Chapters of the Madrid Skylitzes

Chapters

Chapter I: Michael I. Rangabe (811-813), fol. 10r-17v

• 
  Proclamation of Michael I as emperor (Fol. 10v)
• 
  Top: The Bulgarian ruler Krum assembling his army. Bottom: The Byzantine soldiers urging Michael I to fight (Fol. 11r)
• 
  The proclamation of Leo V (Fol. 12v)
• 
  Argument between Leo V and Michael the Stammerer (Fol. 13r top)

Chapter II: Leon V the Armenian (813-820), fol. 18r-26va

• 
  18va
• 
  Leo the Armenian receives ambassadors bearing gifts (Fol. 20r)
• 
  Discussion between Leo V and the monk of Dagisteas (Fol. 20v, top)
• 
  Exile of Patriarch Nikephoros (Fol. 20v, bottom)
• 
  Theophanes the Confessor bids farewell to patriarch Nikephoros (Fol. 21r, top)
• 
  Consecration of Patriarch Theodotos Melissenos (Fol. 21r, bottom)
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  Leo V orders severe punishments for crimes (Fol. 21v, top)
• 
  Patriarch Theodotos Melissenos propagates Iconoclasm (Fol. 21v, bottom)
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  The choirmaster denounces the iconophiles to Leo V (Fol. 22r)
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  A man complains to Leo V that a senator had taken his wife away (Fol. 22v)
• 
  Emperor Leo V leading the chanting at Christmas (Fol. 23r, top)
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  Leo V is informed of Michael the Stammerer's insults (Fol. 23r, bottom)
• 
  Michael the Stammerer is chained before Leo V and Empress Theodosia (Fol. 24r)
• 
  The body of Leo V is dragged to the Hippodrome through the Skyla Gate (Fol. 26v, top)

Chapter III: Michael II. Travlos (820-829), fol. 26vb-42ra

• 
  Martyrdom of Euthymius of Sardeis (Fol.28vb
• 
  Thomas the Slav flees to the Arabs (Fol. 29v)
• 
  (Fol. 30r)
• 
  (Fol. 30v)
• 
  (Fol. 31r)
• 
  The fleet of Thomas sails from Abydos (Fol. 31v top)
• 
  General Olbianos executes Thomas' adoptive son (Fol. 31v bottom)
• 
  The iron chain prevents the fleet of Thomas from entering the Golden Horn (Fol. 32r)
• 
  The troops of Thomas attack the walls of Constantinople (Fol. 32v top)
• 
  The troops of Thomas attack the walls at Blachernae (Fol. 32v bottom)
• 
  Theophilos and the Patriarch lead a procession for the salvation of the city (Fol. 33r)
• 
  The fleet of Thomas is beaten back from the sea walls of Constantinople (Fol. 33v)
• 
  (Fol. 34v)
• 
  (Fol. 35r)
• 
  (Fol. 35v)
• 
  (Fol. 36v)
• 
  The capture and punishment of Thomas the Slav by Emperor Michael II (Fol. 37r)
• 
  Choireas and Gazarenos abandon their forts and escape, but are captured and executed (Fol. 38r top)
• 
  The Arabs of Iberia address their leader Apochaps (Fol. 38r bottom)
• 
  The Saracen fleet sails against Crete (Fol. 38v)
• 
  Apochaps orders the torching of his fleet (Fol. 39r)
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  The Cretan Saracens defeat the Byzantines under Damianos (Fol. 39v top)
• 
  A monk shows the Cretan Saracens where to build Chandax (Fol. 39v bottom)
• 
  Byzantines under Krateros defeat the Cretan Saracens (Fol. 40v top)
• 
  The Cretan Saracens slay the sleeping Byzantines (Fol. 40v bottom)
• 
  Byzantines under Ooryphas ambush and defeat the Cretan Saracens (Fol. 41r top)
• 
  Cretan Saracens pursue Krateros and capture and hang him at Kos (Fol. 41r bottom)
• 
  Death of Michael II (Fol. 42r top)

