The Alexiad
by
Anna Comnena (Komnene)
Edited and translated by Elizabeth A. Dawes.
London: Routledge, Kegan, Paul, 1928.
BOOK II
The Revolt of the Comneni
I We must refer the reader who wishes to know the place and lineage from which
Alexius sprang, to my Caesar’s history, and thence he can also extract information
about the Emperor Nicephorus Botaniates.
Now Manuel was the elder brother of Isaac and Alexius and in fact, the first-begotten
of all the children descended through John Comnenus from my paternal grandfather.
He was general in sole command over the whole of Asia to which the former emperor,
Romanus Diogenes, had appointed him, whereas the principality of Antioch had elected
Isaac by lot as their Duke; these two had fought in many wars and battles, and
many trophies too they had erected over their opponents. And after these my father
Alexius was promoted to be General-in-Chief, and dispatched against Ursel by Michael
Ducas, the reigning emperor.
Later on the Emperor Nicephorus also observed his expertness in warfare and
heard how, while serving under his brother Isaac in the East, he had taken part
in many contests and proved himself valiant beyond his years, and when he considered
the manner in which Alexius had worsted Ursel, he made just as conspicuous a favourite
of him as he did of Isaac. He took the two brothers to his heart and looked upon
them with joy, sometimes even inviting them to share his table. This enkindled
the envy of others against them and most especially that of the two aforementioned
Slavonic barbarians, Borilus and Germanus. For seeing the Emperor’s goodwill towards
the brothers and that the latter remained unharmed by the darts that malice hurled
at them, they were consumed with wrath. As the Emperor saw that Alexius although
his beard was as yet scarce grown was held in high repute by all, he appointed
him absolute General of the West and honoured him with the rank of Proedros. Of
all the trophies which he set up throughout the West also and of the various rebels
he conquered and brought as captives [45] to the Emperor sufficient has been said
already. But these doings did not please those two slaves but rather fanned the
flames of their envy; They went about growling and purposing evil against them
in their hearts, and told the King many tales in confidence and others in public
or suborned others to tell him, for their desire was, no matter by what means,
to get these brothers out of the way. In this distressing situation the Comneni
judged it prudent to cultivate the officers of the women’s apartments and through
them to win in still greater measure the Queen’s affection. For the brothers were
charming men and able with their varied wiles to soften even a heart of stone.
Isaac could do this the more easily as the Queen some time before had chosen him
to marry her own cousin; he was a perfect gentleman both in word and deed and
most like my own father. But since his own affairs had prospered so well, he took
much thought for his brother Alexius, and as the latter had formerly helped him
with all his power in arranging his marriage, so he in his turn now desired to
see Alexius stand high in the Queen’s favour. It is said that the friends Orestes
and Pylades had such a deep love for each other that in time of battle either
would be quite indifferent to his own foes but would ward off those who attacked
his friend, and either would offer his own breast to receive the darts thrown
at the other. Exactly the same phenomenon could be witnessed in the case of these
two. For either brother tried to anticipate the other’s dangers; and whatever
prizes and honours one gained, in short the good fortune of the one, the other
considered his own, and vice versa, such close affection bound them to each other.
By the help of heaven, Isaac’s interests had been thus secured; and after no long
interval the officials of the women’s apartments lent a willing ear to Isaac’s
suggestion that the queen should adopt Alexius. The Queen listened to them; and
the two brothers came to the palace on an appointed day, and then she adopted
Alexius according to the ritual prescribed from of old for such cases. Thus for
the future the Great Domestic of the Western armies was relieved of a great anxiety.
Thenceforth they both visited the palace very often and after paying their respects
to the Emperor and staying with him a little they went in to the Queen. All this
still further inflamed the envy of others against them, as the Comneni were often
assured, and consequently they lived in fear of being caught in their enemies’
snares. As they had no protector, they cast about for a means by which, [46] with
God’s help, they might ensure safety for themselves. After revolving many plans
with their mother and examining various schemes at various times they discovered
one path which as far as man can judge, might lead to safety. This was to approach
the Queen when some plausible reason offered, and tell her their secret. Yet they
kept their plan under water and did not reveal their whole design to anyone, but
like fishermen they were careful not to frighten away their prey. They intended,
indeed, to run away but had been afraid to tell the Queen this, lest she might
disclose their intentions to the emperor prematurely in her anxiety for the two
parties, to wit, her husband and the brothers. After having settled on this plan,
they turned their attention elsewhere for they were adepts in making full use
of any opportunities that might occur.
II The Emperor was now too old to have expectations of a son and as he dreaded
the inevitable stroke of death, he began to consider the question of his successor.
At that time there was at court a certain Synadenus of Eastern origin and illustrious
descent, fair of face, of profound intellect, courageous in battle, verging on
young manhood, and above all akin to the emperor by race. In preference to all
others the Emperor thought of leaving him as successor to the Empire, giving him
the kingdom as his ancestral portion, so to speak, and in this he was ill-advised.
For he would have ensured perfect safety and also regarded justice by bequeathing
the imperial power to the Queen’s son, Constantine; as the portion rightly accruing
to him, as it were, through his grandfather and father, and this would have increased
the Queen’s confidence in him and gained her goodwill. However, the old man failed
to see that he was arranging matters in a way which was not only unjust but also
disastrous, and was begetting troubles for himself. The Queen heard whispers of
this and was very sad as she foresaw danger to her son; but though she was despondent
she did not openly voice her grief to anyone. This did not escape the notice of
the Comneni and they determined, if they could find the opportunity they-sought
to approach the Queen. Their mother furnished Isaac with a pretext for a conversation
with the Queen, and his brother Alexius went with him. When they were admitted
to the Queen Isaac said; “Lady, we do not behold you in the same health as heretofore,
but you seem worried and obsessed by unbearable thoughts and without the courage
to reveal your secret to anybody.” However, she would not speak out for [47] some
time, but sighing deeply replied: “It is not right to question those who live
away from home, for that in itself is sufficient source of grief to them. But
as for myself, alas! what sorrows have come upon me, one after the other, and
how many more methinks are in store for me shortly.” The brothers stood aloof
and added no more words, but with eyes cast down and both hands covered, stood
a minute plunged in thought and then made their usual obeisance and departed home
in deep distress. The next day they came again to talk to her, and seeing that
she looked at them more cheerfully than the day before, they both went close up
to her and said: “You are our mistress and we are your most devoted slaves, ready
to die, if need be, for our Queen. And do not let any consideration unnerve you
and lead you to indecision.” Upon these words they gave the Queen an oath and
after freeing themselves from all suspicion they easily guessed her secret, for
they were sharp-witted, shrewd, and expert in divining from a few words a man’s
deeply hidden and hitherto unexpressed opinion. Straightway they associated themselves
still more closely with the Queen and making their goodwill clear to her by many
proofs they promised they would bravely assist her in any undertaking to which
she summoned them. “Rejoice with them that rejoice and weep with them that weep,”
[Rom 12:15] that is indeed the apostolic injunction, and this they willingly observed.
