The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · Character
Nicephorus II Phocas
Also known as Morning Star, Death of the Saracens, Nicephorus II
- Supporting
- First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 214
There's something compelling about the contrast between his military bearing and his evident piety, a man who commands armies yet sleeps on the ground and maintains strict fasts. His presence suggests both the glory of conquest and the humility of religious devotion.
- Gender
- male
- Age
- Adult
- First appears
- Book 1 · Ch. 214
- Books
- 1
Nicephorus II Phocas rose as a renowned military commander from an illustrious family, earning the titles 'Morning Star' and 'Death of the Saracens' through his conquests. He reduced the island of Crete, extirpated pirates from the seas, and led eighty thousand men against Assyria while maintaining his personal piety through hair-cloth, fasts, and religious observances. Though celebrated in camp, he proved less popular in the city, and his reign restored Roman military discipline and glory even as it highlighted the tensions between military achievement and urban politics.
Description
A Byzantine emperor combining military bearing with evident piety, wearing imperial regalia over the simple hair-cloth of his personal devotion. His features reflect both his reputation as a renowned commander and his commitment to religious observances, with the presence of one who leads armies while maintaining ascetic practices.
Story so far
BOOK 1The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire / Table of Contents with links in the HTML file to the two Project Gutenberg editions (12 volumes)
Appearances
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