Planowane podziały państwa Romejów w X wieku. Perspektywa wydarzeń
Planned Divisions of the Byzantine Empire in the 10th Century. A Perspective of the Events

Summary/Abstract: The concepts of dividing Byzantium can be found in sources from the period (e.g. the division into the eastern and western parts during the reign of emperor Maurice, John II Komnenos’ idea concerning the allocation of the eastern parts of the country for his son, Manuel). The most well-known partitioning of Byzantium is its fragmentation as a result of the 4th crusade. In the 10th century, three such incidents can be observed. The first one – mentioned by John Skylitzes – is related to the alliance between tzar Simeon and caliph Al-Mahdi and would be an arrangement to regulate the influence zones of the two victorious powers. The second – cited by Leo the Deacon – is Svyatoslav’s call for the Byzantine Greeks to abandon the lands of Europe. It might reflect the tradition, which still lingers among the Bulgarian elites, related to the dominance in the Balkan lands or it could possibly correspond to a hypothetical settlement between the Russian ruler and Nikephoros Phokas concerning the division of Bulgarian lands. The third – depicted in John Skylitzes’ work and the sources of Eastern provenance – concerns an agreement which divided Byzantium between Bardas Phokas and Bardas Skleros. This idea would be related to the support gained by Bardas Skleros among the countries and tribes of the Eastern borderland of Byzantium. It is also worth pointing out that the plans to divide the Byzantine Empire appeared in its history, thereby suggesting the existence of decentralist forces and stressing the division into its Balkan and Asia Minor parts.

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