Certainty: 3 Romanos Diogenes married Eudokia & was proclaimed emperor. Eudokia thought that if she made Romanos (IV) Diogenes emperor, one whom she had saved when she should have had him executed, she would keep the entire power for herself and he would have no thoughts contrary to her wish. Not a stupid idea, but she failed. She urged Romanos to go up to the Kapitolion during the night, presumably so that her sons - Konstantios, Michael (VII) and Andronikos - would not notice him, and he was proclaimed emperor next morning. Michael (VII) was informed, and he was present at the wedding. She married Romanos with the agreement of the patriarch Ioannes Xiphilinos and the senate. She proclaimed Romanos emperor and reigned with him for three years and eight months. When the Varangians refused to proclaim Romanos, the situation was solved with the help of her sons. They assisted Romanos in other ways after he was proclaimed
Certainty: 2 Eudokia's children & kaisar Ioannes from the start impeded Romanos IV. Two of Eudokia's sons, Michael (VII) and Konstantios, were from the start co-emperors with Romanos IV, and he soon promoted Andronikos also to the same position. They, together with their uncle Ioannes the kaisar, assisted Romanos, expecting to succeed him, but constantly got in his way, thus harming the empire
Certainty: 2 Romanos IV for a time kept his agreements with Eudokia & ruled for her children. After feigning obedience to the empress Eudokia for a few days, he reverted to character and became arrogant and insubordinate. The desire for independence from his wife became as important to him as his military motivation. The more she wanted to tame him, the more he resented the restraint. At first he ground his teeth inwardly, but then manifested his discontent
Certainty: 2 Romanos IV allowed Nikoulitzas Delphinas to come to the capital, & rewarded his sons. The day Romanos IV ascended the throne, he wrote to the praitor of Armeniakon, Georgios Korinthios, telling him not to prevent his old friend Nikoulitzas Delphinas from leaving Amaseia for Constantinople, and wrote to Nikoulitzas too, summoning him to the palace. Nikoulitzas went from Amaseia to the capital, but was only granted the title of protospatharios for one of his sons, Gregoras, and an increase in the allowance of the other, Pankratios, for which he thanked Romanos. Romanos ordered him to return home to Larissa, ignoring the slanders against him
Certainty: 2 Nikephoritzes freed from prison at Antioch & sent as krites to Hellas & Peloponnesos. On the accession of Romanos IV, Nikephoritzes was set free from prison (at Antioch?). On the promise of a bribe, he was sent as krites of Hellas and Peloponnesos
Certainty: 2 Psellos wrote Oratio Panegyrica 12 for Eudokia, on her recent choice of Romanos IV. Eudokia the empress was praised by Psellos as his patroness, with description of her moral and physical virtues. Special emphasis was laid on her political wisdom in the choice of Romanos IV as husband and emperor, the strong, masculine hand needed to save Byzantium from its current problems. Psellos finally emphasised his own poverty, which threatened to silence him
Certainty: 2 Psellos wrote Oratio Panegyrica 18 for Romanos IV, soon after he became emperor. Psellos hailed the powerful, newly-crowned Romanos IV as the saviour of Byzantium against barbarians, congratulating Eudokia on her excellent choice. Romanos would be good for Byzantium, herself and her children. The new emperor was strong, unshakeable, dominating Byzantium's enemies, living up to his name, tall and powerful in appearance, terrifying when unarmed and worse when in armour
Certainty: 3 Psellos wrote Oratio Panegyrica 19 for Romanos IV as he left in winter on his first campaign as emperor. Psellos wrote an improvised encomium on Romanos IV, who was setting out against the Turks in mid-winter. He was spurning his new wife Eudokia and the delights of his new imperial position. Eudokia had illuminated Romanos, and he now illuminated her in return, in the depths of winter. Psellos wished him every success in battle
Certainty: 2 Death of Aboulchare, katepano of Bari. Aboulchare died as katepano of Italy
Certainty: 2 Psellos recommended Elias Krystalas to Nikephoritzes. Elias Krystalas was recommended by Psellos to Nikephoritzes, in case the great names of classical Greece which the latter administered as krites of Katotika were not enough entertainment. Elias merited an epigram expressing confusion of directions: Nikephoritzes should enjoy him
Certainty: 2 Psellos asked Nikephoritzes to see if Besaine was a rich see, as its bishop was likely to be taxed as a rich man. The personal wealth of the bishop of Besaine had already proved modest (Psellos wrote to Nikephoritzes). The latter was asked to check the wealth of Besaine, and act as Good Samaritan before the bishop, who was reputed to be rich, fell among thievish tax-gatherers, who were already gathering. He should help, especially if he liked the sources of the bishop's wit - popular proverbs and the Bible