They asked the Queen to count them as her countrymen and intimates as they were
sprung from the same stock as she was; and one thing more they urged – that she
should not hesitate to divulge it to them immediately if either she, or the Emperor,
got wind of a plot being formed against them by their rivals, and thus save them
from unconsciously falling into their enemies’ snares. This favour they asked
and begged her be of good cheer, saying that with God’s help they would gladly
bring adequate help and as far as depended on them, her son Constantine should
not be ousted from the empire. And they insisted too in ratifying their agreement
by oaths, for there was no time to lose because of their jealous opponents. So
the brothers were relieved of a great anxiety and recovered” their spirits and
from now on showed a cheerful countenance” in their conversations with the Emperor.
They were both, but Alexius more especially, practised in concealing a secret
intention and a deeply laid plan by external pretences. But as the burning envy
of others was now growing into a mighty fire, and nothing of what was said against
them to the Emperor [48] was any longer concealed from them owing to the agreement
(with the Queen), they recognized that those two all-influential slaves were scheming
to get them out of the way; consequently they no longer went together to the palace
as had been their custom, but singly, on alternate days. This was a wise and Palamedean
precaution to prevent their both perhaps falling into the barbarians’ snares at
the same time, for if only one were caught by the intrigues of those all-powerful
Scythians, the other could escape. Such then was their precaution. However, matters
turned out for the brothers very differently from what they had feared, for they
anticipated their rivals in the race for power, as my story, starting from this
point, will show very clearly.
III About this time the city of Cyzicus was taken by the Turks; directly the
Emperor learnt of the capture of the city, he sent for Alexius Comnenus. Now it
chanced that on that day Isaac had come, and when he saw his brother entering
the palace contrary to their agreement, he went up to him and asked the reason
for his coming. Alexius immediately told him the reason, saying: “Because the
Emperor has sent for me.” So they went in together and made the customary obeisance,
and as it was nearly the hour for lunch the Emperor told them to stay for a little
and then commanded them to sit down at table with him. And they were separated,
for one sat on the right side of the table, and the other on the left, opposite
each other. In a few minutes they looked intently at the attendants standing about
and saw they were whispering with gloomy countenances. Then they feared lest the
two slaves were meditating a sudden attack on them and that danger was nigh at
hand, so they looked stealthily at each other and knew not what to do. Long before
this they had won over all those in attendance on the Emperor by soft words, and
paying court to them with divers forms of greetings; and by shaking hands with
him they had even coaxed the head-cook into looking at them with a friendly eye.
To this head-cook there came now one of Isaac Comnenus’ servants and said: ” Tell
my master of the fall of Cyzicus! for a letter has come from there with this news.”
Then the cook carried in the meat to the table and at the same time informed Isaac
in a low voice of what he had heard from the servant. Isaac in turn by moving
his lips slightly, notified the message to Alexius; and Alexius, who had very
keen intuition and was quicker than fire, at once grasped what he had said, and
they both recovered from the anxiety [49] which had held them. And pulling themselves
together they considered how they might answer readily if anyone asked them about
it and also give the right advice to the Emperor if he consulted them. While they
were busy with these reflections the Emperor looked at them, taking for granted
they did not know about Cyzicus, and told them of its capture. Then they roused
the Emperor’s depressed spirits (for they were ready to minister to his soul which
was agitated by the sack of his cities) and heartened him up with fair hopes by
assuring him that the city could be recovered easily. “The one thing needful,”
they said, “is that your Majesty should be safe; and as for the captors of the
city they shall render sevenfold into your bosom that which they have taken.”
Then indeed the Emperor was delighted with them and dismissing them from the feast,
spent the rest of the day free from care. Henceforward the Comneni made it their
business to visit the palace and pay court to the men about the emperor even more
assiduously; for they did not wish to give their adversaries the slightest handle,
nor to afford them any pretext whatever for hatred, but on the contrary to win
all over to liking them and being on their side both in thought and speech. They
also exerted themselves to win over the Empress Maria more completely and to convince
her that they only lived and breathed for her. Isaac for his part with the excuse
of his marriage to her cousin, used his freedom of access to the utmost, whilst
Alexius, my father, alleging his nearness of kin but still more his adoption,
as a brilliant reason, visited the Queen, without arousing anybody’s suspicion
and threw a veil over the envy of his ill-wishers. But he was well aware of the
fierce resentment of those barbarian slaves and also of the Emperor’s extreme
lightheaded-ness. So they naturally took thought how not to fall from his good
favour, as, in that case, they might become a prey to their enemies. For light-headed
dispositions are ever unstable and like the Euripus, they drift, as it were, on
ever-changing currents.
IV When thee slaves saw that matters were not progressing along the lines hey
wished and that the destruction of such men was not an easy job as the Emperor’s
goodwill towards them augmented daily, they broached many plans and as often rejected
them and finally settled on another course. And what was it? – it was to-send
for them one night without the ruler’s knowledge and to put them out of the way
by trumping up some false charge and boring out [50] their eyes. The Comneni heard
of this As they recognized that danger was very near they decided after much internal
conflict that their only hope of safety lay in rebellion and that they were driven
to by dire necessity. For what sense was there in waiting for the red-hot iron
to be applied which would quench the light of their eyes for ever? Therefore they
kept this decision deep down in their minds. Soon after this Alexius (who was
at that time Domestic of the Western Empire) was ordered to call up to the city
a certain division of the army to be prepared for marching against the Hagarenes
who had sacked the city of Cyzicus. Seizing this reasonable opportunity, he summoned
by letter those officers in the army who were well disposed to himself and their
respective troops. These were all mobilized and hurried up to the metropolis.
In the meantime somebody at the suggestion of that fellow, Borilus, one of the
slaves, asked the Emperor whether it was by his wish that the Great Domestic was
introducing all the forces into the city. The Emperor at once sent for Alexius
and asked him whether this report was true; to which Alexius immediately answered
that part of the army was coming in by his, the Emperor’s, orders, and as for
the whole of it being assembled there from all parts he parried the question plausibly.
