# Nikephoros II Phokas

> Byzantine emperor from 963 to 969

**Wikidata**: [Q41625](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q41625)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikephoros_II_Phokas)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nikephoros-ii-phokas

## Summary
Nikephoros II Phokas was a Byzantine emperor who ruled from 963 to 969. He is known for his military leadership and efforts to restore Byzantine territorial and military strength, particularly in the eastern provinces.

## Biography
- Born: c. 912
- Nationality: Byzantine Empire
- Education: Not specified
- Known for: Military campaigns and reign as Byzantine emperor
- Employer(s): Byzantine Empire
- Field(s): Military, Politics

## Contributions
Nikephoros II Phokas contributed to the military and political landscape of the Byzantine Empire through:
- Leading successful military campaigns against Arab forces, notably in Crete and Syria
- Strengthening the empire's defenses and reclaiming lost territories
- His rule from 963 to 969, during which he focused on military discipline and state consolidation

## FAQs
### Who was Nikephoros II Phokas?
Nikephoros II Phokas was the Byzantine emperor from 963 to 969. He was a distinguished military commander before ascending to the throne and focused on restoring imperial strength through warfare and administrative reforms.

### What is Nikephoros II Phokas known for?
He is known for his military leadership, particularly in campaigns against the Arab forces, and for his reign during which he sought to reassert Byzantine power in the eastern Mediterranean.

### When did Nikephoros II Phokas live?
He was born around 912 and died in December 969.

### What was his role in the Byzantine Empire?
He served as a military commander and later as emperor, leading campaigns that reclaimed key territories and strengthened the empire's military posture.

## Why They Matter
Nikephoros II Phokas matters for his role in revitalizing the Byzantine military and expanding its influence in the 10th century. His leadership helped secure key victories that contributed to the empire's stability and resurgence during a period of external threats. His reign marked a return to traditional military values and imperial assertiveness, influencing the empire's strategic direction during the Middle Byzantine period.

## Notable For
- Reigning as Byzantine emperor from 963 to 969
- Leading successful military campaigns in Crete and the Levant
- Restoring Byzantine military prestige and territorial control
- Emphasis on military discipline and imperial austerity
- Being a member of the Phokas military family, known for producing strong commanders

## Body

### Early Life and Background
Nikephoros II Phokas was born into the prominent Byzantine military family of Phokas, which had a tradition of producing distinguished generals. His early life was shaped by this military heritage, preparing him for a career in the armed forces of the Byzantine Empire.

### Military Career
Before becoming emperor, Phokas gained prominence as a general. He led several critical military operations, including:
- The successful siege and recapture of Crete from Arab forces in 961, which ended Muslim control over the island
- Campaigns in Cilicia and Syria, where he secured key victories that reestablished Byzantine influence in the region

His military acumen earned him significant respect and positioned him as a strong candidate for imperial leadership.

### Rise to Power
In 963, following the death of Emperor Romanos II, Nikephoros II Phokas was proclaimed emperor. He married Theophano, the late emperor's widow, to legitimize his claim to the throne. His ascension was supported by the powerful general Nicephorus Phocas, his own namesake, and the broader military establishment.

### Reign and Policies
As emperor, Nikephoros II Phocas prioritized:
- Military reform and discipline
- Reduction of court expenditures to fund military campaigns
- Reassertion of imperial authority in the eastern provinces

His reign emphasized austerity and a return to traditional Byzantine values, focusing on strengthening the empire's defenses and expanding its territorial holdings.

### Conflicts and Campaigns
During his rule, Phokas continued his military efforts:
- He conducted campaigns in the East, particularly against the Hamdanid dynasty
- He reinforced Byzantine positions in regions previously lost to Arab forces
- His leadership in battle contributed to a renewed sense of imperial strength

### Death and Legacy
Nikephoros II Phocas was assassinated in December 969 in a conspiracy involving members of his own court, including his wife Theophano and the general John Tzimiskes. His death ended a period of military-driven governance and shifted the empire's direction under new leadership.

### Historical Significance
Nikephoros II Phocas is remembered as a warrior-emperor who embodied the military ethos of the Byzantine Empire. His reign marked a pivotal moment in the empire's history, where military success and administrative rigor were prioritized. His influence extended beyond his lifetime, shaping the strategies of future emperors and contributing to the empire's resilience in the face of external threats.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/413989/Nicephorus-II-Phocas)
2. [Source](http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cousin/html/p325.htm)
3. [Source](http://asiaminor.ehw.gr/forms/fLemmaBodyExtended.aspx?lemmaID=8634)
4. [Source](http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=3894)
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. The Peerage
7. [Source](http://www.heritage-history.com/?c=read&author=oman&book=byzantine&story=glory)
8. [Source](http://www.emg.gr/asiaminor/forms/fLemmaBodyExtended.aspx?lemmaID=10110)
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. CiNii Research
11. BnF authorities
12. Integrated Authority File
13. SNAC
14. [Encyclopædia Britannica Online](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nicephorus-II-Phocas)
15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
16. IdRef
17. CERL Thesaurus
18. HMML Authority File