Bardas Skleros or Sclerus was a Byzantine general who led a wide-scale Asian rebellion against Emperor Basil II during the years 976 to 979.
Proclamation of Skleros as Emperor, miniature from the Madrid Skylitzes
Clash between the armies of Skleros and Phokas, miniature from the Madrid Skylitzes
Protovestiarios Leo trying to win over the army of Skleros.
Basil II Porphyrogenitus, nicknamed the Bulgar Slayer, was the senior Byzantine emperor from 976 to 1025. He and his brother Constantine VIII were crowned before their father Romanos II died in 963, but they were too young to rule. The throne thus went to two generals, Nikephoros Phokas and John Tzimiskes before Basil became senior emperor, though his influential great-uncle Basil Lekapenos remained as the de facto ruler until 985. His reign of 49 years and 11 months was the longest of any Roman emperor.
Replicated depiction of Basil II from his Menologion, National Historical Museum
Clash between the armies of Bardas Skleros and Bardas Phokas at Pankaleia, miniature from the Madrid Skylitzes.
The Armenian prince Gregory Taronites is ambushed by the Bulgarians near Thessalonica.
Byzantine victory over the Bulgarians at the Battle of Kleidion, from the Madrid Skylitzes