“The army you see,” he said, ” has been scattered in all directions, and now the
various regiments which have received the signal are coming up from their different
stations. And those who see them streaming in from various quarters of the Roman
dominions, think the whole army is being assembled as if by agreement and are
misled by mere appearance.” Although Borilus had many objections to make to this
speech, yet even so Alexius prevailed and was acquitted by the votes of all. Germanus
who was simpler-minded, did not run down Alexius much. As the Emperor’s soul was
not perturbed even by these allegations against the Domestic, the slaves seized
the opportunity and set about preparing and ambush for the Comneni. Now slaves
are anyhow by nature hostile to their masters, but when they cannot injure their
masters, they turn their power against their fellow-servants, and become quite
insupportable. Of this type of character and spirit Alexius had experience in
the case of these slaves I am speaking of. For they did not bear resentment against
the Comneni from love of the Emperor, but Borilus even aimed at the throne, some
said, and as Germanus was his partner in the plot, he helped him prepare the ambush
carefully. And they discussed their [51] plans together and imagined that the
affair would turn out to their satisfaction; and now they began to speak openly
of that which hitherto they had only mentioned below their breath. And thus a
certain man overheard their talk, an Alanian by descent, “magister” in rank, who
had long been attached to the emperor and counted among his intimates. Consequently
the Magister stole out during the middle watch of the night and ran to the Comneni
to report everything to the Great Domestic. Some have it that the Empress was
not altogether ignorant of the Magister’s visit to the Comneni. Alexius took him
into his mother and brother; and after giving ear to his abominable news, they
judged it necessary to execute the plan they had kept secret so long, and with
God’s help to compass their own safety. When, after the morrow, the Domestic had
heard that the army had occupied Tzouroulus (this is a little town lying Thrace-wards)
he went in the first watch of the night to Pacurianus and related everything to
him – this man was “small indeed in stature, but a mighty warrior,” [Iliad 5:801]
as the poet says, and descended from a noble Armenian family. To him Alexius related
the slaves’ anger and envy, and their long manoeuvres against them and their immediate
intention of blinding them. “But,” he continued, “we cannot suffer these things
as if we were captives, but we will die, if need be, after fighting bravely; for
this is the prerogative of high-souled men.” Pacurianus listened to it all and
seeing that such circumstances admitted of no delay, but that some drastic step
must be taken at once, said, ” If when to-morrow’s dawn breaks, you leave this
city I will follow you and fight willingly on your side. But if you put it off
to the next day, then be assured that without the slightest delay I shall go straight
to the Emperor and denounce you and your followers.” To which Alexius replied,
“as I see that you really care for my safety, which is undoubtedly the work of
God, I shall not reject your counsel, only let us mutually secure ourselves by
oath.” Thereupon they exchanged assurances with oaths to the effect that if Providence
raised Alexius to the Imperial throne, he should raise Pacurianus to the rank
of Domestic which he himself held in the meantime.
Taking leave of Pacurianus he hurried thence to another man, also “full of
warlike frenzy,” namely Hubertopoulus, told him of his own intentions and put
before him the reason why he had decided to escape, and invited him to join him.
Hubertopoulus immediately agreed, and added, “You will [52] always find me courageous,
but more especially so when I am braving danger on your behalf.” The reason above
all others why these men were devoted to Alexius was that he outshone others in
courage and intelligence; but they also loved him because he was exceptionally
generous and very ready to give, although he had not a great abundance of money.
For he was not of those who plunder and open their mouths wide for riches. True
liberality is not as a rule judged by the quantity of money supplied, but is weighed
by the spirit of the giver. In some cases a man of few possessions who pays in
proportion to his income, may justly be termed “liberal,” whereas another who
has much wealth and hides it in a hole in the earth, or does not give to the needy
in proportion to his wealth, would rightly be styled “a second Croesus,” or ”
a Midas mad for gold,” or “niggardly and penurious ” or a “cummin-splitter”! That
Alexius was graced with all the virtues, the men I have mentioned had known for
a long time already, and for these reasons they eagerly desired his elevation
to the throne. After exchanging oaths with this officer too, Alexius set off home
at a run and told his people everything. It was the night of Quinquagesima Sunday
(or the “Cheese-eating” Sunday) when my father made these arrangements; and on
the following day at early dawn he had already left the city with his partisans.
Hence it was that the populace, who approved of Alexius’ spirit and shrewdness,
wove a little song to him about these occurrences, composed in their own popular
dialect, and it very cleverly strikes up the prelude of the affair and accentuates
his prescience of the plot against him and his consequent actions. In its original
words the song ran thus;
“To sabbaton tes turines chareis Alexie enoeses to
kai ten deuteron to proi hupa kalos gerakin mou”
The meaning of that popular song is roughly this, “On the Saturday named after
cheese, bravo to you for your shrewd-ness, Alexius! But on the Monday after the
Sunday you flew away like a high-flying hawk, out of the nets of the barbarians.”
V Anna Dalassena, the mother of the Comneni, had lately managed to affiance
the grandson of Botaniates to the daughter of Manuel, her eldest son; and now
through fear of his tutor hearing of the scheme and divulging it to the emperor
she formed a very good plan. It was this, she ordered her whole household to assemble
that evening for [53] the purpose, presumably, of making her devotions in the
churches of God – for it was her habit to visit the sanctuaries frequently. This
was done. All were present according to custom and they brought out the horses
from the stables and pretended to be carefully spreading such saddle-cloths on
them as befitted the women.
Botaniates’ grandson and his tutor were asleep meanwhile, for a separate house
had been appointed to them. About the first watch the Comneni who were now quite
ready to arm themselves and ride away from the imperial city, locked the gates
and gave their mother the keys, and they also noiselessly closed the gates of
the house in which her niece’s betrothed, Botaniates, was sleeping, though they
did not bring the two leaves quite close together and fasten them perfectly for
fear they should creak and this noise wake the boy. In these doings the greater
part of the night had passed.
