Theirfirstattemptwaspardoned；forthesecondoffence^!theywerecondemnedtotheecclesiasticalstate；andforthethirdtreason，Nicephorus，theeldestandmostguilty，wasdeprivedofhiseyes，andhisfourbrothers，Christopher，Nicetas，Anthemeus，andEudoxas，werepunished，asamildersentence，bytheamputationoftheirtongues。Afterfiveyears\'confinement，theyescapedtothechurchofSt。Sophia，anddisplayedapatheticspectacletothepeople。\"CountrymenandChristians，\"criedNicephorusforhimselfandhismutebrethren，\"beholdthesonsofyouremperor，ifyoucanstillrecognizeourfeaturesinthismiserablestate。Alife，animperfectlife，isallthatthemaliceofourenemieshasspared。Itisnowthreatened，andwenowthrowourselvesonyourcompassion。\"Therisingmurmurmighthaveproducedarevolution，haditnotbeencheckedbythepresenceofaminister，whosoothedtheunhappyprinceswithflatteryandhope，andgentlydrewthemfromthesanctuarytothepalace。TheywerespeedilyembarkedforGreece，andAthenswasallottedfortheplaceoftheirexile。Inthiscalmretreat，andintheirhelplesscondition，Nicephorusandhisbrothersweretormentedbythethirstofpower，andtemptedbyaSclavonianchief，whoofferedtobreaktheirprison，andtoleadtheminarms，andinthepurple，tothegatesofConstantinople。ButtheAthenianpeople，everzealousinthecauseofIrene，preventedherjusticeorcruelty；andthefivesonsofCopronymuswereplungedineternaldarknessandoblivion。
[Footnote*:SchlosserthinksmorehighlyofLeo\'smind；buthisonlyproofofhissuperiorityisthesuccessesofhisgeneralsagainsttheSaracens，Schlosser，p。256。—M。]
[Footnote!:ThesecondoffencewasontheaccessionoftheyoungConstantine—M。]
Forhimself，thatemperorhadchosenaBarbarianwife，thedaughterofthekhanoftheChozars；butinthemarriageofhisheir，hepreferredanAthenianvirgin，anorphan，seventeenyearsold，whosesolefortunemusthaveconsistedinherpersonalaccomplishments。ThenuptialsofLeoandIrenewerecelebratedwithroyalpomp；shesoonacquiredtheloveandconfidenceofafeeblehusband，andinhistestamenthedeclaredtheempressguardianoftheRomanworld，andoftheirsonConstantinetheSixth，whowasnomorethantenyearsofage。Duringhischildhood，Irenemostablyandassiduouslydischarged，inherpublicadministration，thedutiesofafaithfulmother；andherzealintherestorationofimageshasdeservedthenameandhonorsofasaint，whichshestilloccupiesintheGreekcalendar。Buttheemperorattainedthematurityofyouth；thematernalyokebecamemoregrievous；andhelistenedtothefavoritesofhisownage，whosharedhispleasures，andwereambitiousofsharinghispower。Theirreasonsconvincedhimofhisright，theirpraisesofhisability，toreign；andheconsentedtorewardtheservicesofIrenebyaperpetualbanishmenttotheIsleofSicily。Buthervigilanceandpenetrationeasilydisconcertedtheirrashprojects:asimilar，ormoresevere，punishmentwasretaliatedonthemselvesandtheiradvisers；andIreneinflictedontheungratefulprincethechastisementofaboy。Afterthiscontest，themotherandthesonwereattheheadoftwodomesticfactions；andinsteadofmildinfluenceandvoluntaryobedience，sheheldinchainsacaptiveandanenemy。Theempresswasoverthrownbytheabuseofvictory；theoathoffidelity，whichsheexactedtoherselfalone，waspronouncedwithreluctantmurmurs；andtheboldrefusaloftheArmenianguardsencouragedafreeandgeneraldeclaration，thatConstantinetheSixthwasthelawfulemperoroftheRomans。Inthischaracterheascendedhishereditarythrone，anddismissedIrenetoalifeofsolitudeandrepose。Butherhaughtyspiritcondescendedtotheartsofdissimulation:sheflatteredthebishopsandeunuchs，revivedthefilialtendernessoftheprince，regainedhisconfidence，andbetrayedhiscredulity。ThecharacterofConstantinewasnotdestituteofsenseorspirit；buthiseducationhadbeenstudiouslyneglected；
