Romanos (IV) appointed doux of Serdica

Summary:
Romanos (IV) asked Konstantinos X to be made vestarches, but was told that he would have to show some deeds in order to be thus rewarded. Romanos went to Serdica, where he was appointed doux, defeated some Pechenegs and sent their heads to the emperor who then bestowed the dignity. He decided to use his position at Serdica to make a bid to seize power via the Sauromatai (Hungarians), who knew him from when he had fought against them while ruling the cities of the Istros (Danube). He sent them letters to that effect 
Dates:
1065 
Emperor Konstantinos X Doukas (Konstantinos 10)
  • Made Romanos 4 Diogenes doux of Serdica (:) Zonaras 18.10.12
  • Turned down the request of Romanos 4 for the dignity of vestarches, asking him to prove his worth with deeds, but bestowed it when sent the heads of some Pechenegs whom Romanos defeated, and wrote that this was a gift for his virtue and courage (:) Skylitzes Continuatus 121.15-21
  • After Romanos 4 Diogenes sent him the Pechenegs captured alive and the heads of the slain, he honoured Romanos 4 as vestarches, and wrote to him "Diogenes, this dignity is not a gift, but a recompense for your achievement." (:) Zonaras 18.10.12-13
Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes (Romanos 4)
  • Requested from Konstantinos 10 Doukas to be made vestarches, but was told that he would have to show some deeds in order to be thus rewarded, went to Serdica, defeated some Pechenegs and sent their heads to the emperor who then bestowed the dignity (:) Skylitzes Continuatus 121.15-21
  • Was honoured with the dignity of vestarches (:) Zonaras 18.10.12
  • After being made doux of Serdica by (Konstantinos 10) Doukas, he encountered Pechenegs thereabouts, engaged with them, destroying many and capturing no fewer (:) Zonaras 18.10.12
  • After sending to the emperor (Konstantinos 10) those captured alive and the heads of the slain, he was honoured as vestarches, while the ruler (Konstantinos 10) wrote to him "Diogenes, this dignity is not a gift, but a recompense for your achievement." (:) Zonaras 18.10.12-13
  • Entrusted with the government of Serdica, he decided to use in his bid to seize power the Sauromatai (Hungarians) who knew him from when he had fought against them while ruling the cities of the Istros (Danube), and sent them letters to that effect (towards the end of the reign of Doukas (Konstantinos 1):ἐπὶ τέλει τοῦ βασιλέως τοῦ Δούκα) προσλαβέσθαι συνεργοὺς εἰς τὸ μελετώμενον Attaleiates: History 97.15-98.3 / 73.24-74.7
  • Planned to revolt against Konstantinos 10 from Serdica but did not reveal his plan at once and when the emperor died disclosed it to one of his most trusted men (Anonymus 104) and through him to the area's barbarians with whom he had good relations (:) Skylitzes Continuatus 121.23-122.3