THE SCENE: If Emperor Euphemios was as stupid and credulous as the passage below suggests, it’s a wonder that he was ever able to rise to any position of power to begin with.
THE TEXT: Euphemios was not able to enjoy his imperial status for long. As he was going around Sicily in imperial regalia, being proclaimed, he arrived before Syracuse. Drawing ahead of his company and bodyguard, he came to within a bowshot of the city and addressed the citizens, endeavoring to conciliate them with his words. Two Syracusan brothers, however, noted that he was isolated. They put their heads together an came to an agreement. With one mind they approached him in a dissembling way (but scornfully), going through the motions of offering him the reverence due to an emperor. Totally unaware of their pretense, Euphemios readily accepted their acknowledgement and greeting; then he amicably invited them to approach him so he could embrace them himself. But as he bowed his head and brought his mouth near to the mouth of one of the brothers, this one seized him firmly by the hair and the other brother cut off his head. Thus Euphemios paid the just price for his folly.
– John Skylitzes, Synopsis of Histories, 11th Century AD
