Certainty: 3 Arduin, topoteretes of the katepano, gathered Normans at Melfi in rebellion against katepano. Arduin, leader of the Norman mercenaries, had been insulted by the Byzantine command. Though he was now the katepano's topoteretes, he gathered the Normans in rebellion at Melfi
Certainty: 3 The Parthenon inscriptions record the death on March 24 of Ioannes the protopapas. Ioannes the protopapas is reported in the Parthenon inscriptions as having died on March 24
Certainty: 3 Katepano Michael Dokeianos defeated at he river Olivento with only Rus' & Opsikion troops. Michael Dokeianos refused to come out in full force against the rebellious Normans, mobilising only troops from two themes. He was badly defeated, with heavy losses in Russian troops and those from Opsikion. Michael and the survivors fled to Montepeloso
Certainty: 2 Dokeianos again defeated at Canne, with varied casualty list including two bishops: he fled to Bari. While Michael Dokeianos still did not take all his forces against the Normans, he had a large numerical superiority: the Normans brought reinforcements from northern Italy. Dokeianos was routed at Monte Maggiore (Horai), with heavy losses in men from Anatolikon, Opsikion, Russia, Thrace, Longobardia, and the Capitanate. Even two bishops were killed, Angelos of Troia and Stephanos of Acerenza. Dokeianos and his men were left shattered and barely alive: they fled to Bari
Certainty: 2 Katakalon Kekaumenos defended Messina, winning a crushing victory. Kekaumenos with but few men withstood a siege of Messina, the only imperial city left on Sicily, by North African Saracens. He pretended to be frightened but kept up morale. On the fourth day of the siege they made a sortie and attacked the drunken enemy, who were slow to awake and were routed. Their leader Apolaphar Mouchoumet was killed
Certainty: 3 Earthquake. No persons mentioned
Certainty: 2 Deljan & Alousianos plotted against each other; Alousianos won, blinding Deljan. The supposed kinsmen Deljan and Alousianos, despite mutual suspicions, set up a system of double rule. However they continued to plot against each other, but Alousianos proved the shrewder player. After his embarrassing defeat at Thessalonike, he conspired with his companions and invited Deljan to dinner. When the latter was drunk, he attacked him with a cook's knife, gouged his eyes out and cut off his nose. He did this without his countrymen's intervention, so that the mutilated Deljan was arrested by Michael IV and sent to Thessalonike. Bulgaria's dyarchy then ended and the country returned to single rule. A small role in the rebellion was played by a monk from Galesion, who encouraged Deljan, then advised a loyal general to make a disatrous attack on the Bulgarians on a Sunday
Certainty: 2 Petros Deljan, before blinding by Alousianos, was encouraged by a monk from Galesion. A monk tonsured by Lazaros at Galesion left as if to go to Crete, falsely pretending to come from there. But at Phygela he vanished, and the monk sent with him returned, baffled. The fraudulent monk returned with a tall tale of being captured by pirates, and was dressed in full monastic habit, though Lazaros had only tonsured him as a novice. Lazaros realised the deception, but welcomed him. After much pressure, Lazaros was persuaded to let him go again on monastery business, this time with Meletios. He was told to obey orders and not embezzle money. As soon as he left, he pretended to be a prophet sent by Lazaros. He reached Bulgaria during the revolt of Deljan, and encouraged him with false words, till he was blinded. He was then welcomed by an imperial strategos, whom he advised to attack the Bulgarians on a Sunday. The strategos was killed, his army was annihilated and the monk had to flee. After wandering for some time, he returned to the monastery at Galesion, where he was again welcomed by Lazaros, although he had heard of his deceitful actions
Certainty: 2 Alousianos went over to Michael IV, then on to Constantinople, where he was promoted. Michael IV was marching against the rebellious Bulgarians when their leader Alousianos (who by his plotting had blinded his fellow-ruler Peter Deljan) went back over to the imperial side. Zonaras says he did so right away, Psellos that he attacked Michael and was defeated and that, seeing the difficulty of engaging with the emperor's forces and having his wife and children in mind, he then sent secret word unto the emperor that he would rejoin him if appropriately rewarded. Michael at any rate accepted this offer and honoured him with the office of magistros, sending Alousianos to his (Michael's) brother Ioannes the orphonotrophos at Constantinople [whose tyrannical behaviour had originally led Alousianos to mutiny]. It was this changing of sides by Alousianos that gave the empire victory over the now leaderless Bulgarians
Certainty: 2 XachÂik & his son Ishxan killed in battle against Muslims near Her.
Certainty: 2 Campaign of Michael IV in Bulgaria; capture of Boianos & Triaditza. Michael IV, despite his illness, skilfully invaded Bulgaria via Serdica, advanced to Triaditza and captured Boianos from Boktos, its overconfident defender. Boktos made a sortie against the troops of Michael IV but was defeated. Michael's epilepsy dominated him at night, thought by superhuman efforts he was amazingly active on horseback during the day. The poorly-led Bulgarians were completely defeated
Certainty: 2 Aggression of David Anholin against Armenia.
