Nicephorus II - Revision history

Irlandos: /* Later campaigns */

2010-12-14T13:13:36Z

Later campaigns

Irlandos: /* External links */

2005-11-03T22:21:53Z

External links

Irlandos: /* Civil administration */

2005-11-03T22:21:34Z

Civil administration

Irlandos: /* Early exploits */

2005-11-03T22:19:50Z

Early exploits

Irlandos at 22:19, November 3, 2005

2005-11-03T22:19:23Z

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'''Nicephorus II Phocas''' was one of the most brilliant generals in the history of [[Byzantium]] who rose to become a mediocre [[Byzantine emperor|emperor]] in [[963]].

==Early exploits==

Nicephorus belonged to a [[Cappadocia]]n family which had produced several distinguished generals. He was born about [[912]], joined the army at an early age, and, under [[Constantine VII]], became commander on the eastern frontier. In the war with the Saracens he began with a severe defeat ([[956]]), which he retrieved in the years following by victories in Syria.

In [[960]] he led an expedition to [[Crete]], stormed [[Heraklion|Candia]] after a ten months' siege, and wrested the whole island from the Saracens. After receiving the unusual honours of a [[triumph]], he returned to the east with a large and well-equipped army. In the campaigns of [[962]]-[[963]] by brilliant strategy he forced his way through Cilicia into Syria and captured Aleppo, but made no permanent conquests. It was on these campaigns he earned the sobriquet "The Pale Death of the Saracens."

Upon the death of [[Romanus II]], he returned to [[Constantinople]] to defend himself against the intrigues of the minister [[Joseph Bringas]]. With the help of the regent [[Theophano (Byzantine Empress)|Theophano]] and the patriarch, he received supreme command of the eastern forces, and being proclaimed emperor by these marched upon the capital, where meanwhile his partisans had overthrown his enemy Bringas. Thanks to his popularity with the army, Nicephorus was crowned emperor by the side of Romanus's infant sons, and in spite of the patriarch's opposition married their mother, the regent Theophano.

==Later campaigns==

During his reign he continued to wage numerous wars. From [[964]]-[[966]] he definitely conquered Cilicia and again overran Mesopotamia and Syria, while the patrician [[Nicetas]] recovered [[Cyprus]]. In [[968]] he reduced most of the fortresses in Syria, and after the fall of Antioch and Aleppo ([[969]]), which were recaptured by his lieutenants, secured his conquests by a peace. On his northern frontier he began a war against the Bulgars, to whom the Byzantines had of late been paying tribute ([[967]]), and by instigating an attack from Svyatoslav I of Kiev, distracted their attention effectively.

Nicephorus was less successful in his western wars. After renouncing his tribute to the Fatimid caliphs, he sent an expedition to [[Sicily]] under Nicetas (964—[[965]]), but was forced by defeats on land and sea to evacuate that island completely. In 967 he made peace with the Saracens of Kairawan and turned to defend himself against their common enemy, [[Otto I]], who had proclaimed himself Western emperor and attacked the Byzantine possessions in Italy; but after some initial successes his generals were defeated and driven back upon the southern coast.

==Civil administration==

Owing to the care which he lavished upon the proper maintenance of the army, Nicephorus was compelled to exercise rigid economy in other departments. He retrenched the court largesses and curtailed the immunities of the clergy, and although himself of an ascetic disposition forbade the foundation of new monasteries.

By his heavy imposts and the debasement of the [[Byzantine currency|coinage]] he forfeited his popularity with the rest of the community, and gave rise to riots. Last of all, he was forsaken by his wife, and, in consequence of a conspiracy which she headed with his nephew and her lover [[Byzantine Emperor John I|John Tzimisces]], was assassinated in his sleeping apartment.

Nicephorus was the author of an extant treatise on military tactics which contains valuable information concerning the art of war in his time.

