Chronographia (Michael Psellus)

[he feared that he] would not be treated fairly by them, but instead would be thrown back into chains. Fleeing together with all their might, since they had gone deep 5 into the land of the Assyrians original: "Ἀσσυρίων" (Assyriōn). Psellos uses this archaizing term to refer to the Arab Abbasid Caliphate based in Baghdad., and because their flight became obvious to the barbarian The Caliph or his ministers., he ordered those of the gathered army who were available to pursue them. These pursuers, falling upon their rear in great numbers, learned by what measure they fell short of the Romans' 10 strength; for the fugitives suddenly turned their reins, and though fighting few against many, they made those who had pursued them even shorter A clever play on words in the Greek: the pursuers were "shortened" either by being cut down or by being outstripped in their own retreat. in their flight.

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XII. Thus, Skleros thought he would once again act as a usurper: original "tyrannēsein," meaning to rule without legal right. and hold all the forces, especially since Phokas had already withdrawn 15 and the entire imperial power had been scattered. However, when he reached the Roman borders and learned that Phokas was aiming for the throne, and since he was not capable of fighting both the Emperor and Phokas—having been insulted by the former [the Caliph] and approaching now in a diminished state—he granted the primary rank to 20 Phokas and agreed to be stationed after him. Then, dividing the forces in two, they made the rebellion much stronger. They relied on their ranks and encampments: original "parembolais," military fortified camps. and had come down as far as the Propontis original: "Προποντίδος" (Propontidos), the Sea of Marmara near Constantinople. and the coastal regions there, placing 25 their palisades in safety, almost attempting to leap over the sea itself.

XIII. But the Emperor Basil, having condemned the disloyalty of the Romans, and since not long before a formidable chosen force from the Scythians original: "Σκυθῶν" (Skythōn). Byzantine authors often used "Scythian" to describe the Rus or Northmen; this refers to the 6,000 Varangians sent by Vladimir of Kiev. at the Taurus had come to him, he 30 organized these and, having gathered another foreign force, sent them against the opposing phalanx. They appeared to the rebels unexpectedly, who were not prepared for battle but were instead reclining in drunkenness; they killed many of them and scattered the rest in all directions. A fierce struggle then began 35 against Phokas himself.

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