody about the empire, and now my life is ending in evils; for afterward I will be awaiting death at every hour." They said: "Do not be lazy yourself; this will be fulfilled immediately. Only listen to us, and follow us." And Leontius, having taken his men and whatever arms he had, went up into the praetorium in deep silence; and, knocking at the gate, they pretended that the emperor had come to dispose of certain people who were known to be there. And when this had been announced to the prefect, who was there at that time, and he came quickly and opened the gates, he was captured by Leontius, and having been struck with blows, he was bound hand and foot. But Leontius, having entered, and the prisons being unsealed, freed many valiant men who had been shut away and who had been in chains for six or eight years—most of whom were soldiers—and he armed them and went out into the forum with them, shouting: "Whosoever is a Christian, to Saint Sophia!" And sending throughout the whole region, he commanded them to shout with his voice. The multitude of the city, having been stirred up, quickly gathered at the church. He himself, with two monk friends and certain of the more illustrious men who had been released from custody, went up to the patriarchate to the patriarch. Finding him also troubled on account of those things which the patrician Stephen Rufus had ordered, he persuaded him also to come down to the church and to shout thus: "This is the day which the Lord has made." The whole multitude raised their voice: "May the bones of Justinian be dug up!" And thus the whole people ran into the hippodrome. And when day had come, they brought Justinian out into the hippodrome, and having cut off his nose and tongue, they made him an exile at Cherson. Moreover, the crowd seized the monk Theodotus, the general logothete, and the treasurer Stephen the Persian, and dragged them bound with ropes backwards through the middle of the street; and having brought them to the Ox, they burned them, and thus praised Leontius as emperor.

In the first year of his reign, when Leontius had begun to rule, he remained peaceful on all sides, and governed the empire for three years.

In the second year of the reign of Leontius, Senalidus moved his army into Romania, and returned with many captives; and with a sedition having been stirred up by Sergius, the patrician of Lazica, he submitted it to the Arabs.

In the third year of the reign of Leontius, the Arabs moved their battle array into Africa and obtained it, and established among them those who had been assessed from their own army. Which [text ends]

^A Leontius sent the patrician John, a man suitable for the task, with the entire Roman fleet. When he arrived at Carthage and had broken the chain of its harbor in the war and put the enemies to flight, he pursued them manfully and liberated all the camps of Africa; and having left his own observers, he reported these things to the emperor, and wintered in that place, awaiting an order from him. But when the protosymbolus learned these things, he sent against them a large and more powerful fleet, and drove the aforementioned John with his own fleet from the harbor in battle, and pitched his camp outside in a hostile manner. The aforementioned John, wishing to receive greater power from the emperor, returned to Romania and came as far as Crete, intending to approach the prince. The army, however, not wishing to go up to the emperor through its own superiors (as fear and confusion had taken hold of them), betook itself to a most wicked counsel. And they cursed this man, choosing as emperor Apsimar, the drungary of the Cibyrraeots, who had been held in "Curiosities," naming him Tiberius. Therefore, with Leontius established at Constantinople and cleaning the Neoresion harbor, the bubonic plague fell upon the city and in four months consumed a multitude of the people. But Apsimar came with the fleet that was with him and anchored opposite the city at Sycae. When Leontius for a certain amount of time would not betray the city, a betrayal was made through the solitary wall of the Blachernae by the foreign princes, to whom the keys of the land wall had been entrusted with a horrible oath; for these men betrayed the city through treachery. Furthermore, the soldiers of the fleets entered the homes of the citizens and stripped the inhabitants of them. But Apsimar ordered Leontius, having cut off his nose, to be kept under guard in the monastery of Dalmatus, while he banished his princes and friends, as though dying with him, having been slain or condemned by proscription to exile. And he sent his own brother Heraclius, as a man vehemently suitable, promoted as sole praetor of all the exterior cavalry armies, to Scour the regions of Cappadocia and the passes and to make care and disposition against the enemies.

In the year of the world 6191, the year of the divine incarnation 691, and in the first year of the reign of Apsimar, who reigned for about seven years, Abderachman was stirred up in Persia, and he became dominant over it, and he was pursued by the chagan himself.

In the second year of the reign of Apsimar, the Romans journeying through Syria and coming as far as Samosata, and plundering the region round about, killed many, namely two hundred thousand Arabs, as they say, and having taken many spoils and much captivity of the Arabs, they returned, great fear having been caused among them.

In the third year of the reign of Apsimar, he moved the army ^D of Abdelas into Romania, and assaulting Tarentum, he returned having accomplished nothing, and built Mopsuestia and placed guards in it.

In the fourth year of the reign of Apsimar, Baanes, surnamed Eptademon, subdued the fourth Armenia to the Arabs. But Apsimar sent Philippicus, the son of the patrician Nicephorus, as an exile into Cephalenia, as he was deemed to be dreaming of ruling; for he asserted that he had seen in his sleep that his head was shadowed by an eagle. Having heard these things, the emperor immediately relegated him into exile.

In the fifth year of the reign of Apsimar, the princes of Armenia stirred up a sedition against the Saracens, and they destroyed those who were in Armenia, and they sent again to Apsimar and brought the Romans into their region. But Muamed, having directed the battle line against them, killed many and submitted Armenia to the Saracens, and burned the nobles of the Armenians living together in one place. In that same time, however, Azar moved the army into Cilicia with ten thousand men; when Heraclius, the brother of the emperor, had met him, he killed many of them, but sent the remainder in chains to the emperor.

In the sixth year of the reign of Apsimar, Azid of Cunei moved his battle line against Cilicia, and assaulting the fortress of Sis... Heraclius, the brother of the emperor, prevailed, and having attacked him in war, he killed twelve thousand Arabs. Meanwhile, when Justinian was dwelling near Cherson and was announcing that he would rule again, the inhabitants of those same places, fearing that danger would come from his empire, consulted to kill him or at least to transmit him to the emperor. But when he had sensed this, he was able to escape, and going to Daras, he requested to be presented before the chagan of the Chazars; and when he had learned the circumstance of the matter, he received him with great honor and gave to him his own sister, Theodora, in marriage. But after a little time, having offered a prayer to the chagan, he descended into Phanagoria, and there he dwelt with Theodora. Having heard these things, Apsimar sends to the chagan, promising to provide him many gifts if he would transmit Justinian to him alive at least, or if not, his head. Yielding therefore to a petition of this kind, the chagan sent a guard to him, so that he might not suffer treachery from his fellow tribesmen, commanding Papatzin, who was there as a deputy in the place of his own person, and Balgitzin, the prince of Bosphorus, that when it was announced, they should kill the same Justinian. But these things having been announced to Theodora by the servant of the chagan and having been revealed to Justinian, he had the aforementioned Papatzin and Balgitzin, the prince, summoned for secret conversation, and saw to it that they were strangled with a cord, and immediately he sent Theodora into Charzaria, and he himself fleeing secretly from Phanagoria went down to Tomen, and having found a ship prepared, he boarded it, and sailing along the shore

he reached Symbolum near Cherson. ^A Thither he sent secretly and brought Basbacurius and his brother, as well as Saliban, Stephen, and Moropaulus, together with Theophilus. When he had sailed with them, he passed the lighthouse of Cherson, and thus crossing over Necropyla, or the mouths of the Dnieper and the Dniester, they all despaired of their safety because a storm had arisen. But Myaces, a man familiar to him, said to him: "Behold, we are dying, master. Vow to God for your safety, that if God restores your empire to you, you will not take vengeance on any of your enemies." But he, responding in a fury, said: "If I spare any one of them, may God drown me in this place." And without danger he emerged from that storm and entered the river Danube. When, however, he had sent Stephen to Terbellin, the lord of Bulgaria, to provide him with aid for regaining his paternal empire, he promised him that he would give him many gifts, that he would take his daughter as his wife, and that he would obey and support him in all things, taking an oath to do so. Terbellin, having received this with great honor, stirred up the entire people subject to him, the Bulgarians, and the following year they came to the imperial city.

In the seventh year of Absimarus’ reign, the prince of the Arabs, Abimelech, died, and his son Vhalid held the principality. In that same year, when Justinian had come to the royal city together with Terbellin and the subject Bulgarians, he pitched his camp at the gate of Charisius and up to the Blachernae. ^B And for three days he addressed those who were in the city, but they heaped insults on them and would not admit so much as a word from them. But Justinian, with a few companions—with the exception of the war—entered through the aqueduct and, causing a disturbance by digging, obtained the city, and shortly after pitched his tents in the palace of the Blachernae.

Justinian thus reigns over the Romans again for six years; indeed, Vhalid becomes prince of the Arabs for nine years. Cyrus is held to be the Bishop of Constantinople, who presided over the Church for six years; concerning whom it will be spoken of below.

Therefore, in the first year of his reign, the same year in which he received his empire, Justinian sent Terbellin away in peace, bestowing upon him many gifts and at the same time royal vessels. Meanwhile, Absimarus, having abandoned the city, fled toward Apollonias; nevertheless, having suffered pursuit, he was apprehended and brought to Justinian. Furthermore, Heraclius was brought in chains from Thrace with all those who assisted him; all of whom he killed by hanging on the wall. ^C When, moreover, he had targeted those in the Mediterranean regions, he similarly killed many of them who were found, both officials and private citizens. Furthermore, he caused Absimarus and Leontius, bound in chains, to be dishonored throughout the city in processions. And while the equestrian games were being held and he himself was sitting on the throne, they were dragged publicly and thrown face down at his feet, ^D and he trampled their necks until their final release, with the whole populace shouting: "You have ascended over the asp and the basilisk, and you have trampled the lion and the dragon." And thus, he punished those consigned to his care with the severity of capital punishment. However, he banished the Patriarch Callinicus to exile in Rome after his eyes were put out, and in his place promoted Cyrus, who had been confined on the island of Amastris, as he was the one who had predicted his earlier restoration to the empire. He also destroyed an innumerable multitude, both from the civil and the military registers. He also caused many to be thrown into sacks and killed with a bitter death. Others, indeed, he would lose part by hanging, part by slaughter, just as he was about to sit down for lunch or dinner, and he would soon rise from the table. And from this, a great fear had seized everyone. Meanwhile, he sent a fleet to bring his wife from Chazaria, and many ships were sunk along with their men. Upon hearing this, the chagan sent a message to him saying: "O senseless man, was it not fitting that you receive your wife in two or three ships, and not kill such a multitude? Do you think that you might take this one, too, by force of Mars? Behold, she has even borne you a son. Send, therefore, and take them." But he, having sent the chamberlain Theophylact, brought Theodora and his son Tiberius, and he crowned them, and they reigned together with him.

In the second year of Justinian’s reign, John of Jerusalem, who presided over the Church for thirty years, is held as bishop; in the same year, Vhalid usurped the Catholic church of Damascus, embittered by a pestilential envy held against the Christians, stimulated by the eminence of the beauty of such a temple, and he forbade that public registers of the logothesion be written in Greek, but that they be annotated without calculation in Arabic, since it is impossible in their language for a unit, or a duality, or a trinity, or eight and a half, or three to be written, for which reason even today there are Christian notaries with them.

In the 6200th year of the world, and in the 700th year of the divine incarnation, in the third year of his reign, Justinian overturned the peace between the Romans and the Bulgarians, and having built fleets, he hastened against the Bulgarians and Terbellin, causing his equestrian forces to cross into Thrace. When, however, he had arrived at the riverbank, he caused his ship to be moored before the fort, but he ordered the horsemen to pitch camp in the upper fields without guards and without any suspicion. The Bulgarians’ scouts, however, saw the vain disposition of the Romans, as they were scattered about the fields like sheep to gather hay, and having gathered like wild beasts, they suddenly rushed in and vehemently consumed the Roman flock, taking much plunder, both horses and arms, except for those who were killed. Furthermore, when Justinian had fled to the fort with those who had escaped, he closed the gates for three days and kept them barred, and seeing the perseverance of the Bulgarians, he himself cut the sinews of his first horses, destroying all of them.

^A Having bound the arms of these men to the ropes of the ship, and having filled it with stones, they cast it into the deep. But Justinian, having learned of these things, raging for the health of the boys, ordered them to come to him as quickly as possible. And when the fleet had set sail in the month of October and had been overtaken at sea by the rising of the star which is called the Arturus, it was almost entirely submerged. Truly, there were seventy-three thousand counted of those who perished in the shipwreck. But Justinian, finding these things out, was not saddened, but was rather filled with joy. And still addicted to this kind of madness, with a great clamor he threatened and sent another fleet, and ordered them to plow and to strike down to the pavement every living thing, even those who pee against the wall. Those who were in those camps heard these things, and they fortified themselves, and being forced to take counsel against the emperor, they sent to the chagan in Khazaria, seeking a people for their protection. But in the midst of these things, ^B both Helias the spatharios and Bardanes the exile arise; he who at that time had been recalled from Cephallenia and was with the fleet at Cherson. But the emperor, having learned of these things, sent with few dromons George the patrician, surnamed Syrus, and the general logothete, and John the prefect, and Christopher the turmarch of the Thracians with three hundred armed men, handing over to them Tudunus and Zohelus, who were to be restored to Cherson, according to their former status, to render an accounting to the chagan through an envoy, and to bring Helias and Bardanius to him. As they were crossing to Cherson, the Chersonites disdained to give an accounting to these men. On the following day, having exhorted only these citizens to enter, they closed the gates, and they killed the general logothete together with the prefect by the sword, and they handed over Tudunus, together with Zohelus and the aforementioned turmarch, along with three hundred soldiers, to the Khazars and took care to send them to the chagan. Tudunus, however, having died on the journey, the Khazars, in receiving them, killed the turmarch together with 300 soldiers. Then those who were at Cherson and the other camps cursed Justinian, but they praised Bardanius Philippicus, who had been relegated there by exile, even as emperor. Having learned of these things, Justinian, ^D becoming more insane, killed the sons of Helias the spatharios even from their mother’s womb, and compelled her to be joined to her own cook, who was an Indian by race. And thus, with another ship built, he sent the patrician Maurus Bessus, having entrusted to him siege engines and a ram and every instrument for the extermination of the city, ordering him to raze the walls of Cherson and the entire city to the ground, and to keep no soul alive from it, and to inform him more frequently through communications what was being done by him. When this man was crossing, and was throwing down by means of the ram the tower which was called the Centinarisia, and at the same time the one next to it called the Syagrius, and the Khazars arrived, a truce was made. Bardanius, however, was fleeing and proceeding to the chagan. But when

the chagan demanded a promise from them so that he might not be betrayed by them or delivered to him for a single coin from each man, they immediately gave these, and received the emperor Philippicus. But since the fleet was delayed and no suggestion came, Justinian perceived the cause; and taking with him those who were of the Obsequium and a portion of the Thracesians, he sailed as far as Sinope to learn what had happened at Cherson. And as he gazed toward the inner regions, he saw the fleet moving its sails toward the city, and gnashing his teeth like a lion, ^B and intending himself to return to the city, he made a show of force. But as Philippicus was approaching, he arrived at Damastris and pitched his camp. But in truth Philippicus immediately sent against Tiberius, the patrician Maurus, with the spatharios named Strutho, and similarly Elias with a military raid against Justinian at Damastris, and again another against Barisbacurius, who had fled. And Maurus, indeed, along with the aforementioned Strutho, when he had gone to the Blachernae, found Tiberius holding in one hand a small column of the holy altar of the Mother of God, and in the other precious woods, and on his neck amulets, while Anastasia, his father’s mother, was sitting outside the tribunal, who, rolling at the feet of Maurus, begged that her grandson Tiberius not be killed, since he had done nothing wrong. And while she held his feet and prayed with tears, Strutho entered within the tribunal and by force snatched him away. And he placed the precious woods that he had taken from him upon the altar, and the amulets he hung around his own neck. But the boy was led outside, and stripped, and stretched out upon the threshold, and they cut his throat like a sheep, and ordered him to be buried in the church of St. Anargyroi, which is called the Pauline. And Barisbacurius, the first patrician and count of the Obsequium, was also captured and killed. Furthermore, as Elias, along with him who was with him, was ascending into Damastris, and coming to parley with the army that was there, and offering a promise of impunity to the people who were with Justinian, all were separated and departed from Justinian, abandoning him alone and flocking to the party of Philippicus. Then the aforementioned spatharios, Elias, running in a fury, grabbed him by the neck, and with the dagger he was girded with, cut off his head, and sent it through the Roman spatharios to Philippicus. And Philippicus sent this through the same spatharios as far as the western parts, even to Rome.

Moreover, before he became emperor, there was a certain recluse in the monastery of Callistratus, a foreteller and a heretic, who said to Philippicus when he came to him: "The empire is restored to you." ^A And he was troubled, and the recluse said: "If God commands it, why do you contradict? But I tell you this: because the Sixth Synod was badly done. If, therefore, you reign, cast it out, and the empire will be made firm and long-lived for you." He, with an oath, promised him that he would do this. But when Leontius had succeeded Justinian, Philippicus went up to the recluse, who said to him: "Do not hasten: it will come to you." And when Absimarus had also reigned, he again went up to him, to whom he again said: "Do not rush: for it is waiting for you." And when Philippicus had confided this faithfully to certain of his friends, it was announced by them to Absimarus, who had him beaten and shaven, bound in iron chains, and sent into exile to Cephallenia. But when Justinian had resumed the empire, he recalled him, and when he reigned, he formed a pseudo-synod of bishops according to the speech of the pseudo-monk and recluse, and he cast out the holy and ecumenical Sixth Synod. In the same year, the vain man incurred blindness of the eyes; and he, who while placed in great security was living in the palace, and had found there a multitude of money and most splendid possessions, collected from many past periods by those who had previously reigned, from proscriptions and various occasions, and especially by the aforementioned Justinian, scattered these vainly and uselessly and without grief. And although he was thought reasonable and prudent in his disputations, in his actions, however, spending his life shamefully and unworthily, he was shown to be detestable everywhere: he was, moreover, a heretic and an adulterer. Furthermore, the patriarch Cyrus was expelled, and he promoted John, his communicator and a heretic, to the patriarchate.

^D In the year of the world 6204, of the divine incarnation 704, Philippicus reigns over the Romans, who reigned for two years. Hualid, who held the duchy for nine years, is over the Arabs. John of Constantinople and John of Jerusalem are also held as prelates, of whom one presided over the Church for three years, and the other for thirty.

Therefore, in the first year of his reign, Philippicus, driving the Armenians from their land, forced them to live in Armenia IV and Melitene. Moreover, he did not prevail in being moved more savagely against the holy and ecumenical Sixth Synod, desiring to subvert the divine dogmas which were confirmed by it. But he found one of his own mind, John, whom he made bishop of Constantinople, having deposed Cyrus, the prelate of this city, whom he relegated to exile in the monastery of Choras, and Nicolaus, turned from deacon to "caukos"—who was a sophist with knowledge of medicine and was then a quaestor—and Agelpidius, a deacon of the Great Church, and Antiochus, the chartophylax, and others of the same morals, who also wrote to anathematize the holy Sixth Synod. Meanwhile, the Bulgars, secretly entering through Philea into a narrow pass, and having made a great slaughter, ran as far as the city, dragging away many, and with opulent weddings and sumptuous banquets with

various silver and other equipment found, they ran up to the ^A Golden Gate, and having emptied all of Thrace of booty, they returned unharmed with countless livestock to their own lands. Similarly, the Arabs also captured Misthia and other camps, having taken much spoil of many families and countless livestock.

In the second year of the reign of Philippicus, Habas moved an army against Romania and captured Antioch in Pisidia with much spoil, and he returned. A great earthquake also occurred in Syria. After two years of Philippicus's reign had passed in these events, and the birthday games were finished, since the Greens had won, it seemed good to the emperor on the Saturday of Pentecost that a horseman should enter with a procession and musical instruments, and be bathed in the public bath of Zeuxippus, and dine with citizens of ancient lineage. But when he was resting at midday, suddenly through the Golden Gate entered Rufus, first of the master of offices of the Obsequion, surnamed Burafus, and the patrician Theodore Myaces, with the troops he had in his Thracian theme; and hastening into the palace, he found Philippicus resting at midday; and having seized him, he led him up into the oratory of the Greens, and there he gouged out his eyes, with no one knowing. On the following day, that is, Pentecost, the people having been gathered in the Great Church, Artemius, the first secretary, was crowned, having changed his name to Anastasius. On the Saturday after Pentecost, Theodore Myaces was deprived of his sight, and on the second Saturday, George Buramphus suffered the same, and they were sent into exile ^B at Thessalonica.

In the year of the world 6206, of the divine incarnation 706, and in the first year of the reign of Artemius, Masalmas moved incursions against Romania, and having plundered Galatia, returned with much booty and spoils. But Artemius, having appointed men suitable for the equestrian military service and rational men in civil affairs, was already enjoying rest. And when the Arabs were arming themselves against Romania by land and sea, the emperor sent princes into Syria to Vhalid, as if to speak about matters pertaining to peace—namely, Daniel among others, the Sinopite, patrician and prefect of the city—commanding him to diligently investigate their movement and strength against Romania. ^C When he had gone and returned, he reported to the emperor their great preparation against the royal city by land and sea. Then he commanded that everyone should diligently prepare supplies for a period of three years, and whoever did not possess this, he said, should depart from the city. He appointed overseers for those constructing ships, and began to build dromons and fire-bearing biremes and very large triremes; and he renovated the maritime walls, and likewise the land walls, setting up arched-ballistae and mangonels in the towers and other ingenious machines; and as much as was possible for him, he fortified the city, and placed very many crops in the royal granaries, and kept them fortified for himself.

In the second year of the reign of Artemius, who is also called Anastasius, Vhalid, the leader of the Arabs, died, and Suliman succeeded to the principate, who ruled for three years. Germanus is also held to be the bishop of Constantinople, who presided over the same throne for fifteen years. In the same year, he was transferred from the city of Cyzicus, the metropolis, to Constantinople, regarding which also a memorandum of the translation, which is subjoined, was pronounced, containing as follows: By the election and ^D approval of the most religious presbyters and deacons and the whole venerable clergy and the sacred senate and the Christ-loving people of this God-protected royal city, by divine grace, which always cures the weak and fulfills that which is lacking, [the council/sovereign] transferred Germanus, the most holy prelate of the metropolis of Cyzicenes, to the bishopric of this God-protected and imperial city. This present translation was performed in the presence of Michael, the most holy presbyter and apocrisiarius of the Apostolic See, and the rest of the priests and prelates under the emperor Artemius.

Furthermore, when Artemius had learned that the Saracen fleet had hastened from Alexandria into Phoenice to cut cypress timber, having chosen swift boats from his own fleet, he sent troops from the theme of the Obsequion, and ordered them all to be gathered at Rhodes, and appointed over them as praetor and head, John, an official of the Great Church, who was called Papa Joannacis, and who was then general logothete. He, therefore, when he had arrived at Rhodes and the ships had gathered, addressed the princes concerning the movement and their journey into Phoenice to cut the timber and for the preparations that would be found of the Hagarenes. And when all had readily obeyed, those who were of the Obsequion by no means admitted this, and indeed detested the emperor, and slew the deacon John with swords. From here, therefore, the fleet divided and went to their own places. But they, being wicked operators, sailed against the royal city.

But when they had arrived at Adramyttium and were without a leader, they found there a man, a native named Theodosius, who was a collector of public taxes, a slothful and simple man, and they urged him to rule. But he, using flight, was hiding on a mountain; whom when they found, they extolled him with praises as emperor, compelling him by force to rule. When these things were known to Artemius, he appointed his own domestic men as commanders of the city together with the fleet which he himself had constructed; and having armed them, he himself entered Nicaea, went into the city, and fortified himself there. But the rebels, ascending, and having stirred up the whole theme of the Obsequion and the Gothograeci, and having seized many small and large merchant vessels, ran to Chrysopolis by land and by sea.

When the city's fleet had taken up a station in the port of St. Mamas, for six months they fought each other day after day. But when the city's fleet had departed to the port of Neorios of the city and had stationed itself, Theodosius, crossing over, obtained the Thracian parts. And having committed treason through a gate of the singular wall of the Blachernae, he captured the city. But the iniquitous [men] of the Obsequion...

^A populace, together with the Goths, running about through the houses of the citizens, committed the greatest havoc, sparing no one. The princes, however, who were in the city, led Artemius, together with the most holy Germanus, the Patriarch of Constantinople, [who had been] arrested, to the house of Artemius and of those who were with him. Artemius, seeing these things and being overcome by his own despair, surrendered himself, and having asked for the habit of the monastic life, he was clothed in it without punishment. Theodosius, preserving him unharmed, relegated him to exile in Thessalonica. Moreover, Philippicus reigned for two years and nine months, but Artemius for one year and three months. Furthermore, Leo, while he was Praetor of the Orientals, because he was aiding Artemius, was not subject to Theodosius. He had, however, Artabastus the Armenian, the Praetor of the Armeniacs, conspiring with him and acting in concert, to whom he also promised that he would give his daughter in marriage; which he also did.

