Petronas (general) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Petronas
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Petronas (far left) with John the Monk. Miniature from the the Madrid Skylitzes.
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| Died | 865 |
| Allegiance | Byzantine Empire |
| Years of service | 830s–865 |
| Rank | Domestic of the Schools |
| Battles/wars | Arab–Byzantine frontier wars |
Petronas (died November 11, 865) was a very important general and noble in the Byzantine Empire during the mid-800s. He was the brother of Empress Theodora. This made him the brother-in-law of Emperor Theophilos. Under Emperor Theophilos, Petronas became a high-ranking official called a patrikios. He also led the Vigla guard regiment.
After Emperor Theophilos died, Petronas helped end a religious disagreement called Iconoclasm. But he and his brother Bardas lost some power for a while. This happened when their nephew, Michael III, was a child. A powerful official named Theoktistos was in charge then.
In 855, Petronas and Bardas helped Michael III take full control of the government. Theoktistos was removed from power. Petronas then led the war against the Arabs. In 863, he won a huge victory at the Battle of Lalakaon. This win was a big step for the Byzantines. It started their efforts to take back land in the East. Petronas was then promoted to the highest military rank, Domestic of the Schools. He died in 865.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Petronas was born to Marinos and Theoktiste. He was the younger brother of Bardas and Empress Theodora. Theodora was the wife of Emperor Theophilos. Petronas also had three other sisters: Kalomaria, Sophia, and Irene.
Under Emperor Theophilos, Petronas became a commander. He led the Vigla guard regiment. He was also given the high court rank of patrikios. In 842, Emperor Theophilos was dying. Petronas and an official named Theoktistos carried out an order. They had a general named Theophobos executed. Theophobos's troops had rebelled earlier.
There is a story about Emperor Theophilos and Petronas. The Emperor once punished Petronas in public. Petronas had built a large palace. This palace was so big it blocked the view of a widow's house. This was against the law. The Emperor ordered the palace to be torn down. The building materials and the land were given to the widow.
Rise to Power
When Emperor Theophilos died in 842, his son Michael III was still a child. Theodora became the regent, meaning she ruled until Michael was old enough. A group of advisors was formed. It included Theodora, Petronas, Bardas, and their relative Sergios Niketiates.
Petronas encouraged Theodora to change the Emperor Theophilos's policies. Theophilos had been against showing religious images, called icons. This change led to the return of icons on March 11, 843. This event is known as the "Triumph of Orthodoxy".
Soon after, Petronas and Bardas lost some influence. An official named Theoktistos became very powerful. Niketiates died during a military mission. This left Theoktistos as the main leader during Theodora's regency.
Taking Control and Military Successes
In 855, Michael III turned fifteen. He was now old enough to rule on his own. But he did not like his mother and Theoktistos being in charge. They had chosen a wife for him, Eudokia Dekapolitissa. Michael preferred his girlfriend, Eudokia Ingerina.
With support from his uncles Bardas and Petronas, Michael III took control. Theoktistos was removed from power in late 855. Petronas helped send the Empress Theodora and her daughters to a monastery. Bardas was given the high title of Caesar. He became the main minister of the Byzantine Empire.
Bardas was a very energetic and skilled leader. One of his most important goals was to fight back against the Arabs in the East. So, Petronas was made the strategos (military governor) of the powerful Thracesian Theme.
On his first campaign in 856, Petronas attacked the Paulicians of Tephrike. He raided through the lands of the emirate of Melitene. He went as far as Samosata and Amida in Upper Mesopotamia. He went deeper into Arab lands than any Byzantine commander before him. He returned victorious with many captives.
In 863, an Arab army led by Umar al-Aqta raided deep into Byzantine territory. They reached the Black Sea coast at Amisos. Petronas was put in charge of all Byzantine troops. He planned a brilliant attack. Three different Byzantine armies came together. They surrounded the Arab army and destroyed it. This happened at the Battle of Lalakaon on September 3, 863.
Petronas brought the head of the defeated Arab leader to Constantinople. His nephew, Emperor Michael III, honored him with a grand parade. Soon after, Petronas was given the highest court rank of magistros. He also became the Domestic of the Schools. This meant he was the commander-in-chief of the army.
Legacy
The defeat of the Arabs and their allies was a turning point. It changed the direction of the Arab–Byzantine wars. With this victory, Petronas and Bardas made the eastern borders safe. They made the Byzantine state stronger. This set the stage for the Byzantine Empire to take back more land in the 900s.
Byzantine historians say that Petronas did not live long after his great victory. A religious story written by someone who lived at the same time says he died on the same day as his spiritual teacher, Saint Anthony the Younger. This was two years and two months after he defeated the Arab armies. Petronas was buried in the Gastria Monastery. His stone coffin was placed across from those of his sister, Empress Theodora, and his nieces.
Sources
- "The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium".. (1991). Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press.
- Treadgold, Warren (1997). [Petronas (general) at Google Books A History of the Byzantine State and Society]. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. ISBN 0-8047-2630-2. Petronas (general) at Google Books.
- Whittow, Mark (1996). [Petronas (general) at Google Books The Making of Byzantium, 600–1025]. Berkeley and Los Angeles, California: University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-20496-6. Petronas (general) at Google Books.
- Lilie, Ralph-Johannes (2000). "Petronas". Prosopographie der mittelbyzantinischen Zeit: 1. Abteilung (641–867), Band 3: Leon (# 4271) – Placentius (# 6265). Berlin and Boston: De Gruyter. 564–566.
See also
In Spanish: Petronas (general) para niños