Certainty: 3 Campaign already begun by Romanos IV Diogenes against Turks. Romanos IV began his campaign against the Turks amazingly quickly, two months after accession. He showed little inclination for the luxuries of office. In this time he discussed his expedition with the military commanders present at Constantinople, prepared embassies and looked for ways to prevent enemy attacks, spending little time in the palace. He collected troops from the West and from Cappadocia, and summoned the Scythians too (Pechenegs and Uzes?), but left before their arrival. Psellos tried to delay him, pointing out the need for more preparation, but failed. The desire for military glory prevailed. As a result his army was both small and ill-equipped
Certainty: 2 Manuel Komnenos was made protostrator & soon after strategos of the eastern tagmata. Manuel Komnenos, nephew of the former emperor Isaakios I, had become a close friend of Romanos IV. Thus soon after the latter's accession, he made Manuel protostrator and soon after strategos of the eastern tagmata
Certainty: 2 Attaleiates himself had judicial role in Romanos' expedition, & heard from him about his past. The historian Attaleiates accompanied Romanos IV on campaign in the east and was entrusted with the army's judicial matters. Thus his reporting on events in writing (past as well as present) derives not from hearsay but from personal observation
Certainty: 2 Romanos IV began to reconstruct tagmata of Anatolikon from their pitiful remains. Romanos IV marched to Bithynia, then into Phrygia and the theme of Anatolikon, where the ill-equipped and weak army and its leaders gathered. He enlisted young men from every land and city encouraging them with honours and gifts, and thus filled up his army units in a short time. He put at their head the most able, joined them to the troops from the West, and marched against the Turks. His army included Macedonians, Bulgarians, Cappadocians, Uzes and other barbarians, but also Franks and Varangians. Despite the poor state of his army, he advanced at once
Certainty: 2 Strategy of Alp Arslan before first campaign of Romanos IV. The sultan Alp Arslan retreated in surprise before the attack of the army of Romanos IV, being unaware of the Roman troops' dire state. He divided most of his forces, sending one part to the north and the other to the south of upper Asia. Romanos, when the northern Turkish army feigned retreat after his attack, marched against the southern army. He left the road to Koloneia and Sebasteia and reached Lykandos in summer, intending to advance into Syria in autumn, sparing his army the summer heat
Certainty: 2 Neokaisareia pillaged by Turks, infuriating Romanos IV, who had turned south. Romanos' move to the south encouraged the northern Turkish army to pillage Neokaisareia, infuriating the emperor. He feared he would be accused of being unable to defend the empire despite being at hand on campaign. Thus he turned north again
Certainty: 2 Romanos IV turned after northern Turkish army, leaving stepson Andronikos at Sebasteia. Greatly upset by the news of Neokaisareia's pillaging by the Turks despite his being on campaign, Romanos IV took his forces and advanced across difficult mountain paths, reaching Sebasteia. There he left the baggage and infantry with his stepson Andronikos. The latter, though now a co-emperor, was treated more like a hostage than a fellow-commander, or as a replacement in case Romanos perished in battle
Certainty: 2 Amicus of Molfetta took over Giovinazzo. Amicus count of Molfetta took over Giovinazzo
Certainty: 2 Argyros, son of Melus, died as proedros. Argyros, son of Melus, died as proedros
Certainty: 3 Robert Guiscard captured Uggiano & Montepeloso, then began the siege of Bari. Robert Guiscard besieged Montepeloso, but was making little headway. Thus he took some of his forces and went off and took Uggiano. Returning to Montepeloso, he won the city with the help of treachery from a certain Geoffrey. At this point he began the siege of Bari by land and sea
Certainty: 2 Marriage of Theodora (sister of Alexios I) to Konstantinos Diogenes (son of Romanos IV). Anna Dalassena married her youngest daughter Theodora to Konstantinos Diogenes, after the death of her father Ioannes Komnenos, during the reign of Romanos IV