andtheambitiousmotherexposedtothepubliccensuretheviceswhichshehadnourished，andtheactionswhichshehadsecretlyadvised:hisdivorceandsecondmarriageoffendedtheprejudicesoftheclergy，andbyhisimprudentrigorheforfeitedtheattachmentoftheArmenianguards。ApowerfulconspiracywasformedfortherestorationofIrene；andthesecret，thoughwidelydiffused，wasfaithfullykeptaboveeightmonths，tilltheemperor，suspiciousofhisdanger，escapedfromConstantinople，withthedesignofappealingtotheprovincesandarmies。Bythishastyflight，theempresswasleftonthebrinkoftheprecipice；
yetbeforesheimploredthemercyofherson，Ireneaddressedaprivateepistletothefriendswhomshehadplacedabouthisperson，withamenace，thatunlesstheyaccomplished，shewouldreveal，theirtreason。Theirfearrenderedthemintrepid；theyseizedtheemperorontheAsiaticshore，andhewastransportedtotheporphyryapartmentofthepalace，wherehehadfirstseenthelight。InthemindofIrene，ambitionhadstifledeverysentimentofhumanityandnature；anditwasdecreedinherbloodycouncil，thatConstantineshouldberenderedincapableofthethrone:heremissariesassaultedthesleepingprince，andstabbedtheirdaggerswithsuchviolenceandprecipitationintohiseyesasiftheymeanttoexecuteamortalsentence。AnambiguouspassageofTheophanespersuadedtheannalistofthechurchthatdeathwastheimmediateconsequenceofthisbarbarousexecution。TheCatholicshavebeendeceivedorsubduedbytheauthorityofBaronius；andProtestantzealhasreechoedthewordsofacardinal，desirous，asitshouldseem，tofavorthepatronessofimages。YettheblindsonofIrenesurvivedmanyyears，oppressedbythecourtandforgottenbytheworld；theIsauriandynastywassilentlyextinguished；andthememoryofConstantinewasrecalledonlybythenuptialsofhisdaughterEuphrosynewiththeemperorMichaeltheSecond。
[Footnote*:Gibbonhasbeenattackedonaccountofthisstatement，butissuccessfullydefendedbySchlosser。BS。Kaiserp。327。CompareLeBeau，c。xiip。372。—M。]
Themostbigotedorthodoxyhasjustlyexecratedtheunnaturalmother，whomaynoteasilybeparalleledinthehistoryofcrimes。Toherbloodydeedsuperstitionhasattributedasubsequentdarknessofseventeendays；duringwhichmanyvesselsinmiddayweredrivenfromtheircourse，asifthesun，aglobeoffiresovastandsoremote，couldsympathizewiththeatomsofarevolvingplanet。Onearth，thecrimeofIrenewasleftfiveyearsunpunished；herreignwascrownedwithexternalsplendor；
andifshecouldsilencethevoiceofconscience，sheneitherheardnorregardedthereproachesofmankind。TheRomanworldbowedtothegovernmentofafemale；andasshemovedthroughthestreetsofConstantinople，thereinsoffourmilk—whitesteedswereheldbyasmanypatricians，whomarchedonfootbeforethegoldenchariotoftheirqueen。Butthesepatricianswereforthemostparteunuchs；andtheirblackingratitudejustified，onthisoccasion，thepopularhatredandcontempt。Raised，enriched，intrustedwiththefirstdignitiesoftheempire，theybaselyconspiredagainsttheirbenefactress；thegreattreasurerNicephoruswassecretlyinvestedwiththepurple；hersuccessorwasintroducedintothepalace，andcrownedatSt。Sophiabythevenalpatriarch。Intheirfirstinterview，sherecapitulatedwithdignitytherevolutionsofherlife，gentlyaccusedtheperfidyofNicephorus，insinuatedthatheowedhislifetoherunsuspiciousclemency，andforthethroneandtreasureswhichsheresigned，solicitedadecentandhonorableretreat。Hisavaricerefusedthismodestcompensation；and，inherexileoftheIsleofLesbos，theempressearnedascantysubsistencebythelaborsofherdistaff。
ManytyrantshavereignedundoubtedlymorecriminalthanNicephorus，butnoneperhapshavemoredeeplyincurredtheuniversalabhorrenceoftheirpeople。Hischaracterwasstainedwiththethreeodiousvicesofhypocrisy，ingratitude，andavarice:hiswantofvirtuewasnotredeemedbyanysuperiortalents，norhiswantoftalentsbyanypleasingqualifications。
