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"Cut down the governors who become overproud. 
Let no general on campaign have too many resources. 
Exhaust them with unjust exactions, to keep them busy in their own affairs. 
Admit no women to the imperial councils. Be accessible to no one. 
Share with few your most intimate plans."
^^Bardas Skleros, to Basil II, Bithynia, 989AD

^In the year 963 Romanos II died leaving his two young sons, 
Basil II and Constantine VIII, to the protection of his generals 
Nikephoros Phokas and Ionnes Tzimiskes to act as their Regents until the eldest, 
Basil, was old enough to take the reigns of empire. 
Thus Basil II was overshadowed in his minority by the 
dazzling exploits* of Nikephoros and Ionnes. 
He whould vow to out-do them in conquests. Yet before he could embark on his plans,
he had to put down a massive military coup led by Bardas Phokas and Bardas Skleros...
*Nikephoras Phokas reconquered Crete, Cyprus, destroyed the Emirate of Aleppo 
reconquering Antiokhia in the process and laid the foundations for the
conquest of Bulgaria. Ionnes Tzimiskes conquered western Bulgaria and
led a spectacular expedition into Syria at the head of 10,000 Armenian
conscripts reconquering the cities of Amida, Damaskos, Kaisarea and almost- Jerusalem.
^
^Recommended; ROMANS
^Playable; Fatimids, Buyids, Bulgars and Franks
^Tough; Armenians and Georgians

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