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 ✅.


 * 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.


 * "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?


 * "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?


 * "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. ✅


 * "Staurakios was allowed" by Irene?
 * Clarified, and reworded a little. ✅


 * "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. ✅


 * 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. ✅


 * "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. ✅

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

Xtzou ( Talk ) 13:45, 10 May 2010 (UTC)
 * "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.
 * "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.
 * I have wikilinked "Arabs" to the Abbasid Caliphate, so this is meant throughout.

 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
 * 1) 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:
 * 1) Is it broad in its coverage?
 * A. Major aspects: Sets the context
 * B. Focused: Remains focused on the subject
 * 1) Is it neutral?
 * Fair representation without bias:
 * 1) Is it stable?
 * No edit wars, etc:
 * 1) 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:
 * 1) Overall:
 * Pass or Fail: Pass!
 * 1) Is it stable?
 * No edit wars, etc:
 * 1) 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:
 * 1) Overall:
 * Pass or Fail: Pass!
 * B. Images are provided where possible and appropriate, with suitable captions:
 * 1) Overall:
 * Pass or Fail: Pass!
 * 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)