In December 944, Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus managed to get rid of Romanos I Lekapinos, who had managed its fortunes Roman Empire as co-emperor from 920 and had largely sidelined the rightful master of power. The overthrow of the mighty Lekapinos was done with the help of his sons, Konstantinos and Stefanos, who were eager to replace him at the top of the power in Constantinople. Not even they themselves expected, however, that a year later, in 945, they too would follow their father into exile. The road to the monarchy of Constantine VII was now open.
The period of the monarchy of Constantine VII was just as fertile and creative as that of Romanus I. Constantine VII is often underestimated as an emperor, regarded more as an intellectual than a competent ruler. In the military field, he managed to fend off the external enemies of his empire and expand its borders, while on the domestic front he tried to strengthen the weaker sections of society with a series of laws. His strong ally was the Fokades family, which had competitive relations with the Lekapina family.
When Constantine VII died in 959, aged 54, he was succeeded on the throne by his son Romanus II, for whose education as emperor he had arranged for the work to be compiled To his own son, Roman. Romanos II maintained his father’s policy of entrusting the leadership of the army to the Phokadians. The Phokades did not disappoint him. THE Nikiforos Phokas was the one who led the Byzantine forces in the recapture of Crete in 961, after 130 years of Arab rule. A year later and after fierce battles, Phokas also recaptured Aleppo in Syria. These victories gave the Byzantine troops the impetus to launch their great counteroffensive against the Arabs, which lasted more than half a century.
In July 963 the army declared Nikephoros Phokas emperor.
Roman II, however, was not to live long enough to leave behind a great work as emperor. He died prematurely in March 963, leaving as his successors his two underage porphyry sons, Basil II and Constantine VIII. The power vacuum in the empire was quickly filled, when in July 963 the army declared Nicephorus Phocas emperor. A month later, Nicephorus II married the widow of Romanus II, Theophano, legitimizing his power. According to available sources, he did not attempt to overthrow the legitimate successors of his predecessoras he promised it to their mother.
Nikephoros II was a pious, very religious man. His experiences on the battlefields had not altered his character. He admired the ascetic life and tried to practice it as much as possible, since he had to be constantly on the war fronts. He was a friend of Saint Athanasios the Athonite, whom he helped to create the monastery of the Great Lavra in Mount Athos.
During his Authority he recovered Cyprus and Antioch.
He continued the policy of his predecessors, seeking to bring back under Byzantine control the lands conquered by the Arabs. During his Authority he recovered Cyprus and Antioch. He appointed his nephew, Ioannis Tzimiski, as well as other members of his family to key positions in the state apparatus. This, of course, caused the concern of Theophanos, who was afraid that her sons would be ousted from the throne. Theofano also resented Nikiforos’ ascetic lifestyle.
Then one appeared court conspiracy led by Theofano and Ioannis Tzimiski for the overthrow of Nikiforos. The conspiracy was supported by various officials who were dissatisfied with the emperor’s rule. On the night of the 10th to the 11th of December 969 the conspirators entered the houses of Nikephoros with the intention of murdering him. At first they were puzzled, as he was not in his bed. When they searched the place, however, they found Nikephoros sleeping on the floora habit he had acquired during his many campaigns. He was then murdered in a brutal and merciless manner, unbecoming of one of the most militarily capable emperors. Tzimiskis, a very capable militarily and politically insightful emperor, then ascended the throne.
Column editor: Myrto Katsigera, Vassilis Minakakis, Antigoni-Despina Poimenidou, Athanasios Syroplakis
