Maintained good relations with the barbarians of the region (presumably to the north of Serdica, in Danube area?) from the time he held a post there, and his courage was well known among them
Was considered by the Turkish troops of Alp Arslan 51 as a man who thought nothing of danger, but as a disciple of Ares he would renew the Roman empire and take revenge on its enemies
Hence arose against him talk, whispers, intrigues and treacheries, unseemly hatred, nets and traps and the thought of betraying him to the enemy as an easy and very willing prey
After his death he was remembered for his excessive temptations and misfortunes, and for being grateful and never complaining about his ills, and it was said that they resulted from the kaisar (Ioannes 62)'s actions and decisions
(His defeat near Amaseia) was the beginning of his destruction
Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 34.1-2
His courage and bravery were known to all those who grieved for his banishment from Constantinople, and even those who had no personal experience of him had heard of his virtues
During his reign the Romans started again to take heart and oppose and fight the enemies, unlike the time of his successors when troops were merely gathered for show and never engaged in battle
Subsequent generations remember him for his suffering, which surpassed that of Job, and for never uttering an evil or mean-spirited word despite the temptation and ordeals, thanking God and praying to live longer in misery in order to please Him
χρόνων προσθήκην ἐπιζητῶν ἐν κακοῖς. Attaleiates: History 179.15-22 / 132.20-26
He who had done no wrong
τὸν μηδὲν ἠδικήκοτα. Zonaras 18.15.19
Was more arrogant because of his further achievements, not only to others but also towards the empress herself (Eudokia 1)
A charming and good-looking man, who was of Cappadocian descent, with a handsome body and strong arms, rich in attractive beauty, worthy of supreme power
When he became emperor, he showed his intense masculinity from the very beginning, not desiring bodily luxuries, nor charmed by the imperial cloak of gold and purple but living the life of a wretched worm, in the dark, hiding in the imperial chambers, avoiding enemies and battles ...
He became too vain because of his dignity as emperor, acquired a fickle character and suspected everyone, familiar and unfamiliar, as if they were plotting against him and keeping an eye on him, seeming troublesome and bitter not only to officials but also to Eudokia 1 and Anonymi 2105
At Mantzikert, he was like a falcon exterminating sparrows, or a hurricane and thunderbolt landing on the enemy; he was covered in blood like a lion, resembling mythical giants
He was treated with greater care and consideration by the most barbarous Alp Arslan 51, though he was of a different race, than by his own people and those of his own race
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 etc.
Psellos Orationes panegyricae XVIII, 1-23
He had great strength and courage (as Michael 61 had observed), a match not only for Turks and Arabs but for Achilles and Alexander
Psellos Letters (Sathas) 3.224
A Cappadocian
τὸν Καππαδόκην. Kleinchroniken 170.3
He was approximately the sixtieth emperor since Konstantinos (Constantine) the Great, a courageous man
