Fragmentary text (by Basilakes?) mentions naval activity against Sicily

Summary:
A fragment attributed to Nikephoros Basilakes described a revival of the Byzantine navy against Roger II, rather like that undertaken by Manuel I. However the description of the emperor's career would fit better with that of Ioannes II (though the differences are not conclusive). Roger was warned of the consequences of any attack. There is a reference to a close male colleague, who is probably Ioannes Axouch 
Dates:
1141 (Uncertain) 
Emperor Ioannes II Komnenos (Ioannes 2)
  • A fragment ascribed to Nikephoros 17003 may be part of an encomium to Ioannes 293; if it refers to Ioannes 2 (and not Manuel 1), it adds to his wars a victory over a proud Alamanos and a revival of the Byzantine fleet against Roger 17001 (:) Basilakios, Orationes et epistulae 116.1-119.14
Ioannes Axouch, megas domestikos (Ioannes 293)
  • A fragment ascribed to Nikephoros 17003 describes naval activity against Sicily; it speaks of a male very close to an emperor (Ioannes 2 or Manuel 1), and lists the emperor's wars in a way suggesting Ioannes (but not conclusively): is this Axouch? (:) Basilakios, Orationes et epistulae 116.1-119.14
Emperor Manuel I Komnenos (Manuel 1)
  • A fragment ascribed to Nikephoros 17003 describes a revival of the fleet against Roger 17001 like that Manuel undertook; but the list of imperial victories and references to a close male colleague suggest that the emperor was Ioannes 2, not Manuel (:) Basilakios, Orationes et epistulae 116.1-119.14
Roger II, king of Sicily (Roger 17001)
  • A fragment ascribed to Nikephoros 17003 describes a revival of the Byzantine fleet against him like that undertaken by Manuel 1; but a list of imperial victories and reference to a close male colleague point to Ioannes 2 and Ioannes 293, not Manuel (:) Basilakios, Orationes et epistulae 116.1-119.14
  • If the fragment refers to Ioannes 2 and Ioannes 293, it seems to speak of the sudden building of Byzantine ships to face a threat from Roger, who is warned of the dire consequences of an attack (:) Basilakios, Orationes et epistulae 116.1-119.14