Bardas Phokas the Younger
Bardas Phokas | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Phocas |
| Born | c. 940 Cappadocia, Byzantine Empire (modern-day Turkey) |
| Died | April 13, 989 Abydos, Opsikion, Byzantine Empire (modern-day Çanakkale, Turkey) |
| Allegiance | Byzantine Empire |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Pankaleia |
Bardas Phokas (or Phocas) (Greek: Βάρδας Φωκᾶς) (c. 940–13 April 989) was an eminent Byzantine general who took a conspicuous part in three revolts for and against the ruling Macedonian dynasty.
First rebellion
Bardas was a scion of the
According to the historians, this man Bardas reminded people of his uncle, the emperor Nikephoros, for he was always wrapped in gloom, and watchful, capable of foreseeing all eventualities, of comprehending everything at a glance. Far from being ignorant of warlike manoeuvres, he was thoroughly versed in every type of siege warfare, every trick of ambush, every tactic of pitched battle. In the matter of physical prowess, moreover, Bardas was more energetic and virile than Sclerus. Any man who received a blow from his hand was dead straightway, and whole armies trembled even when he shouted from afar. — Michael Psellos, Chronographia.[1]
If his military career was quick to peak, it was even quicker to collapse. Upon his uncle's death in 969, Phokas and his family rebelled against the new emperor and their own cousin,
Phokas versus Skleros
In 978 Bardas was delivered from his prison cell by the eunuch
Second rebellion
While Constantine VIII was easily swayed by his advisers, his brother Basil II was apparently irked by their supremacy. Basil's energy showed that he was determined to take the administration into his own hands and personally control the army. His growing independence alarmed both Basil Lekapenos and Phokas. In 987 they entered into secret negotiations with their former enemy, Skleros, on the understanding that the empire would be partitioned if they succeeded in their revolt against the emperors.
In a campaign that curiously mimicked Skleros' revolt a decade earlier, Phokas proclaimed himself emperor and overran most of
After relegating his colleague Skleros to a prison, Phokas proceeded to lay siege to
The two armies were facing each other, when Phokas galloped forward, seeking personal combat with the Emperor who was riding in front of the lines. Just as he prepared to charge at Basil, however, Phokas suffered a seizure,[4] fell from his horse, and was found to be dead[5] (April 13, 989). His head was cut off and brought to Basil. This ended the rebellion.
Family
By his marriage to a cousin, one Adralestina, Bardas left two sons, Leo and Nikephoros (died 1022). His grandson and namesake, Bardas Phokas, was blinded by imperial authorities in 1025. It is believed that the Cretan family of the Phokades descends from him.
References
- ISBN 978-0-14-0441697.
- ISBN 978-0-14-044169-7.
- ^ The Earliest Mediaeval Churches of Kiev, Samuel H. Cross, H. V. Morgilevski and K. J. Conant, Speculum, Vol. 11, No. 4 (Oct., 1936), 479.
- ISBN 0-8047-2630-2.
- ^ One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Basil II.". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 3 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 468.
