"...Theodore of Smolensk was the youngest son of Vladimir Monomach, and perhaps inherited the most of his father’s traits – military talent and a combination of political will and ability to compromise. When the situation presented itself, he rose in rebellion against his nephew, the Despot Konstantine shortly after Miloslav the Unmerciful died, and in a logistically impeccable and stunningly well-planned campaign either conquered or convinced all major Rus centres to switch sides, and then sailed down to Thrace to confront Nikephoros Mouzakios who was marching toward the capital to claim the diadem after Konstantine’s death in the storming of Rhodes. The Monomach was crowned Emperor immediately after his victory and made his seat in Constantinople; nonetheless he was very aware of the fra