greek arabic leading byzantine general 10th century notable capture arabs fell disgrace emperor slight joined forces conspirators assassinated weeks later appears prominent role civil war emperor rebel switching allegiance emperor rebel appointed post held relieved failures war biography career prominent member family originating upper region went major clans byzantine military aristocracy 11th century proposed arabic tower near likewise ethnic origin family disputed scholars suggested arab origin advocated armenian origin date birth unknown placed mentioned late appointed emperor reigned small theme black mountain southern base newly built fortress thousand men tasked controlling northern approaches arab held city acting orders assault city absence late autumn persuaded traitor inside city surrender wall main towers promptly occupied october defended post repeated attacks city defenders days reinforcements led peter arrived secured city byzantines despite major role success reward distinctly lacking angry orders according account laying fire destroying city emperor dismissed post appointed governor angered treatment joined conspiracy involving number prominent generals discontent chief night december group conspirators including managed gain access imperial palace sea proceeded murder emperor install successor despite prominent role assassination historical sources barely mention duration reign records summer men oversaw repairs carried walls following earthquake executed murderers patriarch christopher certain placed command governor time death january stated commanded elite army career point death imperial power reverted legitimate emperors young brothers emperor sole emperor view youth inexperience government essentially continued exercised powerful immediately moved moves powerful seize throne reign supposed guardian young emperors like general important army posts east followed interpreted later historians like weaken position powerful point appointed commander troops northern syria seat titled according designed away close relationship empire senior generals facto second command relative prime candidate throne immediately appointment set deep raid controlled syria reaching returning booty spring appointed rose revolt proclaimed emperor base commanded constantinople lead force north join army governor block rebel crossing leaving son control complied marched north ensuing battle fortress province autumn combined loyalist force routed retreat according comments conduct battle attributed certainly soon deserted imperial camp joined according contemporary fled fortress theme followed persuaded come brought control commanded son constantine join city left hands arab soon overthrown arab joined summer deployed command forces operations imperial army advancing presence tribute forces impromptu fight ended bloody defeat rebels switched sides rejoined imperial army led known career years uniquely military leaders revolted continued rely entrusted critical position aftermath rebellion time november took city son submitted emperor months earlier position years led defence imperial frontier renewed bout fighting disputed control provided military assistance enabled defeat rebel help tried seize early year army advanced sent messenger claiming conflict involve byzantines messenger arrested defeating battle near laid siege days left forces led rest confront marching city aid ensuing battle men defeated followed success capturing fortress commanded nephew taking troops prisoner embarking raid byzantine territory far ash general returned unable withdrew later year time muslim population rose revolt able deported populace interior byzantine territory late summer launched expedition capturing continuing raids byzantine province returning safely damascus spring moved responding calls aid ordered come aid sent reinforcements syria byzantine army surprised heavily defeated attacked flanks battle banks september went capture continued siege personal intervention lightning campaign year failures accusations exacerbated conflict ambassador brought displeasure replaced known died autumn sons michael samuel known constantine viii blinded michael son named constantine
Michael Bourtzes