The history of Leo the Deacon

"This is the first English translation of the History of Leo the Deacon (born circa 950), an obscure but lively author intimately familiar with the palace politics of Constantinople. The History, composed at the very end of the tenth century, focuses on the reigns of two Byzantine emperors, Nikephoros II Phokas (963-969) and John I Tzimiskes (969-976). Styling his narrative in the tradition of the classicizing historians, Leo recounts how both men ursurped the throne during the minority of the two sons of Constantine VII and used their military prowess to embark on successful campaigns against the Arabs in the south and east, and against the Rus' in Bulgaria. ; The History tells how they expanded the frontiers of the empire and brought back captured relics, booty, and prisoners of war to parade in triumph through the streets of Constantinople. Leo accompanied at least one expedition, and drew on his firsthand experience to provide vivid descriptions of sieges, pitched battles, ambushes, and single combat. His account of the conspiracy against Nikephoros II Phokas, murdered as he slept on the floor in front of his icons, is one of the most dramatic in Byzantine narrative histories."--page 4 of cover.