վաթսուներորդ ի մեծէն Կոստանդիանոսէ՝ ըստ համարոյ թագաւորացն...և արիական բնութեանն. Aristakes 137.12-18 (124-125)
A man who took care of his friends
ἀνὴρ μνημονεύων φιλίας. Kekaumenos 220.9
When he had become master of the Roman realm he did not turn out according to the hopes of Eudokia 1 who had made him emperor
His father (Konstantinos 101), after becoming an in-law through a niece (Anonyma 108) of Romanos 3 from the Argyroi who was emperor of old, was caught in the act of usurpation and threw himself headlong
The many who were with Michael 61 and him on campaign know that he does not exaggerate in the description (of the emperor's envy of Psellos' strategic knowledge)
In character he was sometimes straightforward, but usually dissimulating and a braggart; he himself had not escaped (charges of) usurpation, but for most his life he went unnoticed
He grew angry with the Turks, made an expedition against them and crushed their morale, covering the ground with their bodies and making seas with their blood, showing the greatness of Byzantine courage and their strength in war
Michael 61 is not yet free (to speak) in this matter (the 1069 campaign), although he has no ground for ill will against the emperor nor did everything fail for him
He agreed that he was inferior in all respects by Michael 61 in words, that is in those that concerned the sciences, but he wished to be superior in the undertanding of strategy
But by the rules of strategy as commander-in-chief he should have stood at a distance giving the necessary commands to his men, while he foolishly ran into danger: this would give cause for much abuse
τὴν ἀρχὴν τῆς γενέσεως ἔσχηκε. Attaleiates: History 99.21-22 / 75.12
A man of noble family
τις τῶν εὐπατριδῶν. Attaleiates: History 97.7 / 73.18
His young age and bravery at the time of his banishment caused discontent among those who knew about him, and even those who did not know him, had heard about him and held him in high regard
His actions were not the result of love for himself, but of his concern for his fellow-citizens and his piety
φιλαδελφίας καὶ φιλευσεβείας. Attaleiates: History 99.1-2 / 74.23-25
Not only was he virtuous, but he was handsome too, tall, with broad chest and shoulders, an aristocratic look, beautiful eyes, a complexion neither dark nor fair, but mixed with red, exuding sweetness and with an emperor's physique
banished Robert 101 to Abydos εἰς Ἄβυδον. Attaleiates: History 170.23 / 126.22
Adana
left dressed in black the kastron of Adana τοῦ κάστρου. Attaleiates: History 175.3 / 129.17
was besieged by Andronikos 61 in Adana εἰς Ἄδαναν. Skylitzes Continuatus 153.25
was besieged by Andronikos 61 in the kastron of Adana τῆς Ἀδάνης. Attaleiates: History 174.18 / 129.10
was residing at Adana Ἄδανα. Zonaras 18.15.13
was tonsured and left in black the kastron of Adana τοῦ κάστρου. Glykas 612.10
Aleppo
encamped with his entire army before Aleppo τοῦ Χάλεπ. Attaleiates: History 108.9 / 82.9
making for Aleppo Χάλεπ. Zonaras 18.11.16
Alexandretta
avoided Antioch and instead pitched camp at Alexandretta Ἀλέξανδρον. Skylitzes Continuatus 133.3-4
reached with his army and encamped at the city of Alexandretta πόλιν τῆς Κιλικίας λεγόμενην Ἀλέξανδρον. Attaleiates: History 120.6-7 / 91.5-6
