Origins & Early Life

Nikephoros II Phokas (Greek: Νικηφόρος Φωκᾶς, romanized: Nikēphóros Phōkâs; c. 912 – 11 December 969), Latinized Nicephorus II Phocas, was Byzantine emperor from 963 to 969. His career, not uniformly successful in matters of statecraft or of war, nonetheless greatly contributed to the resurgence of the Byzantine Empire during the 10th century. In the east, Nikephoros completed the conquest of Cilicia and retook the islands of Crete and Cyprus, opening the path for subsequent Byzantine incursions reaching as far as Upper Mesopotamia and the Levant; these campaigns earned him the sobriquet "pale death of the Saracens." Nikephoros Phokas was born around 912.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

From his paternal side, he belonged to the Phokas family which had produced several distinguished generals, including Nikephoros's 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). From his maternal side he belonged to the Maleinoi, a powerful Anatolian Greek family which had settled in Cappadocia. Early in his life, Nikephoros had married Stephano. She died, and after her death, he took an oath...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Oleg the Wise — Contemporary (Died in 912) (912): Varangian prince who founded the state of Kievan Rus' from Novgorod.
• Otto the Great — Contemporary (Born in 912) (912): Holy Roman Emperor who unified Germany and defeated the Magyars, establishing the Ottonian dynasty.
• Zhu Wen — Contemporary (Died in 912) (912): Warlord who overthrew the Tang Dynasty and founded the Later Liang Dynasty.
• Olga of Kiev — Contemporary (Died in 969) (969): Regent of Kievan Rus' and Orthodox saint, known for her conversion and rule.
• Junayd of Baghdad — Contemporary figure (Died in 911) (911): Foundational Sufi mystic and scholar who advocated for orthodox practice in early Islam.
• Fernán González of Castile — Contemporary figure (Born in 910) (910): Founder of the autonomous County of Castile, laying foundations for an independent kingdom.
• Ingólfr Arnarson — Contemporary figure (Died in 910) (910): Norse explorer credited as the first Icelander settler in the 9th century.
• Yunmen Wenyan — Contemporary figure (Died in 909) (909): A pivotal Chan Buddhist master of the Tang Dynasty, founder of the Yunmen school.
• Budai — Contemporary figure (Died in 916) (916): A revered figure in East Asian Buddhism, known as the Laughing Buddha.
• Boris I of Bulgaria — Contemporary figure (Died in 907) (907): Knyaz of the First Bulgarian Empire, pivotal in Christianization and Slavic culture.
• 912 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 912
• 969 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 969