Certainty: 2 Psellos wrote to five friends in central Anatolia to reconcile the bishop of Gordiason with the bishop of Matiane. Psellos wrote to five friends in central Anatolia, most of them with with the army of Romanos IV, asking them to reconcile his friend the bishop of Gordiason with the bishop of Matiane. The first, a krites, was responsible for introducing Psellos to the bishop. Neither the latter nor Psellos blamed the krites for the dispute. Both sought a compromise, which Psellos would arbitrate. Psellos welcomed the krites' gift, though no lover of food. The second was Aristenos, whose claims of friendship (Psellos said) brought no letters, though Psellos asked travellers for messages from him. Yet if Aristenos freed the bishop of Gordiason from his problems and then wrote, Psellos' frowns would disappear. The third was the epi ton deeseon, who was going where Psellos could not trap him, just chase him with letters. He was asked for aid for Psellos' friend the bishop, who needed it. The letter ended with a verbal game over willingness and ability to help. The fourth was Basileios, the epi tou kanikleiou, who (Psellos feared) might change, living brilliantly near Romanos IV. He did not write, and Psellos had no access to Romanos till disfavour ceased. To win Psellos' undying affection, Basileios was to reconcile the two bishops. The fifth was Eustratios Choirosphaktes, who would (Psellos knew) lamely excuse his failure to write by claiming to prefer speech. He should write simply to Psellos, who loved simple letters. Psellos' friend the bishop of Gordiason was under attack by the bishop of Matiane; Eustratios should reconcile them
Certainty: 2 Byzantines crossed mountains of Tephrike, causing panic among the Turks, but were too tired to fight. Romanos IV's cavalry crossed the high mountains of Tephrike and Argaous in eight days, in order to attack from the side the Turks who had pillaged Neokaisareia. However his exhausted army were unable to accomplish anything memorable despite the surprise. He thus missed the chance to gain an important victory by persisting in the chase, for the enemy's Arab horses would not be able to maintain their speed for a long time. He succeeded in freeing the prisoners taken by the enemy (who hailed his victory) and reclaiming their plunder
Certainty: 3 Romanos returned to Sebasteia after his victory & advanced towards Syria. Romanos IV returned to Sebasteia after his victory over the Turks. He encouraged his troops by distributing gifts and offices, placed capable leaders at the head of each division and thus set up a worthy army in a short time. He let his troops rest there for three days only and left for Syria. He reached Germanikeia and invaded the theme called Telouch by the Armenians, through the defiles and impassable paths of Koukousos
Certainty: 3 Romanos sent a force to Melitene, then marched into Syria. Romanos IV sent a general with part of his army to Melitene, together with all the blood-thirsty and warlike Franks, in order to guard the eastern themes and resist the invading Turks and their leader Apsinalios. Romanos himself, after rescuing some foragers from Melitene (showing the incompetence of its governor), advanced into Syria and pitched camp near Aleppo. He at once sent Pechenegs and Romans to pillage the land
Certainty: 3 Psellos wrote to Eustratios Choirosphaktes, with congratulations on Romanos IV's victory. Eustratios Choirosphaktes was busy, but Psellos needed a letter - just a line or two. He now really missed Eustratios and his colleagues. He was alone and depressed with his lifeless books, and recalled their discussions and jokes, and Eustratios' friend Iasites. He also missed Romanos IV, wondering when he would return, after they had unexpectedly achieved so much: a big army had been raised, the sultan Alp Arslan put to flight, a major battle won, the barbarians subdued, cowed or forced into treaties. When just a report of Romanos IV had defeated Alp Arslan, why had Eustratios not spread the news with a trumpet-blast? Psellos had glorified Romanos everywhere, and if a few fires remained from the great inferno, they could soon be put out
Certainty: 2 Psellos, in the lifeless world of his books, badly missed a friend who was on campaign with the emperor. Psellos asked one of the friends who was absent on the imperial expedition how he was getting on without him. Psellos needed him and the others. He picked flowers from the meadow of his books, one after another. But his world was lifeless, unlike his friend's, where the emperor lived, the tree of life
Certainty: 2 Psellos wrote to Basileios the epi tou kanikleiou, speculating why he had not written. For all his promises, Basileios the epi tou kanikleiou had not written. Psellos wondered whether on campaign he had forgotten how to speak to civilians - but no, he was not so superficial; he just found it easier than Psellos to forget absent friends
Certainty: 2 Psellos wrote again to Choirosphaktes, wondering whether the army was going to India. Psellos wondered when he would see Eustratios Choirosphaktes again. He told him of the meeting by letter allowed in philosophy to those who were apart. But why be apart? When would they meet again and serve Romanos IV together? Had the army not done enough? Would they stop before reaching India?
