THE SCENE: When the Byzantine emperor seems more impressed with the skill of an enemy prisoner-of-war than his own soldiers, it falls to a humble eunuch to cut the foreigner down to size.
THE TEXT: One of the Hagarenes taken prisoner was bold in action and renowned for his extraordinary physical powers. He was known to the domestic of the scholai, who testified that he was an accomplished horseman; from the saddle he could effectively manipulate two lances at once for striking down the enemy. Since it was the duty of the domestic to direct the victory celebrations at the Hippodrome, this captive led the parade. When the emperor saw him, beguiled by his glowing reputation, he ordered him to mount and be given two lances, so that his excellence and skill might be demonstrated to the entire city.
The exhibition took place, to the delight of the less sophisticated. But standing near to the emperor was Theodore Krateros, who shortly afterwards became a commander of the corps of the holy Forty-two Martyrs. He scoffed at the Hagarene, saying that he had demonstrated nothing particularly brave or astonishing. The emperor took exception to this: “Could you do anything like that, you effeminate gelding?” “Having never learnt to operate two lances, emperor, I cannot,” Krateros replied; “nor is there any need of such foolishness in war. But I have firm trust in God that I could unseat that fellow and knock him down from his horse using only one lance.” This made the emperor really angry. He said – and he swore an oath on his own head to this effect – that he would put the saint to death unless he confirmed his words by deeds.
Theodore leapt into the saddle, took a lance and engaged the Saracen whom, before very long, he had thrown down from his horse. The emperor was chagrined to see the Saracen thrown down by a man who was a eunuch. Nevertheless, to please the populace, he congratulated him, giving him robes and raiment, thus acknowledging the man’s sterling qualities.
– John Skylitzes, Synopsis of Histories, 11th Century AD