Alexandron
arrived at Alexandron Ἀλεξανδρῶνα. Zonaras 18.11.27
Amaseia
he reached Amaseia ᾽Αμάσειαν. Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 31.7-8
was released from captivity and reached the city of Amaseia τὴν Ἀμάσειαν. Bryennios 125.22
Amorion
was reported to him to have been plundered Amorion Ἀμόριον. Zonaras 18.11.28
Anatolikon
proceeded to the theme of Anatolikon τοῦ θέματος τῶν ἀνατολικῶν. Zonaras 18.13.4
Anthiai (near Tigris)
marched through difficult terrain and encamped at Anthiai (near Tigris) εἰς τοὺς λεγομένους Ἀνθίας. Attaleiates: History 133.3 / 100.3
reached a place called Anthiai (near Tigris) Ἀνθίας. Skylitzes Continuatus 137.1
Antioch (on the Orontes)
avoided because of the famine the city of Antioch (on the Orontes) εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν. Skylitzes Continuatus 133.1
avoided marching through the starving city of Antioch (on the Orontes) ἡ Ἀντιόχεια. Attaleiates: History 119.23 / 91.1
Aretai
built an imperial resort just outside the city at Aretai Ἀρετάς. Anna Komnene 77.75
Argaous (Argaouth)
pursued the enemy through the high mountains of Argaous (Argaouth) τῆς Ἀργαοῦ. Skylitzes Continuatus 127.10
Armenia
was arrested and blinded in some city in Armenia Armeniae. Lupus protospatharius 60.63-65
Armeniakon
learnt of his deposition while advancing in the theme of Armeniakon τῶν Ἀρμενιακῶν. Attaleiates: History 169.10-11 / 125.19
Armenian themes
advanced (from Keltzene) to Sebasteia through Koloneia on the Lykos and Armenian themes τῶν Ἀρμενιακῶν θεμάτων. Attaleiates: History 136.14 / 102.18
marched from Keltzene to Sebasteia through the Armenian themes τῶν Ἀρμενιακῶν θεμάτων. Skylitzes Continuatus 138.5
Artah (Syria)
garrisoned and provided supplies for the town of Artah τοῦ Ἀρτάχ. Skylitzes Continuatus 132.16
occupied and sent a garrison under a strategos to the fort of Artah Ἀρτάχ. Attaleiates: History 118.23 / 90.4
Azaz
left because of a lack of water the fort of Azaz Ἀζᾶς. Skylitzes Continuatus 132.1
left to encamp elsewhere, realising that there was very little water for the army at the fort of Azaz ἐκεῖθεν (τῷ φρουρίῳ τοῦ Ἀζᾶς). Attaleiates: History 117.10-11 / 88.25
marched from Hierapolis to the fort of Azaz φρουρίου τοῦ Ἀζᾶς. Attaleiates: History 116.16, 117.5-7 / 88.1, 88.21-23
Bithynia
crossed the sea to Bithynia Բիւթանացւոց. Aristakes 137.20 (125)
left on a campaign against the Turks and arrived at Bithynia τὴν Βιθυνίαν. Bryennios 103.10
left on campaign in the East and marched to Bithynia ἡ τῶν Βιθυνῶν ἐπαρχία. Attaleiates: History 103.3 / 78.11
Bosporos
was approached by a black dove while sailing across the Bosporos τὸν Χαλκηδόνιον πορθμόν. Attaleiates: History 143.8-9 / 107.12
Caesarea (Cappadocia) (7 sources)
Cappadocia (10 sources)
Charsianon
crossed the Halys into the province of Charsianon τῇ τοῦ Χαρσιανοῦ ἐπαρχία. Attaleiates: History 146.8 / 109.18
Chliat (6 sources)
Chonai
received a report that it was taken by the barbarians Chonai Χώναις. Zonaras 18.12.18
Cilicia (9 sources)
Constantinople (17 sources)
Constantinople: Capitolium
went during the night before his accession up to the Capitolium τὸ Καπιτώλιον. Attaleiates: History 101.16 / 77.7
Constantinople: Great Palace (7 sources)