Chapter IV: Theophilos (829-842), fol. 42rb-62ra

• 
  The accomplices of Michael II step forth to be honoured (Fol. 42r bottom)
• 
  42v
• 
  43ra
• 
  43rb
• 
  44v
• 
  47r
• 
  47v
• 
  48v
• 
  49v
• 
  50va
• 
  50vb
• 
  51r
• 
  54r
• 
  Byzantines driving the Arabs to flight (Fol. 54v)
• 
  Arab captive displays his skill with two spears at Theophilos' triumph in Constantinople (Fol. 54ra)
• 
  Emperor Theophilos in discussion with Theodore Krateros (Fol. 54rb)
• 
  55v
• 
  56r
• 
  59v
• 
  60
• 
  The head of Theophobos is brought to Emperor Theophilos on his deathbed (Fol. 62r top)
• 
  Mamun sends an envoy to Theophilos (Fol. 75v)

Chapter V: Michael III. (842-867), fol. 62rb-80vb

• 
  Coronation of Emperor Michael III (Fol. 62rb)
• 
  68r
• 
  The baptism of the Bulgarian ruler, Boris, with Emperor Michael as his godfather (Fol. 68v)
• 
  69r
• 
  Michael III with Theodora and Theoktistos (Fol. 70r)
• 
  Empress Theodora confers with the Senate (Fol. 71r)
• 
  The imperial army besieges Samosata (Fol. 72r)
• 
  Battle at Lalakaon and death of Amer (Fol. 73v top)
• 
  Petronas with John the monk, who foretold his victory at Lalakaon (Fol. 73v bottom)
• 
  76r
• 
  76va
• 
  77v
• 
  Emperor Michael III receives a message (Fol. 78r top)
• 
  The dream of Caesar Bardas (Fol. 79r)
• 
  Murder of the Caesar Bardas (Fol. 80r top)
• 
  Coronation of Basil the Macedonian as co-emperor (Fol. 80r bottom)
• 
  Michael III proclaims his new favourite, Basilikinos, as co-emperor (Fol. 80v top)
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  Assassination of Michael III by Basil the Macedonian's men (Fol. 80v bottom)
• 
  Koutragon executes Christians (Fol. 82r top)
• 
  Koutragon surrenders Byzantine captives, and holds the little Basil in his hands (Fol. 82r bottom)
• 
  85va

Chapter VI: Basileios I (r. 867–886), fol. 81r–105vb

• 
  Fol. 96r
• 
  Fol. 97r
• 
  The Saracens capture the city of Syracuse (Fol. 100v)
• 
  Admiral Adrianos is informed of the fall of Syracuse by demons (Fol. 101r, top)
• 
  Refugees confirm the fall of Syracuse to admiral Adrianos (Fol. 101r, bottom)
• 
  Byzantines under Nikephoros Phokas capture Amantia (Fol. 101v)
• 
  The widow Danielis goes to Constantinople to meet with Emperor Basil (Fol. 102r, top and middle)
• 
  The widow Danielis visits emperor Leo VI (Fol. 102r, bottom)
• 
  The archon of the Russians is told of the miracles from the Gospel (Fol. 103v, top)
• 
  The Miracle of the Gospel before the archon of the Russians (Fol. 103v, bottom)
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  Emperor Basil I sends a messenger to the two magistroi (Fol. 104r)
• 
  Santabarenos the monk advises prince Leo to carry a knife (Fol. 104v, top)
• 
  Santabarenos the monk betrays Leo to Emperor Basil I (Fol. 104v, bottom)
• 
  Prince Leo offers a knife to his father, Emperor Basil I (Fol. 105r)
• 
  Emperor Basil I hosts a banquet for the senators (Fol. 105v, top)
• 
  Emperor Basil I orders the hair of his son Leo to be cut (Fol. 105v, bottom)

