Description
Book SynopsisIn The Rise and Fall of Nikephoros II Phokas, Denis Sullivan presents five Byzantine Greek texts that document the remarkable career of Nikephoros II Phokas, emperor from 963 until his death in 969. The first three texts are historical chronicles covering the period 944-963, which sees Nikephoras’ rise from military general. The fourth is a “historical epic” poem on the successful Byzantine expedition against Arab Crete in 960-961, for which Nikephoros was the field commander. The last text is a liturgical office that declares the slain emperor a martyr and a saint. These texts, translated into English for the first time, provide information on the Phokades that is not found elsewhere in the Greek sources, and the chronicles appear to reflect now lost pro-Phokan family sources.
Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction to the Three Chronicles: Theophanes Continuatus, Symeon the Logothete, and Pseudo-Symeon Text 1: Theophanes Continuatus Book 6, Years 944–961 Text and Translation Text 2: The Revised Chronicle of Symeon the Logothete for the Years 948–963 from Vat. gr. 163 and the Interpolations on Nikephoros the Elder from Vat. gr. 153 Text and Translations a The Revised Chronicle of Symeon the Logothete for the Years 948–963 from Vat. gr. 163 b The Revised Chronicle of Symeon the Logothete: Interpolations on Nikephoros the Elder from Vat. gr. 153 Text 3: The Chronicle of Pseudo-Symeon for the Years 944–962 Text and Translation Text 4: The Capture of Crete, by Theodosios the Deacon Introduction Text and Translation Text 5: Akolouthia for St Nikephoros Phokas Introduction Text and Translation Glossary Bibliography General Index