Before the first cock-crow they opened the gates, and taking their mothers,
sisters, wives and children with them, they all walked together to the Forum of
Constantine; on arrival there the Comneni took leave of the women and hastened
off very quickly to the palace of Blachernae, whilst the latter ran to the Church
of the Divine Wisdom. In the meantime Botaniates’ tutor had awakened and guessing
what had happened, went after them, torch in hand, and caught them up shortly
before they reached the precincts of The 40 Saints [# The Church of the Forty
Martyrs]. On catching sight of him, Dalassena, the mother of those two noble sons,
said to him,” Somebody has denounced us to the emperor, I hear. I will therefore
make a round of the churches, and use their help as much as I can; and at dawn
of day I shall go from them to the palace. So do you go there now and directly
the porters open the gates, apprise them of our coming.” And he straightway went
off to do as he was bid. Then the women arrived at the precincts of Bishop Nicholas
(which has retained its name of “The Sanctuary” to this day), this stands near
the large church and was founded long ago for the protection of those being taken
for crimes, as being a part of the large precinct, and was purposely constructed
by our ancestors so that if anyone who had been convicted of a crime managed to
take refuge there, he was released from the penalty of the law. For the old Emperors
and Caesars shewed great consideration for their subjects. But the watchman of
this church did not unbolt the doors for the women quickly, but asked, ” Who they
were and whence they came,” whereupon one of the [54] women’s attendants said,
” They are women from the East, who have spent all their means, and are hastening
to pay their acts of devotion so as to be free to return home.” Then the man immediately
unbolted the doors and gave them admission. At the morrow’s assembly of the Senate,
the Emperor, who had learnt of the brothers’ doings, spoke as was to be expected
and inveighed severely against the Domestic. And afterwards he sent two men, Straboromanus
and Euphemianus by name, to fetch the women to the palace. But Dalassena said
to them: “Give the Emperor this message; ‘ My sons are the faithful servants of
your imperial Majesty and have willingly served you at all times, sparing neither
their lives nor their bodies, and have always been the first to risk everything
for your empire. But the jealousy felt by others who could not endure your Majesty’s
kindness and solicitude for them, caused them to stand in great and hourly peril;
and when finally their enemies decided to blind them, they got wind of it, and
as they could not endure such undeserved peril they left the city, not as rebels
but as your trusty servants, firstly, in order to escape this imminent danger
and secondly, to inform your Majesty of the plotting against them and to implore
help from your Majesty.'” But the messengers urgently pressed her to come with
them, until the woman grew indignant and said, ” Allow me to enter God’s church
and pay my devotions to Him. For it is ridiculous to come as far as the entrance
and not go in and implore the mediation of Our Immaculate Mistress, the Mother
of God, both for the cause of God and the life of the Emperor.” Then the ambassadors
respecting her reasonable request, allowed her to enter. She advanced slowly as
a woman worn out with age or grief would, or rather she simulated fatigue, and
when she had almost reached the very entrance of the Sanctuary, she made two genuflexions
and at the third collapsed on the ground, and clinging to the Royal Doors cried
out: “Unless my hands are cut off, I shall not leave these holy precincts, until
I receive the Emperor’s cross as pledge of my safety.” Hereupon Straboromanus
pulled out the cross he carried in his bosom and gave it to her, but she replied,
” I am not asking for assurance from you, but from the Emperor himself I demand
the security I have mentioned. And I will certainly not accept a cross sent to
me if it is of minute size, but it must be of respectable size.” (This she required
in order that the pledge given to her might be clearly seen; for if the promise
were made over a small [55] cross, most of the onlookers would probably not have
observed its ratification.) ” It is that man’s verdict and mercy I require. Begone,
take him my message!” And next her daughter-in-law, the wife of Isaac (who had
managed to slip into the church at the time of the opening of the gates for the
early hymn) drew aside the veil covering her face and said to them, “Well, she
for her part may go, if she likes; but we will not leave this church without assurances,
even though death lay before us.” Then the man seeing the stubbornness of the
women and realizing that they were growing bolder towards them than at first,
and fearing some tumult might arise, went away and told the whole tale to the
emperor. And he, being kindly by nature and touched by the woman’s words, sent
her the cross she asked for and gave her full immunity. And when she had come
out of the church he ordered her with her daughters and daughters-in-law to be
confined in the convent of the Petrii which is situated close to the Sidera. [*
ie., the Gate Sidera] The emperor also had her marriage-relation, the wife of
the emperor John (who held the rank of Protovestiaria), fetched from the sanctuary
in Blachemae, which had been founded in honour of our mistress, the Mother of
God, and consigned her as well to the convent of the Petrii, and gave orders that
their stores of wine and corn and all their private possessions should be preserved
intact. Every morning then, the two women went to the guards and enquired whether
they had any news of their sons; and the soldiers dealt fairly frankly with them
and told all they had heard. But the “Mistress of the Wardrobe,” a woman generous
in hand and mind, desired to conciliate their guards and so told them to take
as much of their eatables as they liked for their own use, for the women were
allowed to have all they required brought in without let or hindrance. From that
time on the guards became more ready with their news and consequently not a detail
of all the Comneni were doing was concealed from the women.
VI So much then for the women. Now the rebels on their part when they had reached
the gate in the circular walls of Blachernae, burst its lock and thus had free
access to the royal stables. And some of the horses there they left after first
slitting their hind-legs from the thigh downwards with the sword, and of the rest
they chose those which seemed to them in the best condition, and thence betook
themselves with all speed to the monastery, somewhere near the city, called Cosmidium.
And here, if I may insert something to [56] make my tale run more clearly, they
found the aforementioned Mistress of the Wardrobe, before the Emperor sent to
fetch her, as I have told. They took their leave of this woman when they were
ready to ride away and they persuaded George Palaeologus to take sides with them
and compelled him to depart with them. For before this they had not divulged their
plans to him because of a natural suspicion; for the father of this George was
extremely devoted to the Emperor, and therefore revealing their project of rebellion
to him would have been rather dangerous. And at first indeed, Palaeologus did
not show himself at all amenable, but opposed many objections and reproved them
for their breach of faith to the emperor and for the fact that, as the proverb
has it, they became turncoats. But when the Mistress of the Wardrobe, Palaeologus
mother-in-law, insisted firmly on his joining them under threat of dire punishment,
he began to yield and his next concern was for the safety of the women, namely
his wife Anna and his mother-in-law Maria, for the latter was descended from one
of the first families of Bulgaria and was so attractive by reason of the beauty
and grace of limbs and features that she was considered the most beautiful of
all the women then living. Thus George and Alexius were not free from anxiety
about her, and both felt that the women must be removed from that place, but while
Alexius’ party advised their being conveyed to some fortress, Palaeologus suggested
the sanctuary of our Lady in Blachernae – and George’s opinion prevailed. So they
went off at once with these women and placed them under the care of the Holy Mother
of the all-embracing Word. On their return to the place whence they started, they
consulted on their best course of action, and Palaeologus and, “You two must get
away from here; and I will soon overtake, you, and bring my property, with me?”
For as it happened he had all his movable property stored there. Without further
delay therefore the Comneni started on their journey; and, after loading his property
on the monies’ beasts of burden, Palaeologus rode after them. And he came up with
them at Tzouroulus (a Thracian village) where by a lucky chance they all joined
the army which had occupied it by command of the Domestic. Then thinking it right
to send news of their doings to John Ducas, the ex-emperor, who was at that time
living on his own property in the country of Morobundus, they dispatched a messenger
to inform him of their rebellion. The man carrying the message happened to arrive
at early dawn and was standing [57] outside the gates of the farm asking for the
Emperor. And his grandchild John, still quite a child, not even a boy yet, and
consequently always with the Emperor, saw the man and at once ran in, woke up
his grandfather who was still asleep, and told him of the rebellion. But the latter
astounded by the words, gave the child a box on the ears, and advising him not
to talk nonsense, sent him off. In a little while, however, he came back again,
bringing the same news, and in addition the message addressed to his grandfather
by the Comneni. Now this message had an excellent touch of wit in it which hinted
at Alexius’ doings for it said; “We on our side have prepared a right good meal,
not wanting in rich condiments, but if you on your side wish to share this banquet,
you must come with all speed to partake of it.” Then the Emperor sat up and propping
himself on his right elbow bade them bring in the messenger, and when this man
had finished his tale about the Comneni, he at once exclaimed; “Woe is me!” and
clapped his hands over his eyes. And after grasping his beard for a time, as a
man will when revolving matters of deep import in his mind, he settled on this
one point, namely, that he too would yield to their wish. Therefore he immediately
summoned his grooms and mounting his horse, rode off to join the Comneni. On the
way he chanced upon a Byzantine who was carrying a heavy purse of gold and travelling
to the capital, so in the words of Homer he asked him, “Who and whence art thou?”