In the year of the world 6208, in the year of the divine incarnation 708, Germanus is considered [Patriarch] of Constantinople, who presided over the Church for nine years. Theodosius, however, reigned for one year; in whose time Masalmas directed his battle line against Constantinople, and sent forward Suheliman with an army by land, and Humara by sea. He himself, moreover, came after them with much hostile equipment. But Suheliman and Bachar ^B arriving at Amorium, write to Leo, the Praetor of the Orientals, in this way: "We know that the empire of the Romans befits you. Come, therefore, to us, and let us discuss matters pertaining to peace." But Leo, seeing that Suheliman did not have the army of Amorium and that hostile feeling lay against the magistrate on account of the aid he was extending to Artemius, besieged it, wishing to await Masalmas there. But as soon as he approached the city, the Saracens began to praise the Praetor Leo as emperor, asking those also who were within to do the same. Those who were in Amorium, seeing that the Saracens were praising him in love, praised him themselves as well. But the Praetor, knowing that because the tax-gatherers and the princes were not present, Amorium would perish, signifies to Suheliman: "If you wish," he says, "for me to come to you and for us to discuss matters of peace, why are you besieging the city?" But he [replied]: "Come," he said, "and I shall withdraw." And the Praetor, having received the word from him, came to him with three hundred horsemen. But the Hagarenes, seeing him, came to meet him dressed in their coats of mail, he himself remaining at a half-mile distance ^C from their camp. For three whole days, as he was proceeding to him, they spoke about matters pertaining to peace, and [asked] that they should withdraw from the city: but they maintained: "Pledge peace, and we withdraw." But the Praetor, having discovered that they wished to detain him, called many of the illustrious Saracens to dinner, and while they were eating, Suheliman sent three thousand men in coats of mail to surround him so that he might not flee, and to keep him. When this was known, the guard signaled to him that the multitudes of the Saracen cavalry were standing in our circle. But one of the horsemen from among them, by the name of Zuber, stood in his presence saying: "The servant has fled having stolen much money, and because of this we have mounted our horses." But the Praetor, having recognized their deception, said to them: "Do not be troubled: for wherever he may have gone, we will find him in our camp." He was sorrowful, however, [and] was able to make it known secretly through his man to those who were at Amorium, saying: "Fear God, that you may not betray yourselves. For behold, Masalmas is also approaching." And the bishop also went out to him, and says the same thing to him. But when Suheliman learned that the bishop had gone out to him, he sends to the Praetor: "Give to us," he says, "the bishop." He, having become sad, hid him, instructing a certain one of his men: "For us," he says, "as we converse, clothe him in other garments, and as though sent for wood ^D or water, let him go into the mountains." But the Saracens pressing for the bishop, the Praetor says: "He is not here. Nevertheless, go to the amera, and I will come myself, and we will talk about all things." They, however, thinking that when he entered to the amera, they would hold him in their midst, let him go. But he, when he had mounted his horse, set out with two hundred men as if hunting, and turned into the left side. The Saracens, therefore, who were with him, say to him: "Where are you going?" "In the meadows," he said, "I wish to remain." But they said: "Your plan is not good, and we will not come with you." Then the Praetor says to his own: "Having given us their word, they wished to capture us, and because of us, to destroy the Christians. Truly, from our men or beasts that have remained, they keep not one." And when he had gone with ten thousand, he remained. On the following day, however, he sends the servant of his strators, and signifies to them: "Because you gave your word to me and wished to retain me by deceit, for this reason I withdrew." But in truth Masalmas had crossed the passes, but Suheliman was ignorant of this. Moreover, the amerei and the people were in an uproar against Suheliman, asserting: "Why do we besiege the walls, and not make incursions?" And with their tents packed up, they departed. But the Praetor brought Nicaea, the turmarch, with eight hundred soldiers into Amorium, having sent out from it many women and infants, and he himself sets out into Pisidia. But when Masalmas had come into Cappadocia, the desperate Cappadocians went out to him, begging that he might receive them. But Masalmas, having heard of the hostility which Theodosius had toward the Praetor, wishing to deceive him and to bargain with him and through him to subject Romania to himself, says to them: "Are you not of the Praetor?" who said: "Yes." "Do you do whatever he does?" And they: "Yes." Then he says to them: "Go to your camps, and do not fear anyone," and he ordered his people not to plunder any of the Praetor's provinces. The Praetor, having discovered these things, and understanding that Suheliman was reporting to Masalmas that he had dismissed himself and departed, sent letters to Masalmas, saying: "I desired to come to you, but Suheliman, when I had gone to him, wished to detain me, and for this reason I fear to come to you." Masalmas therefore says to the man of the Praetor: "I know that that..."

praetor is mocking me, so that I might not completely destroy his provinces." The man of the praetor says to him: "It is not so, but in truth he writes to you." Then he asks: "How is Amorium toward him?" He says: "Well and in subjection to him." Being angry, however, he inflicted injuries upon him, saying: "Why do you lie?" But he: "It is as I have said." And he sends those taxed along with a turmarch to him, and he led out the more abundant families. Therefore, Masalmas having accepted a great tribulation over this, full of fury drove him away. For he had the plan of capturing it in the summer and waiting for the fleet, and thus descending into Asia and wintering. ^B Again, therefore, having asked the man of the praetor, he inquires of him. But he said to him under oath: "All things that I say to you are true. But also a thousand taxed for that purpose went in with the turmarch, and he led out all the substance of those dwelling there and the poor families." Having heard these things, he writes to the praetor: "Come to me," he says, "and I will make a pact with you, and I will do everything as you wish." The praetor therefore, having observed that he had approached Massaleo and that in five other days he would be passing through his provinces, having sent two consuls to him, signifies to him, saying: "I have received your letters and accepted your will, and behold I am coming to you. But, as you know, I am a praetor, and money and silver and the people are to follow me, and because of this permit me as regards each one of them a word. And if, indeed, as I require from you, the matter has been done, it is well and most well; but if otherwise, at least I shall depart unharmed and with the trouble excepted." Therefore, the consuls having arrived to him in Theodosiopolis, Masalmas says to them: "I knew that your praetor would mock me." But they: "Far from it," they say. Then, having done what they had sought requested in the word, he dismissed them. And so, until the consuls had returned to the praetor with the written word, Masalmas, having huge crowds and unable to stand anywhere, approaches Achrohenum. Furthermore, when the praetor had seen that he had sent across his provinces, he goes to Nicomedia, and having caught the son of Theodosius he seizes him with all the royal equipment and the leading men of the palace. But indeed Masalmas, descending into Asia, wintered there, and Humarus in Cilicia. But the praetor, ^C having assumed the son of the emperor, and having entered into counsel with those who were with him, comes to Chrysopolis. Moreover, Theodosius, having learned what things were done, through counsel taken from Patriarch Germanus and the senate, through the same patriarch received word of indemnity from Leo and that the Church was to be kept without disturbance, and thus they entrust the empire to him. Moreover, Theodosius, together with his son, having become clerics, spent the remaining time of their life in peace. Meanwhile Masalmas coming besieged this Pergamum, and by the indulgence of God through diabolic operation he received it. For by the direction of a certain magus, they seized a woman of that city, pregnant and about to give birth, and having taken the child they boiled him in a pot, and likewise, in a sacrifice detestable to God, all who wished to fight were dipping the sleeves of their right hands; and for this reason they were handed over to their enemies. ^D In the year of the world 6209, of the divine incarnation the year 709, Leo the emperor of the Romans is promoted, who reigned for 24 years. Suheliman, however, is known as the leader of the Arabs, who presided for three years. And so in this year Leo began to reign, derived from the Germanicenses, by race a Syrian, who, when he reigned previously, was transferred by Emperor Justinian to Mesembria in Thrace. Moreover, in the time of his later empire, when he was coming along with the Bulgarians, he was met with gifts of five hundred birds. Justinian, however, being appeased, immediately made him a spatharius, and held him as a brotherly friend. Furthermore, moved by envy, certain ones disparaged him as if desiring the empire. But when an inquiry was held concerning this, they were confounded as if they were calumniators. Truly, such speech began to be said by many from then on. Therefore, although Justinian had not wanted to harm him manifestly, weariness was indeed cast upon him against him, and he sends him into Alania with funds for stirring up the Alans against Abasgia, the Saracens holding both Abasgia and Lazica and Iberia. But as he was proceeding into Lazica, he put the funds in storage at Phasis, and having taken few of the natives he approached Apsilia, and when he had crossed the Caucasian mountains he came to Alania. Justinian, however, wishing to destroy him, sent and took the money from Phasis. But the Alans, receiving the spatharius with all honor, and hearing his words, entered and plundered Abasgia. But indeed the lord of the Abasgians intimates to the Alans saying: "As I find, Justinian had no other such mercenary whom he ought to have sent and stirred you up against us your neighbors, except this man: for he has deceived you and also concerning the promise of money: for sending, Justinian has taken these away. But give him to us, and we offer you three thousand coins, and our ancient charity shall not be broken." But the Alans said: "We did not obey him because of money, but because of the emperor's love." And again the Abasgians send to them saying: "Give him to us, and we will give you six thousand coins." Moreover, the Alans, wishing to examine the region of the Abasgians, promised that they would accept those six thousand coins and give the spatharius. But the Alans confessed all things to the spatharius, and say to him: "Just as you see, the road that leads into Romania is closed, and you have no way to cross. But rather let us act cleverly, and let us promise them that we will hand you over, and we will send our men with them, and we will learn their borders, and we will rush in, and we will exterminate their region." The envoys of the Alans, however, going away into Abasgia, and promis...

promising ^A to betray the spatharios, received many gifts from them. And again they sent many emissaries, simultaneously with a quantity of gold for the receiving of the spatharios. But the Alans said to the spatharios: "These men, even as we have said before, have come to receive you, and Abasgia is waiting for you. And since we are their neighbors, merchants going to them do not cease. Therefore, do not betray our counsel to them. We will deliver you openly, and when we have moved and departed, we will send secretly behind your back, and we will kill them, but you we will hide until our people are gathered and we can enter their land together." And this was done. Finally, when the spatharios had been seized by the emissaries of the Abasgians, they went away, binding him with his men. Then the Alans, returning ^B back with Hictaxis, their lord, killed the Abasgians, hiding the spatharios; and, having chosen soldiers, he moved into Abasgia, and unexpectedly entering their mountain passes, he wrought much booty and extermination upon the Abasgians. Having heard these things, Justinian, and having discovered that his instructions had been carried out even without money, sent letters to the Abasgians, saying: "If you keep our spatharios safe, and allow him to pass through you unharmed, we forgive you all your transgressions." But they, having received these things with joy, sent again into Alania, declaring: "We will give you our sons as hostages, and give us the spatharios, so that we may send him to Justinian." But the spatharios refused to admit this, asserting: "God is able to open for me a way of exit; for I will not go out through Abasgia." But after some time, ^C when the army of the Romans and the Armenians had entered Lazica and were besieging Artheopolis, upon hearing of the arrival of the Saracens, they retreated. Those who had separated from them, as many as two hundred, ascended into the parts of Apsilia and the Caucasian mountains, plundering. But when the Saracens arrived at Lazica, the Roman and Armenian people, having fled, returned to the Phasis. But those two hundred who remained stayed in the Caucasian mountains, acting as brigands and suffering the desperation of their situation. Having learned this, the Alans thought that the multitude of the Romans was in the Caucasian mountains, and rejoicing they said to the spatharios: "The Romans are approaching: proceed to them." Therefore, having taken fifty Alans, the spatharios crossed ^D with the cyclops in the month of May the Caucasian mountains, and he found them; whence, having rejoiced much, he inquired where the people were. They said: "As the Saracens were rushing in, they returned to Romania. We, however, not being able to go to Romania, came to Alania." And he said to them: "What shall we do now?" They said: "To pass through this region is impossible for us." But the spatharios said: "Is it not possible to go out through another way?" There was a fortress there named Sindirum, in which locus-keeper was a certain man named Pharasmanius, who was under the dominion of the Saracens and had peace with the Armenians. Therefore, the spatharios sent and signified to him, saying: "As long as you have peace with my kingdom, give us aid to descend to the sea and pass to the localities of the Trapezuntines." But as he was not proposing to fulfill this, the spatharios sent one of his men and the Armenians, instructing them to make an ambush. And when they had gone out, he said, from the fortress to labor, seize as many of them as you can, and hold the gates against those who are outside, until we also arrive. When they had departed and were making the ambush, when the people had gone out to labor, suddenly rushing in they both held the gate and captured many. But when Pharasmanius had remained in the fortress with a few, the spatharios also arrived, and after debating with Pharasmanius that he should open with peace, he refused, but stirred up war. But since the fortress was fortified, they could not take it at all. But Marinus, the first of the Absilians, when he had learned that the fortress was being besieged, was held by fear, thinking that there was a multitude of people with the spatharios, and having taken three hundred with him, he went to the spatharios saying: "I will lead you safely as far as the maritime regions." But Pharasmanius, seeing the necessity, said to the spatharios: "Take my son as a hostage, and I profess to serve the empire." Having received his son, he says to him: "What kind of servant do you represent yourself to be, since you are speaking to us while being enclosed? It is impossible for us to depart until we take the fortress." Then Pharasmanius said: "Give me your word." But the spatharios gave him his word to do him no harm, but [to enter] with the thirty who were entering with him, saying: "As soon as we have entered, hold the gates, and let everyone enter." And this being done, he returned to send fire into the fortress. But when a vast conflagration had been made, the families went out, carrying away whatever they could carry of their goods. And after other thirty days had passed, he destroyed the walls down to the ground, and moved and descended into Dapsilia with Marinus, the first among them, having been received by the Dapsilians with great honor. And going away thence, he returned to the maritime regions, and came to Justinian. Furthermore, after Justinian had been killed and Philippicus had been blinded of his eyes, Artemius, who had promoted him, reigned as praetor of the Orientals. But when Theodosius had reigned, and Artemius had been ousted, the republic being confused as much by the incursion of the Barbarians as by the homicides of Justinian and the wicked acts of Philippicus, this Leo dissembled and fought on behalf of Artemius, opposing Theodosius, or rather, to tell the truth, striving to transfer the empire to himself; which he also did. He had one who agreed and concurred with him, Artabasdus, the praetor of the Armeniacs, whom, after he had reigned, he caused to be joined to his daughter Anna, promoting him and appointing him curopalates. Meanwhile, Masalmas, when he had wintered in Asia, was waiting for the promises of Leo. And when he had received nothing from Leo, and had discovered that he had been deluded by him, going to Abydus, he again transported the abundant people.

into Thrace, and moved against the royal city, writing also to Suleiman the protosymbolus, that he might come along with the prepared fleets. Furthermore, on the 19th of the Kalends of September, Masalmas began to besiege the city, having also depopulated the fortresses of Thrace. Having circumvallated the earth wall, they dug in the circuit a trench, long and large, and placed upon it material of dry stone. On the Calends of September of the first indiction, Suleiman, the attacker of Christ, ascended with his fleet and his admirals, having ships of wondrous size, and skiffs carrying provisions, and eighteen hundred dromons, and fixed his station from the Magnaura as far as the Cyclobium. After two days, a south wind blowing, they departed thence by navigation and came to the city; and some of them crossed to the places which are called Eutropii and Anthemii, while others applied themselves to the parts of Thrace at the fortress of Galata and as far as Didium. But because those large ships were weighed down and retarded by their burden, the guards of the rear remained with up to twenty skiffs, having a hundred armored men to guard them. Furthermore, because of a serenity which caught them in the current, and with a moderate wind blowing, they were pushed outward. But the emperor immediately sent fire-bearing ships against them from the Acropolis, and by divine aid consumed them with fire: and some of them were cast against the walls of the shore, others were sunk into the deep along with their men, and others were consumed and carried as far as the sharp and wide island. Hence, therefore, those who were from the city received confidence. But the enemies were struck with great terror, recognizing the most efficient operation of the "liquid" fire. For they were wishing that same evening to apply their station to the walls of the shore and to place ladders upon the battlements. But almighty God dissipated their plan through the intercession of the most chaste Mother of God. That same night the emperor secretly ^D removed the chain from the places of Galata. The enemies, however, supposing that the emperor had removed it wishing to deceive them, did not dare to enter as far as those places which are called Galata, or to approach, but sailing to the gulf of Sosthenius, they fortified their fleet there. Indeed, on the eighth day before the Ides of October, Suleiman, their leader, died, and Humar assumed the office of amir. When winter had arrived in Thrace, becoming very severe, so that the earth did not bring forth fruit because of the snow, which seemed to have turned into crystal, a multitude of the horses and camels and the other animals of the enemies died. Furthermore, in the spring time, Suphiam came with a fleet which had been constructed in Egypt, having 400 ships carrying grain and dromons. Having discovered the effectiveness of the Roman liquid fire, he crossed through Bithynia, and passing over on the opposite side, he anchored at the port of the good Agri. A little while later, Hizid also came with another fleet, which had been constructed in Africa, having also 360 ships and equipment and provisions. Likewise, and he himself having learned of the same liquid fire, anchored near Saturon and Brian and as far as the port of Carta. The Egyptians, however, of these two fleets, having consulted among themselves by night, with the transport ships carrying grain having had their skiffs removed, fled to the city, praising the emperor, so that from Hieria as far as the city the sea appeared to be wooden. But the emperor, learning through them of the two fleets hidden in the gulf, having constructed siphon-bearing fire-ships into dromons and biremes, directed them against the two fleets. But God cooperating through the intercession of the immaculate Mother of God, the enemies were immediately submerged, and our men returned with joy and triumph, having seized the spoils and their baggage. ^B Furthermore, while Mardasan was again running with the army of the Arabs from the gates as far as Nicaea and Nicomedia, the leaders of the kingdom, who were hidden in the manner of the Mardaites in Libos and Sophone, together with the infantry, rushing upon them all at once and afflicting them with various damages, compelled them to flee thence; and from then on, a small passage being found in the strait, the *chelandia* departing from the city carried many provisions. Likewise, fishing boats, both in the islands and in the places situated around the walls of the city, were not prohibited from catching fish. Moreover, the Arabs, pressed by great famine, were all dying, and were eating their animals, namely horses, asses, and camels. Some say, however, that they were even eating their dead men, and even their own dung, put into an oven and sprinkled. A pestilential plague also settled upon them, and countless numbers of them perished. Furthermore, the nation of the Bulgars also gathered in war against them, and, as they say who know this more certainly, they killed twenty-two thousand of the Arabs, and at that time many atrocious things happened to them, so that they learned by experience that God and the most holy Virgin and Mother of God protect this city and the emperor of the Christians, and there is not a total abandonment of God toward those who call upon Him in truth, even if we are chastised a little bit on account of our sins. ^C In the year of the world 6210, in the year 710 of the divine incarnation, and in the second year of the empire of Leo, the leader of the Arabs is Humar, who ruled over them for two years. In that same year, also, Sergius, the *protospatharios* and praetor of Sicily, having heard that the Saracens were besieging the royal city, crowned there his own emperor, a man of Constantinople, from among his own men, the son of Gregorius Onomagulus, called by the changed name of Tiberius, who made promotions and his own leaders by the advice of the aforementioned Sergius. But the emperor, having heard these things, sent Paul, his own chartulary, having ordered him to be patrician and praetor of Sicily, having given to him two *spatharioi* as aid and a very few men for his service, with instructions

to the rulers of the West and for the sacred decrees to be read to the people. ^A When these had entered a swift dromon by night, they departed for the regions of Cyzicus. Having made their journey from place to place by land and by sea, they suddenly arrived in Sicily. When they had entered Syracuse, Sergius heard of it and was struck with stupor; having weighed his own transgression, he fled for refuge to the Lombards of nearby Calabria. But the people, having gathered and read the sacred decrees, became certain that the empire stood fast and the city was better prepared against the gentiles; moreover, when those men recounted what had been done regarding the two stoles, they immediately praised the Emperor Leo, and handed over Basilius Onomagulus and the princes who had been promoted by him, bound, to the praetor. The latter, with his own singular praetor, beheaded Basilius, and having placed their heads in a dark container, sent them to the Emperor by the *spatharioi*. Of the others, he sent some, beaten and tonsured, into exile, and others with their noses cut off. And thus it happened that from this time a great restoration of order took place in the West. Furthermore, Sergius, having sought and received the word of immunity from the praetor, went out to him, and thus peace was secured for all the western parts.

Meanwhile, Humar, having gained control over the Arabs, ordered Masalmas to return. The Saracens therefore departed, moved on the eighteenth before the Kalends of August, and returned in great confusion. For when their fleet was making its voyage, a storm from God, through the intercession of the Mother of God, pressing upon them, scattered them; some were overwhelmed near Proconnesus and the other islands, and others it plunged into the whirlpools and other parts of the sea. As the remainder were crossing the Aegean Sea, the terrible wrath of God suddenly came upon them: for fiery hail descending made the waters of the sea boil, and the ships, with the men, were driven into the deep, melted like pitch; from these, only ten escaped, and they themselves, by the providence of God the Savior, that they might announce to us and to the Arabs the wonders of God which were brought to pass among them. Our men, coming upon them, were able to capture five of these, but the other five, saved, were led into Syria to announce the power of God.

In the same year, after a great earthquake occurred in Syria, Humar forbade wine in the cities and compelled the Christians to apostatize; those who apostatized he exempted from tribute, but those who did not consent he put to death, and by this means he caused many to become martyrs. He also ordained that the testimony of a Christian against a Saracen should not be received. He also wrote a dogmatic letter to the Emperor Leo, thinking, in his impiety, that he could persuade him to depart from his faith.

In the third year of his reign, a son named Constantine was born to the Emperor Leo, who was even more impious than him and a precursor of the Antichrist. Furthermore, on the eighth before the Kalends of January, Maria, wife of Leo, was crowned ^B in the Augusta's triclinium, and she proceeded alone with solemn ceremony, without her husband, to the Great Church, and having poured out a prayer before entering the altar, she passed to the Great Baptistery, her husband having already entered with a few of his familiars. When Germanus, the high priest, was baptizing Constantine, the successor of their wickedness and of the empire, the infant Constantine exhibited a dire and foul sign, defecating in the holy laver, as those who were present and became diligent inspectors of this event testify, so that the most holy Germanus said prophetically: "It is certain that this sign signifies for the Christians and the Church that the greatest evil is to be brought about through him." This baptized child was received by the princes of the provinces and of the senate. After the divine offices, [B, cont.] Augusta Maria returned with solemn escort, accompanied by the baptized son, with largess distributed from the church as far as the Aeneas Gate.

In the same year, Nicetas Xylinites wrote to Artemius, who was staying in Thessalonica, that he should proceed to Terbelis, so that he might come with Bulgar aid against Leo. He, obeying, went to Terbelis, and he gave him an army and fifty centenaria of gold; having received these, he came to Constantinople, though the city was by no means admitting it. The Bulgars handed him over to Leo, and having been honored by him with generous bounty, they returned. But the Emperor slew him together with Xylinites, applying the substance of Xylinites, who, since he was a *magister*, had possessed much property, to the public treasury. The Bulgars punished with the sword Sisinnium the patrician, surnamed Redacius, because he had been with Artemius, and they handed over the archbishop of Thessalonica to the Emperor Leo, who was beheaded with Artemius. Likewise, he slew Hisoes the patrician and Count of the Obsequium, and Theoctistus, the first of the *secretis*, and Nicetas Anthrax and the Count of the Titichei, as friends and coconspirators of his; the rest he sent into exile, after their noses had been mutilated and they had been condemned by proscription.

In the year of the world 6212, in the year of the divine incarnation 712, in the fourth year of the reign of Leo, Hizid is held to be the leader of the Arabs, who ruled them for four years. In the same year, in the third indiction, on the day of Pascha, Constantine was crowned by his father Leo ^D in the tribunal of the nineteen *accubita*, with Germanus the patriarch saying the prayers according to custom. In this same year, Humar, the leader of the Arabs, died, and in Persia a tyrant arises, also by the name of Mizid Moalabe, and many from Persia departed with him. But Hizid having sent Masalmas, he killed him and subdued Persia.

In the fifth year of the reign of Leo, a certain Syrian pseudo-Christ appeared and led the Hebrews astray, saying he was Christ.

In the sixth year of his reign, Leo compelled the Hebrews and the Montanists to be baptized. But the Jews, baptized against their will, washed away their baptism, and partaking of the holy mystery, they contaminated the faith. Furthermore, the Montanists, practicing divination among themselves, and...

coming to the day 1361, entered their homes, destined for their own error, and burned themselves.

In the seventh year of the reign of Leo, a certain Jew, originating from Laodicea of maritime Phoenicia, a sorcerer, coming to Hizid, promised that the Arab principate would be maintained for forty years if he would take down the venerable images which were honored in the churches of the Christians throughout his principate. ^A Hizid, therefore, believing this fool, promulgated a general edict against the holy images. But by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and through the intercessions of His incorrupt Mother and all the saints, Hizid died in that same year, while many were not yet even able to hear his Satanic edict.

Leo the Emperor, having received this bitter and illicit wicked doctrine, became the cause of many evils for us. For when he had found a certain man in agreement with this indiscipline, by the name of Bisir—who had indeed been born of Christian parents, but having been taken captive to Syria, was found to be a renegade from the faith that is in Christ, and appeared to follow the dogmas of the Arabs. Not long before his time, having been freed from their servitude, when he had come to the Roman state, he was honored by the same Leo on account of his bodily strength and his agreement with his perverse opinion; the latter also became a supporter of the Emperor in a great crime of this kind. The Bishop of Nacolia was also in agreement with him, who, bestowing effort upon his indiscipline, lived in a similar way to him.

In the year of the world 6216, the year of the divine incarnation 716, and in the eighth year of the reign of Leo, Hizid, the leader of the Arabs, died; he was succeeded by Nisan, this man's brother, who began to build palaces throughout the cities and regions, to make fields and gardens, and to redirect water. He also moved an army against Romania, and returned having lost many of those ^B who were with him.

In the ninth year of the reign of Leo, Pope Gregory presided over the Roman Church. In this year, clearly, the impious Emperor Leo began to speak of the deposition of the holy and universal images. When Pope Gregory of Rome had learned this, he prohibited the tributes of the Roman city and of Italy, writing a dogmatic letter to Leo, stating that it is not fitting for an Emperor to speak on matters of faith and to violate with novelty the ancient dogmas of the Catholic Church, which was proclaimed by the holy Fathers.

In the tenth year of the reign of Leo, he moved an army under Masalmas against Caesarea in Cappadocia, and captured it. Mauhias, the son of Hisam, indeed moved an army against Romania, and having marched through, he returned. In that same year, in the summer season, a vapor was seen to boil up from the depths of the sea between the islands of Thera and Therasia for several days, as if from a furnace of fire. As this gradually thickened ^C and the fiery heat expanded, all the smoke appeared as fire.

Furthermore, due to the density of the earthy substance, it cast out large pumice stones like certain mounds throughout the whole of Asia Minor and Lesbos, Abydos, and the maritime parts of Macedonia, such that the entire surface of this sea was filled with floating pumice. In the midst, however, of such fire, an island made from a congeries of earth was joined to the island which is called Hiera, not previously existing; but just as the aforementioned islands of Thera and Therasia once boiled up, so too did this one now, in the times of the enemy of God, Leo, who, having supposed the divine wrath against himself was to be for him, impudently excited a war against the holy and venerable images, having as a colleague and assistant Beser, the denier of God and similar to him in irrationality: for both were filled with ignorance and indiscipline, from which many kinds of evils come.

