The history of the vvorld: or, An account of time. Compiled by the learned Dionisius Petavius. And continued by others, to the year of our Lord, 1659. Together with a geographicall description of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.

CHAP. IX. What things were carried on under Nicephorus, Michael Curopala∣tas, Leo the Armenian, Michael Balbus, Theophilus, in the East, from the year 800, to 841.

IN the East, Irenes, as we have said, being cast forth in the year 802, Nicephorus took to him the Empire and Bardan, who was brought up by the Souldiers against his will to the same height: being removed, he took to him Stauracius his son, a parta∣ker of imperial Majesty, (a) 12 Const. Account, in the moneth Decemb. of the year 803, a covetous man, and treacherous, through the learning of the Manichees, unto whose magical arts he was given. Therefore disagreeing from the holy things of Christians, he dealt very badly with Bishops, Clerks and Monks, and commanded them to be oppressed and trodden under foot by the Magistrates. He had a War with the Saracens, from whom Peace being purchased on most shamefull conditions, he never faithfully performed it. He going about to lead an Army against the Bulgarians, made the Churches tributaries. Concerning which thing to a certain familiar friend complaining, his heart was hardened, as once Pharaoh's, he confessed, God so willing it. Neither was the punishment of his wicked head, long deferred. He being compassed about by the Bulgarians, fell with the flour of his whole Empire, (d) in the year 811, July 26. when he had commanded 〈◊〉〈◊〉 years. (e) Stauracius being wounded in fight, reigned a few moneths.

For in the same year (a) Michael Curopalates, by firname Rengabe 5. Octob. week-day 5, is proclaimed Emperour, a man famous for godlinesse and peaceable arts: but therefore not fit for warlike affairs. Wherefore he being overcome by the Bulgarians in the year 813, he gave place in Dominion unto Leo of Armenia not against his will, who was crowned by Nicephorus the Patriarch, 6 Const. Acc. 11 day of July, 2d. week-day: when in the same year (which must needs be of Christ the 813, the Sun had the 4th day of May suffered an Eclipse, as (b) Theophanes writeth, whose history endeth this year.

Furthermore, the same (c) Theophanes being witnesse, Michael bent all his endeavour to establish the agreement of the Eastern Church. For it was rent into parties, when as Plato and Theodore Governours of the Studites, loaded with all praise, did therefore disagree from Nicephorus, otherwise a most holy man; because he, of a lay-man, had been made a Bishop; both because he had re∣ceived to communion Joseph the steward of the house, who had joyned the marriage of Constantine the son of Irenes, and Theodota. For which cause Theodore with his brother Joseph Bishop of Thessa∣lonica, and Plato, was banished, in the year 809, in the moneth of

January, from which banishment, Michael a little after called him back again.

(d) Leo of Armenia, in the year 813, in the moneth of July took the Empire, much unlike to Michael. For he raged on holy images, and Catholiques, specially Monks, with all cruelty, using Theodorus his encourager unto that thing: whom indeed, Nicepho∣rus the Patriarch being driven away, he made Prelate of Constan∣tinople, (e) a Prince otherwise not unprofitable to the Common∣wealth. He commanded 7 years, 5 moneths; and on the very day of the Lords birth, by Michael Balbus, whom as guilty against Prerogative-royal, he held in prison, he was amongst his very ho∣ly duties slain in the year of Christ 820, in which presently reigned (f) Michael from a default of his tongue called [Balbus] or Stuttering, born at Amdrium, which is a Town of Phrygia, (g) where had lived a certain sect, out of the filth of Jews, Ma∣nichees, and other pests; the which Michael having followed, he banished holy images, and all Catholike name or authority: (h) he thrust out Euthymius and Methodius most holy men, into banish∣ment; also by his son Theophilus he receiveth the one with lethern whips even to death. Methodius afterwards held the Patriarch∣ship of Constantinople. (a) He overcame Thomas a certain Tyrant, providing against him with the help of the Bulgarians, and butche∣red him with all kind of cruelty.

(b) Crete about this time being possessed by the Saracens of Spain, about the year 823. But Sicily by the Africans in the year 828, through the treason of Euphemius, who being thrust thorow in the siege of Syracusa, paid the punishment of his tre••••hery. After that, Calabria, and Apulia, and many places of Italy obeyed the Saracens. (c) He dyed in the year 829, after 8 years, and nine moneths rule.

(d) Theophilus his son followed this in the month of Oct: 8 Const. Acc. as Cedrenus writeth: without doubt in the year which I have said, 829, an imitator of his Father's ungodlinesse. For he both persecuted the worshippers of Images, and chiefly dealt dis∣gracefully with Theophanes and Theodore, brethren farr excelling in piety. Yet the same man is reported to have been a most strict Requirer of Justice. And enjoying the Empire 12 years and three moneths, he departed out of this life in the year of Christ 841, being the next after the death of Lodovick Pius.

Notes

• (a)

  Theoph. Paul. Diac. b. 24.
• (d)

  Theoph. Miscel. 24. ch. 25.
• (e)

  The same.
• (a)

  Theoph. Misc. ch. 24. Zon. Ced.
• (b)

  Theoph. Misc. ch. 24. & 42.
• (c)

  Theoph. Misc. 24. ch. 31.
• (d)

  Curopal. Zon. Cedr.
• (e)

  Ced. Zon.
• (f)

  Curop. Zon. Cedr.
• (g)

  Zon. Cedr.
• (h)

  Cedr.
• (a)

  Curopal. Zon. Cedr.
• (b)

  Cedre. Zon.
• (c)

  The same authors.
• (d)

  The same Authors.