==External links==
{{Commons|Nicephorus II}}
*A more detailed profile of the Emperor: http://members.fortunecity.com/fstav1/emperors/niceph.html
*Nicephorus coinage: http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/byz/nicephorus_II/t.html

[[Category:912 births]]
[[Category:969 deaths]]
[[Category:Macedonian dynasty]]
[[Category:Byzantine emperors]]

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 During his reign he continued to wage numerous wars. From [[964]]-[[966]] he definitely conquered Cilicia and again overran Mesopotamia and Syria, while the patrician [[Nicetas]] recovered [[Cyprus]]. In [[968]] he reduced most of the fortresses in Syria, and after the fall of Antioch and Aleppo ([[969]]), which were recaptured by his lieutenants, secured his conquests by a peace. On his northern frontier he began a war against the Bulgars, to whom the Byzantines had of late been paying tribute ([[967]]), and by instigating an attack from  Svyatoslav I of Kiev, distracted their attention effectively.
-Nicephorus was less successful in his western wars. After renouncing his tribute to the Fatimid caliphs, he sent an expedition to [[Sicily]] under Nicetas (964&#8212;[[965]]), but was forced by defeats on land and sea to evacuate that island completely. In 967 he made peace with the Saracens of Kairawan and turned to defend himself against their common enemy, [[Otto I]], who had proclaimed himself Western emperor and attacked the Byzantine possessions in Italy; but after some initial successes his generals were defeated and driven back upon the southern coast.
+Nicephorus was less successful in his western wars. After renouncing his tribute to the Fatimid caliphs, he sent an expedition to [[Sicily]] under Nicetas (964&#8212;[[965]]), but was forced by defeats on land and sea to evacuate that island completely. In 967 he made peace with the Saracens of Kairawan and turned to defend himself against their common enemy, Otto I, who had proclaimed himself Western emperor and attacked the Byzantine possessions in Italy; but after some initial successes his generals were defeated and driven back upon the southern coast.
 ==Civil administration==

@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 ==External links==
-{{Commons|Nicephorus II}}
 *A more detailed profile of the Emperor: http://members.fortunecity.com/fstav1/emperors/niceph.html
 *Nicephorus coinage: http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/byz/nicephorus_II/t.html

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 Owing to the care which he lavished upon the proper maintenance of the army, Nicephorus was compelled to exercise rigid economy in other departments. He retrenched the court largesses and curtailed the immunities of the clergy, and although himself of an ascetic disposition forbade the foundation of new monasteries.
-By his heavy imposts and the debasement of the [[Byzantine currency|coinage]] he forfeited his popularity with the rest of the community, and gave rise to riots. Last of all, he was forsaken by his wife, and, in consequence of a conspiracy which she headed with his nephew and her lover [[Byzantine Emperor John I|John Tzimisces]], was assassinated in his sleeping apartment.
+By his heavy imposts and the debasement of the [[Byzantine currency|coinage]] he forfeited his popularity with the rest of the community, and gave rise to riots. Last of all, he was forsaken by his wife, and, in consequence of a conspiracy which she headed with his nephew and her lover [[John I Tzimisces|John Tzimisces]], was assassinated in his sleeping apartment.
 Nicephorus was the author of an extant treatise on military tactics which contains valuable information concerning the art of war in his time.

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 Nicephorus belonged to a [[Cappadocia]]n family which had produced several distinguished generals. He was born about [[912]], joined the army at an early age, and, under [[Constantine VII]], became commander on the eastern frontier. In the war with the Saracens he began with a severe defeat ([[956]]), which he retrieved in the years following by victories in Syria.
-In [[960]] he led an expedition to [[Crete]], stormed [[Heraklion|Candia]] after a ten months' siege, and wrested the whole island from the Saracens. After receiving the unusual honours of a [[triumph]], he returned to the east with a large and well-equipped army. In the campaigns of [[962]]-[[963]] by brilliant strategy he forced his way through Cilicia into Syria and captured Aleppo, but made no permanent conquests. It was on these campaigns he earned the sobriquet "The Pale Death of the Saracens."
+In [[960]] he led an expedition to [[Crete]], stormed [[Heraklion|Candia]] after a ten months' siege, and wrested the whole island from the Saracens. After receiving the unusual honours of a triumph, he returned to the east with a large and well-equipped army. In the campaigns of [[962]]-[[963]] by brilliant strategy he forced his way through Cilicia into Syria and captured Aleppo, but made no permanent conquests. It was on these campaigns he earned the sobriquet "The Pale Death of the Saracens."
 Upon the death of [[Romanus II]], he returned to [[Constantinople]] to defend himself against the intrigues of the minister [[Joseph Bringas]]. With the help of the regent [[Theophano (Byzantine Empress)|Theophano]] and the patriarch, he received supreme command of the eastern forces, and being proclaimed emperor by these marched upon the capital, where meanwhile his partisans had overthrown his enemy Bringas. Thanks to his popularity with the army, Nicephorus was crowned emperor by the side of Romanus's infant sons, and in spite of the patriarch's opposition married their mother, the regent Theophano.