Certainty: 2 Psellos wrote to Romanos IV, in despair at his long absence, listing all of his virtues of which he felt deprived. Psellos wrote to Romanos IV in despair at the emperor's long absence, begging him to return. Psellos was out of favour, so his depression was even greater than that of other citizens. Psellos sorely missed Romanos, and wrote listing all his virtues of every kind of which he felt deprived. He also hoped that Romanos was mixing his business with pleasure (hunting). Even Eudokia was invisible [perhaps pregnant?], completing Psellos' loneliness and despair
Certainty: 2 Romanos IV appointed Khacatur doux of Antioch. It was Romanos IV who appointed Khacatur doux of Antioch, during his reign
Certainty: 2 Romanos' army camped near Aleppo & moved on to capture Hierapolis, which was full of provisions. After camping near Aleppo, Romanos advanced at the head of his army into enemy territory for two days and continued plundering. On the third day reached Hierapolis, where he saw the Arabs running in circles as if in battle, and pitched his camp there, late in the evening. The Arab defenders were augmented by Turks under Amertikes. Romanos planned the battle inside his tent (in the camp at Hierapolis) and at the third hour he suddenly appeared on horseback without the trumpets or any other sign announcing his movement. He captured the city
Certainty: 2 Resistance in Hierapolis ended by capture of the akropolis, with the aid of Petros Libellisios. Romanos IV encircled the acropolis at Hierapolis, where some Arabs had barricaded themselves after the capture of the city by the Romans. He besieged them, forcing them to surrender, sending messengers seeking an agreement. He finally took the akropolis with the help of Petros Libellisios of Antioch, who occupied its gates with Russian troops, and Pharasmanes Apokapes. Petros mediated with the emperor to leave the foreign troops unarmed after the siege and capture of Hierapolis. However Romanos' preoccupation inside the city gave an opportunity to Mahmud, the amir of Aleppo, outside
Certainty: 3 Victory of Mahmud of Aleppo outside Hierapolis, with heavy Byzantine casualties. Romanos IV remained in the captured city of Hierapolis, fighting to seize the remaining towers. Meanwhile the Romans outside the city were defeated with heavy losses by troops from Aleppo. The heads of the slain Romans were sent as a trophy to Aleppo. Romanos was greatly upset and returned to the camp with his Cappadocian troops, accusing the defeated Romans of stupidity. Michael Attaleiates did not fear for his life as a result, but he realised how cowardly, inexperienced and humiliated the Romans were. When Mahmud, amir of Aleppo, heard of the success of his troops, he mobilised all the forces he had available, hoping to take Romanos captive
Certainty: 3 Next day, Romanos put the enemy to flight with a sudden attack, but victory could not be completed. The day after the Roman defeat, Mahmud of Aleppo surrounded their camp with his full forces. Romanos IV attacked his army and put them to flight. However Although his army was pursuing successfully and inflicting damage on the enemy troops, he ordered them to retreat, depriving them of a real victory
Certainty: 2 Turks passed garrison at Melitene unscathed, then destroyed Amorion, enslaving its population. A Turkish attack passed Melitene without any action by its incompetent governor, who had troops at Tzamandos. The Turks went on to capture Amorion, killing many of the population and enslaving others. Romanos heard about the event as he was leaving Alexandron on the way north, far too late for any action