On learning that he had collected a large sum from certain taxes and was conveying
it to the treasury, he urged him to halt for the night with him, promising that
at daybreak he should go off where he liked. At the other’s refusing and getting
angry, the Emperor insisted all the more and finally persuaded him – for he was
marvellously glib of speech and quick in thought, and persuasion sat on his tongue
as if he were a second Aeschines or Demosthenes. So he took him with him and turned
in at an inn, where he detained him by looking after him kindly in all ways, making
him share his table and seeing that he could rest comfortably. But at dawn just
when the sun was climbing up the eastern horizon, the Byzantine spread the cloths
on the horses and was for hurrying off to ride at full speed to Byzantium. The
Emperor seeing this called: “Stop and travel with us,” but the other not knowing
where he was going and being moreover quite in the dark about the reason which
made him the object of so much solicitude, became vexed and suspicious again of
the Emperor [58] and his friendly ways. But the Emperor insisted and began pulling
at him, and as the other still did not yield, he changed his manner and spoke
more roughly and threatened him if he would not do as he was ordered. As the other
still did not obey he ordered all the stranger’s possessions to be packed with
his own on his beasts and started on his journey, giving the other permission
to go where he liked. Then the man abandoned his intention of going to the Palace
from fear of being imprisoned if the Treasury-officials saw him come with empty
hands; again he was not anxious to return home because of the unsettled and confused
state of the country resultant upon the rebellion of the Comneni which had emerged,
and so against his will he followed the Emperor.
And next the following incident took place. As he was starting, the Emperor
fell in with some Turks who had just crossed the river Eurus.[* R. Hebrus] So
drawing reign, he enquired whence and whither they were going, and straightway
promised them much money and all kinds of rewards if they would accompany him
to the Comneni – and so they consented. Later he demanded an oath from their leaders
as he wished to confirm their agreement by it, and this they immediately gave
after their fashion and assured him that they would most readily fight on the
side of the Comneni. After this he started taking the Turks with him as well to
the Comneni. The latter saw him from afar and were overjoyed at his strange booty,
and they both, but especially my father Alexius, could scarcely contain themselves
for delight. Alexius went to meet him and embraced and kissed him. And what followed?
At the Emperor’s suggestion and suasion they set forth on the road leading to
the capital. And all the men from the country-towns flocked to Alexius as volunteers
and proclaimed him Emperor – the only exception were the men of Orestias who had
an old grudge against him for having captured Bryennius, and therefore they adhered
to the part of Botaniates. When they had reached the Athyras, they rested there
for one day and then pushed on and reached Schiza (which is also a village in
Thrace) and formed an entrenched camp there.
VII The whole world, agog with excitement, was eagerly looking forward to what
would happen and each longed to see the man who was expected to be proclaimed
Emperor. The majority certainly wished Alexius to gain that honour, but neither
were Isaac’s partisans idle, but as far as possible, they solicited everybody.
And thus matters were apparently [59] at a deadlock, for half the population desired
to see the elder, and the other half desired to see the younger, brother raised
to be pilot of the imperial dignity. Amongst the men present at that time were
several of Alexius’ kinsmen, for instance, the above-mentioned Emowor-John Ducas,
a man clever in council and swift in action (whom I also saw once for a short
time) and Michael and John, his grandsons, as well as the husband of their sister,
George Palaeologus. These helped each other and worked hard to convert all people’s
opinions to their own, and letting out every reef, as they say, skilfully used
every possible expedient for getting Alexius proclaimed. Consequently they won
people over to agree with them, with the result that the number of Isaac’s partisans
gradually diminished. For wherever the Emperor John was, not a single person was
able to resist him, as he was unrivalled in the dignity of his principles, the
size of his body, and his king-like appearance. What did the Ducases not do? What
did they not say? What good thing did they not promise both to the leaders and
the whole army, if Alexius were raised to the Imperial eminence? For example they
would say, “He will requite you with very great gifts and the highest honours
in accordance with each man’s merit, not in a haphazard way, as the ignorant and
inexperienced among leaders do, for he has borne the title of “Military Commander”
for a long time now and “Great Domestic of the West”; he has shared your salt,
in war he has fought nobly at your side, be it in ambush or in close combat, never
did he grudge his body, limbs, or even his life to ensure your safety; he has
often traversed mountains and plains with you, and learnt the hardships of warfare;
finally, he knows you all both as a body and individually, and being himself dear
to Ares, he above all longs for brave soldiers.” In this manner spake the Ducases,
but Alexius deemed Isaac worthy of much honour and in all things” preferred him,
either owing to the charm of brotherhood, or rather, and this must be mentioned,
for another reason. For, as the whole army was veering to his side and advocating
his claims while it did not favour Isaac even in the slightest, Alexius saw that
strength and power and the realization of his hopes would come from that quarter,
and so he supported his brother in his intrigues for the throne, knowing that
nothing untoward to himself would result from so doing, provided he for his part
were raised up by force, as it were, by the whole army to the pinnacle of earthly
honours and he flattered his brother in words only and made a pretence [60] forsooth
of yielding the power to him. After some time had been spent in this manner, the
whole soldiery were assembled near the General’s tent in a great state of excitement
and each anxious for the accomplishment of his wish. Then Isaac rose and taking
the red buskin tried to put it on to his brother’s foot; but the latter refused
several times until Isaac cried, “Let me do it, for through you God wishes to
restore the dignity of our family.” He also reminded Alexius of the prophecy once
addressed, to him by a man who- appeared, to them somewhere near Carpianum as
they were returning home from the palace. For they had reached that spot when
a man suddenly met them, perhaps belonging to a race higher than mortal, but in
any case gifted with very clear insight into the future. From his appearance he
seemed to be a priest, with his bare head, grey hair and shaggy beard; he took
hold of Alexius’ leg and being on foot himself, he dragged down Alexius, who was
on horseback, by the ear and recited to him this line of David’s psalm: “In thy
majesty ride on prosperously, because of truth and meekness and righteousness,”
and address him by the title Emperor Alexius! ” With these words which sounded
like a prophecy he vanished. And Alexius could not capture him though he looked
round carefully in all directions in order, if possible, to catch sight of him,
and then pursued him at full speed if perchance he might catch, him and ask more
in detail who he was and whence he came. But what had been seen had completely
vanished. On their return home Isaac was very inquisitive about this vision and
asked Alexius to disclose the secret: and as he insisted strongly, Alexius at
first made a feint of refusing but finally repeated what had been said to him
in secret. Now in discussing this openly with his brother he treated the words
and incident as a fraud and deception, but in his private meditations upon this
man in priestly garb who had appeared to him, he likened him to the theologian,
the Son of Thunder [*St. John the Theologian]. Therefore when Isaac saw what the
old man had prophesied was being fulfilled in deed and expressed in words, he
insisted more vehemently and by force put the red buskin on his brother’s foot,
especially because he saw the fervid longing of all the soldiers for Alexius.
