The rise and fall of Nikephoros II Phokas : five contemporary texts in annotated translations

Nikephoros II Phokas entered Constantinople as the new Byzantine emperor in August 963, and in December 969 was brutally assassinated, says Sullivan. Contemporary opinions of him range from arch villain to paragon of virtue. Here are five contemporary Greek texts with annotated English translation that document his rise and fall. They are Theophanes Continuatus Book 6, Years 944-961; the Revised Chronicle of Symeon the Logothete for the years 948-496 from Vat.gr.163 with the interpolations on Nikephorus the Elder from Vat.gr.153; the Chronicle of pseudo-Symeon for the years 944-962; The Capture of Crete by Theodosius the Deacon; and Akolouthia for St Nikephoros Phokas. Annotation ©2019 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)