The crowds, however, who were in the royal city, having become very sad over the new doctrines, were deliberating to rise against him, and they killed some of the royal men, casting down the icon of the Lord which was seen placed above the great Brazen gate, to such an extent that many of them were punished for the truth with amputations of limbs, scourges, and exiles, and the loss of property, especially those who seemed to be famous for their nobility and word, so that he extinguished both the schools of learning and the pious education preserved up to this time from Constantine the Great of holy memory. A destroyer of which, along with many other goods, Leo became, he whose sense was ^D the same as that of the Saracens.

In these things, therefore, moved by divine zeal, they rose up in tumult against him, having prepared a great naval army, as much of the Helladic people as those who had been of the Cycladic islands. Now Agallianus was the turmarch of the Helladic militia, as was Stephanus, who, approaching the royal city on the fourteenth day before the Kalends of May of the tenth indiction, were overcome in battle with the Byzantines, having been finished off by the fire produced by their ships. And some of them were indeed drowned, among whom Agallianus also threw himself, armed; but the survivors flowing to the Emperor, Cosmas and Stephanus were punished by having their heads cut off.

And so the malice of the impious Leo grows, extending the persecution against piety with those in agreement with him. In the summer solstice of this tenth indiction, after the victory received against the taxpayers, two Saracen emirs prepared a battle against Nicaea of Bithynia—namely, Amer, advancing with fifteen thousand light-armed troops and surrounding the unprepared city, and Mauhias following with another eighty-five thousand—which, after much siege and the partial destruction of the walls, they did not capture, the prayers of the holy Fathers directed to God having been well received, and the sanctification making the venerable...

images of the temple, where they are honored in their own forms, and even to this day are venerated by those who are like them. Furthermore, a certain Constantine, a groom of Artabasdos, seeing an image of the Mother of God standing, took up a stone and threw it at her, and crushed it, and then trampled upon it after it had fallen; but he saw in a dream the Lady standing before him and saying: "Do you know what a guilty cause you have wrought against me? Truly, you have done this against your own head." On the following day, when the Saracens were making an incursion against the wall and the battle was being joined, that miserable man, running to the wall like a brave soldier, was cast off by a stone hurled from a catapult, and his head and face were crushed, receiving a retribution worthy of his impiety; and the Saracens, having collected much booty and spoils, returned, God showing in this even to that impious man that it was not because of piety, as the man himself claimed, that he had triumphed over the tribes, but because of a certain divine and ineffable judgment, ^A repelling and removing such Arabic strength from the city of the holy Fathers by their intercessions, on account of their most diligent forms, which are honored therein, in reproof also and the unassailable judgment of the tyrant and the certainty of those acting piously. For the impious man was erring not only regarding the affectionate adoration of the venerable images, but also regarding the intercessions of the most chaste Mother of God and of all the saints, whose relics, like his masters the Arabs, the most wicked man abhorred. From this time, therefore, he impudently disparaged the blessed Germanus, Patriarch of Constantinople, accusing all his predecessors, princes and pontiffs and Christian peoples, as if they had been idolaters regarding the adoration of the holy and venerable icons, the ignorant man, captured by infidelity, not understanding the discourse concerning affectionate adoration.

The supreme priest said to him: "We have indeed heard that a deposition of the holy images is to come, but not in the time of your reign." But when he compelled him to say under whose reign, he said, "Under that of Conon." But he replied: "Truly, the name Conon was given to me at baptism." But he said: "Far be it, my lord, that this evil should be fulfilled during your reign. For he is the forerunner of the Antichrist, who is to fulfill this, and the subverter of the incarnate divine dispensation." In these things, therefore, the savage tyrant, raving, breathed threats against the blessed Germanus, like Herod of old against the Forerunner. ^B But the patriarch brought to his memory his pledges made before his reign, how he had given God to him as a guarantor that he would in no way move the Church of God from its apostolic and divinely handed-down customs. But not even thus was the wretched man confounded. Observing, however, and subverting certain sayings, he strove to find where he might discover him acting against his reign, so that he might depose him from the throne as a conspirator and not as a confessor, having in this as a partner Anastasius, his disciple and syncellus, to whom he promised, as one who consented to his impiety, that he would be his adulterous successor to the throne. The blessed man, not being ignorant of him so perversely desiring it, imitating his God, as if to another Iscariot, wisely and gently made a memory of those things which were of his betrayal. But because he saw him stubbornly erring, turning to him as he was at one time trampling on the back of his stole as he was entering to the emperor, he said: "Do not hasten: for you shall not escape the time of entering the Diippion." But he, saddened at the remark along with others who had heard it, was ignorant of the omen. Which, when it had reached its end after fifteen years—in the third year, indeed, of the reign of Constantine the persecutor, in the twelfth indiction—convinced everyone that it had been spoken prophetically by divine grace against the ungrateful man. For Constantine, after the rebellion of his brother-in-law Artabasdos, when he had obtained the empire, caused this Anastasius, having been beaten and brought through the Diippion with other enemies into the Hippodrome, ^C to be paraded naked upon an ass with his face turned backward, for the reason that he had uttered curses against him along with the other enemies and had crowned Artabasdos, as will be indicated in its proper place. And indeed the defender of the dogmas of piety, this holy and eminent Germanus, was flourishing in Byzantium, fighting like one against beasts against this Feronymus ^D (78) Leo and his supporters. In Senior Rome, however, Gregory, a most holy apostolic man and assessor of Peter, the chief of the apostles, shining in word and deed, who removed Rome and Italy, as well as all things, as much the rights of the state as of the Church in the West, from the obedience of Leo and the empire established under him. Furthermore, in Syria near Damascus, John Mansur, priest and monk, nicknamed Chrysorrhoas,

NOTÆ. (78) Feronymus. A man of his own name. Rufinus, Interpreter of Eusebius, H. E. 6, 31: "a certain man of his own name, Macarius." Anastasius in his Hypomnemata on Anastasius the apocryphal: "who as he was truly in all things pheronymus [bearing a fitting name], he was called Euprepes [comely]." Fabr.

a most excellent doctor, shining forth in life and word. However, he deposed Germanus from the throne as though he were subject to him. Gregory, however, refuted him openly through letters which are known to many. And John also subjected him to anathemas along with the bishops of the East. Furthermore, on the seventh day before the Ides of January of the thirteenth indiction, on a Tuesday, the impious Leo held a silent session against the sacred and venerable icons in the tribunal of the nineteen couches, with the advocate and most holy patriarch Germanus present, thinking that he could persuade him to subscribe against the holy icons. But the brave servant of Christ, in no way acquiescing to his detestable false doctrine, when he had rightly directed the word of truth, renounced the high priesthood, handing over the pallium, and after many instructive sermons saying: "If I am Jonah, cast me into the sea. For it is impossible for me to innovate upon the faith without an ecumenical synod, in accordance with apostolic and paternal tradition, O Emperor." And departing to the place called Platanium, he applied himself to rest in his parental home, having served in the high priesthood for fourteen years, five months, and seven days. Furthermore, on the eleventh day before the Kalends of February, they created Anastasius, a man of false name, a disciple and syncellus of the same blessed Germanus, who was consenting to the impiety of Leo on account of his love for worldly rule, promoting him to the pseudobishopric of Constantinople. Indeed the most holy Roman prelate Gregory, as I have said before, rejected Anastasius along with his libelli, refuting Leo through letters as one acting impiously, and causing Rome with all of Italy to withdraw from his empire. The tyrant, therefore, becoming insane, extended the persecution against the venerable images. Moreover, many clerics and monks and religious laymen were endangered for the sake of the right word.

In the year of the world 6222, the year of the divine incarnation 722, and the 14th year of the reign of Leo, Anastasius is held to be the heretical prelate of Constantinople, who presided over the Church for 24 years. In this year also, Masalmas moved an army against Romania, and when he had arrived in Cappadocia, he took the fortress of Charsianum by ruse.

In the 15th year of the reign of Leo, Masalmas moved his camp against Thrace, and when he had arrived as far as the Caspian Gates, fearing for the future, he returned.

In the 16th year of his reign, the Emperor Leo joined in3 marriage the daughter of the Chagan of the Scythians—once he had made her a Christian—to his son Constantine, naming her Heirene. And when she had learned the sacred Scriptures, she strove for piety and shone forth, refuting those of impiety. But Mauhias, the son of Hisam, directed a battle line against Romania, and coming as far as Paphlagonia, he returned with much plunder. But the emperor raged against the Pope and the withdrawal of Rome and Italy, and he directed a great fleet constructed against them, appointing Manes, the praetor of the Cibyrraeots, as head over them. Then the attacker of God, raging even more, with an Arabic sense ^B imposed taxes upon the people of Calabria. Indeed, he commanded that what are called the patrimonies of the holy prince apostles, which from of old contributed to the churches half of their gold and three talents, be paid out to the public treasury, also ordering that newborn males be examined and described, like Pharaoh of old did to those who were of the Hebrews; a thing which not even his own masters, the Arabs, are known to have done to the Christians who are in those regions.

In the 17th year of the reign of Leo, a mortality occurred in Syria, and many perished.

In the 18th year of the reign of Leo, Zacharias is held to be the prelate of Rome; and in the same year, Theodore Mansur was sent into exile to the climates of the desert, and a fiery sign appeared shining in the sky, and Mauhias depopulated Asia.

In the 19th year of the reign of Leo, Sulehiman, the son of Hisam, moved an army against the region of the Armenians, and accomplished nothing.

In the 21st year of the reign of Leo, Sulehiman, having led many from Asia into captivity, also led a certain Pergamene as a captive, who said that he was Tiberius, the son of Justinian. Hison sends this man to Jerusalem in honor of his son and for the terror of the emperors, with imperial and decent honor, and with troops, banners, and scepters, and he commands that he be led around all of Syria with much honor for the vision of all.

In the 22nd year of the reign of Leo, Sulehiman moves an army against Romania, and he depopulated the fortress which is called Siderum, and he led Eustachius, the son of the patrician Marianus, away captive.

In the 23rd year of the reign of Leo, in the month of May, of the 8th indiction, Sulehiman moved an army against Romania with ninety thousand men and four commanders, among whom Gamer was the leader, lurking with ten thousand brigands in parts of the Asian land, whose associates were Melich and Batal with twenty thousand cavalry, raging around Achrobinum, and after them Sulehiman with sixty thousand proceeded around Cappadocian Tyana, of whom some returned unharmed through Asia and Cappadocia, having perpetrated much destruction of men, women, and livestock. But those who were with Melich and Batal at Chradhimon ^C were attacked and defeated by Leo or Constantine; and many of them perished with their very arms along with two princes, but eight hundred fighters, who had stood against them—out of six thousand—fled to Synada, and remaining safe, were joined to Sulehiman, and retreated ingloriously into Syria. In the same year also, in Africa, many perished in destruction by them along with a Damascene praetor of that name.

In the 24th year of the reign of Leo, of the most wicked Syrians, the marketplaces were burned at Damascus by the Hieracei, who were affixed to the gallows. And in the same year, a great and terrible earthquake occurred at Constantinople, on the seventh day before the Kalends of November, of the ninth indiction, on a Wednesday, at the eighth hour; and churches and monasteries collapsed, and much people were extinguished.

^A Also fell the statue which stood above the gate of Atali, of the great Constantine, along with the Atali [gate] itself, and the inscription of Arcadius, which stood above the Xerolophus column, and the statue of major Theodosius, which was seen above the Golden Gate, and also the earthly walls of the city, and the cities and villages in Thrace, and Nicomedia in Bithynia, and Prænetus, and Nicæa, in which only one church remained safe. The sea also fled its boundaries in certain places, and the earthquake lasted for twelve months. But the emperor addressed the people, saying: "You are not able to build up the walls, but we command the administrators, and they shall exact one silver coin as a tax for each gold piece." When the empire had accepted this, it built the walls, and thus the custom was established of giving two siliquae to the administrators, when the year was 6248 from the creation of the world according to the Romans, but 6232 according to the Egyptians or Alexandrians, and 1063 from Philip according to the Macedonians. For Leo reigned from the eighth day before the Kalends of April of the tenth indiction until the fourteenth day before the Kalends of July of the ninth indiction, having reigned for 24 years, 2 months, 25 days. ^B Similarly, Constantine, his son and successor in the empire, [reigned] from the same fourteenth day before the Kalends of July of the ninth indiction until the eighteenth day before the Kalends of October of the fourteenth indiction, having himself reigned for 34 years, 3 months, 2 days.

Thus, therefore, as we have said, in that same year of the ninth indiction, Leo died, with the death of his soul and body together, and Constantine his son rules. And indeed, whatever things happened to the Christians under the impious Leo—whether concerning the orthodox faith, or regarding civil dispositions, or concerning the quest for shameful gain and avarice brought about and imposed alike through Sicily, Calabria, and Crete, or the apostasy of Italy on account of his cacodoxy, or in famine and pestilence and the pressures of the nations—to pass over the particulars, are shown in the preceding chapters. But it is fitting henceforth and for the sake of his impious son—with God, who sees all things, observing—truly and not superfluously for the benefit of posterity, and for the wretched who are now deluded by his cacodoxy, to follow out the mockeries which he impiously committed from this tenth indiction of the first year of his reign until the fourteenth indiction of his death. ^C For this most pernicious and rustic savage, and having abused the empire tyrannically and not legitimately, first of all departed from God and His immaculate Mother and all the saints, delighting in magic arts and lecheries and bloody sacrifices and horses’ dung and urine, rejoicing also in soft living and the invocations of demons, and living from a tender age with all inventions that corrupt the soul. But since he received his paternal principality with malice, he demonstrated no small wickedness in a short time, so that he was immediately held in hatred by all for his impudence, and to Artabasdus, the curopalates ^D and come of the Obsequium, who had taken his sister Anna as wife, force was applied for the seizing of the empire.

In the same year, Hisam killed the Christian captives in every city, among whom Eustachius, son of Marianus the patrician, was shown to be a true martyr in Carrhae of Mesopotamia, where his relics work healings through the grace of God, and many others were perfected through their blood.

In the year of the world 6233, in the year of the divine incarnation 733, Constantine, persecutor of the laws handed down by the Fathers, rules, as divine judgments and the multitude of our sins demand. When he had set out with the Obsequium forces toward the regions of the Arabs on the fifth day before the Kalends of July, he came to the city which is called Cæsarea. But when the aforementioned Artabasdus was at Dorylaeum with the Obsequium people, they were suspicious of one another. Constantine, however, sending to him, asked that his sons be directed to him, whom he supposedly desired to see as his grandchildren. But his intention was to capture them and cast them into prison. But he, when he had understood the fraud, knowing his immeasurable malice, incurred the despair of his own life, and addressing the people and persuading them, he hastened with all his multitude in an attack against him. And indeed they killed with their swords the patrician Beser, who was a follower of the Saracen way of thinking and who had gone before. But Constantine, having found a miserable horse by chance, when he had mounted it, fleeing, came to Amorium. And when he had run to the theme of the Orientals, whose praetor was then Lancinus, he was surrounded by them, whom, favoring them more with promises, he sends quickly to Sisionatius, who was then praetor of the Thracesian theme, and persuades them to assist him. Hence, therefore, most atrocious battles and conflicts were generated for the subjects, since each was called emperor. Furthermore, Artabasdus writes to Theophanes the patrician and magister, who had remained in the city in the person of the prince, through Athanasius the silentiary, what things had been done. He, since he favored Artabasdus, having gathered the people at the catechumena of the Great Church, both through letters and through the aforementioned Athanasius, persuaded all to believe that the emperor had died, and that Artabasdus had been proclaimed emperor by the themes. Then all the people, with Anastasius the patriarch of false name, subjected Constantine to anathema and detestation as an arrogant man and an adversary of God, and they embraceably accepted his slaughter, as if liberated from a great evil; but they proclaimed Artabasdus emperor as an orthodox man and a champion of the divine dogmas. Soon, therefore, he sends Monotes to the Thracesian parts to Nicephorus his son, the praetor of the Thracesians, so that he might hold the army established there for the custody of the city. Therefore, the gates of the walls having been shut and guards having been posted, he put the sons of Constantine, captured, beaten, and shorn, into custody. But when Artabasdus had entered the city with the Obsequium force, Constantine also arrived at Chrysopolis with two themes, namely the Thracesian…

and the Oriental; and as he had been unable to achieve anything, he returned and wintered at Amorium. Artabasdus ^A meanwhile set up sacred images throughout the entire city. In the meantime, the Barbarians, sensing the strife between them, perpetrated much plunder in Romania, led by Sulehiman the praetor. Furthermore, Anastasius the pseudo-patriarch, holding the venerable and life-giving wood, swore to the people, saying: "By Him who was affixed to it, Emperor Constantine said to me, asserting: 'Do not consider that He whom Mary brought forth, and who is called Christ, is the Son of God, but a mere man. For Mary bore Him just as my mother Mary bore me.'" And then all the people cursed him.

In the year of the world 6234, of the divine incarnation 734, but in the second year of the reign of Constantine, who held the empire of the Romans, Hisam, the leader of the Arabs, died. Since the most holy church of Antioch had remained widowed for forty years, with the Arabs prohibiting a patriarch from being made, and having in the same place a certain most devoted Syrian monk named Stephen—somewhat rustic in manner but religious—it commanded the Christians living in the East, if they wished to be permitted to have a patriarch, to choose Stephen; they, judging this to have happened divinely, consecrated him to the see of Theupolis, and from that time even to this day he continues without prohibition of this sort.

^B In the same year Vhalid, son of Hisam, obtained the principate of the Arabs, to whom Constantine sent Andrew the spatharios, and Artabasdus sent Gregory the logothete, both seeking aid. Furthermore, a lack of rain and earthquakes occurred in various places, so that mountains were joined together one to another through the desert of Sabas, and fortresses were submerged and absorbed under the earth.

In the same year, Cosmas, patriarch of Alexandria, together with the whole city, returned from the cacodoxy of the Monothelites to orthodoxy, having held to the confession of Cyrus, who was patriarch of Alexandria under Heraclius. Furthermore, Gamer moved an army with a multitude of Arabs against Romania, and returned having taken many into captivity; and a sign appeared in the sky to the north in the month of June. But Vhalid commanded that Peter, the most holy metropolitan of Damascus, be mutilated in his tongue as one who openly argued against the kinship of the Arabs and the Manichaeans, and he made him an exile in Arabia Felix, where he also died having received martyrdom for Christ, after he had more explicitly pronounced the divine masses, as the narrators of this event say, who confess that they were satisfied of this by their own hearing. ^C His emulator and namesake, Peter, was revealed at Majuma during those same times as a voluntary martyr for Christ; indeed, held fast by infirmity, he summoned the chiefs of the Arabs—as they were accustomed to him since he had been a chartulary and would render public taxes with a rational account—and said to them: "May you indeed receive from God a reward for my visitation, although I wish you to be witnesses of my testament, since it is such. Everyone who does not believe in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the consubstantial and divine Trinity in the monad, is dead in soul and worthy of eternal torment. Such also is your pseudo-prophet Maumed and the precursor of Antichrist. Depart therefore, if you believe me bearing witness to you today before heaven and earth, from his fable: for I advise you, lest you be tormented together with him." When he had reasoned with them about God these things and more, they, held by the stupidity or madness of those who listened, seemed to bear with him patiently because of his infirmity, thinking him to be out of his mind. But when he had recovered from his illness, he began to cry out with a louder voice: "Anathema to Maumed, and to his fabulous writing, and to all who believe in him." Then, having suffered the execution by the sword, he was revealed as a martyr. Saint ^D our Father John, who was well-named Chrysorroas ("Golden Stream") on account of the golden and radiant grace of the Holy Spirit which blossomed in him both in word and in the act of life, honored him with eulogies of his sermons. This man, the impious Emperor Constantine, annually submitted to anathema because of his eminent orthodoxy, and instead of Mansur—which is his ancestral name and which the redeemed interpret in the Jewish sense—the Emperor called him Manzeron, having changed his name as the new teacher of the Church.

In the same year also, Vhalid transferred the Cypriots to Syria, but Artabasdus promoted his son Nicetas to the rank of monostrategos and sent him to the theme of the Armeniacs; furthermore, he crowned his other son, Nicephorus, through the patriarch Anastasius. But in the month of May, when Artabasdus had gone out to the parts of the Obsequium and had chosen soldiers, he captured all of Asia, ravaging it. Constantine, having learned of this, moved against him. But when he had arrived at him in the parts of the Sardeis returning from Celbianus, and had engaged in battle with him, he turned him back and pursued him to Cyzicus. But when he had arrived at Cyzicus, he entered a dromon and was saved in the city. Furthermore, in the month of August of the same eleventh indiction, Nicetas, the monostrategos son of Artabasdus, when he had brought battle to Constantine at Modrin and Cisseus, turned his back and fled. And indeed he killed the patrician Teridates the Armenian, a most valiant soldier and cousin of Artabasdus, along with many other chosen commanders: but the loss on both sides was no small one, that is to say of the Armenians and Armeniacs fighting against the Orientals and Thracesians, the defenders of Constantine. But the ancient enemy, the devil, during these times aroused such cruelty and mutual slaughter against the Christians, that even sons were moved against parents and brothers against brothers, not sparing to slay, and mercilessly, alternate stations and houses were burned.

NOTAE. Between (79) these and things of this sort, Stephen

Lombards, fled to the Franks under Pepin, who was Mayor of the Palace and the foremost in the disposition of all the affairs of the Frankish nation. It had long been their custom that their lord, that is, their king, should rule according to his lineage, and should do and dispose of nothing specifically other than irrationally eating and drinking, and staying at home, and on the Kalends of May, sitting before the whole nation and greeting them and being greeted by them, and receiving the customary paid obsequies, and bestowing gifts in return, and thus abiding with them until the following May. However, the Mayor of the Palace, according to his own counsel and all the affairs of the nation, would govern; for those descending from that lineage were called "crested," which is interpreted "trichorachati," for they had hair growing on their spines like pigs. The aforementioned Pope Stephen, therefore, pressed by force and compelled by the cruelty of Astulphus, and at the same time exhorted by him to go into Francia and do whatever he could, came and promoted Pepin, a man most approved in all things, who at that time also presided over affairs after the king, and had defeated the Arabs, who had crossed from Africa into Hispania and who held that same Hispania up to that time, and had also tried, nonetheless, to fight against the Franks. Against them, in turn, the same Pepin, resisting with a multitude, killed a certain prince of theirs: for Abderachiman, the son of Mahuhi, held the principate of this nation. He killed at the same time a multitude not easily numbered beside the Rhone River, and he is held in admiration and is loved by the nation, not only because of this, but also because of other principal deeds, and he is promoted as first not unworthily over the nation, with the same Stephen releasing him from the perjury committed against the king; who also tonsured his predecessor the king and circumscribed him in a monastery with honor and rest. This Pepin had two sons, namely Charles and his brother Carloman. ^B In the year of the world 6235, in the year of the divine incarnation 735, and in the third year of the reign of Constantine, Stephen of Antioch is held to be the prelate. A sign appeared toward the north, and ash descended over the regions, and an earthquake occurred at the Caspian Gates. Vhalid was also killed by the Arabs, who had presided for one year, and Hizid the Lipsos holds the principate. He obtained Damascus after many monies were spent, and he received the right hand that he might be installed. ^C Furthermore, Constantine, in the month of September of the twelfth indiction, descending to the parts of Chalcedon, returned to the parts of Thrace, when Sisinnius, the praetor of the Thracesians, had previously returned through Abydos and was besieging the earthen wall of the city. But the emperor, arriving at the Charsii gate, made a sally as far as the Golden Gate, showing himself to the crowds, and having returned again, encamped at St. Mamas. The citizens, however, began to be squeezed as rations were failing. Wherefore, having sent Athanasius from the secrets and Artavasdus his domestic to bring supplies in boats, he found them having been captured by the Cibyrrhaeot fleet and having led the emperor, who indeed gave grain to his peoples, but immediately deprived Athanasius and Artavasdus of their eyes. After these things, however, Artavasdus tried to open the gates from the land and to join battle with Constantine. But when the clash took place, the soldiers of Artavasdus were put to flight, and many died, among whom was Monutes. Having constructed fire-bearing pots, Artavasdus sent some against the Cibyrrhaeot fleet at St. Mamas. But when they had come to St. Mamas, the Cibyrrhaeot forces coming out drove them off. A severe famine, however, took place in the city, so that a modius of barley was sold for twelve numismata, of legumes for fifteen, of millet and lupine for eight, five pounds of oil for one numismation, and a sextarius of wine for half. And as the people were perishing, Artavasdus was forced to let them out of the city. But having observed their faces, he prevented some of them. Hence some of them cleaned their faces, and were wrapped in women's clothing; but others were covered in the monastic habit and a haircloth garment, and thus were able to hide and get out. ^D Nicetas the monostrategus, having gathered his people, came to Chrysopolis having dispersed from Modrina; and as he was returning, the emperor, crossing, pursued them at their backs. And when he had reached him at Nicomedia, he took him by the hand with the curator, who had once been the bishop of the Marcellians; he ordered him to be beheaded immediately: the monostrategus, however, he showed in bonds to the father through the wall. Furthermore, on the fourth of the nones of November, having suddenly fought after midday, he captured the city through the earthen wall. But Artavasdus, along with the patrician Bagatangius, having entered a ship, appeared to have escaped for the present into the Obsician theme, and going off to the castle of Puzana, he shut himself in. Having captured these by hand, the emperor deprived Artavasdus of his eyes along with his two sons, but beheaded Bagatangius in the vivarium, and hung his head in the Milion for three days. But after thirty years, the emperor, mindful of the evil and merciless, ordered his wife to go to the monastery of Chora (for he was buried there) and to dig up his bones and to carry them in her cloak and to lie in the tombs which are called those of Pelagius, along with the Biothanati. O inhumanity! He also destroyed many others of the leading men who had aided Artavasdus, and weakened countless others by having their eyes, hands, or feet cut off. He ordered the foreign soldiers, who had entered with him, to enter the houses and seize the private property of the citizens. He showed many other such things, and indeed countless evils, to the city. And as he was celebrating the hippodrome, he introduced Artavasdus, bound along with his sons and friends, through the Dihippion into the circus, together with Anastasius, the patriarch of false name, who, having been beaten in public and sitting on an ass with his face turned backward, were all paraded through the Dihippion into the circus. But Anastasius, as one who was his accomplice, on the throne...

again occupied the priesthood, threatening and subjecting many to servitude. He blinded the patrician and praetor of the Thracesians, Sisinnius, who had run with him much and fought on his behalf, and who was known to be his cousin, after forty days—by the judgment of God, indeed. For he who helps the wicked shall fall into his hands, according to what is written.

