“Genesios” (Γενέσιος) or Joseph Genesius’s “On the Lives of the Emperors” was written about 915-930 survives in a single manuscript of the eleventh century. (A fourteenth-century reader added the presumed author’s name (“Genesios”) in the margin).
Here is an excerpt from the Anthony Kaldellis translation that mentions Suavs (Canberra 1998, from the Australian Association for Byzantine Studies). The work also contains references to Thomas the Suav and Bulgarians but we omit those in this mention.
For extensive discussions of the manuscript, see H Wäschke, ‘Genesios,’ pp. 256-263 in Philologus, and the introduction to the Corpus Fontium Historiae Byzantinae XIV (CFHB) edition of the text by Anni Lesmuller-Werner and I. Thurn; pp. ix, xxii-xxvi Iosephi Genesii regnum libri quattuor.
Book 2: Michael II (820-829)
“2. It is said that when Thomas heard of Michael’s elevation to the throne he quickly contrived to revolt against him with a large army. For the two men had always been opposed to each other, and Michael was hated by the entire army of the Anatolians, and was equally unpopular on account of his native town, in which, as it seems, a great number of Athinganoi dwelt, because of the defect in his speech, and because he was not considered by some to be a brave enough man. Thomas, on the other hand, was loved by all for his courage, and no less for his cheerful disposition and affability. He rivaled Leo in all noble qualities, even though he had Scythian ancestry and was in addition an old man, and had a lame leg. He now seized all the tax-collectors, laid claim in writing to the regular exactions, and by distributing them to the people he assembled a large force to use against Michael. None of those who originated in the east, or in the west itself, failed to support him, neither did foreign nations that had come to dwell in the Empire, nor its own natives, nor its neighbors, nor any slaves that hated their masters, nor entire nations, nor all those who rushed to him at various times and followed him, some fighting by land and some by sea. He seemed to be a new Xerxes, although one of the same faith, and therefore all the themes hurried to ally themselves with him along with their Strategoi. Only Olbianos, the Strategos of the Armeniakon theme, kept his troops in line by his shrewdness, and also Katakylas, the Strategos of the Opsikion theme, and they both remained loyal to Michael. Thomas’ army, then, which had turned against its countrymen, grew so much that the Saracens seized the opportunity to freely plunder all the islands and lands, and would have conquered them utterly, even though afterwards numerous reports circulated among them which made Thomas seem invincible. Hence he attempted to negotiate with them in the following way. He cunningly enticed them, suggesting that he would be satisfied with whatever they desired, as they greatly feared his large force. He therefore sent an embassy to them seeking peace, which was in reality an alliance whose purpose was to overthrow the Emperor. Having thus made a treaty with the Agarenoi, with the concurrence of their leader he was crowned Emperor by the Patriarch Job of Antioch. He assembled his famous army, which was composed of Agarenoi, Indians, Egyptians, Assyrians, Medes, Abasians, Zichians, Iberians, Kabeirians, Slavs, Huns, Vandals, Getai, and all those who had partaken of the abomination of Mani as well as Lazoi, Alans, Chaldians, Armenians, and other peoples of all sorts, and he took control of the entire east. Finally he marched to Thrace and tried to take Byzantium by force by laying siege to it, placing his hopes in his heavy cavalry, infantry rock-throwers, slingers, and countless peltasts. In addition he possessed not a few siege engines. He attacked the land walls with them many times, but was always repelled without having made any gains. The Emperor’s son Theophilos resisted his attacks and fought hard against him, but his father Michael would often sally forth and engage in hand-to-hand combat himself. Not knowing what to do, Thomas resorted to naval attacks, as he had amassed a large squadron of ships, but here he likewise met with failure, for his ships were consumed by ‘Military Fire.’ Knowledge of this weapon had almost disappeared before these events, but at this time it was discovered in the following way. A certain knowledgeable Egyptian named Kallinikos was the only man who possessed its secret. Outspokenly presenting himself to the Emperor, he said that, if the Emperor so desired, he would fight on his side against Thomas at sea. He then prepared the substance and distributed it to the admirals.”
Book 4: Basil I (867-886)
“26…The two now closed in on each other. The other atempted to lift Basil off the ground, but he could not counter Basil’s resistance and it was he who was lifted up, though bravely, and swirled around very quickly. He was thrown to the ground,”by a podrezian embrace,”* as the locals say, and was so unmistakably defeated that everyone was highly entertained. But after a while they managed to revive him by pouring buckets of water on him. Antigonos returned with his own men to the Caesar and told him everything that had hapened. Eventually the Emperor Michael heard the story and summoned Basil and two others of the same age. When he saw them, he was pleased with their countenance and praised their stature, but he marveled at Basil much more than at the other two. He gave him various honors and promised him many more. For God advances those who He knows will rule and endows them with the symbols of Empire…”
* Kaldellis’ note: “From pod and rezati – to ‘undercut.” (that is podrzezać)
“30. …He considered a man named Andreas, who was intelligent and who sought experience and the opportunity to prove his bravery, even though he kept his qualities a secret, as the course of events would prove (he came from the Scythian lands of the west). Basil appointed him second in command of the Opsikion theme. Andreas** managed his forces expertly, attacked the enemy, and won a great victory, which decreased their arrogance for the meantime. Because of this victory and his many other acts of bravery, he was made a Patrikios and given the comand of the Scholai. And since he continued to campaign against the enemy, and won many victories, he was later appointed to be Magistros.”
* Kaldellis’ note: “For the career of Andreas, who was probably of Suavic descent, see ‘Patrices des regnes de Basile ler et de LeonVI,’ pages 300-301. The events described in this section occurred late in 878 (the year Syracuse fell); the victory was won at Podandos in Cilicia, and the enemy was the emir of Tarsos… B. Blysidou dates his elevation to Magistros to 886.”
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