Thomas the Slav

Thomas the Slav

Thomas the Slav was originally a Byzantine military and naval commander entrusted with a very high command during the reign of Emperor Leo V the Armenian. However, upon the death of Simon and the ascension of the New Emperor Michael who was a rival General of Thomas, he started to stir up rebellion. In his account of the revolt of Thomas the Slav, the historian Genesius lists a variety of peoples from whom the armies of the rebel were drawn: Saracens, Abasgians, Getae, Alans, Chaldoi, Armenians, Vandals and adherents of heretical sects of the Paulicians and Athinganoi. [cite book
last =Charanis
first = Peter
authorlink = Peter Charanis
title = The Armenians in the Byzantine Empire
publisher = Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation/Livraria Bertrand
location = Lisbon
pages= p. 1
date =1963]

In the eastern part of the empire he claimed to be the blinded Emperor Constantine VI who somehow escaped blinding, and in the west he took a fiercely Iconophile stance. Thomas was so convincing, a coronation ceremony was held for him in Muslim controlled Antioch. Everywhere however he took up a stand as champion to the poor. With support from the caliph Al-Ma'mun, Thomas invaded the Empire in the spring of 821 AD and within a matter of months only 2 themes in Asia Minor remained loyal to Michael. In December 821 he besieged Constantinople. Thomas however was not able to breach the walls of the great city and had to retreat due to weather and a Bulgar army attacking Thomas. Thomas was powerless to resist when the Emperor rode out to his last stronghold of Adrianople and defeated Thomas once and for all.

Notes

ources

* "A short History of Byzantium" John Julius Norwich


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