Certainty: 2 Another attempt by Michael IV to claim Ani; it was defended by Vahram Pahlawuni.
Certainty: 2 Michael IV captured Deljan & Manuel Ibatzes, crushed resistance & settled Bulgarian administration. Michael IV defeated the Bulgarians under Manuel Ibatzes, the final supporter of the blinded Peter Deljan. Michael breached Ibatzes' wooden defences at Prilep, dispersed the Bulgarian army, arrestred Ibatzes along with Deljan, and set the Bulgarian affairs in order
Certainty: 2 Michael returned unharmed to Constantinople, celebrating triumph over the blinded Deljan. Michael IV re-established order in Bulgaria and returned safely to Constantinople, showing the power of his determination to conquer sickness. He celebrated a splendid triumph in the hippodrome, with horse-races and running-races, and paraded many prestigious captives, including Manuel Ibatzes and the blinded Deljan. Michael Psellos saw the emperor in a state more appropriate for his funeral. Michael would not long after be tonsured by the monk Kosmas Tzintziloukios at Kosmidion and soon afterwards die
Certainty: 2 Death of kings of Armenia Yovhannes Smbat & Ashot IV. When the kings of Armenia, Yovhannes Smbat & Ashot IV, died within a year of each other, this could be seen as signalling the end for Armenia. Sargis Haykazn, the leader of the pro-Byzantine party, was appointed regent after the death of Yovhannes, appropriated all the treasures from the latter's palace and proclaimed himself king of Shirak. Michael IV considered that the document (purchased from Kiwrakos) gave him the right to inherit the lands of the deceased, and prepared an attack on Ani
Certainty: 2 Accession of Gagik II in Armenia, after failed bid of Sargis Haykazn. When Sargis Haykazn made a bid for power, proclaiming himself king of Shirak, he was not supported by Vahram Pahlavuni. Pahlavuni, together with his sons and nephews, summoned Gagik II, proclaimed him king, and brought him to Ani. There an ingenious ruse was needed to get Gagik into the city. Sargis Haykazn took the royal treasures and sought refuge in the citadel of Ani, but was then persuaded by Gagik to leave and went to Surmarhi, although he still refused to surrender Ani and the other strongholds in his power, planning to hand them to the Byzantines and gain their favour. Gagik therefore went to Sargis' camp at Surmarhi and arrested him, then brought him to Ani: but instead of putting the rebel to death he pardoned him, and made him sit next to him in his carriage (?)
Certainty: 2 Normans conquer South Italy except for Brindisi, Otranto, Taranto & Bari.
Certainty: 2 Dokeianos asked for help. Michael IV sent troops & a new katepano from Sicily; Dokeianos returned there. Michael Dokeianos wrote to Sicily for help, and was sent troops from Macedonia and Calabria, with Paulicians. They gathered at Montepeloso with the shattered survivors of Monte Maggiore. Dokeianos was replaced as katepano of Italy by the son of Basileios Boioannes, and returned, by imperial command, to Sicily, whence he had come
Certainty: 3 Boioannes ("Exaugustus") arriving in Italy, was defeated & captured by Normans. Boioannes (why is he called Exaugoustos?) fought a battle with the Normans (under the command of Atenulf of Benevento) near Montepeloso. The Byzantines again had great numerical superiority, but were defeated, with the massacre of the troops from Macedonia. Boioannes was taken prisoner
Certainty: 2 Boioannes, captured at Montepeloso, was taken as prisoner to Melfi (or Benevento). After his defeat he was captured alive and taken in chains from Montepeloso right across Apulia to Benevento (the city of Atenulf), or perhaps Melfi
Certainty: 2 After Monopoli people of Bari & Matera made a treaty with the Normans, as nobody remained to defend them.