Constantinople: Great Palace, Chrysotriklinos
received Chrysoskoulos 101 early one morning in the Great Palace, Chrysotriklinos ἐν τῷ χρυσοτρικλίνῳ. Attaleiates: History 142.12-13 / 106.21-22
Constantinople: Hagia Sophia
was appointed magistros and stratelates in Hagia Sophia τῆς τοῦ Θεοῦ Σοφίας σηκόν. Skylitzes Continuatus 122.26-27
Danube
served as governor of the cities of the Danube τὸν Ἴστρον. Attaleiates: History 97.21 / 74.2
Dokeia
captured and encamped at the fort of Dokeia Δόκειαν. Skylitzes Continuatus 152.27
captured the fort of Dokeia Δόκειαν. Glykas 612.3
encamped in the fort which he captured, called Dokeia Δόκειαν. Attaleiates: History 169.13 / 125.21
on reaching it encamped nearby Dokeia Δόκειαν. Zonaras 18.15.6
summoned Frankish and Cappadocian troops and marched out of Dokeia τῆς Δοκείας. Attaleiates: History 170.15 / 126.16
Dorylaion
received Robert 101's envoys while at Dorylaion τοῦ Δορυλαίου. Attaleiates: History 124.14 / 94.7
was encamped and had assembled his army at Dorylaion Δορύλαιον. Bryennios 105.10
Euphrates
abandoned his plan to return to Constantinople and advanced to the Euphrates τοῦ Εὐφράτου. Skylitzes Continuatus 136.13
crossed a second time the river Euphrates τὸν Εὐφράτην ποταμόν. Skylitzes Continuatus 137.5
left Anthiai and reached Keltzene having crossed once more the Euphrates τὸν Εὐφράτην ποταμόν. Attaleiates: History 133.11-12 / 100.10-11
made a thrust towards Euphrates Εὐφράτην. Zonaras 18.12.2
Germanikeia
left Sebasteia with his troops and reached Germanikeia εἰς Γερμανικείαν. Attaleiates: History 107.5 / 81.11
reached with his army Germanikeia εἰς Γερμανίκειαν. Skylitzes Continuatus 127.22
Gypsarion (Cilicia)
crossed the Taurus and arrived at Gypsarion (Cilicia) Γυτάριον. Skylitzes Continuatus 133.9
heard of the Turkish raid on Amorion when the army reached Gypsarion (Cilicia) Γυψάριον. Attaleiates: History 121.14 / 92.4-5
Halys
advanced against the Turks and crossed the Halys τὸν Ἅλυν. Glykas 610.3
crossed the Halys ῾Αλυν. Zonaras 18.13.6
crossed the river Halys τὸν Ἅλυν λεγόμενον ποταμόν. Skylitzes Continuatus 143.20-21
initially did not follow his troops but after a few days he also crossed the Halys τὸν Ἅλυν. Attaleiates: History 146.4-5 / 109.15
Helenopolis (Bithynia)
left on campaign and marched on to Helenopolis (Bithynia) Ἑλεπόλει. Glykas 609.15
sailed from Hieria and disembarked at Helenopolis (Bithynia) εἱς Ἑλενόπολιν. Attaleiates: History 144.5 / 108.4
sailed from Hieria to Helenopolis (Bithynia) ἐν Ἑλενοπόλει. Skylitzes Continuatus 142.18
Herakleia (Cappadocia)
followed the Turks marching on Ikonion to Herakleia (Cappadocia) τῆς λεγομένης Ἡρακλέους κωμοπόλεως. Skylitzes Continuatus 138.8-9
learnt of the Turkish advance towards Ikonion and marched to Herakleia (Cappadocia) τῆς λεγομένης τοῦ Ἡρακλέως κωμοπόλεως. Attaleiates: History 136.19 / 102.21-22
Hierapolis (Syria) (9 sources)
Hierapolis (Syria): Acropolis
besieged and captured the Acropolis τῆς ἀκροπόλεως. Attaleiates: History 110.6 / 83.17
sent Pharasmanes 101 to occupy the Acropolis τὴν ἀκρόπολιν τῆς Ἱεραπόλεως. Skylitzes Continuatus 131.14
Hieria (near Chalcedon)
intending to campaign in the East sailed from Constantinople to Hieria (near Chalcedon) τῶν Ἠρίων. Attaleiates: History 122.18 / 93.1
