Phocas (Latin: Focas; Ancient Greek: Φωκάς, romanized: Phōkás; 547 – 5 October 610) was Byzantine emperor from 602 to 610. Initially a middle-ranking officer in the Eastern Roman army, Phocas rose to prominence as a spokesman for dissatisfied soldiers in their disputes with the court of the Emperor Maurice. When the army rebelled in 602, Phocas emerged as the leader of the mutiny. The revolt led to the overthrow of Maurice on 22 November 602, with Phocas being declared emperor the next day.

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Roman Empire (wiki): Phocas
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Special Notes:

1. Non-dynastic
2. His name is sometimes given as Flavius Niceforus Focas.[3][4] However, this is not corroborated by other sources and may be out of confusion with the later Nikephoros II Phokas.
3. See: Possible was the same Phokas or not, or was relative (???)
4. See also: Lazarus, Leontius.

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Genealogy From: MedLands F. FAMILY of EMPEROR FOKAS 602-610

1. --- . The name of Fokas’s father is not known. m DOMENTIA, daughter of ---. Domentia is named as mother of Emperor Fokas[440]. Three children:

a) FOKAS (547-4 Oct 610). Fredegar records that "Fogas dux et patricius", returned from a victory against the Persians, killed Emperor Mauritius and installed himself as emperor in his place[441]. The Chronicle of Michael the Syrian records that Emperor Mauritius fled to "Chalcédoine" where he was killed by soldiers who installed "leur general Phocas" as emperor[442]. He was crowned 23 Nov 602 as Emperor FOKAS after Emperor Mauritius fled the city 22 Nov The History of Patriarch Nikeforos records the rebellion of "germani duo Heraclius et Gregorius" governors of Africa against Emperor Fokas[443]. m LEONTIA, daughter of ---. Theophylactus records that "tyrannus" (referring to Fokas) was married to "Leontiam"[444]. Leontia was crowned Augusta 25 Nov 602[445]. Fokas & his wife had one child:

i) DOMENTIA . Theophanes records the marriage of "Phocas…filiam Domentiam" and "Prisco patricio et excubitorum comiti" celebrated "in Marinæ palatio" in 599 (adjusted to [607] after taking into account the date discrepancy in the source)[446]. Leo Grammaticus records that "Crispus gener Phocæ" was present at and consented to the coronation of "Heraclius"[447]. m ([607]%29 KRISPUS [Priskus], son of --- (-Chora Monastery [613]). The History of Patriarch Nikeforos names "imperatoris gener Crispus" as prefect of Constantinople at the time of the rebellion of "germani duo Heraclius et Gregorius" governors of Africa, recording that he opposed the choice of Herakleios as emperor by the senate[448]. The History of Patriarch Nikeforos records that Krispus was sent to "monasterio…Choræ" where he died after one year, dated to 613 from the context[449].

b) DOMENTIOLUS (-executed 610). Theophanes records that Emperor Herakleios imprisoned "Phocas…Domentiolum fratrem magistrum" at "Longos muros"[450]. The History of Patriarch Nikeforos records the execution of "Domentiolum Phocæ fratrem", dated to 610 from the context[451].

c) --- . m ---. One child:

i) DOMITIOLUS . He and his wife are named, and their three sons recorded[452]. m EIRENE, daughter of ---. Du Cange names Domitius (confusing him with Domentiolus brother of Emperor Fokas) and his wife Irene, adding that the couple had three sons, but the primary source which he quotes has not yet been consulted[453]. Domitiolus & his wife had three children:

(a) three sons.
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Phocas deeply mistrusted the uncooperative elite of Constantinople, to whom he was a usurper and a provincial boor. He therefore attempted to base his regime on relatives installed in high military and administrative positions. He immediately faced challenges in domestic and foreign affairs, and responded with little success. He dealt with domestic opposition with increasing ruthlessness that alienated ever wider circles, including some of his own household. At the same time, the Empire was threatened on multiple frontiers. Avars and Slavs renewed their destructive raids on the Balkans, and the Sasanian Empire launched a massive invasion of the eastern provinces. Finally, the Exarch of Africa, Heraclius the Elder, rebelled against Phocas and gained wide support throughout the empire. Phocas attempted to use border troops to crush the rebellion, but this only resulted in allowing invaders to break into the heartlands of the Empire. Heraclius the Elder's son, Heraclius, took Constantinople on 5 October 610, executed Phocas the same day, and declared himself emperor.

Surviving sources are universally extremely hostile to Phocas. He is described as an incompetent tyrant and usurper who brutally purged any real or perceived opposition and left the Empire wide open to foreign aggression. The veracity of these sources is difficult to ascertain since emperors of the Heraclian dynasty who succeeded Phocas had a vested interest in tarnishing his reputation.

Early life

Phocas was probably born in 547, as he was said to be aged 55 when he became emperor.[5] He and his family were likely of Thraco-Roman [6] or Cappadocian [7] origin. The life of Phocas before his usurpation of the Byzantine Empire's throne is obscure, but he was said to have served as a centurion in the army in Thrace under Emperor Maurice.[5]

Late in Maurice's reign, the army sent Phocas to Constantinople as their spokesperson to complain about the conduct of general Comentiolus. As Phocas presented their case, he argued with the emperor, and as a result, had his beard pulled by an outraged person of patrician rank.[8]

Usurpation

In autumn 602, the Thracian army rebelled against Maurice, largely due to exhaustion and outrage over orders to continue campaigning north of the Danube in winter, as well as previous cuts in wages. The army initially sent a delegation, which included Phocas, to general Peter and demanded a dismissal within the Roman borders. But when Maurice reiterated his command, the troops made Phocas their leader and marched to Constantinople. They insisted that Maurice abdicate and offered to proclaim as successors Theodosius, son of Maurice, or his father-in-law Germanus. As Maurice tried to arrest Germanus, riots broke out in Constantinople. That night, on 22 November 602, Maurice and his family fled on a warship to Bithynia, sending Theodosius on a mission to ask for Persian King Khusrow II's help. According to Theophylact Simocatta (c. 630), Germanus initially made an attempt for the throne, but when rebuffed by the Green circus faction, he paid homage to Phocas, who had emerged as the heavy favorite.[9][10]

On 23 November 602, Phocas was crowned by the patriarch Cyriacus in the church of St John the Baptist at the Hebdomon. He entered Constantinople in a ceremonial procession two days later, on 25 November, while being unanimously acclaimed.[11][12]

Maurice and his sons were soon captured and executed. There were, however, stories that Theodosius managed to escape to Persia. Maurice's wife Constantina and daughters were put in the monastery of Nea Metanoia. They were executed around 605, when Constantina and Germanus were found conspiring after hearing rumors of Theodosius' survival.[13]

Foreign conflict

Administration

Italian policy

Downfall

Legacy

Notes

References

Bibliography

External links

• Media related to Phocas at Wikimedia Commons