Publisher's description:
This is the first English translation of the History of Leo the Deacon (born circa 950), a lively but little-known author intimately familiar with the palace politics of Constantinople. Leo's firsthand experience of the campaigns and courts of two Byzantine emperors provides vivid descriptions of sieges, pitched battles, and ambushes. His account of the conspiracy against Nikephoros II Phokas, murdered as he slept on the floor in front of his icons, is one of the most dramatic in Byzantine narrative histories. Alice-Mary Talbot and Denis Sullivan, with the assistance of George T. Dennis and Stamatina McGrath, include an extensive introduction and detailed notes to guide the reader through the complex chronology, geography, and text of the History. Also included are five maps, two genealogical tables, and four indexes.

From the back cover:
This is the first English translation of the History of Leo the Deacon (b. ca. 950), an obscure but lively author intimately familiar with the palace politics of Constantinople. The History, composed at the very end of the tenth century, focuses on the reigns of two Byzantine emperors, Nikephoros II Phokas (963-969) and John I Tzimiskes (969-976). Styling his narrative in the tradition of the classicizing historians, Leo recounts how both men ursurped the throne during the minority of the two grandsons of Constantine VII and used their military prowess to embark on successful campaigns against the Arabs in the south and east, and against the Rus in Bulgaria. The History tells how they expanded the frontiers of the empire and brought back captured relics, booty, and prisoners of war to parade in triumph through the streets of Constantinople. Leo accompanied at least one expedition, and drew on his firsthand experience to provide vivid descriptions of sieges, pitched battles, ambushes, and single combat. His account of the conspiracy against Nikephoros II Phokas, murdered as he slept on the floor in front of his icons, is one of the most dramatic in Byzantine narrative histories.

Contents:
page VIII Preface and Acknowledgments
X Abbreviations
Introduction
1 A The Byzantine Empire in the Tenth Century: Outline of Military and Political Events
4 B The Byzantine Military in the Tenth Century
9 C Biography of Leo the Deacon
11 D Leo as a "Historian"
50 E Manuscript Tradition of the History
51 F Editions
52 G Translations
53 Note to the Reader
The History of Leo the Deacon
55 Book I
70 Book II
87 Book III
104 Book IV
126 Book V
143 Book VI
162 Book VII
175 Book VIII
187 Book IX
202 Book X
Genealogies
223 Partial Genealogy of the Macedonian Dynasty
224 Partial Genealogy of the Phokas Family
Maps
225 1 Byzantine Empire in the Tenth and Eleventh Centuries
226 2 Constantinople in the Tenth Century
227 3 Eastern Anatolia and Syro-Palestine
228 4 Bulgaria in the Tenth and Eleventh Centuries
229 5 The Battle of Dorystolon
231 Bibliography
Indexes
243 Index of Proper Names
255 General Index
260 Index of Notable Greek Words
262 Index Locorum