Τόπος και Χρόνος Γέννησης Around 855 (?) Τόπος και Χρόνος Θανάτου , Constantinople (?) Κύρια Ιδιότητα Military official, strategos

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1 Περίληψη : Nikephoros Phokas the Old, grandfather of the emperor with the name ( ), laid the foundations of the rise to power of the entire Phokas family, who gained glory for their military successes against the Arabs. Τόπος και Χρόνος Γέννησης Around 855 (?) Τόπος και Χρόνος Θανάτου , Constantinople (?) Κύρια Ιδιότητα Military official, strategos 1. Birth - Family background Nikephoros Phokas was the son of the primogenitor of the Phokas family, who is only known by the name Phokas and gave this name to his son and successors as a surname. The family came from Cappadocia, even though the historian Michael Attaleiates, referring to the Phokas family, claims that they were descended from the Roman Fabii, some of whom are said to have followed Constantine I to the new capital in Constantinople. This theory, however, is in all probability fabricated in order to give an aristocratic background to the Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas. 1 Nikephoros father (the man simply named Phokas) was a low-rank official in the eastern frontier of the Empire. It is not known whether Nikephoros had any brothers or sisters. We know that he had two sons, who later became domestikoi ton scoholon; they were Leo and Bardas Phokas. He was also the grandfather of the future Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas ( ). The epithet Old is given to him to distinguish him from his grandson, who had the same name. 2. Career Nikephoros career was predefined by his social roots, the class in which he belonged and his father s profession. Like his father, Nikephoros was a soldier and a military officer in the eastern frontier. His social and military success was connected to his father s career during the reign of the Emperor Basil I ( ). It was around the time that the father Phokas became tourmarch, that the emperor also bestowed upon Nikephoros an office at the court. So, Nikephoros Phokas entered the inner circle of the emperor and his activities were directly connected to the emperor and his protection. This office meant that the emperor had singled out Nikephoros Phokas the Old despite his very early age. This was the beginning of a gradual ascension of Nikephoros to higher offices. Around the same time, or shortly afterwards (872/873), he received the title of maglavites. It is assumed that Nikephoros Phokas the Old joined the Emperor Basil I in his campaign in Samosata (873), when he received his first titles. The young Nikephoros soon owned his own palace in Constantinople, near the temple of St Thekla. 2 Later on, during the reign of Basil I and before 878, 3 Nikephoros Phokas was honoured with the title of protostrator and became strategos of the theme of Charsianon. In the second half of 885, Basil I sent Nikephoros to Southern Italy and Sicily as the commander of the whole Byzantine army in the area, as monostrategosof the western themes, Thrace, Macedonia, Kephalonia, Longobardia and Calabria. Nikephoros successfully fought there and restored some of the cities captured by the Arabs. When Leo VI became emperor ( ), Nikephoros Phokas the Old was ordered to return to Constantinople. After returning to the capital, and as a reward for his success in southern Italy and Sicily, Leo VI presented him with the title of patrikios and made him domestikos ton scholon. The precise date of these events Δημιουργήθηκε στις 9/7/2017 Σελίδα 1/5