Unskilfulandunfortunateinwar，NicephoruswasvanquishedbytheSaracens，andslainbytheBulgarians；andtheadvantageofhisdeathoverbalanced，inthepublicopinion，thedestructionofaRomanarmy。HissonandheirStauraciusescapedfromthefieldwithamortalwound；yetsixmonthsofanexpiringlifeweresufficienttorefutehisindecent，thoughpopulardeclaration，thathewouldinallthingsavoidtheexampleofhisfather。Onthenearprospectofhisdecease，Michael，thegreatmasterofthepalace，andthehusbandofhissisterProcopia，wasnamedbyeverypersonofthepalaceandcity，exceptbyhisenviousbrother。Tenaciousofasceptrenowfallingfromhishand，heconspiredagainstthelifeofhissuccessor，andcherishedtheideaofchangingtoademocracytheRomanempire。
Buttheserashprojectsservedonlytoinflamethezealofthepeopleandtoremovethescruplesofthecandidate:MichaeltheFirstacceptedthepurple，andbeforehesunkintothegravethesonofNicephorusimploredtheclemencyofhisnewsovereign。
HadMichaelinanageofpeaceascendedanhereditarythrone，hemighthavereignedanddiedthefatherofhispeople:buthismildvirtueswereadaptedtotheshadeofprivatelife，norwashecapableofcontrollingtheambitionofhisequals，orofresistingthearmsofthevictoriousBulgarians。Whilehiswantofabilityandsuccessexposedhimtothecontemptofthesoldiers，themasculinespiritofhiswifeProcopiaawakenedtheirindignation。EventheGreeksoftheninthcenturywereprovokedbytheinsolenceofafemale，who，inthefrontofthestandards，presumedtodirecttheirdisciplineandanimatetheirvalor；andtheirlicentiousclamorsadvisedthenewSemiramistoreverencethemajestyofaRomancamp。Afteranunsuccessfulcampaign，theemperorleft，intheirwinter—quartersofThrace，adisaffectedarmyunderthecommandofhisenemies；andtheirartfuleloquencepersuadedthesoldierstobreakthedominionoftheeunuchs，todegradethehusbandofProcopia，andtoasserttherightofamilitaryelection。Theymarchedtowardsthecapital:yettheclergy，thesenate，andthepeopleofConstantinople，adheredtothecauseofMichael；andthetroopsandtreasuresofAsiamighthaveprotractedthemischiefsofcivilwar。ButhishumanitybytheambitiousitwillbetermedhisweaknessprotestedthatnotadropofChristianbloodshouldbeshedinhisquarrel，andhismessengerspresentedtheconquerorswiththekeysofthecityandthepalace。Theyweredisarmedbyhisinnocenceandsubmission；hislifeandhiseyeswerespared；andtheImperialmonkenjoyedthecomfortsofsolitudeandreligionabovethirty—twoyearsafterhehadbeenstrippedofthepurpleandseparatedfromhiswife。
[Footnote*:TheSyrianhistorianAboulfaradj。Chron。Syr。p。
133，139，speaksofhimasabrave，prudent，andpiousprince，formidabletotheArabs。St。Martin，c。xii。p。402。CompareSchlosser，p。350。—M。]
Arebel，inthetimeofNicephorus，thefamousandunfortunateBardanes，hadoncethecuriositytoconsultanAsiaticprophet，who，afterprognosticatinghisfall，announcedthefortunesofhisthreeprincipalofficers，LeotheArmenian，MichaelthePhrygian，andThomastheCappadocian，thesuccessivereignsofthetwoformer，thefruitlessandfatalenterpriseofthethird。Thispredictionwasverified，orratherwasproduced，bytheevent。Tenyearsafterwards，whentheThraciancamprejectedthehusbandofProcopia，thecrownwaspresentedtothesameLeo，thefirstinmilitaryrankandthesecretauthorofthemutiny。Asheaffectedtohesitate，\"Withthissword，\"saidhiscompanionMichael，\"IwillopenthegatesofConstantinopletoyourImperialsway；orinstantlyplungeitintoyourbosom，ifyouobstinatelyresistthejustdesiresofyourfellow—soldiers。\"
ThecomplianceoftheArmenianwasrewardedwiththeempire，andhereignedsevenyearsandahalfunderthenameofLeotheFifth。Educatedinacamp，andignorantbothoflawsandletters，heintroducedintohiscivilgovernmenttherigorandevencrueltyofmilitarydiscipline；butifhisseveritywassometimesdangeroustotheinnocent，itwasalwaysformidabletotheguilty。HisreligiousinconstancywastaxedbytheepithetofChameleon，buttheCatholicshaveacknowledgedbythevoiceofasaintandconfessors，thatthelifeoftheIconoclastwasusefultotherepublic。ThezealofhiscompanionMichaelwasrepaidwithriches，honors，andmilitarycommand；andhissubordinatetalentswerebeneficiallyemployedinthepublicservice。