After this act the Ducases led the acclamations for they favoured this man for
many reasons and especially because their relation, Iresn, my mother had been
legally married to my father, And simultaneously all those akin to them by blood
did likewise with a will, and the rest of the army took up the shout and [61]
sent their voices almost to the heavens. And then was witnessed a curious phenomenon
– for those who before had held opposite opinions and preferred death to failure
in their desire, became in one moment of the same opinion, and that too, so decidedly,
that nobody could have even suspected there had been a variance of opinion between
them.
VIII While these events were taking place, a rumour spread that Melissenus
had already reached the promontory of Damalis with a fair-sized army, had assumed
the purple and was being acclaimed as emperor. For some time the Comneni would
not believe this report, but Melissenus on learning of their doings, at once dispatched
ambassadors to them, who on arrival handed over his letters to the Comneni, which
ran somewhat as follows: God has brought me safely as far as Damalis together
with the army under my command. I have heard of your experiences, and the measures
you have taken for your own safety after being delivered by the mercy of God from
the malice of those slaves and their cruel plots against you. Now, as concerns
relationship, I am already allied to you by ties of kin, thanks be to God! and
as concerns purpose, I yield to none of your blood-relations in my unalterable
affection for you (let God. the Judge of all, be my witness!). It is right that
we should consult together and ensure for ourselves a firm and stable position
so that we may not be upset by every wind that blows, but arrange the affairs
of the empire well and thus stand on a sure foundation. This we shall certainly
accomplish if, after you have captured the city by the help of God, you two administer
the affairs of the West and allow the kingdom of Asia to be allotted to me. I
too must wear the diadem and be clad in purple, and, as is the custom with royalties,
my name must be joined in proclamations with the name of that one of you who is
chosen Emperor, so that acclamations may be made for us conjointly. In this wise,
even though the countries and the business have been divided, yet our mind would
be one and the same, and while we so continue the Empire would be administered
by us both in perfect peace.” The ambassadors did not then and there receive a
full answer to the letter they had presented; the next day the Comneni sent for
them, and in lengthy speech pointed out to them the impracticability of Melissenus’
proposals; they further promised to let them know their decision on the matter
shortly through George, called Manganes, to whose care they had entrusted the
ambassadors. In spite [62] of this business they did not by any means neglect
the siege, but as often as possible made skirmishing attacks upon the walls. On
the following day they called the ambassadors and announced their decision to
them. This was that Melissenus should be elevated to the rank of ‘ Caesar,’ should
he adjudged the fillet and salutes and all other privileges which belong to this
rank, and also that the largest town in Thessaly should be given to him. (In this
town there is the magnificent church named after the great martyr Demetrius, where
the myrrh which ever trickles from his venerable coffin works marvellous cures
for those who approach it in faith.) The ambassadors were displeased with the
terms but, since those they proposed were not accepted, and they observed also
the rebel’s great preparations against the city and the enormous army under him,
and as they were pressed for time, they began to fear that if they captured the
city, the Comneni would not grant even that which they now promised, so they asked
that the conditions should be put in a Golden Bull and signed in red letters.
To this Alexius the new emperor, consented and immediately summoned George Manganes,
who served him as secretary, and ordered him to draw up this Golden Bull. But
the latter deferred it for three days, always stringing together various excuses,
saying once that after getting over-tired during the day he could not finish the
whole letter at night, and at another time that a spark had fallen on what he
had written at night and burnt it up. By making such and similar excuses and,
true to his name, playing tricks, Manganes postponed writing by one means or the
other. Pushing on further the Comneni quickly seized the place called Aretae.
This is a district lying close to the city and overlooking the plain, and to persons
standing below and looking up to it, it looks like a hill; on the one side it
slopes down to the sea, on. the other, to Byzantium, but on the North and West
sides it is exposed to all the winds; it has perennial supplies of clear, fresh
water but is so utterly devoid of bushes and trees that you would have said the
hill had been laid bare by woodcutters. Because of its pleasant situation and
climate the Emperor Romanus Diogenes erected some fine houses suitable for kings
for short periods of rest. When the Comneni were established there, they made
attempts on the wall not by means of siege-engines or machines or stone-throwing
instruments, since there was not time enough for those, but with light-armed troops,
far-shooters, spearmen and fully-armed soldiers.
IX Now when Botaniates, saw the size of the army of the Comneni and its composition
of men of all races, and that it was already approaching the gates of the city,
and that Melissenus Nicephorus had reached Damalis with no less a force than theirs
and was likewise a claimant for the throne, he knew not what to do, and was quite
unfit to contend against two foes. For old age had chilled his spirit and made
him over-fearful, though in youth he had been very brave, and now he only breathed
freely as long as he was encircled by the walls, and he had already ideas of abdicating.
Hence the citizens were naturally seized with alarm and unrest and thought the
whole place could easily be captured from any side. The Comneni on their side
thought the taking of the city would be difficult (for their forces were composed
of various nationalities besides natives, and wherever there is a mixed crowd,
their temper also is wont to be mixed), so Alexius, the newly-shod Emperor, seeing
the city would be difficult to capture, and suspecting the unstable character
of his soldiers, adopted a new plan which was by flattery and promises to suborn
some of the guards of the walls, and by thus stealing, so to say, their goodwill,
to capture the city. After thinking out these things all night he went into the
Caesar’s tent at early morning and told him his intention and asked him to accompany
him on a tour round the walls in order to investigate the defences and their guards
(who were chosen from different regiments), and to determine how it would be possible
to take the city. The Caesar, however, was annoyed at this order, for he had only
adopted the monastic habit very lately and naturally shrank from going near the
walls for he felt he would be laughed at by the men on the walls and battlements.
And so it fell out. For when he followed Alexius under compulsion, directly the
men spied him from the walls they jeeringly called him “Father” and added some
insulting remark. However he knitted his brows and though inwardly insulted, disregarded
them but gave his full attention to the purpose in hand. For men of firm disposition
can fix their mind on the matter before them and overlook external disturbances.
