Hello everyone and welcome to the history of Byzantium.

Episode 151.

Bardes Sqliros

Last time, John Zimischis' unexpected demise left the palace in the hands of Basil Lycapinos

The powerful unit chose to keep the military establishment at arm's length and allow

his great nephew Basil to become senior emperor.

But at just 18 and with no experience of government, it would take Basil II a while to learn the

ropes.

It was left then to Lycapinos to handle the fallout from his decision.

As he feared might happen, Zimischis' lieutenant Bardes Sqliros declared himself emperor and

marched on the capital.

However, Stale mate set in after two years of fighting.

Sqliros controlled Anatolia while the palace held the west and the sea.

So Lycapinos turned to the only man who could disrupt the loyalties of Sqliros' army, a man

who'd already been exiled for rebelling against the palace.

Bardes Focus

Bardes Focus was the eldest son of Leo Focus, the now blind brother of Noysephorus.

We don't know when Bardes was born, but our best guess is that he was now in his mid-30s,

so much younger than Sqliros who was in his mid-50s.

All the histories called Bardes a tough man and a competent general, which is no surprise.

Some sources suggest he wasn't as clever a commander as Sqliros, but it's hard to

make such estimations.

...