Editing Nikephoros II Phokas (section)

== Ascension to the throne ==

On 15 March 963, Emperor Romanos II died unexpectedly at the age of twenty-six of uncertain cause. Both contemporary and later historians attribute the death to overindulgence in sex and drinking, or suspect that Romanos was poisoned by his wife, the Empress [[Theophano (born Anastaso)|Theophano]] (c. 941–after 976). Theophano had already gained a reputation for intelligence and ambition, and hostile later historians characterize her as ruthless in achieving her goals. Romanos had already [[coronation of the Byzantine emperor|crowned as co-emperors]] his two sons [[Basil II]] and [[Constantine VIII]]. At the time that Romanos died, however, Basil was five years old and Constantine only three years old, so Theophano was named [[regent]].

[[File:Entrance of the emperor Nikephoros Phocas (963-969) into Constantinople in 963 from the Chronicle of John Skylitzes.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.35|Nikephoros' entry into Constantinople as Emperor through the [[Golden Gate (Constantinople)|Golden Gate]] in summer 963]]
Theophano, however, was not allowed to rule alone. [[Joseph Bringas]], the [[eunuch]] palace official who had become Romanos' chief councilor, maintained his position. According to contemporary sources he intended to keep authority in his own hands. He also tried to reduce the power of Nikephoros Phokas. The victorious general had been accepted as the actual commander of the army and maintained a strong connection to the aristocracy. Bringas was afraid that Nikephoros would attempt to claim the throne with the support of both the army and the aristocracy. This is exactly what he did. On July 2 in Caesarea, his armies, along with his highest-ranking officers, proclaimed Nikephoros emperor. From his position in Caesarea, and in advance of the news of his proclamation as emperor, Nikephoros sent a fleet to secure the [[Bosphorus Strait]] against his enemies.{{sfn|Kaldellis|2017|p=41}} Around the same time, he appointed Tzimiskes as Domestic of the East, now taking on the formal roles of emperor. He then sent a letter to Constantinople requesting to be accepted as co-emperor. In response, Bringas locked down the city, forcing Nikephoros' father [[Bardas Phokas the Elder|Bardas Phokas]] to seek sanctuary in the [[Hagia Sophia]], while his brother [[Leo Phokas the Younger|Leo Phokas]] escaped the city in disguise. Bringas was able to garner some support within the city from a few high-ranking officers, namely [[Marianos Argyros]], but he himself was not a skilled orator and was unable to obtain the support of other popular officials such as the Patriarch [[Polyeuctus]] and the general [[Basil Lekapenos]]. The people of Constantinople soon turned against his cause, killing Argyros in a riot and soon forcing Bringas to flee.{{sfn|Treadgold|1997|pp=498–499}}{{sfn|Whittow|1996|pp=348–349}} On August 16, Nikephoros was proclaimed emperor and married the empress Theophano.<ref name=":0" />