He therefore found out which soldiers were on duty in the various towers. He learnt
that in one place the “Immortals” were on guard (this is the most select regiment
of the Roman army) and in another the Varangians from Thule [*By some interpreted
as the British Isles, by others as part of Scandinavia, particularly Thyland in
Jutland.] (by these I mean the [64] axe-bearing barbarians) and in yet another
the Nemitzi [*Germans](these too are a barbaric tribe who have been
subjects of the Roman Empire from of old); and he thereupon advised Alexius not
to make an offer to the Varangians or the Immortals. For the latter, being indigenous,
naturally cherished a great affection for the Emperor and would sooner lose their
lives than be persuaded to adopt any treachery against him. The Varangians, too,
who carried their axes on their shoulders, regarded their loyalty to the Emperors
and their protection of the imperial persons as a pledge and ancestral tradition,
handed down from father to son, which they keep inviolate and will certainly not
listen to even the slightest word about treachery. But if Alexius approached the
Nemitzi he would perhaps not be far from the mark, but be lucky enough to gain
entrance into the city through the tower where they kept watch.
Alexius listened to these words of the Caesar as if they came from an oracle
and at once acted upon them. He sent one of his men to sound the leader of the
Nemitzi carefully from the foot of the wall; the leader looked down from above
and after a brisk interchange of questions and answers, he soon agreed to betray
the city. So the soldier returned bringing the message and as soon as Alexius
and his companions heard this unexpected news, they were delighted and very eagerly
prepared to mount their horses.
X At the same time the ambassadors from Melissenus were insistently demanding
the Golden Bull which had been promised them, and Manganes was summoned to bring
it. He said that he had indeed written the letter, but protested that the implements
necessary for the royal signatures and sealing had been lost, pen and all! For
he was a dissembler and clever at easily forecasting the future, at picking out
what was advantageous from the past, and also accurately diagnosing the present
and skilfully arranging matters to his own liking while he covered his doings
as long as he wished. Thus Manganes postponed the writing of the Golden Bull in
order to keep Melissenus in suspense, for he feared that if the Bull, which bestowed
upon him the rank of Caesar, were dispatched more hastily than was wise, Melissenus
would scorn that honour and cling at all costs to gaining the empire, as he had
informed the Comneni, and venture on a very bold stroke. Such then was the art
and wiliness of Manganes in postponing the writing of the Golden Bull for the
Caesar. [65] While these things were being arranged and time was pressing for
entering into the city, the ambassadors became suspicious of some trick, and were
still more insistent in their demands for the Golden Bull. But the Comneni said
to them, “Since we practically have the city in our hands, we are going now to
take possession of it with the help of God, so do you depart and take this news
to your lord and master.” And they added further, “If events do indeed turn out
according to our hopes, he must come to us, and then all matters will easily be
arranged in a manner agreeable both to ourselves and to him” – this was their
answer to the ambassadors. Then they sent out George Palaeologus to Gilpractus,
the leader of the Nemitzi, to find out the latter’s intentions, and if he discovered
that he was ready to admit the Comneni, as he had promised, he was to give the
pre-concerted signal, and directly they saw it they would hasten their entrance,
while Gilpractus himself would quickly ascend the tower and open the gates to
them. Palaeologus undertook this errand very willingly, for he was a man eager
for military exploits and the sacking of cities, and the term “stormer of cities”
which Homer applies to Ares, would fit him exactly. Next the Comneni got ready
and drew up all their heavy-armed troops in a very clever way, and then, marching
slowly, they approached the city in troops. But in the evening George Palaeologus
approached the wall and receiving the signal from Gilpractus, he went up into
the tower with his companions. Alexius meanwhile and his men were only a short
distance from the walls and after throwing up a palisade, they encamped comfortably
and remained at rest there for a brief period of the night. During the rest of
the night, however, after posting the light-armed, they pushed on at a marching
pace – the Comneni held the centre of the line with picked cavalry and the flower
of the troops – and just at daybreak they stood outside the walls with the whole
of their army. All the soldiers were fully armed as if for battle so that they
might strike terror into the hearts of the citizens. But when Palaeologus gave
them the signal from above and opened the gates, they rushed in pell-mell, no
longer with military discipline, but just as each could, carrying their shields,
bows and spears.
Now the day was Good Friday (the day on which we offer and feed upon our Mystical
Passover) of the fourth “Indiction” in the month of April in the year 6589. [*i.e.,
of the Byzantine era = April 1, 1081 AD] And as the whole army (which was composed
of foreign and native [66] troops and had come together from home and neighbouring
countries) knew that the city had for a long time been crammed with all kinds
of riches which were continually imported from other lands and seas, they entered
very quickly through the Charisian Gate and scattering in all directions along
the main streets, the cross-roads and the by-lanes, they spared neither houses,
churches nor even the innermost sanctuaries but amassed a large amount of booty
and only desisted from killing, and in every way they acted throughout with the
greatest recklessness and shamelessness. Indeed the worst feature was that not
even the natives themselves abstained from these deeds but apparently forgot themselves,
changed their manners for the worse and did themselves exactly the same things
as the barbarians.
XI On being informed of these events, Nicephorus Botaniates realized that his
own situation had become exceedingly difficult as the city was being besieged
on the West, and Nicephorus Melissenus was encamped at the promontory of Damalis
on the East; he did not know what to do but rather inclined to abdicate in favour
of Melissenus. And when the city was already surrounded by the Comneni, he bade
one of his most trusty attendants go and bring Melissenus through the fleet to
the palace; and a certain very fierce guardsman was to accompany him. But before
this project could be fulfilled, the city was taken. And Palaeologus, taking one
of his servants with him, walked down to the sea, and finding a boat, got in at
once and told the oarsman to row to the place where the fleet was usually anchored.
