general greek old armenian east roman byzantine general armenian origin served initially rebel byzantine authority fled soon returned byzantine allegiance served africa won great fame killing rebel general restoring province imperial allegiance engaged niece eventually marry opposition empress recalled constantinople involved failed conspiracy severely punished revelation soon pardoned sent italy fight gothic war participated decisive byzantine victory early life descendant royal armenian line branch time recognized autonomous local princes eastern fringes father named john brother named john revolt byzantium time apparently young man took armenian conspiracy armenia heavy taxes cruel behaviour greatly resented killed shortly skirmish rebels byzantine army killed byzantine general sent quell rebellion supplies accounts death unknown armenian named solomon father tried negotiate settlement successor murdered act forced followers seek aid persian ruler crossing persian territory years followed took campaigns byzantines service africa time early brother john deserted byzantines brother placed command small armenian contingent sent africa spring senator byzantines engaged protracted war rebellious tribes shortly arrival john died battle rebel forces men remained loyal rebellion late allied marched seized city gates urging decided confront rebel armies appeared evenly matched took fled monastery seeking sanctuary troops loyal fled city fell murdered secured guarantees safety pledged service secret began planning overthrow soon entrusted alongside john expedition marched south allied contingent men fled pursue turned according considered leading men join loyalist imperial garrison held decided return plan assassinate kept plan absolute secrecy long time closest armenian friends armenian unit hand picked completely loyal veteran soldiers aware moment perfect achieved thanks fact planning implementation stages assassination communication exclusively armenian conspirators mother tongue language ethnic elements imperial army africa return justified decision turn insisting entire army needed quell insurgents urged set forth time nephew gregory armenian murder suggests real plot eve army departure early hosted great banquet invited share couch mark honour suddenly banquet fell allegedly landed killing blow deed won great honour fame widow niece planning marry gave rich reward emperor confirmed africa despite married relative eventually engaged sent constantinople asked recalled africa marry constantinople conspiracy soon recalled constantinople replaced africa received numerous honours named comes honorary consul despite great popularity unable achieve ambition marrying wife came imperial capital presented case empress empress compelled retain wife death armenian general able divorce remarried irritated affair shortly death late early involved called armenian plot conspiracy real relative named proposed assassinate elevate cousin throne instead conspirators thought plans dissatisfied settling recently deceased brother initially named major opposed sole daughter conspirators approached son revealed plot immediately informed father turn informed comes order find intentions met conspirators person trusted aide concealed nearby listened inform proof eventually revealed conspiracy emperor ordered conspirators imprisoned questioned treated remarkably stripped offices confined palace guard soon pardoned service italy appointed sent replace aged senator command expedition way sicily recently overrun king failed catch expedition sailed sicily fleet driven scattered severe storms eventually arrived sicily took command byzantine forces besieged gothic garrisons left left island soon forced surrender years remained sicily according inhabitants mainland city besieged repeatedly sent help crossed mainland italy joined army generals facing invasion summer ordered generals occupy passes harass enemy advance byzantine contingent defeated byzantine generals withdrew envoy persuaded area stationed byzantine troops ambushed defeated advance guard army returning expedition southern italy heading fell confusion captives escaped taking booty engage main body army far outnumbered force marched south joined main force accompanying campaign remaining army decisive byzantine victory commanded cavalry byzantine left flank concealed woods attack rear known
Artabanes (general)