War and masculinity in tenth-century Byzantium: The history of Leo the Deacon

The Byzantine Empire in the tenth century is a good period to study war and masculinity. In this phase of its history, the empire experienced recovery and conquest. Byzantium was able to go on the offensive; significant successes were the recovery of Crete in 961 and the recapture of Antioch in 969. These campaigns and successes were not generally commanded and achieved by emperors of the ruling dynasty, but rather by their generals. To explore the subject of war and masculinity in the period, the chapter focuses on a specific text, the History of Leo the Deacon. Leo was a member of the palace clergy under Basil II (976–1025). His History narrates the reigns of two emperors, Nikephoros II Phokas (963–969) and his nephew John Tzimiskes (969–976), who were both successful generals before becoming emperors and continuing to campaign. The chapter analyses not only how Leo the Deacon presents these two men, but also how he presents others: successful commanders and soldiers, commanders who fail, non-Byzantine commanders, eunuch commanders, and eunuchs and civilians in general. The History proves to be a perfect vehicle for exploring not only war and masculinity in tenth-century Byzantium but also the development of historiography in this period.