NICEPHORUS II PHOCAS (963-969).Constantinople.Miliaresion.

Obv : + IhSVS XRI-STVS nICA *.
Cross crosslet set on globus above two steps; in central medallion, crowned bust of Nicephorus facing.

Rev : + nICHF´ / En X·W AVTO/CRAT´ EVSEb´ / bASILEVS / RWmAIW´.
Legend in five lines.
Sear 1781.

Condition : The coin has a well-preserved surface with a noticeable patina, giving it a light silvery appearance. There are some areas of darkening, likely due to natural oxidation over time. The overall condition shows minimal wear, with most of the details in the design and lettering still visible and clear. The patina suggests a stable environment of preservation, enhancing the coin’s historic charm.Good very fine.

Material : Silver.
Axis : 12h

Weight : 2.69 gr
Diameter : 23 mm

Nicephorus II Phocas, born in 912 AD, was a Byzantine emperor who ruled from 963 to 969 AD. A brilliant military commander before ascending the throne, he is best remembered for his significant military campaigns against the Arabs and his efforts to restore Byzantine authority over vast territories in the eastern Mediterranean. His reign was marked by both military success and internal turmoil, as well as by a dramatic and tragic end that saw him assassinated in a palace conspiracy.

Nicephorus was born into the powerful and aristocratic Phocas family, which had a long history of military service to the Byzantine Empire. His father, Bardas Phocas, was a celebrated general, and Nicephorus followed in his footsteps, joining the Byzantine army at a young age. He quickly earned a reputation as an exceptional military leader due to his tactical genius and bravery in battle.

During the early part of his career, Nicephorus distinguished himself in campaigns against the Arabs, who had long posed a threat to the eastern borders of the Byzantine Empire. In the mid-10th century, the Byzantine Empire faced the continued pressure of Muslim powers, particularly in Syria, Anatolia, and the islands of the Mediterranean. Nicephorus was instrumental in reversing these losses.

He was appointed Domestic of the Schools (commander of the eastern Byzantine armies) in 954 AD by Emperor Constantine VII, which gave him command over the empire’s eastern front. In this role, he embarked on a series of highly successful campaigns that significantly expanded Byzantine territory. His most famous victories came during the reconquest of Crete in 961 AD and his campaigns in Cilicia and Syria.

Conquest of Crete (961 AD) The island of Crete had been in Arab hands for over a century and was a strategic base for Muslim raids in the Aegean and Mediterranean. Under Nicephorus's command, the Byzantine forces launched a successful naval invasion, capturing the island and restoring it to Byzantine control. This was a major victory for the empire and solidified Nicephorus’s reputation as one of Byzantium’s greatest generals.

Campaigns in Cilicia and Syria, following the success in Crete, Nicephorus turned his attention to Cilicia and Syria, where he achieved stunning victories over the Arab forces. He captured key cities like Tarsus, Aleppo, and Antioch, greatly weakening Muslim control over the region. His campaigns in Syria, particularly the capture of Aleppo in 962 AD, made him a hero in Constantinople and increased his popularity within the army and among the people.

In 963 AD, Emperor Romanos II died unexpectedly, leaving his young sons, Basil II and Constantine VIII, as heirs to the throne. Given their youth, power in Constantinople was contested by various factions within the court. The army, which strongly supported Nicephorus due to his military successes, played a crucial role in the political power struggle.

With the backing of the military and the influential court eunuch Joseph Bringas, Nicephorus marched on Constantinople, where he was crowned emperor on August 16, 963, after marrying Romanos II’s widow, Theophano, who was rumored to have played a part in Romanos’s death. This marriage helped solidify his claim to the throne and gave him legitimacy as the stepfather of the young heirs.

As emperor, Nicephorus II Phocas continued his military campaigns, expanding the empire’s borders and fortifying its defenses. His reign is best known for its focus on military matters, including the consolidation of Byzantine control in the eastern Mediterranean and the defense of the empire against both external and internal threats.

Military Campaigns: After becoming emperor, Nicephorus resumed his military campaigns in the east. His greatest success came in Cilicia and northern Syria, where he secured key victories that allowed the Byzantines to reclaim territories lost centuries earlier to Arab invaders. His strategic use of military fortifications helped to secure the empire’s borders, and he strengthened the Byzantine presence in Mesopotamia. However, his attempts to expand into southern Italy and Bulgaria were less successful, with the Bulgarian campaign in particular leading to long-term conflicts with the Bulgarian Empire.

Naval Power and Defense: Nicephorus placed great emphasis on naval power, understanding the importance of controlling the sea routes for trade and defense. He worked to rebuild and strengthen the Byzantine navy, which helped secure key islands in the Mediterranean and ensure the empire's dominance in the region.

Domestic Policies and Religious Relations: Although he was a successful military leader, Nicephorus II’s domestic policies were less popular. He was known for his austerity measures, which were designed to replenish the empire's coffers after years of military expenditure. These measures, which included heavy taxation and the confiscation of church lands to fund the army, earned him the enmity of the clergy and many nobles. His strained relations with the Orthodox Church were further complicated by his ascetic personal lifestyle and his advocacy of monastic reforms, which clashed with the interests of the church hierarchy.

Despite his military successes, Nicephorus II Phocas became increasingly unpopular with the Byzantine aristocracy, the church, and even members of his own family. His austere lifestyle and strict policies alienated many powerful factions within the court, and his marriage to Theophano was also a source of tension.

In 969 AD, Nicephorus was betrayed by his wife, Theophano, and his nephew, John I Tzimiskes, who conspired to overthrow him. On the night of December 10, 969, John Tzimiskes, with the help of Theophano, infiltrated the imperial palace and assassinated Nicephorus while he slept. John I Tzimiskes then ascended to the throne, becoming the new emperor.

Nicephorus’s assassination marked a sudden and violent end to his reign. Though his rule was short-lived, his military accomplishments had a lasting impact on the Byzantine Empire. His campaigns greatly expanded the empire's eastern borders and secured important strategic regions, particularly in Syria and Cilicia. However, his reign also highlighted the difficulties of balancing military success with internal governance, especially in a court filled with intrigue and betrayal.

Nicephorus II Phocas is remembered as one of the great military emperors of Byzantine history. His achievements on the battlefield helped restore Byzantine prestige and secure territories that had been lost to the Arab caliphates for centuries. His reforms in the army and the navy also strengthened the empire's defenses, laying the groundwork for future Byzantine successes under his successors.

However, his legacy is also marked by the internal discord of his reign, which ultimately led to his downfall. His assassination underscores the fragile nature of power in the Byzantine court, where military success was not always enough to ensure political stability.

In conclusion, Nicephorus II Phocas was a brilliant military leader whose reign was defined by both remarkable military victories and internal political challenges. His conquests in the eastern Mediterranean significantly expanded the Byzantine Empire, but his strict policies and eventual assassination reflect the complex and often dangerous world of Byzantine politics. Despite his tragic end, his military achievements left a lasting mark on the empire and secured his place in history as one of Byzantium’s most formidable warrior-emperors.