The history of the decline and fall of the Roman empire . heophano was demanded by morality and religion, butit was the least important part of the bargain between the Emperor and thePatriarch Polyeuctus. The price that Tzimisces really paid for his coronation wasthe abrogation of the Novel of Nicephorus Phocas, which ordained that no ecclesi-astical decision, no promotion or nomination, could be made by the bishops with-out the Imperial consent. In his description of the last interview, Gibbon wronglymakes Theophano assault her son ; it was the chamberlain Basil (cp. below, n. 56)whom she ass
The history of the decline and fall of the Roman empire . heophano was demanded by morality and religion, butit was the least important part of the bargain between the Emperor and thePatriarch Polyeuctus. The price that Tzimisces really paid for his coronation wasthe abrogation of the Novel of Nicephorus Phocas, which ordained that no ecclesi-astical decision, no promotion or nomination, could be made by the bishops with-out the Imperial consent. In his description of the last interview, Gibbon wronglymakes Theophano assault her son ; it was the chamberlain Basil (cp. below, n. 56)whom she assaulted.] ^ [The position of Nicephorus and Tzimisces reminds us of the Merovingianmajordomate. Finlay observes that they were both men of nobler minds thanthe nobles around them, for both respected the rights and persons of their wardsand legitimate princes, Basil land Constantine, and contented themselves withthe post of prime minister and the rank of emperor. Bomanus I., who held asimilar position, had attempted to play the part of Pippin and failed.]. o - o _ p; ^ ? o < J Z ? -? o ^ t si c« a 3. 72 Z •^ OS - = 11 i. a •« C K v. H a s = i ** Q S < :^ I ^ S Z N z z o ] of the ROMAN EMPIRE 229 valour and activity was signalised on the Danube and the Tigris, [ 970-1the ancient boundaries of the Eoman world; and by his doubletriumph over the Eussians and the Saracens he deserved thetitles of saviour of the empire and conqueror of the East.^^ Inhis last return from Syria, he observed that the most fruitfullands of his new provinces were possessed by the eunuchs.^*And is it for them, he exclaimed, with honest indignation,that we have fought and conquered? Is it for them that weshed our blood and exhaust the treasures of our people ?^^The complaint was re-echoed to the palace, and the death ofZimisces is strongly marked with the suspicion of poison. Under this usurpation, or regency, of twelve years, the two Basil emperors, Basil and Constantine,
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