Nikephoros Phokas the Elder, an eminent Byzantine general, grand-father of emperor Nikephoros II Phokas; Nikephoros II Phokas, Byzantine Emperor from 963 to 969; Nikiforos Fokas, a municipality in Greece; This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. Nikephoros’ sustained success against the Arabs (also known as Saracens) led his subjects to dub him the terrifying “White Death of the Saracens.” But while Nikephoros was a military hero, as emperor he alienated several powerful segments in Byzantine society, undermining his rule and legacy. Nicephorus II Phocas, (born 912, Cappadocia—died Dec. 10/11, 969, Constantinople), Byzantine emperor (963–969), whose military achievements against the Muslim Arabs contributed to the resurgence of Byzantine power in the 10th century.. One of Nikephoros’ soldiers praised the deceased emperor as “the general of invincible Rome, a king by nature, a bringer-of-victories in fact” (Geometres, 283). After a period out of office, Nikephoros was then appointed strategos either of Charsianon or of the Thracesian Theme, spending his remaining years, until his death around 900, fighting against the Arabs. from 963-969. Nikephoros II Phokas Emperor from 963 to 969. He promoted the interests of soldiers, arranged the state finances to focus on funding the army, and tactlessly dealt with criticism. Crete had been a major thorn in the side of Byzantium; its conquest by Arabs from Spain in the 820s CE had opened the door to devastating raids throughout the Aegean, and the Byzantines had failed on five previous occasions to retake the island. The Ancient History Encyclopedia logo is a registered EU trademark. He sacked Anazarbos and then Hierapolis (modern Manbij) in 962 CE. He also has a J.D. This volume provides annotated English translations, with facing Greek, of five texts related to the career of Nikephoros II Phokas, first as a military commander and later as emperor (r. 963-969). In 964 CE, Nikephoros forbade endowments for new monasteries and gifts to existing ones. [3] Shaun Tougher however posits that Nikephoros was sent to Italy only after the accession of Leo VI, as Leo in his writings takes credit for his dispatch there, and that his recall was not until c. [3] Nikephoros' command in Italy lasted until his recall to Constantinople following the accession of Leo VI the Wise, in late 886. Later in 963 CE, Nikephoros married Theophano, the widow of Romanos II, to further legitimize his reign but also to better protect the young princes, Basil and Constantine. Nikephoros II Phokas. Nikephoros, Phokas, ca. Bringas didn't give up, he considered Nikephoros Phokas a main enemy for his throne aspirations and attempted to organise a conspiracy by contacting the generals Ioannes Tzimisces and Romanos Kourkouas to get rid of Nikephoros. Nikephoros was a highly devout man and brought Christian relics from his conquests back to Constantinople. [3][13], No definite conclusion as to the date of Nikephoros' death can be reached today, but most modern scholars, such as Jean-Claude Cheynet, are doubtful of the version of Theophanes Continuatus. The Rise and Fall of Nikephoros II Phokas, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. The wife of Leo IV (r. 775-780 CE) and regent for her young son Constantine VI from 780-790 CE, Irene took sole power in 797 CE after enduring the ignominy of exile following her insistence she should rule above her son no matter what age he reached. Rus forces under Sviatoslav raid deep into Bulgaria, effectively occupying it by the next year. His grandfather, father, and uncle were all high-ranking military officers, and Nikephoros was similarly raised to be a soldier and general. He managed to reclaim the Isle of Crete from the Arabs (by crushing the Emirate of Chandax) and then proceeded to take the battle to them in Syria. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Nikephoros came from a leading military family, the Phokas. His grandsons Nikephoros and Leo were likewise distinguished generals, while the former became emperor in 963–969, spearheading the recovery of several lost provinces from the Arabs. The Patriarch of Constantinople then crowned Nikephoros co-emperor with the young future Basil II (r. 976-1025 CE) and Constantine VIII (r. 1025-1028 CE). 