Lifestyle

52. After the death of Basil the Great (Basil the son of Romanus,**204 whose family inherited the Empire to the third generation) his brother, Romanus’s younger son, succeeded to the throne. He inherited great...

He did this, not because he grudged the Roman Empire the acquisition of new territory, but because he knew that an imperialist policy of that sort could not be effected without much expenditure of...

48. More than any other man he was laconic in the extreme, not expressing all his ideas in so many words, yet leaving no doubt as to his meaning. Those who describe Lysias**202 (the...

In fact, they anticipated a time of wonderful prosperity. With regard to the emperor’s character, people who met him only at certain times, when he was seated on his throne, in the process of...

43. The emperor Michael the Aged had spent one whole year in power. He died soon after his abdication, a private citizen.**196The Reign of Isaac Comnenus **19744. Having inherited the throne, Comnenus, always the...

41. Isaac himself was neither deceived by this hollow triumph nor unduly elated. His first reaction was to suspect the extraordinary changes in his fortunes. It was typical of the man’s shrewd perception. He...

He asked me what in my opinion was the best way to govern, what course of action he should follow in order to rival the greatest sovereigns. I recovered my spirit at these words....

38. How my fellow-ambassadors passed that night**191 I cannot say, but to me life seemed hopeless and I thought it was a matter of minutes before I should be sacrificed like a beast. You...

Apparently, certain seditious and troublesome persons — and here he mentioned individuals who, as we ourselves know quite well, had insinuated themselves into favour with the Senate — these persons, he said, had first...

The effect of this was instantaneous. He was like a man inspired. Immediate orders were given to the army: the men were to dismiss to their homes for the present, but to return to...