[Footnote 80: The most authentic and circumstantial
intelligence is obtained from the four books of the
Continuation of Theophanes, compiled by the pen or the
command of Constantine Porphyrogenitus, with the Life of his
father Basil, the Macedonian, (Scriptores post Theophanem,
p. 1 - 162, a Francisc. Combefis, Paris, 1685.) The loss of
Crete and Sicily is related, l. ii. p. 46 - 52. To these we
may add the secondary evidence of Joseph Genesius, (l. ii.
p. 21, Venet. 1733,) George Cedrenus, (Compend. p. 506 -
508,) and John Scylitzes Curopalata, (apud Baron. Annal.
Eccles. A.D. 827, No. 24, &c.) But the modern Greeks are
such notorious plagiaries, that I should only quote a
plurality of names.]