Complex sentence: Bury, pg.16 Gathered around Staurakios's bedside, they debated the succession, and because of his uncertain condition, he was hastily proclaimed emperor by Stephanos, who had the backing of the army.
Split into simpler sentences: Bury, pg.16 Gathered around Staurakios's bedside, they debated the succession. Because of his uncertain condition, he was hastily proclaimed emperor by Stephen, who had the backing of the army.