Basil II part 8
After he had galloped forward some distance from his own men, Phocas suddenly slipped from his saddle and was thrown to the ground. At...
Basil II part 7
14. Basil personally took part in these operations with the Roman army. He had just begun to grow a beard and was learning the...
Basil II part 6
The reason for this was that they feared Chosroes. They expected little consideration from him and they believed that he would throw them back...
Basil II part 5
The Revolt of Bardas Phocas
10. Meanwhile Bardas Phocas returned to the emperor. He was given the privilege of a triumph and took his place...
Basil II part 4
7. According to the historians, this man Bardas reminded people of his uncle, the emperor Nicephorus, for he was always wrapped in gloom, and...
Basil II part 3
The complete change in his mode of living dates from the attempted revolutions of the notorious Sclerus**4 and of Phocas.**5 Sclerus twice raised the...
Basil II part 2
Although he was born of the same father as the father of Basil and Constantine, on his mother’s side he came of different stock....
Basil II part 1
Basil II 976 – 1025
1. The circumstances in which the emperor John Tzimisces met his death have already been described (in the history of...
The Story of Saidjah part 12
An old woman led him to her cottage. She would take care of the piteous fool. His laugh gradually became less horrible, but he...
The Story of Saidjah part 11
He would wait. …
But what if she were ill—dead?
Like a wounded stag he flew along the pathway toward the village. He saw nothing and...