In the year of the world 6236, in the year of the divine incarnation 736, and in the fourth year of the reign of Constantine, ^A Theophylact of Antioch is held to be bishop, who presided over the Church for seven years. Marwan is known as the leader of the Arabs, who held his principate over them for six years. In this same year a great comet was seen in Syria, and Thebit stirred up sedition against Marwan, as did Dachac of the Ruritensians, whom Marwan captured and slew in the territories of Emesa with a multitude of warriors, that is, ten thousand. In this same year, at the request of the Christians of the East, he permitted Theophylact, an Edessan priest, to be consecrated Patriarch of Antioch, while Stephen was sleeping, and he ordered him to be honored by the Arabs with catholic letters: for he was adorned with spiritual gifts, and especially with modesty. But in Etzi he hanged a hundred and twenty Chalbeans on a tree. Furthermore, Habas, who had shed much Christian blood and had ravaged and plundered many places, died in prison. For when a certain Ethiopian had been sent by Marwan for this purpose, he arrived, and having filled a sack with quicklime, he entered to him, and having placed the bellows over his whole head and nostrils, he suffocated him, finding a just punishment for the wickedness of Habas: for by magical deceptions and the invocation of demons he had wrought many evils against the Christians. He also shared in the blood of Chalid.

In the fifth year of the reign of Constantine, Suleiman, having gathered his forces, again attacked Marwan in war, and having lost seven thousand of his people, he was defeated. He fled to Palmyra and was saved, and thence to Persia. The cities of the Metsini, the Heliopolitans, and the Damascenes also stirred up sedition, ^B closing their gates against Marwan. He sent his son with a force against Dachac, while he himself came to Emesa, which he took in four months. Dachac came from Persia with a very great power. But Marwan, having attacked him in Mesopotamia and slain many of his colleagues, captured him and put him to death.

In these times Constantine captured Germanicia, directing his army against Syria and Doliche, since an entrance had been discovered due to the mutual fighting of the Arabs, in truth sending away the unarmed Arabs who were among them. He also took his kinsmen descending from his mother's line, and settled them in Byzantium along with many Syrian monophysite heretics, many of whom dwell in Thrace even now and, next to Peter Chaphea, crucify the Trinity in the Trisagion. Furthermore, from the fourth ides of August until the eighth day before the Kalends of September, there were misty, dark days. Then Marwan, the victor, having captured Emesa, killed all the kinsmen and freedmen of Hisham, and stormed the walls of Heliopolis, Damascus, and Jerusalem, slaughtering many of the powerful and beheading the rest.

In the year of the world 6238, in the year of the divine incarnation 738, and in the sixth year of the reign of Constantine, ^C a great earthquake occurred in Palestine and around the Jordan and all of Syria in the month of January, at the fourth hour, and many thousands, even countless, died, and churches and monasteries collapsed, and especially near the desert of the Holy City.

In that same year, a pestilential death, starting from Sicily and Calabria, began to spread like a fire toward Monobasia, Hellas, and the surrounding islands throughout the whole fourteenth indiction, lashing Constantine himself and checking him from the insanity with which he was enraged against the holy churches and the venerable images. But he, like Pharaoh of old, remained uncorrected. Indeed, this plague, coursing along with buboes, reached the royal city in the fifteenth indiction. Moreover, there began suddenly and invisibly to appear on the clothing of men and on the consecrated vestments of churches, as well as on veils, very many small crosses, as if marked in oil. From this, there arose great sadness and faintness of heart due to the uncertainty of such a sign. Nevertheless, there also came the divine indignation, unceasingly destroying not only the citizens of the city but also those living in all its suburbs. Truly, there were also phantasies seen by many of the people, who, having gone into an ecstasy, thought they were accompanying certain foreigners, as they supposed, with savage faces, and that they were greeting and speaking to those who met them on the road as if they were friends. But those who noticed what was said by them later reported these things. They also observed them entering houses, and some coming out of a house, while others were striking people. It also happened that many of the things told by them were seen to take place. ^D Furthermore, in the spring time of the first indiction, it became more widespread. In summer, however, it burned forth utterly, so that whole houses were completely closed up, and there were no one left who ought to bury the dead. By necessity, therefore, much was devised whereby boards were laid over beasts of burden, and so upon these, the dead were carried. In the same way, and in wagons, others were carried, one placed upon another. When, however, all places were filled, both urban and suburban, the monuments, and also the cisterns without water, and the pools and many vineyards, as well as interior gardens which were within the ancient walls, were dug up for the sake of performing such burials, and thus with difficulty all these sufficed for such a necessity. But with every house destroyed by such a calamity because of the deposition which had been impiously made by the emperors against the holy images, immediately the fleet of the Hagarenes came from Alexandria into Cyprus, where also the Roman naval force was positioned. But the praetor of the Cibyrraeots, rushing upon them suddenly in the port of Ceramea, and holding fast the mouth of the harbor, when there were thirty dromons, they confessed that only three had escaped.

In the year of the world 6239, 739th of the divine incarnation, and in the seventh year of the reign of Constantine, Gregory was killed by the Arirutenses, and he overcame Maruham, as had been predicted.

In the eighth year of the reign of Constantine, a people moved in the outer eastern parts of Persia, who are called the Chorosanite Maurophori ("black-robed"), against Maruham and all his kin, who had held the principate from the pseudo-prophet Maumed himself down to this same Maruham—that is, against those called the sons of Homaia. For after the slaughter of Vhalid, as they were fighting and constraining one another, those called the sons of Echim and Halim, who were also kinsmen of the pseudo-prophet but had been hiding and functioning as fugitives in lesser Arabia, gathered together with Abrahm holding the primacy among them, and sent a certain freedman of theirs, named Amuslim, into Chorosan to certain men of prominence there, requesting them to side with them against Maruham. Having gathered at a certain place called Caccaban, they conspired and stirred up slaves against their own masters, and in one night they killed many, becoming more powerful, enriched by their arms, horses, and money. They were divided into two tribes, namely the Chaisini and the Hiamanitae. Seeing that the more powerful among them were the Hiamanitae, Abumoslim stirred them up against the Chaisini, and having slain them, he came into Persia with Caccaban, and by conquering Hibindabarem he captured everyone with victory—namely almost one hundred thousand men. And coming to Hibinubera, who was advancing hostilely with two hundred thousand, he also dissolved him. Coming to Maruham at the Zabari river ^B and having three hundred thousand, he vanquished him and killed an infinite multitude of them. And it was a sight to behold, when according to Scripture "one chased a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight." When he had thus seen Maruham effectively defeated by them, he went to Carran, and once he had crossed the river, he cut the bridge made of ships, and having taken with him all his money and his household, he fled with four thousand of his own vernacular men into Egypt.

In the 9th year of the reign of Constantine, Maruham suffered persecution from the Maurophori, and having been caught by them, he was killed in a very heavy war. Salich, son of Halim, was in command of them, who was one of the eminent fugitives who had also commissioned Bumuslim. The others, having gathered against Samaria and the Trachonitis region, distributed the principate by lot, namely Abulalas, and after him his brothers Abdela, and after him Iliseidin Musae. And they decreed that Abdela the son of Halim should hold the supreme prefecture of Syria, while the brother of Salim, and Salim himself should preside over Egypt. Furthermore, they decreed that Abulabas, brother of Abdela, should have the lot of the principate over Mesopotamia. Indeed, Abulabas himself, who was also held to be the foremost of all, sat in Persia, the principate of the Persians—who had helped him from Damascus—having also been transferred under him. Truly those who were saved, the sons as well as the kinsmen who came ^A from Egypt into Africa, and thence crossing the strait of the narrow sea to the Ocean, were situated there—a place which is called Septe, which defines the region between Libya and Europe—and they inhabited Spain ^B until the present time, having some who were previously known as dwellers there, transported thither by Mauhia in ships, since they were his kinsmen and of his own religion. But the destruction lasted under Mauhia for six years, during which the walls of all the illustrious cities in Syria down to Antioch were razed, because they considered having this as a refuge, and numberless Arabs perished through him. For he was very circumspect concerning civil affairs. He adopted the impiety of the automatistae—that is, the Epicureans—from the people who inhabited Carran. Furthermore, on the eighth day before the Kalends of February of that same third indiction, a son was born to the Emperor Constantine, whom he named Leo, by the daughter of the chagan of Chazaria.

In the eighth year of the reign of Constantine, there was an earthquake in Syria, a huge and terrible disaster, from which some cities were utterly exterminated, others partially, while others migrated entirely from the mountains to the subject plains with their walls and dwellings, safe as if by six miles or even a little more. Finally, those who saw the land of Mesopotamia with their own eyes asserted that it was split in length for two miles, and that from its depth another land arose, very white and sandy, of which ^C, they say, a certain spotless mule-animal ascended, speaking with a human voice and predicting the incursion of a people from the desert against the Arabs. Which also came to pass. Furthermore, in the following year of the fourth indiction, on the solemnity of holy Pentecost, the Emperor Constantine crowned his son Leo as emperor through the patriarch Anastasius, his fellow-consenter.

In the year of the world 6242, the 742nd of the divine incarnation, and in the 10th year of the reign of Constantine, Muhamed became the leader of the Arabs, who ruled over them for five years. In that same year, also, the Chalcidenses incited conflicts against the Maurophori Persians, and four thousand of them were slaughtered in the mountains of Hemessa by those others. The same thing indeed happened through Arabia against the Chaisini by the same Persians. But when the head of Maruham, preserved in myrrh, was brought, more desisted from the conflicts.

In the 11th year of his reign, Constantine captured Theodosiopolis and Melitene, and led the Armenians captive. Theodore also, son of the vicar and originating from lesser Arabia, was appointed, upon the death of the most holy Theophylact, as patriarch of Antioch, who presided over the Church for six years.

In the 12th year of his reign, the impious Emperor Constantine, exalted in his mind, meditating much against the Church and the orthodox faith, and performing silences every single day, bent the people to his own way of thinking ^D.

Unhappily to follow, existing as the forerunner of future impiety.

In the 15th year of the reign of Constantine, the wicked Anastasius, who presided over the throne of the Church of Constantinople, died at once in body and soul, exhausted by that miserable affliction called *chordapsus*, upon vomiting fecal matter through his mouth—thereby paying a penalty worthy of the boldness he had exhibited against God and against his master. ^A In the same year, the impious Constantine also convened an iniquitous council of 338 bishops in the palace of Hieria against the holy and venerable icons, the first of whom was the Ephesian, son of Apsimar, and Pastillas of Perga; these, among themselves, dogmatized what they saw fit, with no one present from the catholic sees, namely the Roman, the Antiochene, the Alexandrian, or the Hierosolymitan. Beginning on the fourth of the Ides of February, they continued until the sixth of the Ides of August of the same seventh indiction. When the enemies of the Mother of God had come to the Blachernae, the Emperor Constantine ascended the ambo, holding the monk Constantine, who had been bishop of Sylaeo. Having prayed, he proclaimed with a loud voice, saying: "Many years to Constantine, the ecumenical patriarch." And then the emperor ascended the forum with the wicked prelate Constantine and the rest of the bishops, and they shouted, proclaiming their cacodox heresy in the sight of the whole populace, anathematizing the most holy Germanus and Gregory of Cyprus and John Chrysorrhoas Damascene (the nephew of Mansur), holy and reverend men and teachers. ^B

In the year of the world 6246, of the divine incarnation 746, but in the 14th year of the reign of Constantine, Constantine of Constantinople is held as patriarch, who presided over the Church for 12 years. Also in this year Maumed, who is also Abulabas, died, having presided for 5 years. And Abdelas, his brother, was in Machia, the place of their blasphemy. Abumuslim, therefore, who was in Persia, writes that the place of leadership should be preserved for him, just as it had been allotted to him by lot. When he had learned that Abdelas the son of Halim—but brother of Salim, the supreme praetor of Syria—was coveting the leadership for himself and intending to come to obtain Persia, and was opposing the Persians and favoring those who were of Syria and who were aiding him, he set his own armies in motion and attacked him near Nitzibin, and having conquered him, Abumuslim put many to death; for many of them were Slavs and Antiochenes. But Abdelas, alone remaining safe, after a few days asked to receive word from the other Abdelas, the brother of Maumed, who was coming into Persia with great zeal from Macha, by whom he was trapped in a small, rotting house, and having ordered the foundations to be dug up, he killed him in secret. Furthermore, Abumuslim kept the one who was stirring against the Arabs of Syria—because they had seized Einesa and the maritime regions and had attacked them—in check with his armies. But he, angered, hastened to the interior of Persia against Abdelas with a multitude. When he feared him vehemently, he summoned him with persuasive words and prayers, and by sending the very detestable symbols of their prince—namely, the staff and sandals of the pseudo-prophet Maumed—asking that he turn aside to him for a one-day journey, so that he might offer him fitting acts of thanksgiving. But he, deceived, came with a hundred thousand horsemen, and being united with him, he is killed by his own hands, and thus the leadership is conferred upon Abdelas, who presided over the Arabs for 21 years. ^C In the 15th year of the reign of Constantine, Paulus is held as the prelate of the Roman see. Nicetas of Heliopolis was anathematized by the whole Church. The Emperor Constantine, however, relocated the Syrians and Armenians, whom he had led from Theodosiopolis and Melitene, into Thrace, from whom the heresy of the Paulicians also spread. ^D Similarly, since few inhabitants remained in the city due to the mortality, he led people along with their families from the islands and Hellas, as well as from the lower regions, and thus he made it habitable and rendered it crowded. In the same year, the Bulgars sought a pact because of the forts that had been constructed. But the emperor treating their envoy with indignity, they went out in a hostile manner and came as far as the Long Wall, and having perpetrated much destruction, they returned unharmed.

In the 16th year of the reign of Constantine, a not insignificant earthquake occurred in Palestine and Syria on the seventh of the Ides of March; and Theodore, Patriarch of Antioch, became an exile, slandered by the jealousy of the Arabs because he frequently indicated their movements to Emperor Constantine by letter. And subsequently, Salim made this man an exile, sending him into the region of Moabitis, his own fatherland. The same Alim commanded that no new churches be built nor the cross be seen, nor that anyone debate the faith with the Arabs as a Christian. The same man also moved an army against Romania with 80 thousand men, and coming into Cappadocia, he heard that Constantine was coming against him in arms, and being terrified, he retreated unsuccessfully, having laid nothing waste, except that he returned having taken with him a few Armenians who had flocked to him.

In the 17th year of the reign of Constantine, Abdelas extended the system of taxation to the Christians, so that he placed all monks, those in seclusion, and members of religious orders, who were known to be pleasing to God, under tribute. He also seized the church treasuries and brought out the Hebrews to sell them, and the freedmen bought them.

In the 18th year of his reign, Constantine took captive the Sclaviniae situated near Macedonia and subjugated the rest. In the same year, certain ones from the Maurophoros…

in Persia, being of the magic religion and held by the deception of the devil, sold their property, and nakedly climbed upon the walls and cast themselves off, imagining that they could fly into heaven. Having no reason worthy of their lot, they crushed themselves, plunged to the ground. Sixteen of them, those who were preeminent in the error, were killed by Abdelas, through Salim, in Beroea and Chalcis. ^A

In the 19th year of the reign of Constantine, due to envy, the Arabs prohibited the Christians from public archives for a short time. But soon, being compelled, they entrusted them again, because they themselves could not write the calculations. They deployed many battle lines. They also waged war against Paul, the praetor of the Armeniacs, at Melas; they killed many of his army, and led away 42 distinguished men in chains, along with many captives. The emperor, however, moved his army into Bulgaria, and arriving at the pass at Veregaban, the Bulgars came out to meet him and slaughtered many of his armies, including the patrician and praetor of the Thracesians, Leo, and another Leo, the logothete of the drome, along with a great number of the people, and they seized their weapons; and thus the emperor and his men who remained returned in disgrace.

In the 20th year of the reign of Constantine, an error occurred regarding Easter, and the orthodox in the East celebrated Easter on the eighth before the ides of April, but the erroneous heretics on the ides of April.

In the same year, the head of St. John the Forerunner and Baptist was translated from the monastery of Spelaei to his temple situated in the city of the Emesenes, because it was illustrious; and a descent was built. Where, even today, it is honored by the faithful with every sweetness, both bodily and spiritual, and exuding, it pours out healings to all who hasten to it burning with faith. ^B

In the same year, a most brilliant comet appeared in the East for 10 days, and again in the West for 21 days. A certain Syrian, by the name of Theodore, an Eibanite from the region of Heliopolis which is by the Lebanon, rose up against the Arabs; and when he had moved war against them, many fell on both sides. Finally, he himself turning his back, he fled, and the Libanites who were with him were all destroyed. In Africa, too, there were seditions and wars, with a solar eclipse occurring on the 18th before the Kalends of September, on the 6th day of the week, at the 10th hour. Furthermore, certain ones from the Maurophoros rose up at Dabero, saying that the son of the protosymbolus was God as their nurturer; they brought forth such doctrine and entered the house of their error, and killed the 60 keepers. Some went out into Basrason, took many captive, and seized numerous riches.

In the 21st year of the reign of Constantine, the Cassiotae incited a sedition against the Maurophoros because of the three brothers who were remaining [there], and they wished to cast their wives into the sea. The three brothers, rising up, killed them and buried them; and having gathered themselves, they killed the rest as well. And when Sebas had sent militias, they came against them treacherously, and having seized them, they hung the three brothers on a gallows and killed many others. Then, on the festival of Easter, he entered for the holy assembly in the Catholic Church. ^C When the metropolitan bishop stood by and cried out to God in the accustomed manner, saying: "For your people and your Church pray to you," they led him out and shut him in prison, and another finished the holy assembly, and there was great fear. And had not the metropolitan mitigated him with morality and humble words, a great evil would certainly have been consummated at that hour. This man was the most blessed Anastasius.

In the same year, Constantine the persecutor also killed the memorable monk Andrew, who was called Calybites, by the scourges of the Hippodrome of St. Mamas, because he reproved his impiety and called him a Valentinianist and a Julianist; he also ordered him to be cast into the current of the sea, had not his sisters snatched him away and buried him in the emporium of Leucadius.

In the 22nd year of the reign of Constantine, a comet appeared in the East, and the son of Phatima was killed. But the Bulgars, rising up, killed their masters, having turned their anger against themselves, and installed a witless man by the name of Zeletzin, when he was 30 years of age. Many Sclavi besides, fleeing, flocked to the emperor, whom he stationed over Artanas. Furthermore, on the 16th before the Kalends of July, the emperor set out into Thrace, having also sent a fleet through the Euxine Sea, with up to 800 *chelandia* carrying twelve horses each. But Zeletzin, having heard of the agitation made against him both by land and by sea, took for his aid 20 thousand [men] from the nations adjacent to him, and with these stationed in the fortifications, he rendered himself cautious and intrepid. But the emperor, when he had arrived, pitched his camp on the field of Anchialus; and on the day before the Kalends of July, in the first indiction, on Thursday, Zeletzin appeared coming with a multitude of peoples, and joining battle, they clashed with one another for a long time. ^D Verily, Zeletzin, turning his back, fled. The battle held from the fifth hour until evening, and multitudes of Bulgars were killed in large numbers; many of them were captured, and many became subject to the emperor. But the emperor, elated by such a victory, published this before the city, having entered with his armies, armed and celebrated with highest praises, and dragging the captured Bulgars chained with wooden stocks, whom he ordered to be beheaded by the citizens outside the Golden Gate. The tumultuous Bulgars, together with his princes, killed Zeletzin, and installed Sabinus, his son-in-law.

Sabinus, having soon sent to the emperor ^A asking for peace to be made, the Bulgars gathered together and resisted Sabinus strongly, saying to him, "Through you, as we perceive, Bulgaria will be reduced to servitude to the Romans." Because of this discord, Sabinus fled to the fortress of Mesembria and betook himself to the emperor. The Bulgars then appointed another lord for themselves, by the name of Paganus.

In the 23rd year of the reign of Constantine, Constantine sat upon the Roman throne. The Turks went out from the Caspian Gates and killed many in Armenia, and after taking no small amount of plunder, they returned. Now there was a certain bishop named Cosmas, of Epiphaneia, which is a city of Apamea in Syria. Furthermore, because some of the citizens of Epiphaneia had made an accusation against this same Cosmas before Theodore, the Patriarch of Antioch, concerning the diminution of sacred vessels, and he was able in no way to restore them, he departed from the orthodox faith and, becoming an accomplice of Constantine in his heresy, he became an adversary of the holy images; whom, by common sentence, Theodore, Patriarch of Antioch, and Theodore of Jerusalem, and Cosmas of Alexandria, along with the bishops subject to them, on the holy day of Pentecost, after the reading of the holy Gospel, ^B unanimously anathematized, each in his own city.

In the same year, on the Kalends of October, a great and very bitter frost occurred, not only in our land but also in the East, and much more in the northern part, so that the sea of Pontus was turned to the hardness of stone by the rigor of the ice for up to a hundred miles, having a depth of thirty cubits from the surface, with all the regions from Lycia itself as far as the Danube and the river Cupha, and also the Dniester and the Dnieper, and the Necropylae, as well as the remaining shores, and as far as Mesembria and Media, suffering similar things. And when this frost had been covered with snow, it grew another twenty cubits, so that the sea was fashioned into dry land, and could be trodden by foot on the surface of the ice from Chazaria and Bulgaria, and indeed from the other adjacent nations, by men as well as by wild and domesticated animals. In the month of February of that same second indiction, this frost, by the vision of God, was divided into many and diverse ^C shapes of mountains, and by the force of the winds, descending to Daphnusia and Hieron, they came through the narrow passage to the city and as far as the Propontis and the islands and Abydus, filling all the maritime ridges and shores; and we ourselves ^D were spectators of these masses, descending upon one of them with some thirty of our contemporaries and playing upon it. It had within it also dead wild and domesticated animals: for everyone who wished could go on foot without hindrance from the Sophianae to the city and from Chrysopolis to S. Mamas and to those places which are called Galatae. And one of them, having broken near the stairs of the Acropolis, crushed it; and another of huge mass, colliding with the wall, shook it with a great impulse, to such an extent that the interior houses also participated in the upheaval. Furthermore, it circled the city, broken into three, from the Mangana, namely, as far as the Bosphorus; its height exceeded the walls. But all the people of the city, both men and women, and children alike, kept at the work of observing them unceasingly, and returned home with lamentations and tears, not knowing what to say to this. Moreover, in the same year, in the month of March, stars suddenly appeared falling from the heavens, so that all who saw this thought that the end of the current age was at hand. Great drought also occurred, so that even the fountains were dried up. The emperor, however, having summoned the patriarch, said to him: "Now, who harms us if we say that the Theotokos is the Christotokos?" But he, embracing him, said: "Have mercy, lord, may such speech not even come into your thought. Do you not see how Nestorius is publicly proclaimed and anathematized by the whole Church?" And he, answering, said: "I asked wishing to learn. But the matter rests with you."

In the year of the world 6246, the year of the divine incarnation 746, and the 24th year of the reign of Constantine, the Turks had gone out again to the Caspian Gates and Iberia; and when they joined battle with the Avars, many perished from both sides. But Abdelas, by such cunning, deposed from the principate Hiserbinmuse, upon whom, as was said above, the third lot of holding power after him had fallen. For seeing him suffering from headache accompanied by hemicrania and dizziness, he persuaded him that he would be cured if some ptarmic preparation were poured into his nostrils by his physician, a man named Moses, a deacon of the Church of the Antiochians, whom he had already made, by means of gifts, to prepare a very sharp medicine, which was also at the same time strongly narcotic; who, namely Hise, when he had obeyed Abdelas, received the preparation through his nostrils, and being filled in everything around the head, and deprived of all his senses along with his mental faculties, he lay speechless. Abdelas therefore called together the leaders and elders of the nation, and said: "What do you think concerning your future king?" But they, having unanimously renounced him, gave their right hands to his son, Abdelas Muhamed, who is called Madi; and they carried back Hise to his home without sense. But he, recovering after the third day, was consoled by [Abdelas] with false excuses, compensating for the injury with one hundred talents of gold.

In the same year also, Paganus, lord of Bulgaria, sent to the emperor, asking that he might meet with him face to face, and having received word, he went down to him with his Bohilads. And when the emperor was sitting with Sabinus, he received them and rebuked their disorder and the hatred held against Sabinus, and they made peace, as was thought. But the emperor, sending secretly into Bulgaria, captured Severus, a Slav prince, who had done much evil in Thrace. Captured also was a Christian, who from among the Christians ma-

- garites and became the leader of the ^A *scamari*, whom they brought with hands and feet cut off to St. Thomas, where they brought physicians to cut him open while alive, from the chest to the groin, in order to recognize the position and structure of the human interior, and thus they delivered him to the fire. Immediately thereafter, the emperor, leaving the city, since he had found the frontiers unprotected due to the deceptive peace, entered Bulgaria as far as Tzigas; and having sent fire into the cohorts he encountered, he returned with fear, having achieved nothing of consequence.

