Bardas Skleros

Bardas Sclerosis (Greek Βάρδας Σκλήρος ) was a Byzantine military commander under Emperor John Tzimiskes and was the brother of John's wife Mary. After his death he tried, the successor of Basil II to make the Byzantine throne in dispute, but without success.

Bardas Sclerosis as a loyal commander of John Tzimiskes

As far as we know, Bardas Sclerosis held the rank of Magistros under the reign of John Tzimiskes and was closely connected with this, because he had fought in Syria with John long and probably his closest confidant. For the first time he appeared as the Russian prince Svyatoslav attacked the Byzantine Empire. Sclerosis moved there as one of the two leaders of the vanguard of the imperial army to Adrian Opel before and deceived the Russian army cowardice, which ultimately led to that part of the attacker was lured into a trap on and off. The main army was a few days almost completely wiped out in a battle.

By this diversion of Bardas Phocas commander saw his chance to usurpation: he fled from his forced exile in Pontus, and marched with a few thousand men to Constantinople to Opel. John sent him his brother Sclerosis, but told him to Phocas there, who was also friends with Sclerosis, to let them live. After most of his followers had deserted to Sclerosis to Phocas finally surrendered with his family to the Emperor.

The first revolt

After the death of John Tzimiskes 976 Sclerosis regarded as the rightful successor. He was proclaimed emperor by his troops as and marched with them to the Anatolian Caesarea to. Finally, after several victories on land and water he could begin the siege of Constantinople. However, it was Sclerosis ' fleet, which he had taken (the present Antalya) in Attalea, unceremoniously wiped out by the fleet loyal to the emperor. The eunuch Basil Parakoimomenos that led even the official duties of Basil II and his brother, Bardas Phocas proclaimed calculated commander of the imperial forces.

This went to Caesarea to recruit a new army and Sclerosis to fall in the back. Sclerosis withdrew immediately from the capital back when he realized the danger. Three years fought the counterparty, and although he could carry several victories, it was not possible Bardas Sclerosis to overcome his opponents. The decisive battle of Pankalia finally took place in the spring of 979. Phocas seemed the battle to lose and therefore called his opponent to a duel, which lost this; However Bardas Sclerosis did not find this death. He fled after his defeat to Syria, and sought revenge.

The second revolt

After another attack by the Bulgarians 987 he returned from his exile. Simultaneously with him revolted Bardas Phokas also again, who suggested him a division of the empire. The two besieged Constantinople Opel for over a year. Finally, Emperor Basil II ordered a failure. Again tried Phocas to gain the victory by a duel, but this time he was not so lucky, for he died on his horse; as it seems at one stroke. Basil made ​​the now weak and half-blind Sclerosis an offer: he promised him the title of Kuropalates and his soldiers impunity.

Bardas Sclerosis accepted the offer. Basil is said to have asked in surprise at the sight of Sclerosis, whether because this sick old man was actually his long-time adversary. Sclerosis gave the Emperor the Council, hard to leave the Anatolian aristocracy scope to retain the throne safely. Basil followed this advice throughout his life.