Certainty: 2 Byzantine general at Melitene did not help Amorion, attack the Turks later, or even defend himself. A Byzantine governor was sent to Melitene by Romanos IV at the head of a worthy army, including all the Frankish mercenaries, to guard the eastern themes and resist the invading Turks. He faced his task without courage or ambition, allowing the Turks too much initiative. He was so incompetent that the Turks raided Amorion. Although their camp at Chalkeus was near his fort of Tzamandos, he failed to attack it or to rescue Amorion, ignoring the enemy who challenged him to come out of Melitene and fight. Romanos had deprived himself of a large force (stationed at Melitene), to no purpose
Certainty: 2 Romanos IV left a garrison under Pharasmanes Apokapes in Hierapolis, & began to retreat. When Romanos IV returned to the camp after turning away the enemy, he decided to appoint a commander for the acropolis in order to settle Romans and Armenians in Hierapolis. He set a garrison there under Pharasmanes Apokapes. At this moment, with a potential victory turning into retreat, Michael Attaleiates realised that the Romans were no longer able to seize opportunities, organise an army or fight wisely
Certainty: 2 Romanos bypassed 'Azaz, destroyed Katma & had a skirmish at Terchala. Romanos, taking his army back to the north, placed archers to defend the rear-guard and those carrying the food supplies from enemy attacks. He realised it would be unwise to besiege one city ('Azaz?) as the area was unexpectedly short of water and winter was approaching. So he marched to the Roman border, burnt the village of Katma which belonged to Mahmud, amir of Aleppo, and stopped at another village called Terchala. Standing on the right bank of a stream near Terchala, he was the first to notice two Arabs attacking on horseback and killing two soldiers, and shouted ordering his troops to pursue them. But they escaped to their camp on the left bank. He marched on, capturing places that he could, till he reached Alexandron in Cilicia
Certainty: 2 The Arabs evacuated Artah (near Antioch), where Romanos re-established a Byzantine garrison. Romanos IV entered Roman territory which had already been plundered by the enemy, and reached the castle of Artah, which was occupied by Arabs, who had evicted the previous strategos. They abandoned it as soon as the emperor prepared to besiege it. He reoccupied it and provided a strategos, a garrison and provisions
Certainty: 3 Army avoided Antioch, where food was short, crossing the Tauros into Anatolia, suffering from cold. Romanos IV feared that marching via Antioch would put too much strain on the starving city. He therefore advanced through desert land past the defiles and kleisourai separating Koele Syria from Cilicia, reaching Alexandron (Alexandretta), where he encamped. From there he crossed the Taurus with his army, where many men and animals perished because of the cold, and entered Roman Anatolia
Certainty: 2 Attaleiates saved miraculously when his horse fell over a precipice in the Tauros. Attaleiates crossed the Taurus from Syria into Anatolia, together with the army under Romanos IV. He escaped from great danger when, after he dismounted on a narrow path along a ravine, his weakened horse fell into the abyss, causing all to marvel at his good fortune
Certainty: 3 Romanos heard at Gytarion of the Amorion disaster, but was helpless in midwinter: his army dispersed. Romanos IV arrived at Gytarion, where he heard of the pillaging and killings at Amorion resulting from the failures of the governor of Melitene. He was upset but could do nothing, and dismissed the army for winter, himself returning to Constantinople
Certainty: 2 Romanos' army returned after a pointless campaign: warfare for warfare's sake. Romanos IV had gone out against the barbarians, not knowing where he was going or what he would do, planning one route, taking another, crossing Syria and Persia, posting his army on hills, bringing them down again, cutting them off and losing many. The opinion of Psellos on his first campaign of 1068 was categotical: unplanned campaigning and marching, pointless warfare for warfare's sake, justifying only the boast that he had fought against the enemy