ABSTRACT
Symeon was born in 949 to wealthy Byzantine provincial aristocrats in Paphlagonia, Asia Minor,2 a family which had important contacts in the capital and kinsmen already in place in high imperial offices. His father brought the child to Byzantium in 960 at the age of eleven to begin his studies. The date of his arrival coincided with the death of Constantine Porphyrogenitus, signalling a new chance to make fame and fortune under another administration. Romanos n had just begun his reign. John Tzimiskes and Nikephoros Phokas were both making great reputations for themselves as successful generals in the oriental campaigns.
