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Leo Phokas or Phocas (Greek: Λέων Φωκᾶς, c. 915–920 – after 971) was a prominent Byzantine general who scored a number of successes in the eastern frontier in the mid-10th century alongside his older brother, the Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas. He served as chief minister during his brother's reign, but was dismissed and imprisoned by his successor, John Tzimiskes.
Depiction of Leo's victory at Andrassos, from the Madrid Skylitzes
Leo was the younger son of Bardas Phokas the Elder, a noted general and longtime commander of the eastern armies under Constantine VII, and of an unnamed lady from the Maleinos clan. Leo was first appointed as strategos of the thema of Cappadocia in 945, and about ten years later, he was promoted to the post of strategos of the prestigious Anatolic Theme. Under Romanos II, he was named Domestic of the Schools of the West, i.e. commander of the western armies in the Balkans, and raised to the rank of magistros. When his older brother Nikephoros was detailed to assault the Emirate of Crete in 960, Leo replaced him as domestikos of the West, a new institution. From this position, he scored a notable victory against the Empire's old adversary, the emir of Aleppo Sayf al-Daula, whose army had invaded Byzantine Asia Minor, made good progress, and was retiring laden with booty and prisoners. Leo waylaid him in a rocky defile, and destroyed most of the Arab army, while Sayf al-Daula barely managed to flee. Due to his record of successful service in the Byzantine-Arab frontier, he has been suggested as the possible author of the treatise De velitatione bellica ("On skirmishing warfare").
When Nikephoros ascended the throne in 963, Leo was named kouropalates and assumed the post of logothetes tou dromou, remaining his brother's chief minister until the overthrow and murder of Nikephoros by Tzimiskes in 969. In 970, Leo unsuccessfully tried to rebel against Tzimiskes, and was exiled to Lesbos. After another failed attempt at rebellion in 971 however, he was banished to the island of Prote and blinded. The date of his death is unknown.
Leo was the father of Bardas Phokas the Younger and Sophia Phokaina, wife of Constantine Skleros and mother of Otto II's wife Theophanu.
and 24 Related for: Leo Phokas the Younger information
LeoPhokas or Phocas (Greek: Λέων Φωκᾶς, c. 915–920 – after 971) was a prominent Byzantine general who scored a number of successes in the eastern frontier...
in the 10th century. His father LeoPhokastheYounger was a curopalates and brother to the Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas. Even as a young man, Bardas gained...
Nikephoros II Phokas and the kouropalates LeoPhokastheYounger, and was also the maternal grandfather of the emperor John I Tzimiskes. Bardas was the scion...
Nikephoros Phokas (Greek: Νικηφόρος Φωκᾶς, romanized: Nikēphoros Phōkas; died 895/6 or c. 900), usually surnamed the Elder to distinguish him from his...
Nikephoros' father Bardas Phokas, brother LeoPhokas, and grandfather Nikephoros Phokasthe Elder, who had all served as commanders of the field army (domestikos...
The Rebellion of Bardas PhokastheYounger (February 987 – October 989) was a major war within the Byzantine Empire, fought mostly in Asia Minor. During...
the Fatimids in Ifriqiya and the Caliphate of Córdoba (modern Spain). November 8 – Battle of Andrassos: The Byzantines under LeoPhokastheYounger defeat...
Nikephoros through his brother, LeoPhokastheYounger. In October, 964, the siege was reinforced by Berber troops led by the emir of Sicily, al-Hasan ibn...
Bardas PhokastheYounger, and had one older brother, Leo. In spring 970, following the murder of Barytrachelos' great-uncle Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas by...
the second man of the regime was clearly Nikephoros' younger brother, the kouropalates and logothetes tou dromou LeoPhokastheYounger. Although he did...
brother of the general and later emperor Nikephoros II Phokas and the general LeoPhokastheYounger. When his father was appointed as Domestic of the Schools...
attempt at reconquest. LeoPhokastheYounger defeats the Hamdanid Emir Sayf al-Dawla. Olga of Kiev is received at the emperor's court. The Madrid Skylitzes'...
"The Elder" and "theYounger" are epithets generally used to distinguish between two individuals, often close relatives. In some instances, one of the...
Minor. The Byzantines respond with reprisals led by LeoPhokastheYounger, taking captives and razing the walls of Hadath (modern Turkey). Two Hungarian armies...
appoints LeoPhokas (theYounger) to be commander of the Byzantine field army (Domestic of the Schools) in the West. ThePhokas clan becomes one of the leading...
his brother, LeoPhokastheYounger. After the failure of negotiations, Nikephoros attempted to extend the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the patriarch of...
under LeoPhokastheYounger score a crushing victory over the Hamdanid Emir of Aleppo, Sayf al-Dawla. 1278 – Trần Thánh Tông, the second emperor of the Trần...
Leo VI, also known as Leothe Wise (Greek: Λέων ὁ Σοφός, romanized: Léōn ho Sophós, 19 September 866 – 11 May 912), was Byzantine Emperor from 886 to...
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