2 cannot be ascertained. Nikephoros probably became domestikos ton scholon after his return to Constantinople, because his predecessor is mentioned for the last time in 886, at the affair of the removal of the Patriarch Photios from the throne. 4 After his return to Constantinople, around 886, Nikephoros Phokas trail is lost until 894, when Byzantium is in conflict with the Bulgarian ruler Simeon. At the time, Nikephoros was in Asia Minor, fighting against the Arabs. During this whole period, it can be assumed that Nikephoros Phokas continued to hold the office of the domestikos ton scholon, the main commander of the army after the Emperor himself. This shows that Leo VI, as his father Basil I, had great respect for Phokas. The war between Simeon and Byzantium broke out in 894, but most probably Nikephoros was not called to the Balkans right away, since the hostilities in the eastern frontiers were still continued at the time. The next year, however, there was a truce at the Arab frontier and Nikephoros Phokas, as the domestikos ton scholon, was able to return to European soil. Byzantium, with its clever diplomatic tactics, had called upon the Hungarians to attack Simeon from the north, while Leo VI was sending his fleet to the Danube and the army from the land through Thrace. Commander of these troops was Nikephoros Phokas, who conquered territories in the southern Bulgarian borders, while the imperial fleet blocked the mouth of the Danube. 5 The Byzantine success forced Simeon to sign a truce. This is the last known occurrence in the life of Nikephoros Phokas the Old. 3. Theories about his death There are two versions concerning the death of Nikephoros Phokas the Old. The oldest and more reliable claims that shortly after that expedition and definitely before the next conflict with Simeon in 896 (so between 895 and 896), Nikephoros died. According to this theory, his death encouraged Simeon to resume the war against the Byzantines. In the second version, narrated by John Skylitzes, Nikephoros was replaced in his office of domestikos ton scholon and became strategos of the theme of Thrakesion (after the encouragement of Basil I s father in law, Stylianos Zaouzis). According to this second theory, Nikephoros died around 900, still fighting the Arabs. 6 We believe that the first version, which says that Nikephoros died holding the title of domestikos ton scholon in 895 or 896 lies closer to the truth. His successful military career ensured the success of the following generations of the entire Phokas family. His sons, Vardas and Leo, were also leaders of the army, while his grandson Nikephoros was proclaimed emperor and surpassed the glory of his namesake with his military successes. 1. Bekker, I. (ed.), Michael Attaliotae, Historia (Bonnae 1853), p See also Kazhdan, A., The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium 3 [entry Phokas (Φωκᾶς)], pp According to Grégoire, the palace of Nikephoros Phokas could be identified as the Tekfur Serai, near the temple of St Thekla ( of the Blachernai palace ), founded by Thekla, firstborn daughter of the Emperor Theophilos ( ). See Grégoire, H., La carrière du premier Nicéphore Phocas, in Mélanges St. Kyriakidès, suppl. 4 (1953), pp Djurić, I., Porodica Foka (La famille des Phokas), Zbornik radova Vizantoloskog instituta 17 (1976), p Cheynet, J.- Cl., Appendice : Les Phocas, in Dagron, G. Mihaescu, H. (ed.), Le traité sur la guérila (De velitatione) de l empereur Nicéphore Phocas ( ) (Paris 1986), p Σκυλίτζης, VΙ, 12, 28-56, in Thurn, J. (ed.), Ioannes Scylitzes, Synopsis historiarum (Corpus Fontium Historiae Byzantinae, Series Berolinensis 5, Berlin - New York 1973), pp Σκυλίτζης, VΙ, 13, 1-10, in Thurn, J. (ed.), Ioannes Scylitzes, Synopsis historiarum (Corpus Fontium Historiae Byzantinae, Series Berolinensis 5, Berlin - New York 1973), p Δημιουργήθηκε στις 9/7/2017 Σελίδα 2/5

