Quote Originally Posted by DisruptorX
Minor nitpick, but they didn't have "propaganda" back then. You can't have propaganda without some way to mass produce images, words, or ideas.
Oh, yes you can. The favorite method of the day was paid informers and agents spreading false information and slander in public places, such as markets, inns, etc. As others have indicated, the Christian clergy did also participate in this as well (one of the most notorious being Saint Bernard of Clairvaux).

I guess that your notion of "propaganda" would be thousands of leaflets being dropped over a hostile cities, or the Voice of America radio station, but the medieval way was every bit as effective.

Re. the high dread ratings for Byz generals, then I believe that there's ample historical justification for that. George Maniakes, for instance, was reported to have a serious "anger management" problem, and was responsible for several atrocities during his campain in southern Italy.