912-969. Theophanes Continuatus (Vita Basilii) names "Nicephorus Phocas". We have also been recommended for educational use by the following publications: Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. In the midst of a crisis all too common in Constantinople, Empress Theophano invited Nikephoros Phokas to act as protector and regent for her sons Basil and Constantine. Antioch fell to Byzantine forces in 969 CE. Meanwhile, Bringas was exiled to Paphlagonia while Basil Lekapenos was rewarded for his support and was appointed parakoimomenos, the administrator of the palace, which was the position he had held under Constantine VII. Sayf al-Dawla, the Hamdanid Emir of Mosul, dies. The implicit agreement was that Nikephoros would protect Basil & Constantine & rule in their stead, not found a new dynasty. Nikephoros’ strategy involved a multi-pronged offensive and raids on Sayf’s territories, as well as those of his allies in Cilicia. His aim was not to conquer the emirate, but to terminate its role as a regional power – the city of Aleppo was thoroughly sacked and its forces destroyed, but its territories were not annexed. His brilliant military exploits contributed to the resurgence of the Byzantine Empire during the 10th century. [3], Nikephoros was the father of Bardas Phokas the Elder and Leo Phokas the Elder, both of whom became Domestics of the Schools. With the reconquest of Crete, Cyprus, and Cilicia, Byzantine naval power extended across a large swath of the Mediterranean Sea once again. Entrance of the emperor Nikephoros Phocas (963-969) into Constantinople in 963 from the Chronicle of John Skylitzes.jpg 850 × 348; 64 KB Erhebung gegen Kaiser Nikephoros Phokas.jpg 1,008 × 528; 96 KB Nikephoros II Phokas soldaat uit Byzantijnse Rijk (912-969) Nikēphoros Phōkas 912-969 . Nikephoros was dark and stocky, with thick hair. 912-969. Nikephoros was killed in the battle, the second Roman emperor to suffer this fate since Valens in the Battle of Adrianople (August 9, 378). Nikephoros returned to Syria in 968 CE, marching as far south as Tripoli in modern Lebanon and acquired the important port city of Laodikeia. ???? English: Conjectural flag supposedly used by the Eastern Roman Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas, featuring the cross and the Chi-Rho. Nikephoros only had one son from a previous marriage, but he had tragically died in a hunting accident. He won the war in the East against the Arabs and because of that, he wore the title of Commander of the Eastern troops. Indeed, Nikephoros was one of the Byzantine Empire’s greatest generals, and although he was not politically astute, his great martial skill brought the Byzantine Empire to a new height of strength. [3][4][6], In 895, he was sent against the Bulgarians at the head of a large army. Nikephorus Byzantinisches Reich, Kaiser 912-969. Contact profile manager; View family tree; Problem with this page? Both the Kourkouai and the Phokadai were distinguished Cappadocian families, and among the most prominent of the emerging military aristocracy of … Nikephoros II Phokas or Nicephorus II Phocas (Greek: Νικηφόρος Β΄ Φωκάς, Nikēphoros II Phōkas), (c. 912 – 969), Byzantine Emperor from 963 to 969. Nikephorus Byzantinisches Reich, Kaiser 912-969. Nikephoros Nikephoros II Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans Phokas was born in 912, in Cappadocia, Imperium Romanum, to Bardas the Elder Phokas and Maleina Phokaina. The defeated Cretan emir, ‘Abd al-‘Aziz b. Shu’ayb al-Qurtubi, and his son were captured, and Nikephoros celebrated a Roman triumph back in Constantinople. [3][14][15], By all accounts, Nikephoros Phokas was a capable soldier. His brilliant military exploits contributed to the resurgence of the Byzantine Empire during the 10th century. Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization. Nikephoros' entry into Constantinople as Emperor through the Golden Gate in summer 963.. With the help of Theophano and the patriarch, Nikephoros Phokas received supreme command of the eastern forces and, after being proclaimed Emperor by them on 2 July 963, he marched upon the capital, where his partisans had overthrown his enemy Bringas. 900), usually surnamed the Elder to distinguish him from his grandson, Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas, was one of the most prominent Byzantine generals of the late 9th century, and the first important member of the Phokas … However, despite Cilicia and Syria laying open to Byzantine attack, Constantine VII (r. 913-959 CE), and his successor, Romanos II (r. 959-963 CE), directed Nikephoros to command the reconquest of Crete in 960 CE. Nikephoros II Phokas, Emperor of Byzantium's Geni Profile. 887. Krum is said to have made a drinking-cup of Nikephoros' skull. Nikephoros Phokas (Greek: Νικηφόρος Φωκᾶς), surnamed Barytrachelos (Βαρυτράχηλος, "heavy-neck"; Armenian: Cṙ[a]viz, Georgian: Carvezi, "wry-neck"), was a Byzantine aristocrat and magnate, the last major member of the Phokas family to try and claim the imperial throne. Nikephoros II Phokas waged numerous wars throughout his reign. Watercolors Nikephoros Phokas was a prominent general and later emperor of the Byzantine Empire, whose brilliant military exploits contributed to the resurgence of Byzantium as a great power during the 10th century. Cedrenus records that "Nicephorus, Nicephori imperatoris avus" campaigned in Sicily and for a brief time expelled "Saracenos" from Italy. He