Michael IV rose above sickness & raised a large army

Summary:
When Michael IV heard of the Bulgarian revolt, he immediately decided to wage war on them and himself lead the whole army, despite his illness and his failing body. He had added nothing to the Roman empire and now part of it had been removed: he thought he had a terrible responsibility before men and God if he willingly conceded to the Bulgarians defection from Rome. The senate was absolutely opposed to his plans and the exhortations of his family demanded that he stay in the City, but he was despondent and obsessed with war against the Bulgarians. He set his objective, followed through his plan and raised a large army 
Dates:
1040 
Emperor Michael IV Paphlagon (Michael 4)
  • When news (of the Bulgarian incursions) was brought to him, immediately set out to capture the rebel (Petros 102), saying he considered it terrible, since he had added nothing to the realm, if he should neglect a part of it that had been taken away (:) Zonaras 17.17.16
  • Because his life was despaired of his family prevented him from the expedition by exhortations, and the leaders of the Senate did not approve the plan (:) τό τε συγγενὲς ἀπεῖργε ...καὶ οἱ προυχοντες τῆς βουλῆς ... Zonaras 17.17.17
  • The Bulgarians put on a brief show of rebellion and enjoyed this sham until his spiritual fervour and zeal for fine deeds unexpectedly gave him strength, raised him aloft and carried him against them (:) ἡ τῆς ψυχῆς ζέσις, ὁ περὶ τὰ καλὰ ζῆλος ἀπροσδοκήτως ἐπέρρωσαν, καὶ μετάρσιον ἄραντες ἐπ’ ἐκείνοις ἀπήνεγκαν Psellos: Chronographia IV 41.11-15
  • When he heard of the Bulgarian revolt, he immediately wished, before the account of the news ended, to wage war on them and himself lead the whole array, but his body was an obstacle and his illness led his inclination the opposite way (:) ἀντεῖχε δὲ τὸ σῶμα, καὶ ἡ νόσος εἰς τοὐναντίον ἀπῆγε τὴν γνώμην Psellos: Chronographia IV 42.1-5
  • The senate was absolutely opposed to his plans and the exhortations of his family demanded that he not so much as leave the City; but he was despondent and chafed exclusively for war against the Bulgars (:) ὁ δὲ ἀθύμως τε εἶχε καὶ μόνον πρὸς τὸν κατὰ τῶν Βουλγάρων ἐσφάδαζε πόλεμον Psellos: Chronographia IV 42.5-9
  • He thought it terrible if he had added nothing to the Roman empire and part of it had been removed, and he suspected that he was accountable before men and God if, careless of what had happened, he willingly conceded to the Bulgarians defection from Rome (:) εἰ ἐπιρρᾳθυμήσας τῷ γεγονότι ἐθελοντὴς ὥσπερ παραχωρήσοι Βουλγάροις τῆς ἀποστασίας ῾Ρωμαίων Psellos: Chronographia IV 42.9-14
  • He began with planning, set an objective and did everything to this end, not rushing in at once in disorder, but first making adequate preparation of his army (:) ἀποχρῶσαν πρότερον τὴν τοῦ στρατοῦ παρασκευὴν ἐργασάμενος Psellos: Chronographia IV 43.11-15
Petros (Peter) Deljan, Bulgarian rebel (Petros 102)
  • When news (of the Bulgarian incursions) was brought to Michael 4, he immediately set out to capture the rebel (Petros 102) (:) Zonaras 17.17.16