When he was already drawing near to the other coast he saw the man sent by Botaniates
to fetch Melissenus getting the fleet ready, and the guardsman was on one of the
men-of-war. Recognizing the latter from afar as one of his former acquaintances,
he sailed alongside the vessel, hailed him and asked the usual questions, “Whence
he came and whither going” and then begged him to take him up into his ship. But
the guardsman, seeing him with a shield and sword, was frightened and replied,
“I would gladly have taken you, had I not noticed that you are fully armed.” Hereupon
Palaeologus at once consented to lay aside his helmet, shield and short sword,
provided only the other would pick him up. Directly the guardsman saw him taking
off his weapons, he allowed him to board his own ship, and took him in his arms
and embraced him effusively. But Palaeologus, a man of energy, did not delay even
for a moment before embarking [67] on his task. Running up to the prow he began
asking the rowers, ” What are you doing? and where are you going, taking part
in a business which will bring dire misfortune to yourselves? the city, as you
see, has been taken. He who was once the ‘ Great Domestic’ has been proclaimed
Emperor; you see his soldiers and you can hear the shouts; and there will be no
room in the palace for anybody else. Botaniates for his part is a fine man, but
then the Comneni on theirs are far finer. Large too is the army of Botaniates,
but our army is many times larger. You ought not therefore to betray yourselves,
your wives and children, but rather take a good look at the city, notice that
the whole army is already inside it and the standards fixed, listen to the loud
shouts of acclamation, and while the late Domestic draws near to the palace as
Emperor and is even now girding on the royal insignia, put your ship astern and
go and join him, and thus assure him complete victory! ” The crew were immediately
convinced by his words and came over to his opinion, whereupon the guardsman grew
angry and that warrior George Palaeologus threatened to put him into chains there
and then on the deck or to throw him into the sea. Then Palaeologus at once started
the cheering and the rowers joined in, but as the guardsman was angry and refused
to do so, he had him bound to the deck and left him. After sailing a little further,
he again took up his sword and shield, and then brought his ship to the place
where the fleet lay, and soon he had all the sailors joining in cheers for the
new Emperor. He happened, also, upon the man dispatched by Botaniates to take
over the fleet and bring Melissenus through, so he straightway apprehended him
and ordered the sailors to loose the cables. Next he sailed away from there with
the fleet and reached the Acropolis where he led fresh shouts of acclamation.
There he commanded the rowers to cease rowing and to stand by quietly and thus
prevent the landing of any who were trying to cross from the East. Within a short
time he saw a vessel putting in to the palace, and by bidding the rowers of his
own boat row their hardest, he outstripped it. And when he saw his own father
in it, he stood up and at once gave him the salutation due to parents. But his
father did not look at him pleasantly, nor did he call him the ” dear light of
his eyes,” as Odysseus of Ithaca once did on beholding Telemachus. On that occasion
there was a banquet, suitors, a contest of strength, bows and arrows and the prudent
Penelope set as prize for the victor, and Telemachus was not [68] an enemy, but
a son assisting his father; but on this there was fighting and war and the father
and son were opposed in spirit. And each was well aware of the other’s feelings,
even though their opinions had not yet been manifested in action. So the father
called his son a “fool” and asked him: ” What have you come to do here?” and his
son replied ” As it is you who ask me, nothing!” To this the other answered, “Wait
a little, and if the Emperor will follow my advice, I will let you know shortly.”
The aforesaid Nicephorus Palaeologus entered the palace where he found the soldiers
dispersed in all directions intent on collecting booty, and judging that they
could easily be overcome, he begged Botaniates to let him have the Varangians
from the island of Thule, in order to drive the Comneni out of the city with their
help. But Botaniates, having once for all despaired of his cause, pretended that
he did not want civil war. ” If perchance you will listen to me, Nicephorus, then
I pray you go to the Comneni as soon as they are in the city and make overtures
of peace to them.” And so, though very unwillingly, he went.
XII The Comneni on entering the city had already gained confidence and halted
near the square of the Great Martyr, George, called Syceotes, discussing whether
they should first go and salute their mothers, according to custom, and then proceed
to the palace; but the Caesar, being informed of this, sent one of his body-servants
and upbraided them severely for their dilatoriness. So they hastened to the house
of Iberitzes where Nicephorus Palaeologus overtook them and said, ” The Emperor
sends you this message: ‘ I am already an old man and a lonely one, and possess
neither son nor brother nor any blood-relation, and if you are willing’ (here
Nicephorus addressed his speech to the newly-made Emperor Alexius), ‘do you become
my adopted son. And I will not prevent your giving whatsoever you have already
promised to your fellow-soldiers, nor will I even share your royal power in any
way; I merely ask to retain the name of Emperor, public acclamations and the red
buskins, and further the permission to live quietly in the palace. The administration
of the affairs of the Empire shall be handed over entirely to you.'” I response
the Comneni said a few words, suggestive of agreement, which were repeated to
the Caesar who thereupon made haste to get to them to urge them with threats to
hurry to the palace. The Comneni. who were going out, met him who was on foot,
[69] entering the courtyard from the right and he censured them severely. As he
was entering he also caught sight of Nicephorus Palaeologus who was approaching
the house again from the left and said to him, “What have you to do here? and
for what purpose have you come, kinsman? ” to which the other replied, ” My coming
will accomplish nothing, meseems, but I come to bring the same message from the
Emperor as this morning. For the Emperor is resolute to keep to the terms he has
offered to treat Alexius as his son; he proposes to invest him with full imperial
power so that he may administer the affairs of the Empire according to his pleasure,
provided he himself may merely retain the name of Emperor and the red buskins
and his purple clothing and the right of living quietly in the palace, as he is
an old man now and needs repose.”) Hereupon the Caesar with a fierce glance and
heavy scowl said, ” Get away and tell the Emperor that those offers would have
been more useful before the city was captured; for the future ambassadorial messages
are uttered out of place. Tell him too, ‘As you are already an old man, get off
the throne and take thought for your own safety.’ ” That was the Caesar’s answer.
Now when Borilus learnt of the entry of the Comneni and of the army’s dispersal
throughout the city, occupied with plundering and wholly intent on collecting
booty, he determined to attack them, thinking they could easily be defeated owing
to their scattered state (for the chiefs had been left alone with their kinsmen
by blood or marriage and a few foreign soldiers). So he collected all the men
who brandished their axes on their shoulders and those who hailed from Coma, and
marching from the Forum of Constantine to the so-called Milestone, he drew them
up there in ranks with utmost precision; so there they stood, in close order,
ready for battle and keeping quiet for the time being.
The Patriarch at that time [# Cosmas] was a truly holy man and poor, and had
practised every species of asceticism such as the fathers of old who lived in
the deserts and on the mountains used; he was also endowed with the divine gift
of prophecy and had at various times predicted various things in none of which
he had been wrong; in a word, he was a model and type to posterity. This man was
perfectly well aware of all that had befallen Botaniates, and now either by divine
inspiration or at the suggestion of the Caesar (for this, too, was whispered,
as the Caesar had long been his friend on account of his high standard of virtue)
he counselled the Emperor to abdicate. [70] “Do not begin a civil war,” he said,
” nor resist God’s decree. Do not allow the city to be defiled with the blood
of Christians, but yield to the will of God, and depart from our midst.” The Emperor
followed the Patriarch’s advice, and fearing the army’s insolence, he girt his
clothes around him and went down to the great church of God, hanging his head;
and in his very disturbed state of mind, he did not notice that he was still wearing
the robes of an Emperor. But Borilus turned to him and catching hold of the mantle
attached to his arm by a pearl clasp, pulled it off his dress remarking with a
sneer and a grin, ” Such a pretty thing truly suits me better now!” And the Emperor
entered into the great church of Divine Wisdom [# Hagia Sophia], and stayed there
for a time. [# His abdication was on April 4, 1081]
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