greek byzantine member family monk supported assumption sole rule constantine vii allowed leave monastery enter imperial service held succession senior military commands fighting southern italy local rebels balkans tried oppose takeover imperial throne general assuming control constantinople arresting father ensuing clashes hit head died day august life origin palace eldest son general active decades 10th century brother married daughter emperor counted supporters regime risen power regent young constantine vii married daughter december position crowned senior emperor consolidate hold power possibly aiming ruling dynasty family raised eldest son christopher emperor younger sons stephen constantine proclaimed emperors christopher died constantine vii remained sidelined stephen constantine assumed increased prominence formally ranked brother law college emperors elderly drafted leave constantine vii senior emperor following death greatly upset sons started planning seize power coup état stephen apparently constantine reluctant partner context mentioned december time monk according 11th century historian earlier honoured trusted supported coup brothers december successfully deposed father exiled monastery island weeks later support populace constantine vii managed joined father exile appears changed sides time participated arrest reward constantine vii sole ruler freed monastic vows raised rank post count stable abandonment monastic habit earned nickname etymology unclear command southern italy disappears scene sent head troops themes macedonia expedition southern italy dated modern scholars rebellion broken local byzantine themes involving imperial vassal city state naples byzantine expeditionary force encircled besieged naples city surrendered took governance byzantine provinces italy attested governor charter privilege monastery time following raid war broken sources report proposed joint action byzantium appears focused suppressing rebellion engaging war byzantine envoys went offered renew extend existing truce determined expose collaboration enemy emulate achievements father refused dispatched new forces sicily ibn brother ibn spring summer fleet clashed defeated byzantine fleet battles followed raids coast aftermath raids travelled court person sought truce exchange resumption payment tribute annual release prisoners war taken east agreed terms warfare resumed soon byzantine admiral destroyed mosque built raided termini returned court second embassy going sicily apparently delivered local governor agreed tribute reception presented letter constantine vii confirming terms agreed embassy time rejected terms result breakdown negotiations constantine vii sent massive expedition italy commanded land troops brothers victorious following arrival byzantine reinforcements fleet left suffer return sicily longer mentioned italy led embassy september led conclusion year truce powers command balkans death defeated raid taking prisoner connection operation refers theme macedonia west position equivalent domestic schools west command western european troops unclear means permanent appointment hoc position macedonia temporary overall commander detachments european themes likely documented younger held post domestic west fighting arabs east time march emperor unexpectedly died leaving young sons emperors powerful general brother leo decided seize throne opposed guardian young emperors seeking support offered high command east potentially throne aid suggested trying win popular nephew lieutenant john refused took letter straight uncle summoned armies emperor early summer army advanced constantinople tried stage coup constantinople men regiments armed prisoners war opposed populace resulting clashes streets populace especially enraged tried forcibly remove elderly father sought sanctuary august reportedly hit head thrown woman nearby house roof mortally wounded died day supporters rapidly prevailed forced flee august crowned senior emperor guardian
Marianos Argyros