Certainty: 2 Michael IV, gravely ill, retired to his monastery of Kosmidion & became a monk. Shortly after his victory over the Bulgarian rebels and his mortal probation coming to an end, Michael IV, in scorn of rule, was borne to the monastery of the Holy Anargyroi, which he himself had had built, and there had himself tonsured by Kosmas Tzintziloukios. He took great delight in his spiritual journey and his turning from sin gave him a new lightness, but his family, and his brother Ioannes especially, were heavy with despair, and many in the city turned their thoughts to retaining governance of the empire. Christopher of Mytilene's poem [fragmentary] shows him throwing off the imperial garments, preferring real to false honour
Certainty: 2 Zoe heard of Michael's retirement & went on foot to see him, but he shut her out. When the empress Zoe learned that Michael had been tonsured, she, unable to master her emotions and acting uncharacteristically for a woman and empress, slipped away to meet with him at the Anargyroi monastery, going there on foot. He however barred the door against her, either out of shame before her or in order not to backslide before God, and she returned alone without having seen him
Certainty: 2 Before Michael IV died, his brothers issued imperial orders that Michael (V) be let into the palace. When Michael IV was ready to die, his and Ioannes the orphanotrophos' brothers were determined to keep the imperial rule within the family. To ensure that their nephew Michael (V) Kalaphates would succeed, they sent a forged imperial command ordering him to move into the palace, as the dying emperor had moved out to a place more befitting his death
Certainty: 3 Death of Michael IV. Michael IV, before dying, had became a monk, confessing and repenting of his many sins against Romanos III, whom he had usurped (though some attributed his predecessor's death to Ioannes the orphanotrophos). He had reigned for seven years and eight months
Certainty: 3 First reactions of Michael IV's relatives to his death. When Michael IV died, his brother Ioannes the eunuch stayed with his body several days, until (either sated with grief or fearful of delay in the proclamation of Michael (V) Kalaphates) he moved to the palace (observed by Psellos), where his brothers received him with kisses as if he were a god. They had previously escorted Michael (V) to the palace, for his protection and their own well-seeming before him. Ioannes was in this transition the de facto emperor and his brothers could devise no thought of their own without his help, while Kalaphates for his part let him lean upon his hand, that he might take some holiness from the orphanotrophos' touch
Certainty: 3 Proclamation of Michael V. Ioannes the orphanotrophos continued to run the affairs of state, while the ascent of his nephew Michael V was to bring disasters upon him and his entire family. Zoe bore her adoptive nephew's misuse with equanimity and patience
Certainty: 3 Zoe may have decided the empire needed a man's strength, & adopted Michael (V). Sources disagree over when Zoe adopted Michael Kalaphates. Some date it to the time when he became kaisar, others to the date of his proclamation as emperor. By this scenario, Zoe had already ascended the throne upon Michael IV's death, and was then persuaded to adopt the kaisar Michael Kalaphates as her son. They gave her dread oaths that Michael V would be emperor in name only, while the real power would remain hers, and Michael too swore to respect and obey her as his mistress mother. [Surely there must have been at least a verbal agreement between Zoe and the Paphlagonian brothers about the adoption long before the death of Michael IV?]
Certainty: 3 Burial of Michael IV at Kosmidion. Michael IV was tonsured immediately after his triumph and died as a monk. He was buried at Kosmidion, in a rounded white-marble tomb, to be replaced by Michael V
Certainty: 3 Zoe succeeded Michael IV & proclaimed Michael V, after solemn promises of obedience. Ioannes the orphanotrophos and his brothers, desirous of putting Michael (V) Kalaphates on the throne, besieged the empress Zoe with words and captured her with reasons. She had pondered the idea of giving the reins of government into a man's hands and they persuaded her to have Kalaphates made emperor, though in name only and herself still holding power. She was amenable to the possibility anyway, and stood no chance in the face of their arguments
Certainty: 3 Michael V collapsed as he was being crowned (together with other bad omens). During his coronation by the patriarch Alexios, Michael V, of lowly birth and evil ways, suffered some sort of blackout and collapsed
Certainty: 2 Michael V was for a time subservient to Zoe, but he soon began to ignore her. Having bound himself by strict oaths to rule as a subordinate to Zoe, for a time he observed formal inferiority in word and action. Everybody admired his good sense and the wise planning of Ioannes the orphanotrophos, apart from Ioannes himself, who knew the truth. Then Michael gradually began to show his independence and resentfulness of Zoe and of the agreements he had made, which turned to scorn and contempt, and he kept her confined and controlled her serving-women. Also, a similar sense of independence arose with regard to the orphanotrophos, as he showed him less deference, though his uncle Konstantinos reproached him for cringing before him
Certainty: 2 Michael Keroularios recalled by Michael V, but given no other sign of favour. Michael V recalled [the future patriarch] Michael Keroularios from exile. Keroularios, who the previous year had plotted with Ioannes Makrembolites against Michael IV, was admired by Michael V but not trusted. The emperor did nothing further to help him
Certainty: 1 The strategos of Ragusa Katakalon Klazomenites captured by Voislav of Serbia. Katakalon Klazomenites, strategos of Ragusa, wanted to overcome Voislav king of the Serbs. He pretended to befriend him and Voislav in turn pretended to submit to the empire. They agreed to meet between Katakalon's theme and Voislav's land, so that the latter's child might be baptized. Katakalon, taking his own son with him, ordered his ships be ready to carry Voislav away, but Voislav had the very same plan. When the two met, Katakalon embraced Voislav, who then made a sign and his men encircled Katakalon, bound him, and took him, his son and his ships off to Stamnos; and thus Katakalon himself was captured by the plot he had set for Voislav
Certainty: 1 David Anholin helped Byzantines in a further attempt to take Ani.
Certainty: 1 Psellos wrote about grim work & self-defeating jealousies among the asekretis. Psellos had been working as an asekretis, and complained in a speech he wrote about the office's long working hours. He also described a clash between the protasekretis and Paulos Samosateus, a fellow-worker, whose incompetence, confrontational style and petty jealousies (typical of his colleagues) were likely to have him sacked