Chapter 41
One interesting thing about Basileus Maximos is that he is actually a kind man to his vassals and courtiers. How does this square with his impaling hobby? Somehow, the idea that he is very nice to most people and yet still will happily impale living creatures solely for entertainment makes the hobby that much more disturbing.
With the exception of his latest hobby of impaling creatures, for which no authoritative text exists, Basileus Maximos is a book learner. A man of deep learning, his abilities in administration stem from his study of the many writings on proper taxation and fiscal policies of the imperial state. His loosely competent grasp of military matters was acquired through careful study of the classic Byzantine books on tactics: such as the Praecepta militaria of Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas (written about 100 years ago), the Tactica of Leo VI (200 years ago), Strategikon of Emperor Maurice (500 years ago), and various others. (Stephanos updated me on these texts. I myself was trained as a warrior but I never bothered to learn anything on the subject.) As his current imprisonment shows, however, experience in warfare is necessary for mastery over just book learning.
Maximos’ heir is his only child, Princess Ioanna. In many ways she would be a superior ruler than Maximos. She has diplomatic skills, is not naïve to intrigue issues that constantly beset the Byzantine Empire, and is diligent, truthful, and charitable. True, she is also cruel, but at least she does not take enjoyment in impaling living things. Her drawbacks are that she is a female ruler—and that will arouse some measure of ill will from her vassals—and she embraces the Georgian culture, not Greek. Also, unlike her father, she has not had the opportunity to rule, and so her prestige is very low. Still, the Byzantine Empire would probably be fortunate if Basileus Maximos fell over dead quickly and left the state in his daughter's more capable hands.
Maximos’ two youngest brothers are too young to demonstrate their brotherly love through force of arms.
While Basileus Maximos has six brothers and sisters, only his elder sister is not from a different mother. “The Drunkard” had three wives in all, and it is amazing that none of the children of the first two wives were murdered by subsequent queen consorts looking to clear a way for her own eldest child. Perhaps Maximos’ stay in prison helped him stay alive.
It is evident that not too much sibling fondness is shared by the family, though, as the two adult brothers are the only ones to have taken the opportunity to declare war against their imprisoned brother. Unless several others also attack or rebel, they do not have a hope. Which is perfect for me to try to sack some cities and churches.
What happened to my levees?
It is with no small amount of frustration, then, that I hear Marshal Stephanos’ report on the state of our army. The superior administrative abilities of our new basileus are making themselves felt. Unlike the comfortable old ways of Basileus Michael—raising what he could from whatever happened to be available in my county—Basileus Maximos has enacted new policies forbidding me from raising more than 70% of my total levee pool, leaving the 30% intact for him. I never thought I would say this, but I miss “the Drunkard” and all his incompetence.