Chapter VII: Leon VI. the Wise (886-912), fol. 106r-116va

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  Emperor Leo VI receives an audience (Fol. 106r)
• 
  The relics of Michael III are transferred to the Holy Apostles (Fol. 106v)
• 
  The interrogation of Patriarch Photios (Fol. 107r top)
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  Santabarenos the monk throws himself at the feet of Patriarch Photios (Fol. 107r bottom)
• 
  The Lombards under Agion defeat the Byzantines (Fol. 107v)
• 
  Bulgarians defeat Byzantines under Krenites and Kourtikios (Fol. 108r)
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  (Fol. 108v)
• 
  The Bulgarians defeat the Byzantines under Katakalon (Fol. 109r)
• 
  Samonas informs the Emperor Leo of a plot to kill him (Fol. 109v)
• 
  Two messengers inform Emperor Leo VI of a Saracen attack (Fol. 111r)
• 
  Sack of Thessalonica by Arabs under Leo of Tripoli (Fol. 111v)
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  Emperor Leo calls Constantine Doukas as a witness (Fol. 112r top)
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  Patriarch Nicholas Mystikos baptizes Constantine Porphyrogennetos (Fol. 112r bottom)
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  Consecration of Patriarch Euthymius I of Constantinople (Fol. 112v)
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  Samonas incites Emperor Leo against Andronikos Doukas (Fol. 113r)
• 
  Ouzer intercepts Leo's message to Andronikos Doukas (Fol. 113v top)
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  Constantine Doukas escapes from Arab captivity (Fol. 113v bottom)
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  Leo admonishes Constantine Doukas (Fol. 114r)
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  Leo shows the holy vessels of Hagia Sophia to the Arab ambassadors (Fol. 114v top)
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  Coronation of Constantine VII (Fol. 114v bottom)
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  The eunuch Constantine is tonsured at the Monastery of St. Tarasios at Samonas' orders (Fol. 115r)

Chapter VIII: Alexandros (912-913), fol. 116vb-118r

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  Emperor Alexander deposes Patriarch Euthymios (Fol. 116v)
• 
  Emperor Alexander receives the Bulgarian envoys (Fol. 117v)
• 
  Emperor Alexander, on his deathbed, passes imperial power to his nephew Constantine (Fol. 118r)

Chapter IX: Konstantinos VII Porphyrogennetos (r. 913–920), fol. 118va–126va

• 
  Constantine VII dining with Tsar Symeon of Bulgaria (Fol. 120r)
• 
  Constantine VII recalls his mother from exile (Fol. 120v)
• 
  121r

Chapter X: Romanos I Lakapenos (r. 920–944), fol. 126vb–131v

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  The Byzantines under John Kourkouas capture Melitene (Fol. 127r, top)
• 
  Death of Patriarch Stephen II of Constantinople (Fol. 127r, bottom)
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  The Byzantine fleet repels the Russian attack (Fol. 130r)
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  The surrender of the Mandylion of Edessa to the Byzantines (Fol. 131r)

Chapter XI: Konstantinos VII Porphyrogennetos (r. 944–959), fol. 132r–139rb

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  The priest Themel puts the Arabs to flight using his semantron
• 
  Leo Phokas sents the captive Arab general Apolasaeir to Constantinople
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  The baptism of Hungarian chieftain Bulcsú in Constantinople in 948. 134v
• 
  The execution of Bulcsú in Regensburg in 955. 135r
• 
  Constantine Phokas dies poisoned in Aleppo, and his father Bardas orders the execution of all Arab prisoners. 136r
• 
  Leo Phokas defeats the Arabs in 950, escape of Chalkoutzes
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  Consecration of Patriarch Polyeuctus. 137v
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  Saracens of Crete defeat the Byzantine army. 138v top
• 
  Constantine VII is poisoned by Theophano. 138v bottom
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  Constantine VII on his deathbed. 139r

Chapter XII: Romanos II (r. 959–963), fol. 139v–142rb

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  Coronation of Basil II as co-emperor by Patriarch Polyeuctus (Fol. 139v)
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  Byzantines under Nikephoros Phokas besiege Chandax (Fol. 140r)
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  Leo Phokas defeats Hambdan at Adrassos (Fol. 140v, top)
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  Ioannikios betrays to Romanos II a plot to murder him (Fol. 140v, bottom)
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  Workers building a palace find a marble ox head (Fol. 141v, top)
• 
  Romanos II tries to expel his mother and sisters from the palace (Fol. 141v, middle)
• 
  Death of Helena Lekapene (Fol. 141v, bottom)
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  Capture of Berroia by the Byzantines (Fol. 142r, top)
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  Death of Romanos II (Fol. 142r, bottom)

Chapter XIII: Basileios and Konstantinos (963), fol. 142va-145va

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  Triumphal entrance of Nikephoros Phokas into Constantinople (Fol. 145r)

Chapter XIV: Nikephoros II. Phokas (963-969), fol. 145va-157vb

• 
  148ra
• 
  151v
• 
  153r
• 
  155r
• 
  156rb

Chapter XV: Ioannes Tzimiskes (969-976), fol. 158r-173v

• 
  159r
• 
  166r
• 
  167r
• 
  168r
• 
  172rb
• 
  172v
• 
  173ra

Chapter XVI: Basileios II. (976-1025), fol. 174r-196va

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  174r
• 
  176
• 
  178ra
• 
  184v
• 
  185r
• 
  186r
• 
  195v
• 
  Emperor Basil II orders his chamberlain fed to the lions (Fol. 196r)

