96 THE FALL OF CONSTANTINOPLE. Theodora, the emperor's sister, and it was while he was there that Branas appeared before the walls. Conrad found that the preparations for resistance were feeble, that the palace was filled with monks, whom Isaac had invited in order that they might pray for the cessation of civil war, and for his continu- ance in authority as emperor. Conrad pointed out that other arms than spiritual ones were necessary, and that the emperor must be ready at once to sacrifice money and men, if he would meet a rebellion where nearly the whole of his soldiers were fighting in revolt. The emperor, aroused by Conrad's remonstrances, prepared vigorously for resistance. His efforts were seconded by the inhabitants. Conrad liimself set to work to organize the de- fence. He raised two hundred horsemen and five hundred foot, principally from the Italians. He found Georgians and Saracens in the city, w^ho were there for the purposes of com- merce, and enlisted them also in the imperial service, and from the court he enrolled a thousand men of good condition. The spirit of Conrad seemed to have passed into the emperor. He collected the inhabitants in the precincts of Blachcrn, and urged them to do their utmost for the defence. He begged those who might be hostile to him — in this having specially in view John Sebastocrator, whose son had recently been married to the daughter of Branas — to remain quiet and await the issue of the combat, or to pass openly to the enemy. Meantime the besiegers had drawn up their troops for the Defeat of attack. Courad advised that the newly raised forces Brauas. should make a sortie and fight them on the outside of the walls. The gates were accordingly opened. Conrad took command of the foreign troops, Isaac of the right wing, and Manuel the Protostrator of the left. After some hours spent in skirmishing the infantry joined their bucklers, raised their lances, and charged, while at the same time the cavalry struck at the flank of the rebels. In spite of the exertions of Branas, who urged his troops to remain firm, reminding them that they were far more numerous than their adversaries, the rebellious army could not withstand the charge, and Branas was unable to stop their flight. He himself rushed at Con-