In the 25th year of his reign, on the 12th day before the Kalends of December of the fourth indiction, the raging, impious, and wicked emperor, against all who fear God, ordered the new protomartyr Stephen to be dragged away, while he was enclosed at St. Auxentius on the nearby mountain of Damatry. Those who were receiving the fruit of his instruction, and who were of the same mind as him, were seized—including the *scholarii* and those deputed to other ranks—and they tied his feet with a rope and dragged him from the *praetorium* to the place of Pelagius, where they tore him apart and cast his venerable relics into the Lake of the *Biothanati*, because he had exhorted many and led them to the monastic life, and had persuaded them to despise royal honors and wealth. For he was a man worthy of reverence by all, because he had spent nearly sixty years in the cloisters and had shone forth with many virtues.

He handed over many princes and soldiers, accused of worshipping icons, to various punishments and most bitter scourging; he also exacted a general oath from all who lived under his empire, that no one should worship the icon. Among these, he also made Constantine, the patriarch of false name, ascend the ambo and exalt the precious wood, and swear that he was not among those who worshipped images; to whom he soon persuaded that, from being a monk, he should become a *Stephanites*, eat meat, and allow cithara-players to be admitted to the royal table. But vengeance did not long delay in handing this murderer over to punishments.

Finally, on the twelfth day before the Kalends of February of the fourth indiction, a movement was made against the Bulgars, and he directed 2,600 *chelandia* to Achelon, arming them from all the themes; and when they had cast anchor in the gulf, because the north wind was blowing, almost all were crushed, and a great multitude of people were killed, so that the emperor ordered nets to be spread to draw out the dead and bury them. Moreover, on the sixteenth day before the Kalends of September of the same fourth indiction, he publicly defamed and dishonored the monastic habit in the Hippodrome, commanding each monk to hold a woman by the hand, and in that manner to pass through ^B the Hippodrome, accumulated with spittle and insults from the whole populace.

Likewise, on the eighth day before the Kalends of September, nineteen distinguished princes were led to the Circus games and paraded as if they had conspired wickedly against the emperor—not being truthfully accused, but because he envied them for being handsome and robust and praised by all; and indeed, some of them also because of their religion, because they had gone to the aforementioned recluse and propagated his sufferings openly. He killed them. The most prominent of these are: Constantine the patrician and former *logotheta* of the *cursus*, whom he named Podopagurus; his brother Stategius, *spatharius* and domestic of the *excubitores*; Antiochus, made *logotheta* of the *dromos* and *praetor* of Sicily; David, *spatharius* and Count of the *Obsequium*; Theophylactus, *protospatharius* and *praetor* of Thrace; Christophorus, *spatharius*; Constantine, *spatharius* and first of the imperial *stratores*, son of the patrician Bardanes; Theophylactus, *candidatus*; and others.

When he had caused them to be publicly led into the Hippodrome games and to be spat upon and reviled by the whole people, he gave sentence. And he punished those two brothers, I say Constantine and Stategius, with capital punishment within the enclosure of the hunting ground, with much lamentation of the whole populace for them, so that when the emperor learned of this, he was indignant and beat the prefect Procopius and removed him from his administration as if allowing this to happen. All the others, however, he deprived of their eyes and sent into exile, and sending them one by one, being full of all cruelty, he ordered them to be whipped with a hundred lashes at the places in which they resided.

Furthermore, on the third day before the Kalends of September of the same fourth indiction, the same malevolent man, going mad against his namesake ^C and fellow-thinker the patriarch, and having found certain clerics and monks, instructed them to say: "We heard the patriarch speaking with Podopagurus against the emperor." And he sent them to the patriarchate to confront him. And when he denied it, he made them swear upon the precious wood, confessing: "We heard these cursed things from the patriarch." Meanwhile, he sent and sealed the patriarchate with a bull, and relegated him to exile at Bieria, and subsequently to the Prince's Islands.

In the 26th year of the reign of Constantine, Abdelas Ibinalim died, during the collapse of a tower in which he was being held captive. But Abdelas, when he performed the honor of the chamber, showed many evils to the Christians living under his rule, for he took away the crosses of the churches and forbade the celebration of nightly vigils, and indeed forbade the learning of letters. But those who are called among them *Arurita*, which is interpreted as "zealots," rose up against the Palmyrene desert.

^A Their malice against the churches, however, stood manifest as the work of infidels. But the one who, by the ineffable judgments of God, ruled over the Christians—perhaps like that mad Ahab of old Israel—displayed to the orthodox who were under his rule (namely, bishops, monks, and laymen, prelates and subjects) things much worse than the insanity of the Arabs. Everywhere he rejected in writing, as useless and unscriptural, the intercessions of the holy Mother of God and all the saints, through whom every grace clearly flows to us. Their holy relics he dug up, casting them out and rendering them invisible, whenever he heard that they were being revered for the healing of souls and bodies, or that they were being honored by the pious as is the custom. Soon, therefore, he began to threaten death against those who acted in such a way, as if they were behaving impiously; or, failing that, proscriptions, exiles, and tortures. Indeed, a holy relic, most precious to God, which some possessed like a treasure, was taken away, to be rendered henceforth invisible. This profane emperor did the same thing with the most precious relic of the praiseworthy martyr Euphemia; he cast it deep into the ground along with its reliquary, unable to bear the sight of the ointment that even from itself gave forth a sweetness over all the people, convicting him of his delusions against the intercessions of the saints. But God, who according to the divine scriptures guards the bones of those who please Him, preserved it unharmed, to show it forth again at the island of Lemnos; for by a nightly vision He commanded that it be raised up where it lay and preserved. Under the pious emperors Constantine and Irene, in the fourth indiction, it returned to its own temple with due honor. As for the place itself, which he—the enemy of the churches—had decreed should be a public arsenal and a dunghill, they purified it and consecrated it anew, to the confusion of his impiety and the manifestation of their own piety. Now, after twenty-two years from the death of that wicked prince, we ourselves, along with the most pious emperors and the most holy Patriarch Tarasius, saw this miracle, so worthy of being written down, and embraced it with them, meriting—though unworthy—a great grace. ^B Moreover, on the sixteenth day before the Kalends of December, of the same fifth indiction, by the decree of the emperor, Nicetas the eunuch, born of the Slavs, was irregularly promoted to be Patriarch of Constantinople. And a drought occurred, such that no dew fell from heaven, and water failed completely from the city; the cisterns and baths remained idle, and even the natural springs that previously flowed continuously dried up. Witnessing this, the emperor began to renovate the aqueduct of Valentinian, which, having lasted up to the time of Heraclius, had been destroyed by the Avars. Having chosen craftsmen from various places, he brought one thousand builders and five hundred layer-men ^C from Asia and Pontus; furthermore, from Thrace itself, he brought five thousand laborers and two hundred tile-makers, and he placed over them princes as executors of the works and one patrician; and thus, the work being finished, the water entered the city. Furthermore, in that same fifth indiction, he promoted to the prefecture men worthy of his own iniquity: namely, Michael Melissenus in the theme of the Orientals, and Michael Lachanadrakon in the Thracesians, and over the Buccellarii, one Manin, named from *mania*, that is to say, insanity. But who is sufficient to recount the wicked crimes of these men, which will be described by us in their proper places? For if all or each of these works, which were done for the correction of the ruler, were to be written down, I do not believe, to speak properly with the Evangelist, that the world could contain the books that would be written.

In the year of the world 6259, of the divine incarnation 759, the twenty-seventh year of the reign of Constantine, Stephen is held as the bishop of the Roman see. But Constantine, the false-named patriarch, was led by the prince to an island on the Nones of October in the sixth indiction; the tyrant also struck him, because he was not able to walk. He ordered him to be carried in a litter and, when he arrived, to sit in the nave of the Great Church; and he was with his secretary, carrying a tome of papers in which his excesses were written. Therefore, with all the people of the city gathered there by royal command and seeing him, the paper was read to the hearing of all the people, and at each point, the secretary struck him in the face, as the patriarch Nicetas sat in the confessional and observed. After this, when they had placed him upon the ambo and made him stand erect, Nicetas took the paper and sent it to the bishops, and having removed his *superhumerale*, they anathematized him; and naming him "Scotiopsis," they dragged him from the church, making him walk backward. The following day, when the Circus games were being held, they shaved his face, denuded his beard, removed the hair of his head and eyebrows, and, having dressed him in a short tunic without sleeves, they made him sit sideways upon a donkey carrying a packsaddle, and hold its tail; they led him through the Diippion Hippodrome, with all the people and the mob cursing and spitting upon him. Constantine, his nephew, whose nose had been cut off, led the donkey. When he came before the mob, they descended and spat upon him and threw dust upon him. And when they had brought him to the consistory, they threw him from the donkey, trampled upon his neck, and standing against the mob, he heard from them mocking words until the release of the equestrian games. In the same month, the impious emperor sent patricians and signified to him, saying: "What do you say concerning our faith and the council which we held?" He, having had his senses turned to vanity, answered: "It is good," he said, and... ^D [alt-version omitted]

well have you conducted the council, thinking that by this he might appease him again. But they immediately answered him: "We do not wish to hear these things from your polluted mouth. Depart, therefore, from this into darkness and into anathema." And so, having received his sentence, he descended to the gates of the beasts and was beheaded. And his head indeed they tied by the ears and hung up for three days in the Milion for the spectacle of the populace; but they dragged his body by the foot, tied to a rope, through the street as far as the place of Pelagius, and threw it along with those who had died by violence; and in like manner, after three days, they brought his head there and threw it down as well. O the irrationality and cruelty and lack of mercy of that most savage beast! He did not fear, that wretch, the holy washing; for he had received his two sons from his third wife into his own palaces, since he is always proven to be savage in his ways and ungentle. From this year, however, he used greater insanity: indeed, he sent to remove Peter, the noble stylite, from his rock, whom, because he had refused to yield to his dogmas, he had ordered to be dragged by his bound feet to the aforementioned place of Pelagius, and to be thrown out after being dragged through the street. Others also he ordered to be bound in sacks and weighted with stones and thrown into the sea, gouging out eyes, cutting off noses, flaying them with whips, and devising every species of torture against those who lived piously. And in the city, he himself practiced these things and ^B instigated his accomplices—I refer to Antony the patrician and domestic of the schools, and Peter the magistrianus—and through the people of every order, whom he had trained for such things. In exterior themes, on the other hand, ^C he did this through the aforementioned praetors. For he himself delighted in the sound of the lyre and banquets, incessantly training those who clung to him in foul speeches and dances, and if anyone were caught falling or mourning and uttering the voice customary among Christians, saying "Theotokos, help," or performing vigils, or being accustomed to the churches, or living with religion, or not using oaths indiscriminately, he was condemned as an enemy of the emperor and named as one to be forgotten. As for the monasteries, which had been made for the glory of God and as refuges for those to be saved, he made them common houses for his supporters, the soldiers. Finally, he gave the monastery of Dalmatius, which was among the best of the monasteries of Byzantium, to the soldiers as a dwelling place; those which are called the monasteries of Callistratus and of Dii and of Maximinus, and other sacred houses of monks and virgins, he destroyed from the foundations. But those who had studied to undergo the monastic life from among the prominent soldiers or senators, and especially those who had clung to him ^D and had been accomplices of his lust and wicked acts, he submitted to death, suspecting the scandal that might come upon him from the pronouncements of those announcing him. Whence also he took Strategius, the brother of Podopagrus, although he was of urbane appearance: for he loved such men for his own lusts. But when he sensed that he had taken ill his unspeakable insanities against men, and that blessed Stephen the recluse of St. Auxentius had rendered these manifest and had received remedies of salvation, defaming him as an enemy of his own, along with the recluse, as has been said before, he killed him. Moreover, he made gold abound in the city: for, having become a new Midas, he heaped up gold and stripped the farmers bare, and because of the exaction of tributes, men were compelled to sell the great bounties of the fruits of God easily or at a cheap price.

In the same year, Nicetas, the patriarch of false name, erased the icons made of mosaic which were in the patriarchate of the inner Secretum; and he took down the images of the great Secretum, which were carved in wood, and defaced the faces of the other images. But he did the same thing in the Abramius.

In the 28th year of his reign, the emperor crowned his wife Eudocia, although he was a trigamist and she was his third wife, in the tribunal of nineteen couches on the Kalends of April; and on the following day, on which the holy Pascha was celebrated, he ordained his sons born of her, clearly Christophorus and Nicephorus, as Caesars, the patriarch offering the prayer, and the emperors placing the chlamys and the Caesarian helmets upon them. In like manner, he also placed a golden chlamys and a crown upon Nicetas, the youngest of their brothers, by a most noble deed; and thus they processed, the emperors throwing trimisia and semisia and new nomismata to the public, as far as the Great Church.

And in that same year, Nicetas, the patriarch of false name, erased the icons made of mosaic which were in the patriarchate of the inner Secretum, and took down the images of the great Secretum, which were carved in wood, and defaced the faces of the other images. But he did the same thing in the Abramius.

In the 29th year of the reign of Constantine, Heirene entered the city, coming from Athens with very many dromons and chelandia, adorned with silken palls, and the nobles of the city with their wives meeting her and preceding her. And when the patriarch had come to the palace in the church of Pharos, the betrothal of the emperor Leo to the same Heirene took place, and on the sixteenth day before the Kalends of January, she was crowned empress Heirene in the triclinium of the Augusta. When she had gone into the oratory of St. Stephen situated in Daphne, she received the nuptial crown together with the son of Constantine, namely, the emperor Leo who had been previously crowned. In this year also, a change was made in Syria, of man to man and woman to woman and boy similarly to boy. And Abdelas ordered their beards to be shaven, and kalamaukia of one and a half cubits to be made.

In the 30th year of the reign of Constantine, Adrian is held to be the prelate of the apostolic see. In the same year, he moved the army of the Banacas against Romania, and led away many captives, and the Romans, having entered the fourth Armenia, despoiled it. Furthermore, Salech dies, and Germanicia was transferred to Palestine.

In the same year, Lachanodraco, imitating his master, all monks and nuns in...

^A the Thracesian theme gathered together at Ephesus, and having led them out into the field, said to them: "Whoever wishes to obey the Emperor and us, let him be clothed in a white garment and at this hour take a wife; but whoever shall despise doing this, being deprived of their honors, they will be condemned to exile in Cyprus." And then the deed was accomplished along with the word, and many on that same day showed themselves as martyrs, while many, failing and having their nerves severed, perished, whom Draco also made into his own household servants. Furthermore, in the ninth indiction, in the month of January, a son was born to the Emperor Leo and Irene, who was named Constantine, while his grandfather Constantine was still alive.

In the 31st year of the reign of Constantine, ^B Banacas moved an army against Romania, and when he had descended from Isauria to the fortress of Sices, he besieged it. When the Emperor heard this, he wrote to Michael, the praetor of the Orientals, and to Manin, the praetors of the Buccellarii and the Armeniacs; and when they arrived, they held their exit, which was a pass very difficult to traverse. But the fleet of the Cibyrrhaeots, with the Praetona spatharius, their praetor, arriving, docked in the port of the aforementioned fortress. When Banacas saw this, having despaired of his own men, he took up confidence once again and made his men eager, and ascending to the cavalry forces with great and sudden shouts, he gave a cry along with all his men, and thus he put those who were terrified to flight, and having slaughtered many, he despoiled all the surrounding regions, and returned with much plunder.

In that same year, the praetor of the Thracesians, Lachanodraco, having sent his notary Leo and the ex-monk Leo, sold all the monasteries, both of men and women, and all the sacred vessels, and books, and livestock, and whatever there was of their patrimonies, and brought the proceeds to the prince. Moreover, as many monks and ancestral books as he found, he burned with fire; and if anyone appeared having a relic of a saint for safekeeping, he delivered this also to the fire, but he punished the individual who had it as one acting impiously. And he killed many of the monks by scourging; some he even slaughtered with the sword. Furthermore, he blinded ^C the eyes of innumerable people; and indeed on the beards of some, smearing wax and oil, he ignited a fire, and thus he burned both their faces and their heads. Others, after many tortures, he condemned to exile, and finally, he did not leave a single person in the whole theme subjected to him wearing the monastic habit. When the Emperor learned this—constantly hating what is good—he wrote to him, giving thanks and saying: "I have found in you a man after my own heart, who does all my will." Imitating this man, therefore, the others committed similar deeds.

In the 32nd year of the reign of Constantine, Abdelas sent Mualabitus into Africa with a great army, and Alphadal Badinar entered into Romania and took five hundred captives. But the Mopsuestians, meeting them and provoking a battle, killed ^D a thousand of the Arabs. But Abdelas, going away to Jerusalem, fasted and ordered that Christians and Hebrews be marked upon their hands; and for this reason, many of the Christians fled by sea into Romania.

In the 53rd year of his reign, in the month of May of the twelfth indiction, Constantine moved a fleet of two thousand chelandia against Bulgaria. And he himself, having boarded a red chelandion, moved to enter the Danube river, having also left the praetors of the horse themes outside the passes, in case they might be able to enter into Bulgaria while the Bulgarians had their gaze fixed upon him. But when he had come as far as Barnas, he became afraid and contemplated returning. But the Bulgarians also, seeing this and fearing with similar dread, sent Boilas and Tzigates, asking for peace. When the Emperor saw them, he rejoiced and made peace, receiving in return an oath that neither would the Bulgarians go out against Romania, nor would the Emperor strive to enter into Bulgaria. And documents having been made on this matter on both sides, the Emperor returned in turn and approached the city, having stationed soldiers left over from all the themes in the camps which he had established. But in the month of October of the eleventh indiction, he received a message from Bulgaria from his secret friends, that the lord of Bulgaria would send twelve thousand of the people and the Boilades to capture Verzitia and lead them away into Bulgaria. Lest it be known that he was moving against the Bulgarians (for envoys of the lord of Bulgaria had come to him), while they were still in the city, he feigned that he was moving against the Arabs, and both the standards and the furnishings of the royal apparatus were transported. But when he had dismissed the envoys, having learned of their departure through scouts, he took up the army and hurried on his journey, and having gathered the regular troops of the themes, both the Thracesians and the united ranks of the Optimates, he made them 80,000. And proceeding to the place which is called Lithosoria, with no horn sounding, they rushed upon them, and coming upon them, he achieved a great victory, and returned with much plunder and captives, displaying the trophies of his triumph near the city, and proceeding accompanied by an escort, calling this war noble, because no one had resisted him, nor was there any slaughter or spilling of Christian blood in it.

In the 34th year of his reign, Constantine, breaking the Bulgarian peace, built again a great fleet, and having put in it 12,000 cavalrymen, he directed all the praetors of the fleets in it, but he himself, fearing, remained with the horse militia. But when they had come as far as Mesembria and had entered it, a north wind blowing powerfully, almost everything was destroyed and many perished, and he returned, having brought about no utility. Furthermore, Telerigus, the lord of Bulgaria, having learned that the Emperor was discovering his designs through his own household servants, writes to him, saying: "I wish to escape and come to you. Send me a word of my security, and [list] those friends whom you have here, so that I may entrust this to them and they may meet me." But he, using artifice...

wrote to him. When he learned this, he cut off all [communication] through the intermediary. When Constantine heard this, he tore at his hair for a long time. ^A

In the 35th year of his reign, in the month of August of the thirteenth indiction, the emperor went out against the Bulgars. He was struck divinely and horribly in the legs by a plague which in Greek is called anthrax, and, detained by a most violent fever and one unknown to the physicians on account of the excessive heat, he returned to Arcadiopolis, being carried in a bed on the shoulders of his subjects; coming to Selymbria, he boarded a ship. And when he had reached the round fortress, he died miserably on the chelandion, crying out and saying: "I am still living and handed over to an unquenchable fire," and asking that the holy Virgin and Mother of God be praised, though he had been a foe to her covenant. The emperor reigned after the death of his father for 34 years, 2 months, and 26 days, and thus he ended his life, infected with many blood-guilts and [given over to] the invocation of demons and sacrifices, the persecutions of the holy Churches and the right and immaculate faith, as well as the slaughter of monks and the violation of monasteries, growing in various evils no less than Diocletian and the ancient tyrants. Furthermore, in the same year and same month, Abdelas, the leader of the Arabs, also died. For when both of them, like most savage beasts, had for a long time similarly fed upon the human race, they died by the providence of God. And Leo and Madi, their sons, obtained the rule. Moreover, in the same year, the king of the Longobardi came to the royal city and sought refuge with the emperor. ^B

In the year of the world 6668, the year of the divine incarnation 768, and the first year of the reign of Leo, Madi is held as the leader of the Arabs, who ruled over them for 9 years. But Emperor Leo began to spend the money that had been left to him by his father, and he pleased both the nobles and the people, and for a short time seemed to be pious and a friend of the holy Mother of God and of the monks. Whence he placed metropolitans from among the monks in the first sees, and he created many militias through the themes, and he expanded the orders in the city. On account of this, the princes of the themes, having been stirred up, all entered with a large multitude of the people, seeking his son Constantine as emperor. But he, as is the custom of princes, renounced them. "My son," he said, "is my only one. Therefore I fear to do this, lest perhaps it happen to me what is human, and since he is still a small child, you hand him over to death and promote another." But they, with oaths, professed that they would by no means allow any other to reign except his son, even if God had willed him to die. This, from the Lord’s day on which the solemnity of Palms is celebrated until the fifth day of the great week, with the people gathered in the Hippodrome requesting it, on Holy Friday he ordered them to swear, and all the people swore on the honorable and life-giving wood—that is, those from the themes and the senate, as well as those from the interior orders and all the citizens and the guild workers—not to admit any emperor except Leo or Constantine and their seed. And they made writings, just as they had sworn, with their own hands. ^C And on the morrow, namely Holy Saturday, the emperor went out to the tribunal of the nineteen recumbent seats, and he promoted the most noble Eudocimus, his brother (for his father had promoted Anthimus while he was still living), and the emperor proceeded with the rest of the Caesars and the three most noble [men] and the new Constantine to the Great Church, and having changed his garment, as is the custom for emperors, he ascended the ambo with his son and the patriarch at the same time, and all the people having entered placed their writings on the holy table, and the emperor spoke thus: "Behold, brothers, I fulfill your petition, and I give you my son as emperor. Behold, you receive him from the Church and from the hand of Christ." And they shouted with a great voice saying: "Be our guarantor, Son of God, because we receive from your hand our lord Constantine the emperor, to guard him and to die for him." And on the morrow, when the great and Lord’s day of Easter was celebrated, on the eighteenth day before the Kalends of May of the fourteenth indiction, at the dawn of the morning, the emperor leaving with the patriarch to the Hippodrome, with the altar brought forth and all the people gazing, the patriarch offered a prayer, and the emperor crowned his son; and thus they proceeded to the Great Church, both emperors with the two Caesars and the three most noble [men]. But the empress Heirene also processed, with the emperors having gone before, with scepters, [and the guards] having followed, carried before through the schools, and ascending through the ascent of the brazen gate into the Catechumenia of the church, not going out into the street of the Embolos. In the month of May of the same indiction, Nicephorus Caesar, the brother of the emperor, was accused because he had constructed snares against him with certain spatharioi and stratores and other royal men; and the emperor having made silence at the Magnaura explained to the people what had been said about him. They unanimously shouted that both should be removed from the midst, not remembering that they had sworn to their father on oath that they would not allow any injury to fall upon his offspring after his death. But the emperor decreed that the rebels, having been castrated and shorn, should be deported into exile at Cherson, and that those climates should be preserved under guard and fortification. ^D

In the second year of the reign of Leo, Telerigus, the lord of the Bulgars, fled to the emperor, who made him a patrician, joining to him also the cousin of his wife, Heirene. And when he had received him baptized also from the holy font, he honored and loved him magnificently.

In the third year of the reign of Leo, Ithimamas sat at Dabecon and incited a sedition. But the emperor Leo directed the militias of the Romans, and they entered Syria, one hundred thousand, to whom the leaders were Michael Lachanodraco of the Thracesians, Artahuasdus the Armenian of the Orientals, Tatzates of the Bucellarians, Basteratzes of the Armenians, and Gregory, the praetors of the Obsicians; and they surrounded Germanicia, where Hisbahalithius Madi was, and they apprehended

all his camels, and it would have come to pass that they had captured Germanicia as well, had he not persuaded Lachanodraco with gifts, so that Hisbahal withdrew from the fortress. ^A And he went out to plunder the region, and after capturing the heretical Syrian Jacobites, he returned again to the fortress. And after Ithimamas had sent an army from Dabeco, and the emirs waged war with the Romans, five emirs and six thousand Arabs fell, as they report. And they returned on Friday; for they had entered on Sunday. Furthermore, the emperor, having held a [i]majoma[/i] in the Sophianae, sat on the throne with his son, and thus the praetors publicized the triumphs they had won. Moreover, he transferred the Syrian heretics into Thrace and settled them there.

In the fourth year of Leo’s reign, ignited by fury, Madi, the leader of the Arabs, sent Hisan with a great force—namely, the Moors of Syria and Mesopotamia—and he descended as far as Dorylaeum. But the emperor commanded the praetors not to engage them in public battle, but to fortify the cities and bring the people inside for their protection, having assigned great princes to each city, and they themselves were to take three thousand of the picked soldiers and pursue them, so that they might not scatter their forces, and they themselves were to fire the fodder of the horses first, as well as the food supplies, wherever they were found. When, however, they remained at Dorylaeum for fifteen days and the necessities for living failed them, their animals died, and much booty was taken from them. And they returned and besieged Amorium for one day; but when they saw that it was fortified and had much armament, they returned, having achieved nothing. ^B

In the fifth year of Leo’s reign, Paul is regarded as the bishop of Constantinople, and Dabeco, the leader of the Arabs, came with a great power and equipment, and having sent his son into Romania, he himself returns to the holy city, and sends Muchesiam, who was called Zelotes, and gives him power to make apostates servants of the Christians and to desolate the holy churches. And he came as far as Hemesa, and promises to compel no one to *magarizare* except those who had previously been outside the faith, until the Hebrews and Christians were manifested. And immediately he began to torture them impiously, as neither Lysias nor Agricolaus had done formerly, and destroyed many. Truly, the wives, for the sake of Christ our God, overcame his insanity; and these, although they were the wives of the archdeacons of Hemesa and the sons of Esaias, being much tortured—since they had not yielded to the impiety, receiving indeed a thousand lashes and being subjected to many other tortures—received the crown of victory from Christ. Moreover, he reached as far as Damascus, and made many churches desolate, not intending to keep the word given to the Christians by the Arabs. Furthermore, on the eighth of the Ides of February, Nicetas having died, of whom it was predicted that he would be the bishop of Constantinople, on the second Sunday of the fasts, Paul, honorable by birth, a Cypriot, shining in word and deed, after a long excuse on account of the heresy by which he was held, is consecrated Patriarch of Constantinople under great compulsion. ^C But in the middle week of the fasts, James the protospatharius was arrested, along with Papias and Strategius and Theophanes, the chamberlains and *paracoemomeni*, and Leo and Thomas, likewise chamberlains, along with other religious men, because they adored the venerable images. Then Leo, laying bare his hidden malice, caused the sons of the persecutor to be mercilessly beaten and shorn, and to be paraded in chains through the middle of the city and ordered them to be shut up in the praetorium; among whom also the aforementioned Theophanes dies, having become a confessor and obtained the crown of martyrdom. All the others, however, were shown through his death to be proven monks. But Aaron, having entered the theme of the Armeniacs, besieged the fortress of Semalvos all summer long, and in the month of September he captured it. ^D

In the same month of the fourth indiction, Leo, the son of Constantine, died in this manner. Since he was insane about stones, he loved the crown of the Great Church too much, and taking it, he wore it; and carbuncles broke out on his head, and, seized by a violent fever, he died, having reigned for five years, six days excepted.