YetthePhrygianwasdissatisfiedatreceivingasafavorascantyportionoftheImperialprizewhichhehadbestowedonhisequal；andhisdiscontent，whichsometimesevaporatedinhastydiscourse，atlengthassumedamorethreateningandhostileaspectagainstaprincewhomherepresentedasacrueltyrant。Thattyrant，however，repeatedlydetected，warned，anddismissedtheoldcompanionofhisarms，tillfearandresentmentprevailedovergratitude；andMichael，afterascrutinyintohisactionsanddesigns，wasconvictedoftreason，andsentencedtobeburntaliveinthefurnaceoftheprivatebaths。ThedevouthumanityoftheempressTheophanowasfataltoherhusbandandfamily。Asolemnday，thetwenty—fifthofDecember，hadbeenfixedfortheexecution:sheurged，thattheanniversaryoftheSavior\'sbirthwouldbeprofanedbythisinhumanspectacle，andLeoconsentedwithreluctancetoadecentrespite。Butonthevigilofthefeasthissleeplessanxietypromptedhimtovisitatthedeadofnightthechamberinwhichhisenemywasconfined:hebeheldhimreleasedfromhischain，andstretchedonhisjailer\'sbedinaprofoundslumber。Leowasalarmedatthesesignsofsecurityandintelligence；butthoughheretiredwithsilentsteps，hisentranceanddeparturewerenoticedbyaslavewholayconcealedinacorneroftheprison。
Underthepretenceofrequestingthespiritualaidofaconfessor，Michaelinformedtheconspirators，thattheirlivesdependedonhisdiscretion，andthatafewhourswerelefttoassuretheirownsafety，bythedeliveranceoftheirfriendandcountry。Onthegreatfestivals，achosenbandofpriestsandchanterswasadmittedintothepalacebyaprivategatetosingmatinsinthechapel；andLeo，whoregulatedwiththesamestrictnessthedisciplineofthechoirandofthecamp，wasseldomabsentfromtheseearlydevotions。Intheecclesiasticalhabit，butwiththeirswordsundertheirrobes，theconspiratorsmingledwiththeprocession，lurkedintheanglesofthechapel，andexpected，asthesignalofmurder，theintonationofthefirstpsalmbytheemperorhimself。Theimperfectlight，andtheuniformityofdress，mighthavefavoredhisescape，whilsttheirassaultwaspointedagainstaharmlesspriest；buttheysoondiscoveredtheirmistake，andencompassedonallsidestheroyalvictim。Withoutaweaponandwithoutafriend，hegraspedaweightycross，andstoodatbayagainstthehuntersofhislife；
butasheaskedformercy，\"Thisisthehour，notofmercy，butofvengeance，\"wastheinexorablereply。Thestrokeofawell—aimedswordseparatedfromhisbodytherightarmandthecross，andLeotheArmenianwasslainatthefootofthealtar。
AmemorablereverseoffortunewasdisplayedinMichaeltheSecond，whofromadefectinhisspeechwassurnamedtheStammerer。Hewassnatchedfromthefieryfurnacetothesovereigntyofanempire；andasinthetumultasmithcouldnotreadilybefound，thefettersremainedonhislegsseveralhoursafterhewasseatedonthethroneoftheCaesars。Theroyalbloodwhichhadbeenthepriceofhiselevation，wasunprofitablyspent:inthepurpleheretainedtheignoblevicesofhisorigin；
andMichaellosthisprovinceswithassupineindifferenceasiftheyhadbeentheinheritanceofhisfathers。HistitlewasdisputedbyThomas，thelastofthemilitarytriumvirate，whotransportedintoEuropefourscorethousandBarbariansfromthebanksoftheTigrisandtheshoresoftheCaspian。HeformedthesiegeofConstantinople；butthecapitalwasdefendedwithspiritualandcarnalweapons；aBulgariankingassaultedthecampoftheOrientals，andThomashadthemisfortune，ortheweakness，tofallaliveintothepoweroftheconqueror。Thehandsandfeetoftherebelwereamputated；hewasplacedonanass，and，amidsttheinsultsofthepeople，wasledthroughthestreets，whichhesprinkledwithhisblood。Thedepravationofmanners，assavageastheywerecorrupt，ismarkedbythepresenceoftheemperorhimself。Deaftothelamentationofafellow—soldier，heincessantlypressedthediscoveryofmoreaccomplices，tillhiscuriositywascheckedbythequestionofanhonestorguiltyminister:\"Wouldyougivecredittoanenemyagainstthemostfaithfulofyourfriends?\"Afterthedeathofhisfirstwife，theemperor，attherequestofthesenate，drewfromhermonasteryEuphrosyne，thedaughterofConstantinetheSixth。Heraugustbirthmightjustifyastipulationinthemarriage—contract，thatherchildrenshouldequallysharetheempirewiththeirelderbrother。ButthenuptialsofMichaelandEuphrosynewerebarren；
