Basil II part 7
14. Basil personally took part in these operations with the Roman army. He had just begun to grow a beard and was learning the art of war from experience in actual combat. Even his...
Basil II part 6
The reason for this was that they feared Chosroes. They expected little consideration from him and they believed that he would throw them back into prison. So they made off, with all the speed...
Basil II part 5
The Revolt of Bardas Phocas10. Meanwhile Bardas Phocas returned to the emperor. He was given the privilege of a triumph and took his place among the personal friends of his sovereign. So ended the...
Basil II part 4
7. According to the historians, this man Bardas reminded people of his uncle, the emperor Nicephorus, for he was always wrapped in gloom, and watchful, capable of foreseeing all eventualities, of comprehending everything at...
Basil II part 3
The complete change in his mode of living dates from the attempted revolutions of the notorious Sclerus**4 and of Phocas.**5 Sclerus twice raised the standard of revolt and there were other aspirants to the...
Basil II part 2
Although he was born of the same father as the father of Basil and Constantine, on his mother’s side he came of different stock. In early infancy he had suffered castration–a natural precaution against...
Basil II part 1
Basil II 976 – 10251. The circumstances in which the emperor John Tzimisces met his death have already been described (in the history of Leo Diaconus).**1 Basil and Constantine, the sons of Romanus,**2 were...
The Commissioner`s Christmas part 6
“Guess we, too, have to turn into moor-hens `and wade out,” said Ondra thoughtfully, “or else—”“Oh, you idiot! Just wait till we get out of this! I`ll break every bone in your body! We`ll...
The Commissioner`s Christmas part 5
“Whip `em up! Hurry up! You lazybones! We`ll freeze to death!” shrieked the furious commissioner.Ondra indifferently shouted to the horses and drowsily swung his whip over their heads, but as before they wearily, inertly...
The Commissioner`s Christmas part 4
“Stop your silly chatter and get along. It`s getting dark, and I`ve got to get back to celebrate Christmas with my family. You charge too much, you imp! Three leu for twenty kilometers! You...