In the year of the world 6776, in the year of divine incarnation 776, the most pious Irene, together with her son Constantine, gloriously receives the empire from God on the sixth of the Ides of September of the fourth indiction, that God might be preached as wonderful even in this, by a widowed woman and an orphaned boy destined to depose the immense impiety stirred up against Himself and His servants, and the tyranny of the enemy of God, Constantine, against all the Churches, as once the devil’s was deposed by the weakness of fishermen and illiterate men. But four days after the start of her reign, when her son was ten years old, certain of the senators, conspiring, wished to remove Nicephorus from his position as Caesar and establish him as emperor. However, when the case came to light, Gregory, the logothete of the *dromos*, was arrested, as was Bardas, formerly praetor of the Armeniacs, and Constantine, the *vicarius spatharius* and domestic of the Excubitors, and Theophylact Rangabe, the *drungarius* of the twelfth island, and many others; whom, having been beaten and shorn, she relegated to exile in various places. Moreover, she caused his brothers, the Caesars and *nobilissimi*, to be shorn and to perform the priesthood and to offer the communion to the people at the festival of Christ’s nativity, in which, proceeding in imperial fashion, she publicly restored the crown of the church with the boy, which had been removed by her husband, most beautifully fashioned and adorned with precious stones. She promoted Elpidius as praetor in Sicily, who had also been praetor there before. Furthermore, on the seventeenth of the Kalends of May, the same Elpidius was accused of siding with the Caesars, and having sent Theophilus the spatharius, she commanded that he should capture him hastily and bring him back. And when he had arrived, the Sicilians did not give him up. But she of this

^A wife and children having been slain and tonsured, sent them to the praetor to be guarded. In the month of June, moreover, she designated all the further themes for guarding the passes and observing the exit of the Arabs, proposing as their head John the sacellarius, who was her eunuch and domestic. But indeed Madi sent Cebir with a great force, and they met at the place called Milum, and having engaged in battle, the Arabs were overcome, and many of them were killed, and thus they returned in confusion. Moreover, the most pious princes began to act trustfully, and the word of the Lord to be spread, and those wishing to be saved to renounce the world without prohibition, and the glorification of God to be exalted, and the monasteries to be restored, and every good thing to be made manifest.

In this same year, in the long walls of Thrace, a certain man digging found a stone sarcophagus, which, when he had cleansed it and uncovered it, he found a man lying ^B and letters adhering to the sarcophagus, containing these words: "Christ shall be born of the Virgin Mary, and I believe in Him. Under Constantine, truly, and Irene the emperors, O sun, you shall see me again."

In the second year of the reign of Constantine and Irene, Irene sent Costahim the sacellarius and Mainas the primicerius to Charles, king of the Franks, that he might give his daughter in marriage to the emperor Constantine, her son. And a pact and oath having been made between them both, they left behind the eunuch Elisha and a notary to teach her the Greeks’ letters and language; but also that he should instruct her according to the customs of the Roman empire. And having constructed numerous fleets, and chosen from the thematic peoples and princes those who would suffice, she promoted Theodore the patrician and eunuch, an industrious man, and sent him into Sicily against Helpidius. And when many battles were fought, those who were with Theodore prevailed. Which having seen, Helpidius feared, and having taken whatever money he had, he crossed over with Nicephorus into Africa, and having received a word of security, he fled to the Arabs; whom they, having received, held as Roman emperor, crowning him in vain, and clothing him in boots and ^C regalia. But when the Roman populace was vacant in these matters, Madi, the son of Aaron, went forth with power and excessive equipment, both of the Maurophori and of the whole of Syria and Mesopotamia and the desert, and came to Chrysopolis, having left Bunus to besiege Nacolia and to guard his rear. He sent, moreover, Burniche into Asia with 50,000; who, when he had vanquished Lachanodracon with the theme of the Thracesians at a place called Darinum, although they themselves were thirty thousand, he killed five thousand. But the empress having sent Anthony the domestic with his contingents, obtained Barin, and they shut them in. Tazatius, the praetor of the Bucellarii, fled to them, out of hatred which he had against Stauracius the patrician and logothete of the drome, a eunuch, who then seemed to be prominent and disposing all things. And counsel having been given to them, they requested peace. But when, to this, Stauracius and Peter the master and ^A Antonius the domestic had gone forth, they did not study to act subtly, so that they might receive the word cautiously and the sons of the leading men, but the ones going out were unadvisedly detained by them and bound in fetters, and both sides were compelled to make peace. And they gave to one another, namely the Augusta and Aaron, many gifts, with a pact firmly made that she should pay them tribute every year. And peace being made, they departed, abandoning also the city of Nacolia. But Atazates also took his wife and all his substance.

In the third year of her reign, peace having been made with the Arabs and a way found, Irene sent Stauracius the patrician and logothete of the drome with a great force against the Sclavinian tribes. And when he had descended into Thessaly and Greece, he subjected them all and made them tributary to the empire. He entered, moreover, into the Peloponnesus, and brought much captivity and spoils to the Roman empire.

In the fourth year of the reign of Constantine and Irene, Stauracius, concerning whom it was said above, returned from the Sclavenes and manifested his trophies in the Hippodrome with a triumph. But in the month of May of the same seventh indiction, the empress Irene went forth with her son and a plentiful force into Thrace, carrying around organs and other kinds of musical instruments, and she went as far as Beroea, and ordering it to be built, she named it Irenopolis. She came, moreover, as far as Philippopolis with all security, and returned, after she had also constructed Anchialus.

In the same year also the Arab leader Madi, who is also Maumed, died, and Mones his son obtained [the command]. Furthermore, on the day before the Kalends of September of the same seventh indiction, Paul, the most blissful and saintly patriarch, having fallen ill, left his throne and descending to the Florus monastery assumed the monastic habit, the empire being ignorant. But when the empress had learned of this, she came to him with her son, sad and crying out, "Why," she said, "did you do this?" But he, with many laments, said to her: "Would that I had never sat on the priestly throne, the Church of God suffering tyranny, especially since it has been cut off from the remaining universal sees and anathematized!" Which, finally, having summoned the patricians and the leaders of the senate, she sent them to him to hear what was said by him; who said to them: "Unless a universal synod is held, and the error which is in the midst of you is corrected, you shall not have salvation." But they said to him: "And why did you subscribe, when you were consecrated, that you would not consecrate an icon?" But he said: "In truth, it is for this reason that I am afflicted with laments and have run to repentance, about to entreat God, that He may not torture me like a priest who have been silent until now and for fear of your fury have not preached the truth." And in these things he fell asleep in peace, having left behind great lamentation both for the empire and for the pious and religious men of the republic: for he was a man to be honored, and merciful beyond measure, and worthy of all reverence, and having much faith.

both for the public and the empire regarding her. From that time, therefore, talk began to be held and debated by everyone concerning the holy images with confidence.

In the fifth year of the reign of Irene, with her son, the Arab leader Moses advanced, who ruled over them for one year. As for the Constantinopolitan see, Tarasius is held to be the prelate. In this same year, Empress Irene, having gathered all the people at the Magnaura, said to them: ^B "You know, brothers, what Patriarch Paul did; and if he had indeed lived, we would certainly not have allowed him to lay down the throne of the priesthood, even though he had assumed the monastic habit. But because, as it pleased God, he has departed from this life, let us provide a man who can shepherd us and preserve the Church of God with didactic sermons." And they all unanimously said that there would be no other than Tarasius, the secretary. But she said: "And we also choose him. But let him come forward and say for what reason he does not accept the election of the empire and of all the people." And he, answering the people, said: "Our sovereigns, the guardians of the immaculate faith of us Christians and the faithful emulators of those things which are for the glory of God, acting for the benefit of all in His good pleasure and for our advantage, and especially now diligently and solicitously considering ecclesiastical affairs—that a high priest might be established in this royal city of his—have assumed this intention in their piety, and that it might be manifestly told to me what they have decreed. And when I declared myself unworthy of this and offered no consent, as one who could not bear or suffer the yoke of this burden, they ordered me to be brought before your face, because you have become unanimous and approvers of this plan. And now, O men, who fear God and always have Him in your hearts, and who by the calling of Christ—that is, of our true God—are named Christians, I say: hear the account of this short discourse from my insignificance and humility. I, indeed, have replied whatever I have to our pious and in all things orthodox sovereigns, and I shall answer in your presence the apology for my prayer. I am depressed by fear from consenting to this election, and I fear to run from the face of God in such a manner and in any way carelessly, so that I succumb to a terrible condemnation. For if the divine apostle Paul, who heard the voices of God and had heaven instructing him, and was made an inspector of paradise, and heard arcana verba and bore the name of God before the nations and kings, said: 'Lest perhaps, when I have preached to others, I myself should become a castaway' [1 Cor. IX, 27], how can I, who have been conversant in the world and numbered among the laity in the administrations of the emperor, thus leap without instruction and circumspection to the magnitude of the priesthood—a horrendous attempt for my insignificance and a rash endeavor? The cause, indeed, of my fear and my refusal is this: for I look and I see the Church, which ^C is founded upon the rock, Christ the Lord, now torn and divided, and we speaking things otherwise and otherwise, and Christians who are in the East of the same faith with us speaking differently; but also the Westerners who agree with these, we, by all those and by each one, alienated and anathematized day by day. Anathema is a dire punishment: it sends one far from God, and casts one out from the kingdom of heaven, leading into outer darkness. The law or term of the Church does not know sect or contention, but just as it knows how to confess one God, one baptism, one faith, so also it knows one concord in every ecclesiastical business. For there is nothing in the sight of God so acceptable and placable as that the one Catholic Church be made one together, just as we confess in our sincere symbol of faith. And we petition ourselves, brothers, as I think, and you—since I know that you have the fear of God—that a universal synod be gathered by our most pious and orthodox sovereigns, so that we who are of one God may be made one, and we who exist as worshippers of the Trinity, united and unanimous and colleagues—and who are of our head, Christ—may be made one compact and connected body, and we who are of the Holy Spirit may be made not against one another, but for one another, and we who exist in the truth may be made thinking and saying the same thing, and there may not be in us contest or dissension, so that the peace of God, which surpasses all sense, may fortify us all. And if indeed the champions of orthodoxy, that is to say, our sovereigns, shall order this, I consent to my petition. But if not, it is impossible for me to do this, lest I be subjected to anathema and be found condemned on the day of our Lord and of the just Judge, where neither emperor, nor priest, nor princes, nor the multitude of men will be able to rescue me. And whatever it pleases you, brothers, give a response to my apology—or better said, to my petition of your assent." And all listened willingly to what was said, giving consent that the synod should take place. But Tarasius, arguing again to the people, said: "Emperor Leo overturned the images; and when the synod was held, he found them overturned. And because they were overturned by the imperial hand, the same chapter holds a question, because, as it pleased them, they presumed to exterminate the ancient custom handed down in the Church. But the truth of God, as we may say apostolically, is not bound." ^D

It was in the eighth of the Kalends of January, of the eighth indiction, that our nourishing Father Tarasius was consecrated Patriarch of Constantinople; who, by sending his synodical letters and the confession of his faith to Rome, was received by Pope Hadrian. The empress also sent and requested that he send letters, his own and men, by whom they might be found in the synod; who directed Peter, the vicedominus of his Church, and Peter, the Hegumen of St. Sabas, men honorable and adorned with every virtue. The empress and the patriarch also sent to Antioch and Alexandria: still [continues]

^A peace, which had been made with the Arabs, was not broken; nor had she dismissed the person who had come, but kept those who were arriving under guard. And they brought from Antioch John, a man great and famous, a participant in holiness by word and deed, who was also the syncellus of the Antiochene patriarch, and Thomas the Alexandrian, a man of zeal and most religious, who flourished having become archbishop of the great city of Thessalonica, which is in Illyricum. Meanwhile, upon the death of Moses, his brother Aaron became the leader of the Arabs, who ruled them for twenty-six years and showed many evils to the Christians.

In the sixth year of their reign, the emperors sent and called together all who were under their authority, the bishops, with letters and men having arrived from Rome sent by Pope Hadrian, as we have said before, and also from Antioch and Alexandria. And on the seventh of the Ides of August of the ninth indiction, presiding in the church of the Holy Apostles at the royal city, they began to read the holy Scriptures, and to challenge one another, with the emperors and catechumens looking on. But the people of the scholarians and guards and other ranks, accused by their leaders and still having the influence of their wicked teacher, rushed upon them with drawn swords, threatening to kill both the high priest and the orthodox bishops and abbots. Although the Empire, through the households present with them, attempted to settle them, they did not acquiesce, but rather reproached them. But when the patriarch had risen and entered the tribunal with the bishops and monks, those bishops who were of their malignant mindset went out to them, shouting and saying: We have conquered. And by the grace of God, those furious and inhuman men harmed no one. And thus, the synod having been dissolved, each departed to his own.

In the seventh year of their reign, Irene sent the patrician and logothete Stauracius into Thrace, in the month of September, at the beginning of the tenth indiction, to the further themes, and persuaded them to cooperate with her and remove from the city the impious crowd which the most wicked Constantine had instructed and educated. And while she feigned that an army was about to move into the Eastern parts because the Arabs had come forth, all the royal equipment and supplies went out as far as Malagina; and those who were of the outer themes entered and held the city. Sending to them, she signified, saying: Send me your arms: for I have work for you to do. And they, having been rendered foolish by God, gave them up. Then, having sent their households in ships, she sent them as exiles from the city, ordering each to depart to his own region in which he had been born. And when she had made an army of her own and princes to obey her, in the month of May she again sent throughout every place and called together the bishops, that they might come to the city of the Nicæans in Bithynia to hold a council there. And throughout the whole summer time, all were gathered at Nicæa, indeed those who ^B were from the Roman see and the Orientals.

In the eighth year of the reign of Irene and Constantine, the most holy Tarasius, archbishop of Constantinople, went out to the city of the Nicæans, and the holy and universal seventh synod of bishops was celebrated, and the catholic Church received its ancient ornament, preaching nothing new, but keeping immote the dogmas of the holy and blessed Fathers, and rejecting the new heresy, and anathematizing the three falsely named patriarchs, namely Anastasius, Constantine, and Nicetas, and all their consenters. The first convention and session of the bishops took place in the catholic church of St. Sophia ^C of the Nicæan city on the fifth of the Ides of October of the eleventh indiction. And in the month of November they all entered the royal city, and with the emperors presiding together with the bishops in the Magnaura, the decree was read, and the emperor as well as his mother subscribed to it, confirming piety according to ancient dogmas, to the honor of the clergy, and they sent them away; and the Church of God obtained peace, although the enemy does not cease to sow tares in his workings. But the Church of God, though always impugned, triumphs.

In the ninth year of their reign, the Empress Irene, peace having been dissolved regarding the making of a marriage contract with the Franks, directed the protospatharius Theophanes and took the girl from the Armeniacs named Maria from Amnia, and joined her to the Emperor Constantine, her son, although he was much saddened and unwilling, because of the affection he cherished toward the daughter of Charles, king of the Franks, whom he had formerly betrothed. And they consummated his nuptials in the month of November of the twelfth indiction. Meanwhile, Irene sent John the Sacellarius and the logothete into Longobardia, along with Theodotus, formerly king of the greater Longobardia, to bring vengeance, if possible, upon Charles and to lead certain ones away from him. They descended therefore with the patrician Theodorus and the praetor of Sicily, and after war was joined, he was caught by the Franks and miserably perished.

In the tenth year of the reign of Irene and Constantine, the devil moved men by the envy of the piety of the emperors, who instigated the mother against the son and the son against the mother: for they bent her as if certified by signs of future things, asserting to her: It is not predestined by God for your son to hold the empire, but it is yours, given to you by God. But she, as a woman led astray, especially since she also had a love of power, believed it to be so, and did not reflect that they themselves, wishing to dispense matters, were putting this forward as a pretext. Therefore, when the emperor was already twenty years old and quite robust and capable, he saw that he held no power, and was saddened, looking on the contrary at the patrician and logothete Stauracius possessing all things, and that everyone approached him, and no one dared to frequent him. Then, having taken counsel with a very few of his own household men, and

^A by means of many arguments, he strove to think of how he might seize him and send him into exile to Sicily, so that he himself might hold the empire with his mother. Furthermore, on the fifth of the Ides of February, a horrible earthquake occurred, so that no one dared to sleep at home, but all lived in gardens and under the open sky in makeshift tabernacles and extended tents. But the empress, together with her son, had gone out to Saint Mamas. When the aforementioned matter was announced to Stauracius, he stirred the Augusta against her son; she, having seized all the men of the emperor, beat and tonsured them, along with John the protospatharios and his tutor, and relegated them in exile to the lower regions as far as Sicily. Peter the magistros, however, she subjected to ignominies and ordered him to sit in his own house, likewise also Theodore the patrician. Furthermore, she determined that Damian the patrician, having been beaten and tonsured, should be an exile in the fortress of Apollonias. Striking her son and harassing him with many reproaches, she ensured he did not proceed for not a few days. She began to compel the militia, already saying, "As long as you live, we will not allow your son to reign," to submit to oaths. And they all swore thus, with no one daring to contradict this. Meanwhile, the fleet of the Arabs departed to Cyprus. Foreknowing this, the empress gathered all the Roman ships herself and sent them against them. When both commanders had arrived as far as Myra, they diverted from the promontory of the Chelidonians and entered into the gulf of Attaleia. But the Arabs, having moved from Cyprus, when a calm had caught them, were being carried about in the open sea. And as they were kept near land, the commanders saw them, and having drawn up a battle line they were prepared for fighting. But Theophilus, the commander of the Cibyrrhaeots, since he was a robust and very strong man, trusting in this, went out before them all, and was seized by them; and when he had been led to Aaron to be seen by him, he was exhorted to become a traitor and receive temporal gifts. Which, since he had not agreed to it in any way, and having been compelled further he had not yielded, he was shown to be an excellent martyr by suffering the verdict of the sword.

^C In the year of the world 6283, of the divine incarnation 783, but in the first year of the reign of Constantine, in the month of September, of the fourteenth indiction, there came those who took oaths to the theme of the Armeniacs; they did not agree to swear, because, they said, "We will not be ruled by your son while you live, nor do we prefer," they said, "the name of Irene before the name of Constantine, but that of Constantine and Irene, as we received from the beginning." But she sent Alexius the spatharios and drungarios of the watch again to bend them. But they, seizing him, promoted him so that he might preside over them. They committed Nicephorus the patrician and their commander to custody, and they praised and acclaimed Constantine alone as prince and emperor. Having learned this, the rest of the populace of the themes, having expelled their own commanders, also proclaimed only Constantine as emperor. O the malice of the devil ^D who strives to destroy the misery of men! For those who, fifteen years before, had sworn with a terrible oath and had deposited the writings of their own hands in the holy tribunal, swore again that they would not be ruled by his son during his lifetime, and again, handing this over to oblivion, extolled the emperor Constantine with praises of good reputation, not considering, wretched ones, that a reciprocal oath should not be made. For necessity forces perjury to follow every reciprocal oath. Perjury, however, is the abnegation of God. In the month of October of the fourteenth indiction, those who were from the themes gathered at Atroa and all, by common counsel, sought the emperor Constantine, who was in his twentieth year. Irene, fearing the onset of the people, absolved him. But they, for their part, affirmed this emperor, but rejected his mother. Furthermore, the emperor sent immediately Michael Lachanodracon and John his tutor and protospatharios, and they compelled the Armeniacs with oaths not to receive Irene their mother as empress. He confirmed Alexius as his commander. And when the emperor had returned to the city in the month of December, he made Stauracius, the exile, beaten and tonsured in the theme of the Armeniacs, for their satisfaction. Nevertheless, he also sent Aetius into exile, the eunuch protospatharios and his intimate, and all his domestic eunuchs. She, however, with her sweetness and affluence, settled in the palace of Eleutherius, which she herself had built, in which she had also hidden much money.

Indeed, in the same month a fire occurred, and the triclinium of the patriarchate, which is called the Thomaites, and that of the quaestors, and other houses even to the Milion were burned. But in the month of April, when Constantine had moved his camp against the Bulgars, he came to the fortress which is called Probati, to the river of Saint George. And when he had encountered Cardamus, the lord of Bulgaria, a small battle occurring around evening, those who were on the side of the Romans, being fearful, fled through the night and returned ingloriously; indeed, the Bulgars, also fearing, returned.

In the second year of his reign, in the month of September, the emperor moved his camp against the Arabs, and having set out from Amorium, he went to Tarsus of Cilicia. But when he had arrived at the waterless towers, he returned empty-handed in the month of October of the fifteenth indiction. Furthermore, on the eighteenth of the Kalends of February, the emperor, asked by his own mother and by many nobles, proclaimed her empress again, and she was raised with him with praise, as in the beginning of Constantine and Irene. All indeed obeyed. But the theme of the Armeniacs, insisting stubbornly, resisted this and sought Alexius, who had been a commander among them a little before, and having been summoned by the emperor then and honored with the dignity of patrician, seemed to live near him. Him, therefore, on account of a requisition of this kind and certain words spoken about them, which, as I see,

^A he would have ruled, he placed, withdrawing and shearing, in the praetorium. In the month of July, indeed, he moved the army against the Bulgarians and built the fortress of Marcellus; and on the twelfth of the Kalends of August, Cardamus, lord of Bulgaria, came out with all his force and stood in the fortifications. But the emperor, relying on confidence and persuaded by false prophets that the victory would be his, incautiously and inordinately waged war, and he was conquered by strong Mars; defeated, he returned to the city, having lost many not only of the common people, but also of the nobility—among whom were the magistrate Michael, Lachanodraco, and the patrician Bardas, and the protospatharios Stephanus; Nicetas also and Theognostus, who had been made prefects, as well as not a few royal attendants. But also Pancratius, the false prophet ^B and astronomer, who had even prophesied that he would be victorious. The Bulgarians also took away the baggage, money, horses, and tapestry, along with all the royal equipment. When, however, the orders were collected in the city, they consulted to bring out Nicephorus from his status as Caesar and appoint him emperor. When this was discovered, Constantine sent and brought out both sons of his grandfather Constantine to Saint Mamas; and he deprived Nicephorus of his eyes, and Christopher, Nicetas, Anthimus, and Endocius of their tongues; with whom he also blinded the aforementioned patrician Alexius, yielding to the persuadings of his mother and of the prelate Stauracius the patrician, who asserted that if he did not render this one blind, they would elect him emperor. This punishment took place in the month of August, on the day of the Sabbath, in the fifteenth indiction, at the ninth hour. Yet God’s justice did not long leave this action unavenged: for after five years, in the same month and on the same Sabbath day, the same Constantine is blinded by his own mother.

^C In the third year of the reign of Constantine, the Armeniacs, hearing about the patrician Alexius—that he had been blinded—took their prefect, namely Theodore Camulianus the patrician, into custody. On learning this, the emperor first sent some men to them, but after the holy Pascha he himself moved the army against these same Armeniacs, together with all the remaining themes. And on the seventh of the Kalends of June of the first indiction, on the day of Holy ^D Pentecost, when he had fought and defeated them, together with the Armenians who were with them and who had betrayed them, he captured them and killed Andronicus the spatharios and their turmarch, and Theophilum the turmarch, and Gregory the bishop of Sinope; the rest he subjected to the loss of their property and to proscription. Furthermore, he brought a thousand prisoners of their army through the Blachernae gate into the city, upon whose faces he inscribed with ink and punctures: "An Armeniac conspirator." He dispersed them into Sicily as well as other islands. The Armenians, indeed, their betrayers, having received no honor or generosity from the emperor, handed over the fortress of Camachus to the Arabs.

1404 In the fourth year of the reign of Constantine, the Arabs captured the fortress of Thebes, because of which the princes also departed for their own lands.

In the fifth year of his reign, Constantine, having hatred for his wife Maria, and by the submission of his mother, who desired the principate and sought that by which she might be judged blamable by all, forced her to become a nun; and when he had bent her to his will, he tonsured her in the month of January. And in the month of April he moved his army against the Arabs, and in the month of May, engaging in battle in the encounter with them, in the place which is called Amusan, he conquered, routed, and pursued them as far as the river. And when he had come to Ephesus and performed prayers at the holy place, he bestowed the revenue of the markets, which was one hundred pounds of gold, for the service of St. John the Apostle. In the month of August, the emperor crowned Theodote the chambermaid as Augusta, and he married her unlawfully.

In the sixth year of his reign, in the first indiction, the emperor Constantine celebrated the beginning of his nuptials with Theodote in the palace of Saint Mamas for forty days. In the month of April of the same indiction, during the night, there was a very terrible earthquake on the island of Crete; in the month of May, however, one occurred in Constantinople that was exceedingly horrible. Furthermore, Cardamus, lord of Bulgaria, sent word to the emperor, saying: "Either grant me terms, or I shall come as far as the Golden Gate and demolish Thrace." But the emperor, placing horse dung in a saddlebag, sent it to him, saying: "Such are the terms I have foreseen that befit you, which I have sent you. But because you are an old man, I do not want you to tire yourself by coming to these places; rather, I will come as far as Marcellus, and you come too, and whatever God judges, let it happen." And when the emperor had sent to the farther themes, he gathered his people and came as far as Versinicia, and Cardamus as far as the grove of Abroleva; and since he was afraid, he remained in the woods. But the emperor, having comforted his people, went as far as the grove of Abroleva, inviting him for seventeen days. But he did not dare, but retreated in flight to his own lands.

In the same year also, the Arabs came as far as Amorium, and as they had accomplished nothing, they returned, having made booty in the surrounding regions.

In the same year, Plato, abbot of Saccudion, separated himself from the communion of Tarasius the patriarch, because he had received the emperor into communion, and had commanded that his wife, Maria, should be tonsured by the instigator, and that he should crown him with Theodote, along with Joseph, the monk and abbot of the monastery that is called Tarchatara. When the emperor learned this, having sent Bardanius the patrician and domesticus of the schools, and John the count of the Obsequium, he brought Plato into the city and confined him within the cells in the temple of the prince of the militia, which is in the palace. The rest of the monks, however, along with his nephews, he punished by exile and relegated them to Thessalonica; whom the mother of the emperor assisted, as those who were resisting and confounding her son.

In the seventh year of his reign, however, in the month of September, the emperor went out with his mother to warm himself at Prusa. In the month of October a son was born to the emperor, whom he named Leo. When the emperor learned of this, he left his mother ^A at the baths, and together with his entire royal retinue and the princes, he returned in haste to the city. Upon this, his mother, having found an opportunity, spoke to the princes and, by means of gifts and promises, persuaded them to depose her son so that she might rule alone, flattering some of them through herself and others through her own men. She drew them all to herself and awaited the day to prove fitting. Meanwhile, in Rome, upon the passing of Pope Adrian, Leo, a most honorable man and to be revered in all things, was consecrated. In the month of March, however, the emperor set out against the Arabs, having with him the patrician Stauracius and other friends of his mother, as well as a select troop of expeditionaries, that is, twenty thousand soldiers from both themes. Those who were around Stauracius, seeing the eagerness of the people ^B and the emperor, feared that if a war were joined, he might win and they, having had schemes invented against him, would be frustrated. Therefore, having bribed the guards, they remained to lie to them, claiming that the Saracens had fled. The emperor, therefore, very much grieved, entered the city to no effect, and on the Kalends of May his son Leo died, and he mourned him vehemently. Furthermore, on the sixteenth day before the Kalends of August, as he was passing the equestrian arena at St. Mamas, those from the ranks whom the mother of the emperor had approached crossed over to arrest him. When he learned of this, he entered his own light vessel and crossed to the Pylae, wishing to flee to the Oriental theme. There were with him, however, friends of his mother whom he was completely ignorant of being such. Furthermore, he himself and his wife went out as far as Triton. ^C Then, his mother’s friends, who were with him, having taken counsel among themselves, said: “If the people gather to him, he will no longer be held in check, nor shall we be able to lie hidden, and he will destroy us.” His mother, having gathered in the palace of Eleutherius those from the ranks who had been placed with her, entered the palace, and when she learned of the people’s rush to the emperor, she was exceedingly afraid, and deliberated how to send bishops to him to receive word and have him sit in a corner. But she wrote secretly to her friends who were with him, that “Unless you act in some way and hand him over, I have words regarding the things you have with me to tell the emperor.” But they, fearing, held him with prayers, and having led him into the light vessel, on Saturday morning they came to the city and shut him ^D in the purple house, in which he had also been born. And around the ninth hour they cruelly and insanely tore out his eyes, so that death following immediately extinguished him, by the counsel of his mother and her advisers. The sun was obscured for seventeen days and did not give its rays, so that ships went astray and were carried off, and everyone said and confessed that on account of the emperor’s blinding, the sun, blinded itself, had drawn back its rays. And thus Irene his mother continues to rule. In the same year at Rome, the kinsmen of Pope Adrian of blessed memory, stirring up the people, rioted against Pope Leo, and seizing him they blinded him, though they could not completely extinguish his light. But he fled to Charles, king of the Franks, who took harsh vengeance on his enemies and restored him again to his seat. Moreover, returning the favor to Charles, he crowned him emperor in the temple of St. Peter the Apostle, anointing him with oil from his head to his feet, and surrounding him with imperial vestments and a crown, on the eighth day before the Kalends of January, in the ninth indiction. Thus Irene rules the Romans again for five years.

In the first year of the reign of Irene, that is, when she began to reign for the second time, she immediately dispatched Dorotheus, the abbot of Chrysopolis, and Constantine, the chartophylax of the Great Church, to Abimelech, who was ravaging parts of Cappadocia and Galatia, interceding for peace; which, however, was not done. In the month of October, certain rebels, putting the sons of the God-fighting Constantine in custody in the palace of Contherapia, persuaded them to flee to the Great Church, as if seeking security for their subsequent immunity, so that by such an occasion they might call one of them emperor. And as a great crowd was running to the church, the patrician eunuch Aetius entered and led them out by his word, with no one tending to them, and they condemned them to exile in Athens. Two patricians, however, namely Stauracius and Aetius, who were known to be beloved by the empress, became enemies to one another, so that they manifested their enmity openly, both having the intention of acquiring the empire for their own kinsmen after her death. In the second year of Irene’s reign, Abimelech went out against Romania, and having sent a raid of expeditionaries, he descended as far as Magalina, and having preemptively seized in the stables of Stauracius the horses fit for imperial cavalry, he returned without harm; and the rest descended as far as Lydia, and obtained much booty. In the month of March of the seventh indiction, Acamirus, the prince of the Sclavinians of Belzicia, urged on by the Helladics, wished to lead out the sons of Constantine and from them promote an emperor. But when the empress Irene learned of this, she sent for the patrician Constantine Serantapichus, whose son was Theophylact, who was a spatharios and her nephew, and she gouged out the eyes of all, and dissipated their counsel wickedly devised against her. Furthermore, on the second day of the feast of Pascha, the empress processed from the Holy Apostles, carried in a gilded chariot, which was drawn by four white horses and was held by four patricians, namely Bardanes, the praetor of the Thracesians, Sisinnius, the praetor of Thrace, Nicetas, the domestic of the schools, and Constantine Boila, liberally distributing largesse.

^A In the month of May, the empress fell ill, almost to the point of death, and the contention of the eunuchs dragged on. Aetius, however, had been aided by the patrician Nicetas, the domestic of the schools, and they pursued Stauracius severely, making the empress believe that he was seeking the empire, so that, bitterly enraged against him, she ascended to the Tonchierian palace and declared that he was the instigator of rebellion and discord, and the swift architect of her own destruction. He, having made an apology for these matters, fortified himself. But she raved against Aetius and Nicetas, the aforementioned patricians.

In the third year of Irene’s reign, in the month of February, in the eighth indiction, the aforementioned Stauracius was stirring up tyranny and sedition in the royal city; he assumed and sought to appease the scholarians who were in it, along with the excubitors, with their first payments and gifts. Irene, indeed, the pious empress, having maintained silence, issued an order in the Justinian triclinium prohibiting anyone who served in the military from adhering to Stauracius, and in this way affairs attained a modest tranquility. The aforementioned Aetius and Nicetas, however, along with certain others, competed in opposing Stauracius, who, struck at the heart, vomited forth foamy blood from his chest and lungs. Observing this, physicians pronounced it a mortal condition. But sycophants and the unskilled—not only physicians, but also certain pseudo-monks and diviners—persuaded him with oaths, right up to the day of his death, which occurred in the month of June of that same eighth indiction, that he would live and reign. Trusting in these, he plotted sedition in the Cappadocias against Aetius, ^B which he did not merit to hear of while alive: for two days after his death, news of this arrived, and the seditious were seized and subjected to exile and punishment.

In the following year, which is the first of the reign of Nicephorus, on the eve of the Kalends of November in the eleventh indiction, at the fourth hour of the night, as Monday was dawning, the same Nicephorus, while he was still a patrician and logothete of the drome, incited tyranny against the most pious Irene—God indeed permitting this through inscrutable judgments on account of the multitude of our sins—with the cooperation of the patrician Nicetas, the domestic of the schools, and Sisinnius the patrician, his brother, men perjured and of fraudulent Triphylian stock. There were also with them Leo the patrician Serantapichus, Gregory the patrician of Musulacius, Theoctistus the patrician and quaestor, and Peter the patrician, who seduced some of the people who were of the ranks. And when they had come to the gate which is called the Chalce, having suddenly and deceitfully deceived the guards, they persuaded them to believe that they had been sent by the empress herself to proclaim the same Nicephorus as emperor, on the grounds that the patrician Aetius was using force against her to proclaim his own brother Leo as emperor. Believing this great lie, they proclaimed as emperor the one who was a tyrant. Thus, therefore, these same patricians, coming to the great palace, entered it, and from there, directing commoners and servants throughout the whole city, they raised an acclamation before midnight, and stationed guards around the palace which is called the Tenta of Eleutherius, where it happened that she was. At dawn, having summoned her, they had shut her up in the greater palace, and thus they proceeded to the Great Church to crown the scoundrel. Meanwhile, the entire multitude of the city gathered, and all were troubled over these things that were being done, cursing the one crowning and the one being crowned, and all who congratulated them. And those indeed who lived with religion and reason marveled at the divine judgment, ^C as to how He permitted her, who had struggled like a martyr for the true faith, to be cast out by a cowherd—especially since those most devoted to her had proposed to adhere to him out of avarice, namely Leo the eunuch, the patrician and sacellarius, and the Triphylian patricians who were detested by God, who were enriched by her with many gifts, and who, often feasting with her and giving assurances with flatteries and horrible oaths that they held her more necessary than all the things of the world, affirmed their benevolence. Others, however, as if in an ecstasy, not sensing the reality of what was done, thought they were seeing a dream. Others, who alone knew how to weigh things well, beatified the past happiness and lamented the future unhappiness under tyranny, especially those who had already experienced the tyranny of his malicious intent. Yet darkness possessed everyone collectively and a consolationless faintness of mind, lest by each particular detail of her miserable... ^D

^A situation, he might compose a deformed speech or a prolix discourse. Finally, on the following day, having taken some of the patricians, he ascended to the empress who was confined in custody, feigning, as was his custom, a false benevolence, by which he deceived many, and excusing himself by saying that he had reached the principality unwillingly and had never desired it. Moreover, he cursed those who had promoted him and had attacked her with intrigues, just as the traitor did to the Lord after he had dined with Him; and he testified that they were imitators of that man. Having also shown his black shoes, he affirmed that he loved to use such things contrary to imperial laws. He deceitfully urged her to have confidence, and with oaths, he spoke of all bodily rest that it would be fitting for a mistress to obtain from a servant; and he exhorted her not to consider her misfortune a misery. Finally, he cautioned her not to hide any imperial treasures from him, and he condemned the vice of avarice—not being able to bear that she possessed this, for he was vehemently languishing because of it, devouring all things, and placing all his hope and trust in gold. But the truly wise and God-beloved Irene, although it was appropriate that she should be constrained by the passion of so sudden a change, as a woman, she said to him with strong and wise prudence—to him who had been a perjured servant yesterday, but today was considered clever, seditious, and shameless: “I, for my part, O man, consider that God formerly, when I was an orphan, exalted me and then raised me to the throne of empire, although I was unworthy. I attribute the cause of my deposition to myself and ascribe it to my sins. But in all and in every way, may the name of the Lord be blessed, of the only King of kings and Lord of lords. Furthermore, I refer the manner of your promotion to God, without whom I believed nothing could happen. Nevertheless, you are not unaware of the reports brought to me against you regarding the dignity with which you are now surrounded; the end of matters has shown these to have been true, and if I had taken them ill, it would have been easy for me to have had you killed. But now, trusting in your oaths and seeking to spare myself, I have thought little of many who were devoted to me, giving to God the things that are mine, through whom kings reign and the powerful obtain the land. But even now, since you are noble and promoted by Him, I adore you as emperor, and I pray you to spare my infirmity. And grant me the house of Eleutherius, built by me, for the reconciliation of my incomparable calamity.” But he said: “And if you wish this to be done for you, swear to me by every divine power that you will not conceal anything from the treasures of the empire, and I will fulfill your request and grant you every peace and rest.” She swore to him upon the precious and life-giving wood that “I will not hide from you even an obol”; and this she did. But he, having obtained what he desired, immediately relegated her to exile to the island of the prince, to the monastery she had built, while the envoys of Charles were still in the city and observed what was happening. Therefore, that voracious man, upon having perceived the empire of all, did not even slightly ^B put aside his avarice, but as if to redress injustice, he established a wicked and unjust tribunal in the Magnaura. For the intention of the tyrant was, as events themselves showed, not to render justice to the poor, but through this to dishonor [(89)] and imprison all those who were great, and to impiously transfer to himself that which belonged to everyone; and this he did. But seeing everyone grieved against him, and fearing lest they, perhaps mindful of the benefits of the pious Irene, might restore her again to the empire, in the month of November, with winter now pressing heavily, that merciless man did not pity her, but ordered her to be deported in exile to the island of Lesbos and to be guarded most cautiously, such that she could not be seen by anyone at all. Moreover, on the day before the Kalends of May, Nicetas Triphylius died, as they say, extinguished by Nicephorus with poison. And on the Nones of May, a Thursday, when Nicephorus had gone out to the suburbs of Chalcedon and had mounted a tame and very gentle horse, by the providence of God it threw him and crushed his right foot. But on the fourteenth day before the Kalends of August, a Wednesday, at the first hour, Bardanes the patrician and praetor of the Orientals, who was nicknamed Tureus, was called emperor by all the themes beyond. Having resisted much so as to escape them, he could in no way succeed, and descending as far as Chrysopolis, after staying for eight days and being in no way received, he returned as far as Malagma. Fearing God and reflecting lest perhaps a slaughter of Christians should be brought about because of him, he sent to Nicephorus, and having received a word in writing in his own hand, in which Tarasius the most holy patriarch and all the patricians also subscribed, that he would be preserved unharmed and safe with all who were with him, on the sixth day before the Ides of September, at midnight, fleeing secretly, he descended to Cius in Bithynia to the monastery of Heraclius. Having found a chelandion, which had been sent by the emperor for this purpose, he was tonsured and clothed in the monastic habit; and having entered it, he went off to the island which was called Prima, in which he had built a monastery, thinking that the terrible word ^C that the contemptible Nicephorus had given to him was truthful and that he would be harmed in nothing. But he, at first, indeed stripped him of his substance, and seizing the occasion, [seized] all the princes and inhabitants of the themes; he also imprisoned some from the royal city, but he deserted the private military pay. But what speech will be sufficient to narrate worthily the works which were done in those days by him through the indulgence of God on account of our transgressions? On the ninth day of the month of August of the eleventh indiction, the empress Irene died in exile on the island of Lesbos, and her body was translated to the island of the prince, to the monastery which she herself had built.

In the year of the world 6246, in the year of the divine incarnation 716.

^A In the second year of his reign, Nicephorus crowned his son Stauracius as emperor through the most holy patriarch Tarasius, in the ambo of the Great Church, although he was unfit for such a position in every way—both in appearance, physical strength, and sense. Moreover, Nicephorus, who never kept his word, sent certain Lycaonians—or rather, wolf-men—who were of one mind and intent with him, to the island of Prote; he ordered them to ascend it by night and, as if without his knowledge, to deprive Bardanes of his sight, and after the deed, to flee to the church. When this was done, both the patriarch, the senate, and all who feared God were bitterly grieved. But the most wicked Emperor Nicephorus, pretending to seek out the Lycaonians with oaths, investigated them, as was believed, to take revenge, constantly acting strictly for show and not according to God. For along with his other failings, he possessed a particular trait of mind by which he had seduced many even before his reign; nevertheless, this habit was considered ridiculous by those who knew him clearly, so much so that his face, always dark and polluted with much impudence, would then become inaccessible for seven days, while he lamented deceitfully inside the imperial bedchamber. For he naturally possessed womanly tears, which it is certain are in many wicked, pseudo-Christian men, though it did not escape the notice of many. But in the month of August, when he had gone out against the Arabs, he met them at Crasus of Phrygia, and having joined battle, he was defeated; having lost many, he himself would nearly have been taken alive had not certain very brave princes barely managed to save him from necessity.

In the third year of the reign of Nicephorus, a faction having arisen among the Persians, the Arab commander descended to pacify them. Nicephorus, however, having found an opportunity, built Ancyra in Galatia, and Thebasana, and Andrasus. He also sent out patrols, which returned accomplishing nothing, but on the contrary, rather losing many men.

In the fourth year of the reign of Nicephorus, on the twelfth day before the Kalends of March, the most holy patriarch of Constantinople, Tarasius, gloriously ended his days, and his body was carried to the narrow strait and buried in the monastery which he himself had built, on the fourth day of the first week of Lent. And in the month of April, on the Sunday of the holy Pascha, the most holy patriarch Nicephorus was consecrated from his position as secretary, by the election of the whole populace and furthermore of the priests and the emperors. Indeed, Plato and Theodorus, the hegumens of the monastery of Studium, did not consent to the consecration of Nicephorus, but even resisted him strongly, meditating a schism and having what they considered a reasonable cause: that it was not proper to hasten suddenly from the laity to the episcopate. The Emperor Nicephorus, wishing to drive them from the city, was corrected by those who gave him counsel, asserting that the creation of the patriarch would not be praiseworthy if the rejection of the aforementioned men and the destruction of such a great monastery were to occur, ^B of about five hundred monks ordained under the rule of Theodorus.

In that same year, Aaron, the commander of the Arabs, moved an army against Romania, in great strength, namely of three hundred thousand men, gathered as much from the Maurophori as from Syria, Palestine, and Libya. And when he had come to Tyana, he built a house of blasphemy; and besieging it, he then took the fortress of Heraclius, which was very strongly fortified, and Thebasana, and Malocopea, and Sideropelus, and Anandarasus. He sent, however, a force of sixty thousand warriors, which descended as far as Ancyra, and having seen it, returned. But the Emperor Nicephorus, held by fear and inability, withdrew, and he himself, in desperation, was about to demonstrate the hardships of his misfortune. And having achieved many trophies, he sent to Aaron the metropolitan of Synada, and Peter, the hegumen of Gula, and Gregory, the economos of Amastra, demanding that peace be made. And after they had disputed much, they confirmed a peace, so that each year he would provide them with three hundred thousand coins, and three coins as a head tax for the emperor, and three for his son. Having received these, Aaron was gladdened and exulted more than if he had received ten thousand talents, as one who had subdued the Roman empire. Furthermore, it was agreed between them that the fortresses which had been destroyed were not to be rebuilt. And when the Arabs had returned, he immediately rebuilt the same fortresses and fortified them. Having learned of this, Aaron sent again and retook Thebasana, and having sent an envoy to Cyprus, he destroyed the churches, caused the Cypriots to emigrate, and having caused much destruction, he dissolved the peace.

In the fifth year of his reign, Nicephorus moved camp against the Bulgars. And when he had come to Hadrianopolis, and had sensed that the imperial men and some of the orders were meditating a faction against him, he retreated ineffectively, accomplishing nothing, except that he brought vengeance upon their associates, subjecting many of them to slaughter, exile, and the proscription of their property.

In the sixth year of the reign of Nicephorus, in the month of September, Aaron, the commander of the Arabs, directed his fleet against Rhodes with Cumeid; who, having suddenly crossed over and arrived at Rhodes, committed much destruction in it. Nevertheless, the citadel that was in it remained unattacked. But as he was returning, he was clearly attacked by the holy and miracle-working Nicholas. For when he had come to Myra and attempted to crush his holy ark, he crushed another in its stead. Presently, an inequality of many winds and sea waves, and also of thunder and lightning, seized the fleet, so that very many boats were shattered, and the attacker of God, Cumeid, recognized the virtue of the saint and escaped danger beyond his expectation. Furthermore, on the thirteenth day before the Kalends of January, Nicephorus, after much choosing of virgins from all the power subject to him, for the sake of coupling his son Stauracius to a wife, separated Theophana the Athenian, kinswoman of Empress Irene, who had been betrothed to a man and had often slept with that same man, and he impudently coupled her to Stauracius.

With the same wretchedness, he also acted as a perverter against the Roman armies; this too he accomplished through his perfidious speech. Indeed, he openly debauched two other women, fairer than she, whom he had chosen alongside her, in those same days of the nuptials, being mocked by all on account of this same obscenity. Finally, in the month of February, many of the nobles, devising a conspiracy against him, chose the quaestor and patrician Arsabir, a pious and most reasonable man. When the multiform Nicephorus learned of this, he had him whipped and tonsured as a monk, and sent him off to be exiled to Bithynia; as for the others, he subjected them to scourgings, tonsures, confiscations, and, furthermore, to exiles, not only the princes of worldly life, but also holy bishops and monks, and indeed the syncellus, the sacellarius, and the chartophylax of the Great Church, men reasonable and worthy of reverence. ^B

In the seventh year of the reign of Nicephorus, Aaron, the leader of the Arabs, died in the inner reaches of Persia, in a place called Chirsusan; his son Maumed, a man scrupulous in all things, took up the rule. Against him, his brother Abdelas stirred up sedition and became the author of a civil war. Following this, those who were in Syria, Egypt, and Libya were split into various principalities and subverted both public affairs and one another, becoming disordered through massacres, plunder, and various villainies against themselves and against the Christian subjects. Because of this, the churches that were in the holy city of Christ our God were left abandoned, as were the monasteries of the two great Lauras (90), namely those of holy memory Chariton and Cyriacus, and of St. Sabas, as well as the remaining monasteries of the holy Fathers Euthymius and Theodosius. Theodore, hegumen of the Studios, and his brother Joseph, Archbishop of Thessalonica, together with Plato the recluse and the rest of his monks, withdrew from communion with the most holy patriarch Nicephorus on account of Joseph the oeconomus, who had perfidiously crowned Constantine and Theodotus. Then Emperor Nicephorus, seizing the opportunity, having gathered many bishops and hegumens, ordered a synod to be held against them, by which they were rejected from the monastery and the city and sentenced to exile in the month of January, in the second indiction. ^C

In the same year, while the dole was being distributed to the people at the Strymon river, the Bulgars attacked and seized it, taking one thousand and one hundred pounds of gold, and killing a great multitude of people along with the prefect and the princes. For there were not a few princes of the other themes taxed at that place, all of whom perished there. They also took the entire baggage train and thus returned.

In the same year, before the solemnity of Holy Easter, Krum, leader of the Bulgars, having marched against Sardica with a battle line, killed six thousand men without counting the common multitude (91). Nicephorus, however, having set out as if against him on the third day of the holy week of the Passion, accomplished absolutely nothing worth mentioning. But those princes who were saved from the slaughter, when he refused to grant them the word of salvation, he compelled to flee to the enemy; among them was Eumathius the spatharius, a man lacking in mechanical skill (92). But Nicephorus, because of his deep disgrace, was anxious to persuade the royal city with sacred oaths to believe that he had celebrated the feast of Easter in the court of Krum. Furthermore, because he had wished to build up the city of Sardica, which had been destroyed, with the multitudes resisting, he feared... to demand of the mobs to petition the emperor regarding the building. But they, with a cunning sense, as if suborned by his wretched arguments, rioted against him and his commanders for six hours, and, rushing in, smashed their tents. When they had approached the imperial quarters, they assailed him with many insults and curses, declaring that they could no longer endure his immense avarice and his wicked designs. Yet he, suddenly terrified by the fear of the conspiracy, rose from the table. And first, indeed, he tried to calm the army through the patricians Nicephorus and Peter, with oaths and persuasive words. But they, having obtained a brief respite, seized a certain hill, and forgot the act which they had been performing with their own hands, crying out "Kyrie eleison," as if upon some earthquake or drought. But he, being always prepared for every evil, having seduced many of the princes with clandestine bribes during the night, on the following day came out into the midst himself and addressed the mobs regarding total tranquility, and certifying them with horrible oaths regarding his equal affection for their children, and immediately returned to the royal city, leaving behind the patrician and primoskrinios Theodosius, surnamed Salibaran, to learn from each other who had committed the sedition. But when the multitudes were returning, he gathered them at St. Mamas, and having punished many of them with slaughters, tonsures, and exiles, he led the rest across to Chrysopolis, trampling on such great and such horrible oaths. They, indeed, on account of this affliction, called it the fiery river. ^D

In the eighth year of his reign, Nicephorus, after his impious proscriptions, planning to humble the armies entirely, ordered the Christian exiles from every theme to be brought into Sclavinia, and their possessions to be sold. And this matter was no less severe than captivity, with many blaspheming out of madness and calling for the incursions of the enemy, while others nonetheless... regarding the funeral rites.

^A There was a certain man in the forum, wealthy from his own labors and lacking nothing. Having summoned him, the voracious emperor said: "Place your hand on my head and swear how much gold you have." The man, deeming it little, refused; but being forced by him to do so, he said he had a hundred pounds. At that very hour, the emperor ordered them to be brought, saying: "Why do you have need to be troubled? Dine with me, and take ten pounds, and go satisfied."

In the ninth year of his reign, Nicephorus extended his inventions against the Christians: godless inspections of the purchasing of animals, various fodders, and crops; unjust assessments; the losses suffered by the princes; and usury on ships, concerning which he laid down a law for everyone that nothing should be given at interest, ^B along with ten thousand other machinations of evil, the particular history of which is burdensome for those who seek to learn the causes in summary. On the Kalends of October, on a Tuesday, a certain man, deranged and in the habit of a monk, drew a sword and ran into the palace, seeking to kill Nicephorus. Two of those standing by, rushing upon him, were cruelly wounded by him. Being apprehended and subjected to many torments, he excused himself, pretending to have a demon, and accusing absolutely no one. But he [the emperor] confined him to the stocks with the afflicted. Many, therefore, subsequently divined that this was a sign of a massive evil to come, both for the emperors and for the subjects, just as it happened in the case of the impious Nestorius.

