“What do you have to say, Oh Emperor? You and those who crafted this Unholy decision…

The eyes of a man who had done no wrong, but risked his life for the welfare of the Romans! He COULD HAVE waited it out in the palace, without any danger, and shrugged off the toils and the horrors of military life.

But as for YOU, Oh Emperor, what Was this order that you gave? Who, exactly, was to be deprived of light itself?

This MAN, who behaved towards you as a father? Who set aside imperial power and yielded it to you? Who replaced the imperial purple for rags? Who was ill and helpless? Who had need of healing treatment and comfort? Who had renounced Everything and was sick and oppressed with misfortune? Who was a Broken reed, and wasted away by streams of tears running down his face?

YOU, nevertheless, will give into your Rage. Your frenzied and insatiable LUST to rule. And show No respect either for his monastic status or for your mother’s breast, which you shared with his sons - your brothers.

One way or Another, a day Will come when an evil eye, titanic and chronian, will turn its gaze upon YOU…and push your fortunes to the same, Evil fate.”

-Michael Attaleiates, Roman chronicler, statesman, and historian who was a contemporary of Romanos Diogenes and Michael VII around the time of the Battle of Manzikert, the following devastating civil wars, and the utterly tragic and brutal betrayal of Romanos Diogenes by Michael.