andshewascontentwiththetitleofmotherofTheophilus，hissonandsuccessor。
ThecharacterofTheophilusisarareexampleinwhichreligiouszealhasallowed，andperhapsmagnified，thevirtuesofahereticandapersecutor。Hisvalorwasoftenfeltbytheenemies，andhisjusticebythesubjects，ofthemonarchy；butthevalorofTheophiluswasrashandfruitless，andhisjusticearbitraryandcruel。HedisplayedthebannerofthecrossagainsttheSaracens；buthisfiveexpeditionswereconcludedbyasignaloverthrow:Amorium，thenativecityofhisancestors，waslevelledwiththegroundandfromhismilitarytoilshederivedonlythesurnameoftheUnfortunate。Thewisdomofasovereigniscomprisedintheinstitutionoflawsandthechoiceofmagistrates，andwhileheseemswithoutaction，hiscivilgovernmentrevolvesroundhiscentrewiththesilenceandorderoftheplanetarysystem。ButthejusticeofTheophiluswasfashionedonthemodeloftheOrientaldespots，who，inpersonalandirregularactsofauthority，consultthereasonorpassionofthemoment，withoutmeasuringthesentencebythelaw，orthepenaltybytheoffense。Apoorwomanthrewherselfattheemperor\'sfeettocomplainofapowerfulneighbor，thebrotheroftheempress，whohadraisedhispalace—walltosuchaninconvenientheight，thatherhumbledwellingwasexcludedfromlightandair!Ontheproofofthefact，insteadofgranting，likeanordinaryjudge，sufficientorampledamagestotheplaintiff，thesovereignadjudgedtoheruseandbenefitthepalaceandtheground。NorwasTheophiluscontentwiththisextravagantsatisfaction:hiszealconvertedaciviltrespassintoacriminalact；andtheunfortunatepatricianwasstrippedandscourgedinthepublicplaceofConstantinople。Forsomevenialoffenses，somedefectofequityorvigilance，theprincipalministers，apraefect，aquaestor，acaptainoftheguards，werebanishedormutilated，orscaldedwithboilingpitch，orburntaliveinthehippodrome；andasthesedreadfulexamplesmightbetheeffectsoferrororcaprice，theymusthavealienatedfromhisservicethebestandwisestofthecitizens。
Buttheprideofthemonarchwasflatteredintheexerciseofpower，or，ashethought，ofvirtue；andthepeople，safeintheirobscurity，applaudedthedangeranddebasementoftheirsuperiors。Thisextraordinaryrigorwasjustified，insomemeasure，byitssalutaryconsequences；since，afterascrutinyofseventeendays，notacomplaintorabusecouldbefoundinthecourtorcity；anditmightbeallegedthattheGreekscouldberuledonlywitharodofiron，andthatthepublicinterestisthemotiveandlawofthesupremejudge。Yetinthecrime，orthesuspicion，oftreason，thatjudgeisofallothersthemostcredulousandpartial。TheophilusmightinflictatardyvengeanceontheassassinsofLeoandthesaviorsofhisfather；
butheenjoyedthefruitsoftheircrime；andhisjealoustyrannysacrificedabrotherandaprincetothefuturesafetyofhislife。APersianoftheraceoftheSassanidesdiedinpovertyandexileatConstantinople，leavinganonlyson，theissueofaplebeianmarriage。Attheageoftwelveyears，theroyalbirthofTheophobuswasrevealed，andhismeritwasnotunworthyofhisbirth。HewaseducatedintheByzantinepalace，aChristianandasoldier；advancedwithrapidstepsinthecareeroffortuneandglory；receivedthehandoftheemperor\'ssister；andwaspromotedtothecommandofthirtythousandPersians，who，likehisfather，hadfledfromtheMahometanconquerors。Thesetroops，doublyinfectedwithmercenaryandfanaticvices，weredesirousofrevoltingagainsttheirbenefactor，anderectingthestandardoftheirnativekingbuttheloyalTheophobusrejectedtheiroffers，disconcertedtheirschemes，andescapedfromtheirhandstothecamporpalaceofhisroyalbrother。Agenerousconfidencemighthavesecuredafaithfulandableguardianforhiswifeandhisinfantson，towhomTheophilus，intheflowerofhisage，wascompelledtoleavetheinheritanceoftheempire。