Eustathios Daphnomeles

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Eustathios Daphnomeles (Greek: Εὐστάθιος Δαφνομήλης, fl. early 11th century) was a Byzantine strategos and patrician who distinguished himself in the Byzantine–Bulgarian Wars. Along with Nikephoros Ouranos and Nikephoros Xiphias, he ranks as one of the most prominent and successful generals of Emperor Basil II against Samuel of Bulgaria,[1] helping to end the long conflict by blinding and capturing the last Bulgarian leader, Ibatzes, in 1018.[2][3]

[edit] Life

The main source for his life, and indeed for the Bulgarian campaigns of Basil II, is the late 11th century Synopsis Historion of John Skylitzes, whose chronology is often problematic to reconstruct. Daphnomeles came from the landed aristocracy of Asia Minor, which had traditionally provided the Byzantine military elite. Traditional historiography places his first appearance in ca. 1005, when the Adriatic port city of Dyrrhachium is said to have been surrendered by Chryselios, a local magnate, to the Byzantines. Daphnomeles, at the head of a fleet, took possession of the city. Given the chronologically unclear narrative of Skylitzes however, it is possible that this narration reflects his later appointment (after 1018) as strategos of the city.[4]

Daphnomeles participated in the subsequent conflicts, but his greatest feat was the capture of Ibatzes in 1018, for which he is given a prominent position Skylitzes' work.[5] Following the defeat at the battle of Kleidion in 1015, Bulgarian resistance began to collapse. By 1018, Bulgarian commanders were surrendering, and only Ibatzes, who had retreated with his followers to the royal estate of Pronista, a naturally strong and defensible highland position, resisted.[6] He rejected both bribes and threats from the Byzantines, and for 55 days, the Byzantine army under Emperor Basil II remained encamped at Devol nearby, waiting for his surrender. At that point, and as local crowds gathered to Ibatzes' palace for the feast of the Dormition, Daphnomeles, on his own initiative, resolved to end the impasse. With only two escorts, he climbed the way to the estate, and announced himself to Ibatzes. Ibatzes, believing that Daphnomeles would not have come alone unless he intended to forge an alliance against Basil, retreated with the strategos to a wooded glade in the gardens for a private discussion. At this point, Daphnomeles and two hidden associates sprang on the Bulgarian general, blinded him and carried him to the upper story of the palace, without meeting any resistance from the stunned crowd. When the Bulgarians recovered, they started assembling underneath the building crying for revenge. At that point, Daphnomeles addressed them, and managed to convince them to lay down their arms and seek the emperor's pardon.[7]

Following this feat, he was appointed strategos of the thema of Dyrrhachium. In 1029 however, he was accused of conspiring with other prominent governors of the Balkans to overthrow Emperor Romanos III Argyros in a favour of Konstantinos Diogenes. The accused were then recalled to Constantinople, beaten, paraded through the Mese, and banished.[8]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Stephenson (2003), pp. 122–123
  2. ^ Holmes (2005), pp. 110–111
  3. ^ Stephenson (2003), p. 35
  4. ^ Holmes (2005), pp. 104–105, 497–498
  5. ^ Holmes (2005), pp. 99, 153–154
  6. ^ Holmes (2005), p. 228
  7. ^ Holmes (2005), p. 229
  8. ^ Skylitzes, 376–377

[edit] Sources

  • Holmes, Catherine (2005). Basil II and the Governance of Empire (976–1025). Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199279685. 
  • Stephenson, Paul (2003). The Legend of Basil the Bulgar-Slayer. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521815307. 
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