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Chapter 4 - Theophilos [829–842]

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2014

John Skylitzes  and
John Wortley
John Wortley
Affiliation:
University of Manitoba, Canada
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Summary

After the death of Michael [II], his son, Theophilos (who was already of age), succeeded to his father’s throne in the month of October, in the eighth year of the indiction. According to what he said, he wanted to acquire a reputation for being a zealous devotee of justice and a diligent observer of the laws of the state, but the truth of the matter is that he made this pretence in order to distance himself from the conspirators, thus ensuring that nobody make a desperate move against him.

So, from the outset, he resolved to bring ruin and destruction on all those who had taken part with his father in the death of Leo [V]. To this end, he issued a command that everybody who enjoyed imperial titles and all who had benefited from imperial munificence in any way whatsoever were to assemble in the Magnaura; that is, at the Pentapyrgion. When that was accomplished and everybody was gathered together as he had commanded, keeping the ferocity of his soul concealed, he spoke to the assembled company in a modest and gentle voice: ‘O my people and my inheritance; it was the will and desire of my late father to bestow many titles, benefits and other honours upon those who supported and defended his rule. Events overtook him and it is to me, the successor to his throne, that he has left this undischarged debt, in order that he not appear ungrateful to his supporters. So, let each one of those men step forward from the crowd and show himself to us plainly; so that, knowing which of you are friends, we may reward you as you deserve.’ All those wretches who had participated in the slaying of Leo [V] were deceived and had their heads turned by these words, with the result that each one showed himself. Having thus netted his prey, Theophilos immediately ordered the eparch to apply [50] the laws of the state to them, saying: ‘Go to it, eparch; you have authority from God and from our own Serenity to pass judgement on these persons and to reward them according to their deeds: not only for having stained their hands with human blood, but also because they slew the Lord’s anointed within the sanctuary.’

Type
Chapter
Information
John Skylitzes: A Synopsis of Byzantine History, 811–1057
Translation and Notes
 , pp. 51 - 81
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2010

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References

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  • Theophilos [829–842]
  • John Skylitzes, John Wortley, University of Manitoba, Canada
  • Book: John Skylitzes: A Synopsis of Byzantine History, 811–1057
  • Online publication: 05 July 2014
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511779657.008
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  • Theophilos [829–842]
  • John Skylitzes, John Wortley, University of Manitoba, Canada
  • Book: John Skylitzes: A Synopsis of Byzantine History, 811–1057
  • Online publication: 05 July 2014
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511779657.008
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Theophilos [829–842]
  • John Skylitzes, John Wortley, University of Manitoba, Canada
  • Book: John Skylitzes: A Synopsis of Byzantine History, 811–1057
  • Online publication: 05 July 2014
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511779657.008
Available formats
×