As for the Manichaeans, who are now called Paulicians and Athingani, and who were settled in Phrygia and Lycaonia and considered his neighbors and acquaintances, he was their most fervent friend, always congratulating them on their responses and their sacrifices. It was by these advocacies that he defeated the patrician Bardanus when he rose up against him. Indeed, having tied a bull by its horns to an iron stake in a certain pool and bent it down to the ground, he caused it to be killed while it was lowing and wallowing; he then placed its garment into a mill, turning it the other way, and by using incantations, he won the victory, God permitting this because of the multitude of our sins. These people obtained a place under his rule to live without fear; whence many of the more fickle-minded were corrupted by their unspeakable sects.

In the Exacionion, a certain false hermit named Nicolaus and others with him had become blasphemers, opposing even the right belief and the venerable icons; Nicephorus defended them ^C and on this account made the high priest and all who lived according to God sorrowful. For he was often indignant against those who complained about them, greatly congratulating those who stirred up enmities against one another, mocking every Christian who loved his neighbor, as one who overturns the divine commandments; for his ambition was to stir up irrational and rational judgments against every man in the tribunal of the Magnaura, which no one would be free to act against, given his impieties. Finally, he used military leaders like servants, [treating] the bishops and lower-ranking clergy...

^A with outrages, ordering that their episcopal residences and monasteries be made available to those who would audit them, and that whatever was rightfully theirs be grossly misused. Regarding those who had long devoted their lives to divine service, he disparaged the gold and silver vessels, and decreed that all the sacred objects of the churches should be held as common property, acting just like Judas when he pronounced judgment upon the Lord’s ointment. Indeed, he accused all his imperial predecessors of being improvident, generally denying that God provides for all things, and declaring that no one in power could be circumvented if he merely exerted himself to hold onto his principate with strength. But he became vain in his thoughts, destined by God to be destroyed.

Meanwhile, in the month of February of the same fourteenth indiction, on the first Saturday of the fasts, the Saracens happened upon Leo, the praetor of the Armeniacs, near Euchaita, as he was carrying the tribute for the theme, and they took it, along with a great multitude of his people. The talents amounted to sixteen, which is one thousand three hundred pounds. And yet, even after being thus rebuked, Nicephorus did not cease from his avarice. In these signs, then, the new Ahab remained uninstructed; a man who, having become more ambitious than Phalaris and Midas, prepared for battle against the Bulgars together with his son Stauracius.

Departing from the royal city in the month of July, he ordered Nicetas the patrician and general logothete to impose public levies on churches and monasteries and to exact the returns of the past eight years from the houses of the nobles, and there was great lamentation. When he heard a complaint from one of his own servants, namely the patrician Theodosius Salibara, who said to him, "Master, everyone is crying out against us, and in the time of trial everyone will rejoice at our destruction," he said to him, "If God hardened my heart as He did Pharaoh's, what good will it be to those who are under my hand? Do not expect anything, Theodosius, other than what is seen by Nicephorus." The Lord knows these things. I, the writer of these accounts, heard this from Theodosius with my own ears.

Having gathered the militia, not only from Thrace but even from regions further afield, he threatened those who had brought even destitute infantrymen, who were to serve at their own expense, armed only with slings and clubs, as well as those who spoke blasphemies against the Bulgars. Crumnus, fearing the multitude, being at Marcellae, sought peace. But Nicephorus was prevented by wicked counsel and by the persuasions of those who shared his base designs; and after winding through many paths, he rushed headlong through trackless places, reckless and fearful at once, and entered Bulgaria on the thirteenth day before the Kalends of August, as Sirius appeared, consuming all things, frequently saying, "Who will go and deceive Ahab, since God or the adversary draws me against my will?" But before he had entered Bulgaria, a Byzantine servant of his, dear to him, fled from Marcellae to Crumnus, taking with him stolen imperial garments and one hundred pounds of gold. Many took this flight as an omen of evil for Nicephorus. For three days after the first skirmishes, thinking he was prospering, he ascribed the victory not to God, who was not favoring him, but attributed his good fortune and clever plan to Stauracius alone.

^B He ordered that all irrational animals, infants, and those of every age be killed without mercy, and he left the corpses of those of the province unburied, showing diligence only in the collection of spoils. He placed keys and seals upon the inner chambers of Crumnus, securing them as if they were his own property from that time forward. He also cut off the ears and limbs of other Christians who had touched even a small part of the spoils, and he burned the hall which was called the "Court of Crumnus," even though he himself had been severely humbled and had signaled, saying: "Behold, you have conquered. Take, therefore, whatever will satisfy you, and depart in peace." But Nicephorus, being an enemy of peace, would not accept this. In his rage, he sent wooden defenses to the entrances and exits of the region and surrounded and fortified it with walls.

Nicephorus, having discovered this, was soon struck with terror, not knowing what he should do, and he kept circling, predicting the future destruction to those who were present with him, asserting: "Even if we were made winged, no one should hope to escape destruction." These maneuvers lasted for two days, namely Thursday ^C and Friday; and on the night of the Sabbath, disturbances and the sounds of armed mobs were heard around Nicephorus, and the battle lines were drained of all strength. Therefore, before the beginning of the day, the Barbarians arrived at the tent of Nicephorus and the magnates who were with him, and they miserably slew him; among whom were the patricians Aetius, Peter, and Sisinnius Tryphyles, as well as the patrician Theodosius Halibaras, who had grieved and shown/caused many evils to the blessed Irene; also Eparchus the patrician, and Romanus the patrician and praetor of the Orientals, and many other protospatharii and spatharii; furthermore, the commanders of the units, and the domestic of the excubitors or drungarius of the imperial guard, as well as the praetor of Thrace, and many commanders of the themes, along with countless people.

Every sort of Christian was destroyed; all their weapons and the vessels of the empire also perished. May Christians never again see such ugly words as those of that day, for they exceed all lamentation. These things happened on the seventh day before the Kalends of August of the fourth indiction. Crumnus suspended the severed head of Nicephorus on a stake for many days as a spectacle for the nations arriving to see him, to the confusion of all of us. After this, indeed, taking it and stripping the skin and covering it on the outside with silver, he made the princes of the Sclaveni drink from it in triumph. But although many widows and orphans were made in one day and an intolerable lamentation was held, the killing of this man became a consolation for many. However, none of those who were saved has clearly narrated the mode of this slaughter. Some say that even the Christians stoned him as he was falling, and that his effeminate men—namely his servants, with whom he used to lie—perished with him, some by fire in the rampart, others by the sword. The Christians never experienced a time more severe than his reign. All ^D

^A those who ruled before him he surpassed in his ambitions, his luxuries, and his barbaric cruelties; to recount these one by one would be incredible to posterity and laborious for us. Yet, from the fringe of his robe, the full measure of his wretchedness shall be revealed, according to the proverb.

Stauracius, his son, was dangerously wounded in the right side of his neck and barely came out of the battle alive; he arrived at Adrianople, cruelly struck by the blow. But the patrician Stephanus, domestic of the Schools, when the master Theoctistus was also present, proclaimed Stauracius emperor; and he disputed before the people, having been saved, against his own father; for this they were greatly delighted. Michael Curopalates, for his part, emerging unscathed, was strongly urged by his friends to be called emperor, but he did not accept it because of the oaths he had taken to Nicephorus and Stauracius. Stephanus the domestic resisted this, hoping for the life of Stauracius. Theoctistus the master, however, strove for the empire of Michael. Stauracius, meanwhile, withered from the moment the blood began to gush from his urine into his thighs and shins, to such an extent that he had to be carried to Byzantium on a litter. Nicephorus the patriarch, with a deep and loving affection, gave him counsel that he should appease God and console those who had been burdened by the greed of his father. To him, the true heir of his father’s disposition said that he could not restore more than three talents. This was, however, but a meager portion of his injustices; yet even regarding this he was sluggish, trusting that he would live. But since he preserved no covenant inviolate in accordance with his fatherly spirit toward anyone, he frequently subjected to indignities the master Theoctistus, the domestic Stephanus, and Michael the Curopalates, turning away entirely from Procopia, his own sister, as one who was conspiring against him with the entreaties of the Augusta Theophano. Soon, also, the poor woman, following the imitation of the blessed Irene, hoped to obtain the empire, as she had no children. But Stauracius, seeing that his condition was incurable, hastened to acquire the empire for his wife or to incite the Bulgarians against the Christians in addition to the previous evils. Concerning which, the patriarch Nicephorus, the master Theoctistus, and the domestic Stephanus, fearing much, turned from great enmity to mutual friendship with Michael the Curopalates around the end of the month of September of the fifth indiction. On the Kalends of October in the evening, Stauracius asked the domestic Stephanus by what means he might lead Michael, his sister’s husband, from his own house in order to have his eyes put out. When he replied that this would be impossible at that hour because of the virtue that was about him and the fortification of his house, he asked that this become known to no one. But he, ^D having swayed him with persuasive words—when he was anxious—collected throughout the entire night the remaining military ranks in the Hippodrome, together with his own princes, to proclaim the same Michael emperor. And when the whole senate had come from the light to the palace, they proclaimed him emperor, as will be indicated in what follows. ^B Furthermore, Patriarch Nicephorus demanded a written statement of the true faith from Michael in his own hand, so that he might keep his hands free from blood, as well as ensure that sacred men, that is, monks and the entire ecclesiastical catalog, would not be struck by him.

In the year of the creation of the world 6304, in the year of the divine incarnation 804, in the eighth month, on the fifth day, at the first hour, in the fifth indiction, Michael, the most pious Curopalates, was called Emperor of the Romans in the Hippodrome by the whole senate and the orders, and he reigned for two years. Stauracius, having heard this acclamation, immediately shaved his head and was clothed in monastic garments by the monk Simeon, his kinsman, as he was begging the patriarch earnestly. The patriarch, coming to the palace, entreated Stauracius much, along with the Emperor Michael, not to be grieved over what had happened; for he asserted that this had been done not by treachery, but by the desperation of his own life. But he, raging with the fury of his father’s wickedness, did not consent, saying to him, "You will not have a friend better than me." Indeed, on the fourth day of his reign, Michael was crowned by the patriarch Nicephorus on the ambo of the Great Church, in which great exultation took place, and he gave the patriarch fifty pounds of gold and twenty-five to the clergy. For since he was magnanimous and not avaricious, he consoled all who had been injured by the greed of Nicephorus, and refreshed the senate and the military with gifts. Furthermore, on the fourth day before the Ides of October, Procopia Augusta was crowned in the Augusteum triclinium, and she enriched the senate liberally with many gifts. She also gave five talents of gold to the wives of the soldiers of the themes who had died in Bulgaria. Theophano, the wife of Stauracius, who had embraced a singular life, he enriched, as well as her kinsmen who had lived miserably under Nicephorus; among which he granted her also an illustrious house, the monastery called Tahebraica, where Stauracius was buried. He also enriched all the patricians and senators, the priests and high priests and monks, the soldiers and the poor, living both in the royal city and in the themes, so that the immeasurable greed of Nicephorus, because of which he also perished badly, was proven to have disappeared in a few days. Moreover, in addition to his many excellent habits, as he was pious and most orthodox, he ^C was distressed over those who, for any reason, whether reasonable or unreasonable, were separated from the holy Church; and he did not cease to entreat the most holy patriarch, and those who could contribute to the common peace, among whom were also Theodore, the hegumen of Studios, and Plato, and Joseph, the archbishop of Thessalonica, the brother of Theodore, who were held in bitter custody, along with the primates of their monastery, to unite them; and this he did. Furthermore, he sent also to Charles, the emperor of the Franks, for peace and a contract of marriage for his son Theophylact. The most holy patriarch Nicephorus also sent synodical letters to the most holy Roman pope; regarding which, earlier, he had been forbidden by Nicephorus from doing so.

^A On the eighth day before the Kalends of January of the fifth indiction, Michael, the most tranquil emperor, crowned his son Theophylact as emperor through the patriarch Nicephorus, in the ambo of the Great Church, on a Thursday; and he offered a most precious ornament to the holy altar in golden vessels and beautiful stones and rectangular veils, woven long ago from gold and purple, and varied with wonderful holy images. He also gave the patriarch twenty-five pounds of gold, and one hundred pounds to the venerable clergy, rendering the holy festival and the proclamation of his son splendid. The most pious emperor was indeed moved by divine zeal against the Manichaeans, who are now called Paulicians, and the Athigani dwelling in Phrygia and Lycaonia, promulgating capital punishment—at the promptings of the most holy patriarch Nicephorus and other pious men; but he was turned aside by other wicked counselors who, under the pretext of repentance, claimed it was impossible for those who had been caught in their error to perform penance. They ignorantly taught that it was not permitted for priests to decree death against the impious, opposing in all things the divine Scriptures on this matter. For if Peter, the head of the apostles, mortified Ananias and Sapphira only for the sake of a lie, and the great Paul cries out: "Those who do such things," he says, "are worthy of death"—if this is about a merely bodily sin, how would they not be opposed to these, who, full of all bodily and spiritual filth, and serving demons, have been spared the sword? But the pious Michael cut down not a few of them. ^B Stauracius, however, wasted away from a sore caused by a mortal wound inflicted around the region of his spine, such that no one could approach him due to the great stench, and he died on the third day before the Ides of January of the fifth indiction, having reigned, as is thought, for two months and six days. Furthermore, on the fifth day before the Ides of May, a Friday, a great solar eclipse occurred; and on the seventh day before the Ides of June, Michael set out against the Bulgarians: Procopia went out with him as far as Zurulum. But Crumnus, the leader of the Bulgarians, having taken Debeltum by siege, and having transported those who were in it along with the bishop, the multitudes which—due to the bad and frequent counsel of the emperor's wicked advisors—had flocked to him, turned to ambushes and injustices, especially the Opsicii and the Thracesians; these Michael restrained, pacifying them with gifts and admonitions, and imposing silence. But the Bulgarians, having learned of the civil strifes in the armies, and because they feared the battle and the taxation and were stirring up tumult, were further strengthened and prevailed against Thrace and Macedonia. Then the Christians abandoned Anchialus and Beroea and fled, with no one pursuing ^C the outposts, and likewise Philippopolis and Philippi, and the inhabitants of the Strymon region seized the opportunity, fled, and returned to their own lands. This, however, was divine indignation, exposing the madness of Nicephorus, through whom his supposed corrections, in which he boasted, quickly collapsed. And they cease to accuse the perverse opinions of many who fight against God and the abundant heresies of the Paulicians, Athigani, Iconoclasts, and Tetradites. For I omit mentioning the adulteries and fornications, the lusts and perjuries, the fraternal hatreds and avarices, and likewise the other remaining transgressions. They moved their tongues against the sacred and venerable images and against the monastic habit, calling the blessed Constantine, who was abominable to God and most wretched, because he fought bravely against the Bulgarians on account of the piety which, as those impious wretches claimed, he had possessed. But those who were in the royal city were armed after the universal synod to subvert the orthodox faith, wishing like the blind with blind minds to rule without God—those sons, specifically, of Constantine who fought against God, who were consigned to custody on the island of Panormus, whom they wanted to steal away by night and bring to the army. But the Lord confounded them, raising up the pious Michael for the defense of the truth. For when the peoples were debating concerning the faith, he returned to the royal city, and wisely considering, he deterred many of the rebels with a few blows. He also deported the sons of Constantine, who were observed to be blinded, into exile in Aphusia. One of the seducers, a false hermit, who had dishonored a church of the Mother of God with his depravity, he mutilated by cutting out his tongue; and he died both in body and in soul. But his colleague Nicolaus, promising that he would perform penance, he made public before everyone; and acknowledging his own evils, he consigned him to a monastery to be kept, so that he might not use his liberty for his own lusts. Having been crowned before the council in the Magnaura, he manifested the dogmas of his pious and godly mind. But those Athigani who were publishing he surrendered to exile through Leo, the praetor of the Orientals. Furthermore, in the month of August of the fifth indiction, Thebith moved his army against the Christians; Leo, the praetor of the Orientals, joining battle with him, was successful, killing two thousand and capturing horses and arms. Muhammed, however, the first son of Aaron, holding the principate of the nation, having entered into war in interior Persia with his brother Abdela, was defeated, and fleeing into Bagdad, he obtained this. But another tyrant held Damascus.

^A and Egypt and Africa were divided between two, and another, in the manner of a robber, ravaged Palestine.

In the second year of the reign of Michael, Krum, prince of the Bulgarians, sent an embassy to Emperor Michael through Dargamerus for peace again, seeking the treaties which had been promised under Theodosius Hadramitinus and Patriarch Germanus to Cormesius, who was held at that time as the lord of Bulgaria, which contained terms from the Meleones in Thrace, as well as garments or scarlet skins up to the value of fifty pounds of gold, and furthermore that fugitives from both sides be rendered to one another if it happened that they were ensnared by prelates; and that merchants in both regions be commended through precepts and signals: but if any should be found without a signal, their possessions should be plundered and brought into the public accounts. He also wrote threats to the emperor: "Unless you hasten to peace," he said, "I shall wage war against Mesembria by your own judgment." Upon receiving these, the emperor, through the admonitions of wicked advisers, did not accept peace. For under the pretext of false piety, or rather of lack of discipline and ruin regarding the state, the wicked advisers asserted: ^B "It is not right to return a fugitive," offering as testimony that evangelical utterance of the Lord which says: "Him that cometh to me, I will not cast out." However, in the middle of the month of October, Krum directed an army against Mesembria with siege engines, manganis, and battering rams, which he had learned about through the occasion of Nicephorus, the destroyer of Christ. For an Arab, who had approached baptism, was quite skilled in mechanical art; when he had measured the campsite, the emperor established him in Adrianople; but conferring no help or benefit according to his merit, nay rather, even shortening his allowance, he struck the murmuring man too severely. Angered by this, he fled to the Bulgarians and taught them the entire art of the magani. Persisting in these, with no one resisting due to great stupidity, he captured it throughout the month. Now, on the Kalends of November, the emperor having summoned the patriarch, as he was in distress, took counsel concerning peace. There were also present the metropolitans—namely, the bishops of Nicaea and Cyzicus—and also present were the wicked advisers along with Theodore, the hegumen of the Studium. And the patriarch indeed and the metropolitan prelates embraced peace with the emperor: but the wicked advisers with Theodore, the hegumen of the Studium, subverted this, declaring: "In subversion of the divine commandment, let no one embrace peace: for him who comes to me, says the Lord, I will not cast out," neglecting both what they said and those concerning whom they affirmed it, first because, since no one from them was fleeing to us, we were betraying those who were within the courtyard, being able to save them with peace; and second, because even if some rare ones fled to us, ^C it was necessary to rather fight than to be enriched over uncertain and invisible things: for it is more pleasing to God to save many than few. Furthermore, to suffer loss in most things for the sake of petty gain is of the highest madness. But even he who works inconsiderately about his own things has denied the faith according to Paul, and is judged worse than an infidel: where then will be the saying: "With those who hated peace, I was peaceful"? Unless perhaps these men are wiser than Paul and David. Who, moreover, is wiser now than the thrice-blessed Germanus, unless it be, according to a pernicious tumor of the soul, the wicked and perverse advisers who inhibited peace? These things were done on the Kalends of November. Moreover, on the day before the Nones of November, a comet appeared in the shape of two glowing moons, joining themselves and separating into different schemas, so that they were formed into the fiction of a headless man. And on the morrow, a wretched doubt came to us concerning the slaughter of Mesembria, deterring everyone from the expectation of greater evils. For the enemies, finding it full of all things which ought to be present for the habitation of men, occupied it together with Debeltum, in which they found thirty-six bronze siphons, and the liquid fire which was emitted through them, and no small amount of gold and silver.

In the same year, many Christians from Palestine, namely monks and laymen, and from all Syria, came into Cyprus, fleeing the immense affliction of the Arabs. For when Syria, Egypt, Africa, and every principality that is under them were without a general sovereignty, homicides, rapines, adulteries, luxuries, and all actions hateful to God were being perpetrated in cities and villages by the divinely perishing people. And in the nourishing city of our God, the holy places, namely of the resurrection and Calvary, were profaned as were the rest. Likewise, the most famous lauras of the desert (96), namely of Saint Chariton and Saint Sabas, and the remaining monasteries and churches were made deserted; for some, having received martyrdom, were killed, while others hastened to Cyprus and here to Byzantium, whom Michael the pious emperor and Nicephorus the most holy patriarch received with kind munificence: for to those who came to the city he donated a famous monastery, but to those who remained in Cyprus, that is, to the monks and laymen, he transmitted a talent of gold, and consoled them in various ways. Indeed, Michael was towards all gentle and clement, but sluggish concerning the disposition of affairs, subjected to the servitude of Theoctistus the magister or the other princes. Furthermore, in the month of February, two Christians fleeing from Bulgaria announced to the emperor that Krum, who was in Thrace, was suddenly hurrying to plunder them. And on the fifteenth day before the Kalends of March, the emperor went out.

^A 1425 and, by the providence of God, Krum returned ineffective, having lost not a few men. But the emperor, coming to Adrianople and rightly ordering things around it, returned with joy; and ascending to the monastery of the most blessed patriarch Tarasius, he celebrated his memorials and, together with the Augusta Procopia, adorned his holy tomb with a silver plate weighing 95 pounds. After Mesembria was captured, however, the emperor, having denied peace to Krum, commanded the militia from all the themes to cross into Thrace before the spring, so that all were grieved, especially the Cappadocians and Armenians. When the emperor departed with the ranks in the month of May, the Augusta Procopia likewise went out with him as far as the aqueducts near Heraclea. But the multitudes, bearing this harshly, turned to disparagement and cursing against Michael. Furthermore, on the third of the Nones of May, an eclipse of the sun occurred around the twelfth part of Taurus near the sundial, at the rising of the sun, and great fear fell upon the crowds. But the emperor was traversing Thrace with the commanders and the militias, neither proceeding against Mesembria nor accomplishing anything else of those things that ought to have been done for the destruction of the enemies, but only persuaded by the empty words of his councilors, who lacked experience in wars and therefore asserted that the enemy would not dare to come against him, but remained in his own region. And the assembly of fellow citizens, breaking away regarding necessary supplies and exterminating their compatriots with robberies and invasions, was heavier than the barbaric assault. Around the beginning of the month of June, Krum, leader of the Bulgarians, went out with his armies, fearing that there might be many thousands of Christians. And when he had moved the army to Versinicia, about thirty signs from the imperial camps, the patrician Leo and the praetor of the Orientals, Johannes, also a patrician and praetor of Macedonia, surnamed Aplaces, being very ready to fight them, were prevented by the emperor through his evil councilors. And when the city was celebrating litanies with the high priest in the temple of the Holy Apostles, certain of the impious, detested by God for the heresy of Constantine, having locked the door of the imperial tombs—with no one attending to it on account of the frequency of the crowd—caused it to be opened suddenly with a certain sound, as if by some divinely wrought portent, and leaping inside, they bowed before the monument of the deceiver, invoking him and not God: "Arise," they said, "and assist the ruined republic"; and they spread the rumor that he had risen, sitting on a horse, and was going to fight the Bulgarians, he who on the contrary dwells in Tartarus with demons. Those who were arrested by the city prefect, although they first lied that the doors of the tombs had opened of their own accord by divine power, yet when presented at the tribunal of the prefect and stumbling in their testimony, confessed the fraud of the locking before any punishment; the prefect deservedly submitted them to the rods and sent them into public display, shouting out the cause of their punishment. For thus the inventor of wickedness, the devil, ^B instructed his soldiers not to accuse themselves of their own sins, but of the orthodox faith handed down by the Fathers and the holy habit of the monks, which is the gymnasium of divine philosophy. But many of those who blasphemed in these matters were Christians only in habit, but in truth Paulicians; not being able to manifest their detestable dogmas, they corrupted the unlearned on an occasion of this kind, calling Constantine, who had been of Jewish sentiment, blessed as a prophet and victor, and embracing his heresy for the subversion of the incarnate dispensation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Furthermore, on the tenth of the Kalends of July, as the battle began not far from Adrianople, the Christians fought very wretchedly, but the enemies obtained the battle from God, so that most of the Christians, not even the first engagement... ^C they used such great flight that Krum, astonished, thought it was a token of some ambush; and it happened that he held his men back from the pursuit for a little while: for when he saw them fleeing without any restraint, he pursued and killed copious multitudes, nevertheless coming to the baggage and carrying it off with the spoils. But the emperor, fleeing, retreated into the city, having taken the multitudes and their leaders. Furthermore, he even promised the resignation of his empire, swearing an oath. Among whom he wished to associate as an ally in holding the empire, the patrician Leo and the praetor of the Orientals, as being pious and most strong and strenuous in all things. Who, in no way acquiescing, dismissed him to preside over the themes, and he himself arrived at the royal city on the eighth of the Kalends of July, wanting to lay down the empire and promote another; who, however, was not permitted by his wife and by those who had wickedly prevailed. Truly, the most holy patriarch Nicephorus was consenting to this: "He himself," he said, "and his sons will be saved, if someone is promoted in such a way." But the praetors, learning that the emperor had fled into the city with the multitudes, and desperate that they would be commanding from then on, and having consulted among themselves, besought the patrician Leo and the praetor of the Orientals that he might assist the common republic and help the religion of the Christians: but he delayed the time vehemently for some while, considering the difficulty and the incursion of the Barbarians, ^D acting rightly and without malice. But when he saw the enemy hastening to the city, he wrote to the patriarch Nicephorus affirming his own right faith, asking also that he might assume the empire with his prayer and nod: and coming to the tribunal placed before the city together with the praetors and the armies, he was shown to be a very legitimate emperor of the Romans, and at midday he entered Constantinople through the gate of Charisius, and arrived at the palace. Furthermore, Michael, having heard of this acclamation, running to the oratory of the Pharos, together with Procopia and his children, having shorn his monastic hair, put on monastic garments on the fifth of the Ides of July of the sixth indiction, on the second day of the week. But on the following day, having been crowned by the patriarch Nicephorus on the ambo of the Great Church