left on campaign and crossed to Hieria (near Chalcedon) τῶν Ἰερείων τᾶ παλάτια. Glykas 609.10
sailed from Constantinople to the palace of Hieria (near Chalcedon) οἶκον τῶν Ἠρίων. Skylitzes Continuatus 134.1
sailed to the palace of Hieria (near Chalcedon) τὰ τῶν Ἠρίων παλάτια. Skylitzes Continuatus 142.4
wintered in Constantinople and in early spring sailed to the palace of Hieria (near Chalcedon) τῶν Ἠρίων παλάτια. Attaleiates: History 143.4 / 107.9
Iberia (theme)
left Theodosioupolis and went through the villages of Iberia (theme) τὰς Ἰβηρικὰς κώμας. Attaleiates: History 166.21 / 123.26
marched to Koloneia through the villages of Iberia (theme) τὰς ἰβηρικὰς κώμας. Skylitzes Continuatus 152.13
reached Sebasteia and took the road into the theme of Koloneia intending to reach Iberia (theme) τὴν τῶν Ἰβήρων. Attaleiates: History 147.17 / 110.16
Ikonion
learning of the Turks' offensive against Ikonion Ἰκονίου. Zonaras 18.12.5-6
learning that the Turks had already sacked Ikonion Ικόνιον. Zonaras 18.12.7
Katma (Syria)
burnt down the great village of Katma (Syria) Κάτμα. Skylitzes Continuatus 132.9
on his way back to Roman territory set fire to Katma (Syria) Κάτμα. Attaleiates: History 117.20 / 89.8
Keltzene (eastern Anatolia)
crossed the Taurus and reached Keltzene (eastern Anatolia) τὴν Κελτζηνὴν λεγομένην χώραν. Skylitzes Continuatus 137.4
crossed the Taurus and the Euphrates and pitched his camp at Keltzene (eastern Anatolia) τὴν Κελεσίνην χώραν. Attaleiates: History 133.11 / 100.10
Keramos (eastern Anatolia)
was persuaded not to move his troops along the Euphrates to Melitene through the village of Keramos (eastern Anatolia) τοῦ καλουμένου πολιχνίου Κεράμου. Attaleiates: History 136.2 / 102.7
Klaudioupolis (Cilicia)
decided to leave the region of Klaudioupolis (Cilicia) τῆς ἐν Σελευκείᾳ Κλαυδιουπόλεως. Attaleiates: History 138.7 / 103.24
dispatched a contingent to Melitene Μελιτηνὴν. Zonaras 18.11.16
encamped at 2 days' distance from Melitene τῆς Μελιτηνῆς. Skylitzes Continuatus 136.10
pitched his camp at a day's distance or more from Melitene τῆς Μελιτηνῆς. Attaleiates: History 128.6 / 96.24
sent a considerable part of his army from Telouch to Melitene εἰς Μελιτηνήν. Skylitzes Continuatus 127.24
sent part of his army under Anonymus 106 to Melitene εἰς Μελιτηνήν. Attaleiates: History 107.8 / 81.14
Mopsuestia (Missis(a), Cilicia)
commanded Chatatourios 61 to go to and engage Turks Mopsuestia (Missis(a), Cilicia) Μόψου ἑστίαν. Zonaras 18.12.7
ordered Chatatourios 61 to attack the Turks expected to march through Mopsuestia (Missis(a), Cilicia) εἰς Μαψουεστίαν. Attaleiates: History 137.3 / 103.2
Nazianzos (Cappadocia)
elevated to metropolitan status the bishopric of Nazianzos (Cappadocia) Ναζιανζοῦ. Skylitzes Continuatus 155.3
Nea Mone, Chios
confirmed the independent status of Nea Mone, Chios τῆς Νέας Μονῆς. Nea Mone, Gedeon 446
Neokaisareia
made despondent by Turkish sack of Neokaisareia Νεοκαισάρειαν. Zonaras 18.11.11-12
Neon Kome (Bithynia)
sailed from Hieria to Helenopolis instead of disembarking at Pylai or at the village of Neon Kome (Bithynia) ἐν νέων κώμῃ. Attaleiates: History 144.4 / 108.3
Persia
he traversed Persia Περσίδα. Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 13.4
