The history of the decline and fall of the Roman empire . Tigris and the shores of the Caspian.^^ He formed 8 [For the loss of Crete and the beginnings of the Saracen conquest of Sicily,see below, chap. lii. For Michaels ecclesiastical policy, see below, p. 297.] 2 [The foreign origin of Thomas, by separating him in an tinusual degreefrom the ruling classes in the empire—for he was, like Michael, of a very low rankin society—caused him to be regarded as a friend of the people ; and all the subjectraces in the empire espoused his cause, which in many provinces took the form ofan attack on the R
The history of the decline and fall of the Roman empire . Tigris and the shores of the Caspian.^^ He formed 8 [For the loss of Crete and the beginnings of the Saracen conquest of Sicily,see below, chap. lii. For Michaels ecclesiastical policy, see below, p. 297.] 2 [The foreign origin of Thomas, by separating him in an tinusual degreefrom the ruling classes in the empire—for he was, like Michael, of a very low rankin society—caused him to be regarded as a friend of the people ; and all the subjectraces in the empire espoused his cause, which in many provinces took the form ofan attack on the Roman administration, rather than of a revolution to place a newemperor on the throne. This rebellion is remarkable for assuming more of thecharacter of a social revolution than of an ordinary insurrection (Finlay, ii. ). Thomas entered into connexion with the Saracens, and the Patriarch ofAntioch was permitted to crown him in that city. He besieged Constantinopletwice with his fleet. After his defeat by the Bulgarians he was besieged in Arcadi-. MINIATURE FROM THp: PSALTER OF BASIL II ( 975-1028): PORTRAIT OF THE EMPEROR (mARCIAN library, VENICE. PHOTO, COLLECTION DES HAUTES ^TUDES, PARIs) Chap, xlviii] OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE 209 the siege of Constantinople; but the capital was defended withspiritual and carnal weapons; a Bulgarian king assaulted thecamp of the Orientals, and Thomas had the misfortune, or theweakness, to fall alive into the power of the conqueror. Thehands and feet of the rebel were amputated; he was placed on [ad. 824,an ass, and, amidst the insults of the people, was led throughthe streets, which he sprinkled with his blood. The deprava-tion of manners, as savage as they were corrupt, is marked bythe presence of the emperor himself. Deaf to the lamentationsof a fellow-soldier, he incessantly pressed the discovery of moreaccomplices, till his curiosity was checked by the question of anhonest or guilty minister: Would you give credit to an enemyagains
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