Chapter XVII: Konstantinos VIII. (1025-1028), fol. 196vb-198r

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  Appointment of Alexios Stoudites as patriarch (Fol. 196v)
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  Emperor Constantine VIII orders the blinding of Nikephoros Komnenos (Fol. 197v)

Chapter XVIII: Romanos III Argyros (1028-1034), fol. 198v-206va

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  Emperor Romanos III receives the embassy of Berroia (Fol. 201r)
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  Emperor Romanos III encamps at Azazion (Fol. 201v)
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  The Arabs drive the Byzantines to flight at Azazion (Fol. 202r top)
• 
  A Byzantine eunuch attacks the Arabs (Fol. 202r bottom)
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  General Georgios Maniakes slaughters the Arabs (Fol. 202v)
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  Emperor Romanos III receives Pinzarach, Emir of Tripolis (Fol. 203r)
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  Tonsure of Prousianos (Fol. 203v)
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  Romanos III receives an Arab delegation led by Amer (Fol. 204r top)
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  Empress Zoe tonsures her sister Theodora (Fol. 204r bottom)
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  Arab captives are brought before Emperor Romanos III by admiral Nikephoros Karantenos (Fol. 204v)
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  The Arabs attack the city of Edessa (Fol. 205r top)
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  Georgios Maniakes sends the letter of Christ to Romanos III (Fol. 205r bottom)
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  The widow Alde visits Emperor Romanos III (Fol. 206r)
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  The murder of Romanos III in his bath (Fol. 206v top)

Chapter XIX: Michael IV. Paphlagon (1034-1042), fol. 206vb-218r

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  The wedding of Zoe and Michael the Paphlagonian (Fol. 206v bottom)
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  John the Orphanotrophos sends Ergodotes to Constantine Dalassenos (Fol. 207r)
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  John the Orphanotrophos sends Phagitzes with relics to Constantine Dalassenos (Fol. 207v)
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  A Thracesian woman kills a Varangian (Fol. 208r)
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  John the Orphanotrophos exiles Constantine Dalassenos (Fol. 208v)
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  The Christian widow of the caliph of Egypt sends a letter to Michael IV (Fol. 210r)
• 
  Litany with the emperor's brothers, Ioannes, Konstantinos and Georgios (Fol. 210v)
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  Zoe asks Sgouritzes to poison John the Orphanotrophos (Fol. 212r top)
• 
  The Byzantines under Georgios Maniakes land at Sicily and defeat the Arabs (Fol. 212r bottom)
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  Varasvatze of Edessa hosts the Arab leaders (Fol. 212v top)
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  Varasvatze orders the death of the Arabs (Fol. 212v bottom)
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  Georgios Maniakes reproaches admiral Stephanos (Fol. 213v top)
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  Georgios Maniakes is brought captive to Constantinople (Fol. 213v bottom)
• 
  The Arab siege of Messina (Fol. 214r)
• 
  215r
• 
  215v
• 
  Alusian appears before Peter Delyan and the Bulgarian camp (Fol. 217r, top)
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  The Thessalonians pursue the Bulgarian besiegers under Alusian (Fol. 217r bottom)
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  Alusian has Delyan blinded at a banquet (Fol. 217v top)
• 
  Michael IV and his men in front of the Bulgarian barricade (Fol. 217v bottom)
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  Tonsure and death of Michael IV (fol. 218r)

Chapter XX: Michael V. Kalaphates (1041-1042), fol. 218v-221r

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  219r

Chapter XXI: Konstantinos IX. Monomachos (1042-1055), fol. 222ra-234v

• 
  Arrival of Constantine Monomachos to Constantinople (Fol. 222r top)
• 
  Coronation of Constantine Monomachos (Fol. 222r bottom)
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  The Serbs massacre the Byzantines in the mountain passes (Fol. 222v)
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  Iovanesikes surrenders himself to Basil II (Fol. 228r)
• 
  Kakikios surrenders to Constantine IX (Fol. 228v)
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  The Byzantines are defeated by Aplesphares (Fol. 229r)
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  The Byzantines besiege Chelidonion (Fol. 229v)
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  The attack of Leo Tornikios on Constantinople (fol. 230v bottom)

See also

• Index of the Madrid Skylitzes