was emboldened by his successes and marched towards Persia Περσίδος. Bryennios 107.20
Phrygia
gathered his army in Phrygia ἐν τῇ Φρυγίᾳ. Skylitzes Continuatus 125.8
left on campaign in the East and marched from Bithynia into Phrygia Φρυγία. Attaleiates: History 103.4 / 78.11
Podandos (Cappadocia)
heard of the Turkish raid on Amorion while outside the kleisoura of Podandos (Cappadocia) τῆς τοῦ Ποδαντοῦ κλεισούρας. Attaleiates: History 121.13-14 / 92.4
Princes' Islands: Prote (9 sources)
Pylai (Bithynia)
sailed from Hieria to Helenopolis instead of disembarking at the imperial palace at Pylai (Bithynia)) ἐν ταῖς πύλαις. Attaleiates: History 144.2-3 / 108.2
Romanopolis (on Tigris)
crossed the Euphrates and advanced towards Romanopolis (on Tigris) τῆς Ῥωμανοπόλεως. Attaleiates: History 131.22-132.1 / 99.9
marched on to Romanopolis (on Tigris) Ῥωμανοπόλεως. Skylitzes Continuatus 136.16
Sangarios (river)
advanced into Anatolikon and crossed the bridge of Zompos over the Sangarios τὸν Σαγγάρην ποταμόν. Attaleiates: History 145.19 / 109.8
crossed the bridge of Zompos over the Sangarios Σαγγάριον. Skylitzes Continuatus 143.9
Sebasteia (Cappadocia) (12 sources)
Serdica (Bulgaria)
defeated some Pechenegs near Serdica (Bulgaria) τὴν Σαρδικήν. Skylitzes Continuatus 121.18
planned to rise in rebellion against Konstantinos 10 while at Serdica (Bulgaria) ἐκεῖσε. Skylitzes Continuatus 121.23
served as doux of Serdica (Bulgaria) Σαρδικῆς. Skylitzes Continuatus 121.14
was entrusted with the government of Serdica (Bulgaria) τῆς Σαρδικῆς. Attaleiates: History 97.16 / 73.25
was made doux of Serdica (Bulgaria) Σαρδικῆς. Zonaras 18.10.12
Shayzar (Syria)
moved with his army to Caesarea and then to Shayzar (Syria) τῇ Λαρίσσῃ. Attaleiates: History 125.20 / 95.4-5
Syria (9 sources)
Taurus (Cilicia)
crossed the mountain of Taurus (Cilicia) τὸν Ταῦρον τὸ ὄρος. Skylitzes Continuatus 137.3
crossed with his entire army the mountains of Taurus (Cilicia) τὸν Ταῦρον. Skylitzes Continuatus 133.4
left Alexandretta and crossed Cilicia into Roman territory through the Taurus (Cilicia) τὸν Ταῦρον. Attaleiates: History 120.11 / 91.9
left Anthiai and reached Keltzene having crossed the Taurus (Cilicia) τὸν Ταῦρον τὸ ὄρος. Attaleiates: History 133.9 / 100.9
Telouch (near Germanikeia)
invaded with his troops the theme called by the Armenians Telouch (near Germanikeia) Τελούχ. Attaleiates: History 107.6 / 81.12
reached Germanikeia and entered the theme called Telouch (near Germanikeia) Τελούχ. Skylitzes Continuatus 127.23
Tephrike
pursued the enemy through the high mountains of Tephrike τῆς Τεφρικῆς. Skylitzes Continuatus 127.10
pursued the Turks through the high mountains of Tephrike τῆς Τεφρικῆς. Attaleiates: History 106.6-7 / 80.19
Terchala (Syria)
arrived and pitched camp at the village of Terchala (Syria) Τερχολά. Skylitzes Continuatus 132.10
on his way back from Azaz to Roman territory stopped at the village of Terchala (Syria) Τερχαλᾶ. Attaleiates: History 117.21 / 89.9
Theodosioupolis (Erzerum) (6 sources)
Thrace
his rebellion was centred on Thrace πόλεις περιθρᾳκίας. Manasses, Chronicle 6369
Tyropoion (Cappadocia)
entered Cappadocia and reached the fort called Tyropoion (Cappadocia) Τυροποιόν. Attaleiates: History 171.22 / 127.12