Talk:Staurakios (eunuch)/GA1

GA Review

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Reviewer: Xtzou (Talk) 18:13, 9 May 2010 (UTC)

Hi, this is a very nice little article and I enjoyed it very much, although I know nothing of the history. I did some minor copy editing which you are free to revert any errors. I have just a few comments:

• According to the MoS, captions should end in a period since neither of them are complete sentences.
  • I believe you meant to say they should not end in a period? If so, then  Done.

• Maybe you could say in the lead where all this primarily takes place. Is it Constantinople?
  • Mostly, yes. But since Staurakios took part in a couple of expeditions, I think it would be wrong to put such an explicit and restrictive statement in the lede. What exactly did you have in mind for this though?

First minister under Irenis regency

• "appointed him to the post of logothetes tou dromou, i.e the Empire's foreign minister." - suggest removing the i.e. The comma is sufficient.
  •  Done

• "This reliance on eunuchs caused some hostility by the military" - hostitily of the military? or caused the military to become hostile? or caused some hostility in the military?
  •  Done

• "defection of the prominent Armenian strategos of the Bucellarian Theme Tatzates to the Arabs in 782." - who were the "Arabs"? Could you wikilink to something?
  •  Done

• "of 70,000 or 90,000 gold dinars" - could you waffle and say 70,000 to 90,000? That would convey uncertainty, if there is uncertainty.
  • The primary sources are ambiguous. It is not a range, but two different sums proposed by different sources.

• "In the next year however, Staurakios led an imperial expedition against the Slavic communities (Sclaviniae) of Greece" - don't think the "however" is needed
  • Quite correct.  Done

• "Staurakios was allowed" by Irene?
  • Clarified, and reworded a little.  Done

• "Irene moved towards the restoration of the veneration of icons." - was it explained that veneration of icons was lost?
  • Added date and link to relevant article.  Done

Clash with Constantine VI

• "along with Irene and Constantine himself" - can it say, Staurakios was recorded as attending as a judge in the show for the 17-year-old Constantine Vi, along with Irene? Or rewrite it somehow to get rid, if possible, "himself".
  • I've changed it a bit, but the "himself" referred to Constantine VI, not Staurakios.  Done

• "Constantine and his friends were preempted by Staurakios, however, who had Irene arrest, torture, exile or imprison Constantine's associates, while the young emperor himself was placed under house arrest." - he had himself put under house arrest?
  • Reworded.  Done

Everything else looks very good. Xtzou (Talk) 18:13, 9 May 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for taking the time :). Any other suggestions would be welcome, esp. if it serves to make the article more comprehensible to people who "don't know the history". Best regards, Constantine ✍ 08:55, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

Further suggestions

• Maybe a map would help to show what geographic areas the article is discussing. Were they in Constantinople, or where?
  • I am afraid that few good maps of the Byz. Empire exist, and none for this particular period (turn of the 8th century). Until I find the time to make one, readers will have to follow the links, I guess.
• "He acted as effective first minister during her regency" - sounds odd. He was effectively the first minister? He was in effect the first minister during her regency? What was "first minister"?
  •  Done

First minister under Irene's regency

• Would it be correct to say: "Staurakios was a patrician who emerged into prominece in 781? (I realized there is nothing about his background, prior to rising.)
  • Hmmm, there is nothing known about him prior to 781. He was a patrikios, hence obviously already a high court official (amended the text to clarify that), but that is it.
• "prohibited since 730 (see Byzantine Iconoclasm). - could it say prohibited since 730 by Byzantine Iconoclasm?
  • Changed the wording there, since Constantine V actually established it as imperial policy. The link along with the regnal dates for Constantine V given above should suffice.
• "defection of the prominent Armenian strategos of the Bucellarian Theme Tatzates to the Abbasids in 782." - some commas could help clarify the "sea of blue": "defection of the prominent Armenian strategos of the Bucellarian Theme, Tatzates, to the Abbasids in 782.
  •  Done

Clash with Constantine VI

• "along with Irene and the young emperor himself. Maria of Amnia was chosen, although Constantine himself was unhappy" - repetition of "himself"
  •  Done
• "he had Irene arrest, torture, exile or imprison" - he convinced Irene to arrest, torture etc.? Was Irene in his complete control?
  •  Done

• "This turn of events drove the Armeniacs once again to mutiny, but their commander, Alexios Mosele, was in Constantinople" - what is the significance of his being in Constantinople? Where was everyone else? (I am not clear about locations in this article.)
  • The Armeniacs were in northeastern Anatolia, and Mosele, as their commander, should have been there, not in the capital. As I said above on your map question, you'll have to follow the links for the locations.
• "Despite guarantees of safety, he was imprisoned and later blinded" - should clarify the "he" to Constantine VI.
  •  Done
• "agents foiled an expedition headed by Constantine against the Arabs" - who were the Arabs?
  • I have wikilinked "Arabs" to the Abbasid Caliphate, so this is meant throughout.

Xtzou (Talk) 13:45, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

GA review – see WP:WIAGA for criteria

1. Is it reasonably well written?

   A. Prose quality: Well written

   B. MoS compliance: Complies with basic MoS

2. Is it factually accurate and verifiable?

   A. References to sources: Reliable sources

   B. Citation of reliable sources where necessary: Well referenced

   C. No original research:

3. Is it broad in its coverage?

   A. Major aspects: Sets the context

   B. Focused: Remains focused on the subject

4. Is it neutral?

   Fair representation without bias:

5. Is it stable?

   No edit wars, etc:

6. Does it contain images to illustrate the topic?

   A. Images are copyright tagged, and non-free images have fair use rationales:

   B. Images are provided where possible and appropriate, with suitable captions:

7. Overall:

   Pass or Fail: Pass!

Congratulations! Xtzou (Talk) 13:30, 11 May 2010 (UTC)

Thanks, and thanks also for a thorough review! Best regards, Constantine ✍ 13:52, 11 May 2010 (UTC)