3 Βιβλιογραφία : Ιωάννης Σκυλίτζης, Σύνοψις Ιστοριών, Thurn, I. (ed.), Ioannis Skylitzae Synopsis Historiarum, Corpus Fontium Historiae Byzantinae 5, Berlin New York 1973 Μιχαήλ Ατταλειάτης, Ιστορία, Bekker, I. (ed.), Michaelis Attaliotae Historia, Corpus Scriptorum Historiae Byzantinae, Bonn 1853 Ιωάννης Ζωναράς, Επιτομή Ιστοριών, Büttner-Wobst, T. (ed.), Ioannis Zonarae epitomae historiarum libri XVIII 1-3, Corpus Scriptorum Historiae Byzantinae, Bonn Συνεχισταί Θεοφάνους, Χρονογραφία συγγραφείσα εκ προστάγματος Κωνσταντίνου του φιλοχρίστου και πορφυρογεννήτου δεσπότου, Bekker, I. (ed.), Theophanes Continuatus, Joannes Cameniata, Symeon Magister, Georgius Monachus, Corpus Scriptorum Historiae Byzantinae, Bonn 1838 Schlumberger G., Un empereur byzantin au Xe siècle: Nicéphore Phocas, Paris 1925 Djurić I., "Porodica Foka", Zbornik Radova Vizantoloskog Instituta, 17, 1976, Grégoire H., "Études sur l'épopée byzantine", Revue des études grecques, 46, 1933, Grégoire H., "La carrière du premier Nicéphore Phocas", Προσφορά εις Σίλπωνα Π. Κυριακίδην, Αθήνα 1953, Ελληνικά, Παράρτημα 4, Περί παραδρομής πολέμου, Dagron, G. Mihaescu, H. (eds), Le traité sur la guérila (De velitatione) de l empereur Nicéphore Phocas ( ), Paris 1986 Λέων Γραμματικός, Χρονογραφία, Bekker, Ι. (επιμ.), Leonis Grammatici Chronographia, Corpus scriptorum historiae Byzantinae, Bonn 1842 Dennis G.T., Three Byzantine Military Treatises, Washington D.C Γλωσσάριo : domestikos ton scholon Commander of the regiment of scholae. The first officer with this title appears in 767/8. In the 10th C the domesticos became very powerful among the army of the themata; in mid-10th C the office was divided in two, domestikoi ton scholon of the East and those of the West, commanders in chief of the eastern and the western provinces army respectively. maglavites A member of the imperial guard, armed with the «maglavion» (a kind of staff), a sword and a double axe. Maglavites eventually became a simple honorary title rather than an actual office. monostrategos A term used in Byzantine sources to denote a theme's general when the latter, apart from leading his own troops, also took command of neighbouring themes, either to better organise defence in a broad front or to conduct offensive operations under a unified command. patrikios (from lat. patricius) Higher title of honour, placed, according to the "Tactika" of the 9th and the 10th centuries, between anthypatos and protospatharios. It was given to the most important governors and generals. Gradually, however, it fell into disuse and from the 12th century did not exist any more. protostrator Δημιουργήθηκε στις 9/7/2017 Σελίδα 3/5

