During the late reign of Emperor Leo VI the Wise (r. 886–912), he married the sister of Constantine Barbaros, the Emperor's powerful parakoimomenos, and rose to the post of Domestic of the Schools. Although personally brave and not without some measure of success against the Arabs in the East, his ability as a general was rather limited.
Emperor Leo VI the Wise reigned late in 886–912, marrying Constantine Barbaros' sister, the Emperor's influential attendant, and advancing to Domestic of the Schools. Although he showed personal bravery and achieved some success against the Arabs in the East, his military prowess was somewhat limited.