Vardanes Sphrantzes was a member of the Sphrantzes political family and faction. He was Sevastos to his political rival, the Avtokrator Mavrikios Gavras. Mavrikios gained the throne by overthrowing Sphrantzes' uncle Strobilos. As a condition of support from a faction of the bureaucracy, Mavrikios was forced to appoint Vardanes as his Sevastos. In addition, Vardanes refused to serve unless Strobilos' life was spared. Mavrikios, realizing that he did need Vardanes, agreed to that as well, exiling the older man to a remote monastery. However, Mavrikios refused a further demand that Vardanes be allowed to marry Mavrikios' daughter Alypia.