did this because church lands were not taxable, and Nikephoros wanted to increase the state’s tax income. Build your family tree online ; Share photos and videos ; Smart Matching™ technology ; Free! Empress of Nikephoros Phokas On March 15, 963, Emperor Romanos II died unexpectedly at the age of twenty-six. Leo VI lauds his military talents in his Tactica,[5] and he is credited with the invention of a weapon to counter cavalry during his campaign against the Bulgarians, consisting of a sharpened stake driven into the ground. Irene the Athenian (r. 797-802 CE) had been the first-ever woman to rule as Byzantine emperor in her own right. Marriage to Nikephoros II Phokas On March 15, 963, Emperor Romanos II died unexpectedly at the age of twenty-six. Theophanes Continuatus names "Barda et Leonis" as children of "Nicephorusàdux in Thracesiorum themate". In c. 886 he led a major expedition in southern Italy, where his victories laid the foundation for the Byzantine resurgence in the peninsula. The encounters between Nikephoros and Otto’s ambassador, Liudprand of Cremona, in Constantinople, who seemed to despise each other, speak to the dismal relations between the Holy Roman and Byzantine Empires. On December 10-11, 969 CE, John Tzimiskes, whom Nikephoros had placed under house arrest sometime after 965 CE, was hoisted into the palace by his co-conspirators, potentially with the support of Empress Theophano. In comparison, Theophano was known as a great beauty and interested in the finer things in life. Cyprus had been split between Byzantine and Arab rule for over two centuries, with the revenues from the island split equally between the two powers. 912-969. Nikephoros Phokas belonged to a Cappadocian family which had produced several distinguished generals, including Nikephoros' father (Bardas Phokas), uncle (Leo Phokas), and grandfather (Nikephoros Phokas the Elder), who had all served as commanders of the field army (domestikos tōn skholōn). His grandfather, father, and uncle were all high-ranking military officers, and Nikephoros was similarly raised to be a soldier and general. He then built a fortress to block off Antioch, one of the former greatest cities of the Byzantine Empire, before returning to Constantinople. Nikephoros Phokas was born around 912 and be­longed to a Cap­pado­cian Greek fam­ily which had pro­duced sev­eral dis­tin­guished gen­er­als, in­clud­ing Nikephoros' fa­ther Bar­das Phokas, brother Leo Phokas, and grand­fa­ther Nikephoros Phokas the Elder, who had all served as com­man­ders of the field army (do­mestikos tōn scholōn). Phokas or Phocas (Φωκᾶς), feminine form Phokaina (Greek: Φώκαινα), was the name of a Byzantine aristocratic clan from Cappadocia, which in the 9th and 10th centuries provided a series of high-ranking generals and an emperor, Nikephoros II Phokas (r. 963–969). Share your family tree and photos with the people you know and love. Nikephoros' father Bardas had fought against Sayf on multiple occasions but had failed to crush Sayf's forces. Nikēphoros II Phōkas, Emperor of the East, 912-969. Nikephoros II Phokas was Byzantine Emperor from 963 to 969. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. [6], Byzantium had been absent from the affairs of southern Italy for almost a century, but the accession of Basil the Macedonian changed this: from 868 on, the imperial fleet and diplomacy were employed in an effort to secure the Adriatic Sea from Saracen raids, re-establish Byzantine dominance over Dalmatia, and extend Byzantine control once more over parts of Italy. After Nikephoros … Nikephoros Phokas the Elder (Greek: Νικηφόρος Φωκᾶς, Nikēphoros Phōkas) (c. 830 – c. 896/900) was one of the most prominent Byzantine generals of the late 9th century, and the first important member of the Phokas family. Nikephoros II Phokas (Latinized: Nicephorus II Phocas; Νικηφόρος Β΄ Φωκᾶς, Nikēphóros II Phōkãs; c. 912 – 11 December 969) was Byzantine Emperor from 963 to 969. An Easter brawl broke out between Armenian soldiers and the Constantinopolitan citizens, and in the aftermath, several citizens were killed. On August 16, 963, Nikephoros II Phokas entered the city of Constantinople in triumph as its new emperor, acclaimed by the army, and just six years later was brutally assassinated on the evening of December 11, 969. Last modified July 06, 2018. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. Nikephoros Phokas was born around 912 and belonged to a Cappadocian Greek family which had produced several distinguished generals, including Nikephoros' father Bardas Phokas, brother Leo Phokas, and grandfather Nikephoros Phokas the Elder, who had all served as commanders of the field army (domestikos tōn scholōn). Following the conquest of Cyprus, Nikephoros conquered Cilicia and celebrated another triumph in Constantinople. 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