4 A Byzantine military office, accorded to the chief of imperial stratores or hippokomoi («grooms»). The title is first mentionned in the 8th century. In the 9th and 10th century, his major duty was to accompany the Emperor while on horseback. In the 12th century he was one of the highest officials of the Byzantine court and he also commanded troops. strategos ("general") During the Roman period his duties were mainly political. Οffice of the Byzantine state s provincial administration. At first the title was given to the military and political administrator of the themes, namely of the big geographic and administrative unities of the Byzantine empire. Gradually the title lost its power and, already in the 11th century, strategoi were turned to simple commanders of military units, responsible for the defence of a region. Πηγές Cheynet, J. Cl., Appendice : Les Phocas, in Dagron, G. Mihaescu, H. (eds.), Le traité sur la guérila (De velitatione) de l empereur Nicéphore Phocas ( ) (Paris 1986). Dennis, G. T. (ed.), Three Byzantine Military Treatises (Washington D.C. 1985). Thurn, J. (ed.), Ioannes Scylitzes, Synopsis historiarum (Corpus Fontium Historiae Byzantinae, Series Berolinensis 5, Berlin New York 1973). Büttner Wobst, Th. (ed.), Ioannis Zonarae Epitome historiarum (Bonnae 1897). Bekker, I. (ed.), Leonis Grammatici Chronographia (Corpus Scriptorum Historiae Byzantinae, Bonnae 1842). Bekker, I. (ed.), Michael Attaliotae Historia (Bonnae 1853). Bekker, I. (ed.), Theophanii Continuati Chronographia (Corpus Scriptorum Historiae Byzantinae, Bonnae 1838). Παραθέματα On the descent of the Phokas family: [...] τοὺς ἀξιολόγους τῶν εὐπατριδῶν καὶ τιμίων ἐν ταύτῃ τῇ νέᾳ Ῥώμῃ μεθ ἑαυτοῦ παραλαβὼν [ο Κωνσταντίνος] μετῴκισέ τε καὶ συμπολίτας ἑαυτοῦ ἀπειργάσατο, λαμπρὰς οἰκίας τούτοις ἐπιδειμάμενος κατὰ τὴν ἐμφέρειαν τῶν ἐν τῇ παλαιᾷ Ῥώμῃ πολυτελῶς κατεσκευασμένων οἴκων. ἐκ τούτων οὖν, ὡς ὁ λόγος αἱρεῖ καὶ ἡ τοῦ γένους ἀναφορὰ περιάγει, οἱ Φωκάδες αὐτοὶ καταγόμενοι τήν τε περιφάνειαν ἄνωθεν ἔσχον καὶ τὸ τῆς ἀνδρίας ἀλκιμώτατον καὶ ανύποιστον, ἐκ τῶν ὀνομαστῶν ἐκείνων Φαβίων, ὥς που διὰ βίβλου τινὸς παλαιᾶς ἐχειραγωγήθην ποτέ, τὴν ἀρχὴν τοῦ γένους ἐφέλκοντες. Μιχαήλ Ατταλειάτης, Ιστορία, Bekker, I. (ed.), Michael Attaliotae, Historia (Bonnae 1853), p The last years of Nikephoros Phokas the Old according to Scylitzes: Ἐξόχως δὲ τὸν δομέστικον Νικηφόρον τὸν Φωκᾶν ὑπὸ τοῦ βασιλέως ἀγαπώμενον ὁ βασιλεοπάτωρ Ζαουτζᾶς γαμβρὸν ἐσπούδαζε ποιῆσαι. ἀπαναινομένου δὲ πρὸς τοῦτο καὶ ὀργὴν ὑποπτεύοντος ἐκ βασιλέως θυμωθεὶς ὁ Ζαουτζᾶς καὶ αἰτίας κατ αὐτοῦ ῥάψας παρέλυσε τοῦτον τῆς ἀρχῆς. προβαλλόμενος δὲ ἀντ αυτοῦ Κατακαλὼν μάγιστρον τὸν Ἀβίδηλαν. ἐπ ὀλίγον δὲ σχολάσας ὁ Νικηφόρος στρατηγὸς τῶν Θρᾳκησίων προβάλλεται. ἀριστείας δὲ πολλὰς ἐν πάσαις ταῖς αὐτοῦ ἀρχαῖς διαπραξάμενος καὶ πολλὰ κατὰ τῶν Ἀγαρηνῶν καὶ ἄλλων ἐθνῶν στήσας τρόπαια τελευτᾷ τὸ βίον ἐν γήρει βαθεῖ, δύο παῖδας καταλιπὼν, Βάρδαν καὶ Λέοντα. Σκυλίτζης, VΙ, 13, 1 10, Thurn, J. (ed.), Ioannes Scylitzes, Synoposis historiarum (Corpus Fontium Historiae Byzantinae, Series Berolinensis 5, Berlin New York 1973), p Χρονολόγιο ca 855 (?): Nikephoros Phokas the Old is born in Cappadocia (?) Δημιουργήθηκε στις 9/7/2017 Σελίδα 4/5

5 : Becomes a courtier of Basil I and receives the title of maglavites 873: Accompanies the Emperor Basil I to the campaign of Samosata. Receives land in Constantinople, where he builds his house. Before 878 (?): Receives the title of protostrator. 878 (?), definitely before 885: Nikephoros becomes strategos of the theme of Charsianon. Second half of 885: The Emperor Basil I appoints him monostrategos of the western themes in Italy, where he has many military succeses. After 887: Return to Constantinople. Receives the title of patrikios from the Emperor Leo VI and becomes domestikos ton scholon 895: Nikephoros is at the head of the army against Simeon of Bulgaria. Manages to prevent actual battle. Last mention of Nikephoros in the sources. Δημιουργήθηκε στις 9/7/2017 Σελίδα 5/5