Bardas Phocas

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bardas_Phokas_the_Younger

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phokas_(Byzantine_family)_

- http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/BYZANTIUM.htm#LeonPhokasB

2. BARDAS Fokas (-Abydos 13 Apr 989). Zonaras records that Emperor Ioannes Tzimiskes exiled "Leone curopalate et filio eius Nicephoro" to Lesbos and "alteri eius filio Bardæ" to "Amasia"[1375]. Cedrenus records that Emperor Ioannes demoted "Bardam Ducæ filium iuniorem, qui tum Chaldiæ et Coloniæ præerat" as "magistratu Amasiam"[1376]. Leo Diaconus names "Bardas Dux, Leonis curopalatæ filius, Nicephori Augusti ex fratre nepos" when recording his rebellion after the death of his uncle, supported by "Theodorum Bardam et Nicephorum patricios atque fratres…Bardæ ducis consobrini"[1377]. Psellos names Bardas Fokas as "nephew of the Emperor Nicephorus"[1378], but does not name his father. Zonaras records that "Bardas Phocas Leonis filius" left Amasia and occupied "Cæsaream Cappadociæ" but was deserted by his supporters, defeated by Bardas Skleros, sought refuge in "castellum Tyropæum", and was tonsured and sent to exile on the island of Khios[1379]. Bardas Fokas, appointed general by Emperor Basileios II in 976, defeated the revolt of Bardas Skleros[1380] 24 May 979 in the plain of Pankaleia near Amorium. Resentful of being sidelined by Basileios Lekapenos and Emperor Basileios II, Bardas Fokas rebelled and was acclaimed emperor by his troops 15 Aug 987 at Chresianus[1381], with the support of major land-owners in Asia Minor. Bardas Fokas agreed to partition the empire with the exiled Bardas Skleros, the agreement providing that Fokas would keep Constantinople and the European provinces while Skleros would take Asia Minor[1382]. However, Skleros rebelled against Fokas and proclaimed himself emperor at the same time, although he was captured by Fokas at Tyropaeum 14 Sep 987. Bardas Fokas approached Constantinople in early 988, but was defeated with the help of Emperor Basileios II's Kievan allies at Chrysopolis in summer 988 and at Abydos 13 Apr 989, where Bardas died, maybe from a heart attack. Psellos states that, during the battle, he "suddenly slipped from his saddle and was thrown to the ground", recording that different reports suggested that he was killed by the javelin-throwers, was overcome by the effects of a stomach disorder, or that he was poisoned[1383].

m ---. The name of Bardas Fokas's wife is not known. After her husband's death she released Bardas Skleros[1384]. Bardas Fokas & his wife had one child: