Nikephoros Phokas Barytrachelos

[1] In spring 970, following the murder of Barytrachelos's great-uncle Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas by John I Tzimiskes, his father tried to raise a rebellion against the new regime in the family's base at Cappadocia.

[2][3] Although not explicitly mentioned in the sources, Nikephoros probably shared his father's fortune, being exiled to the Aegean island of Chios with the rest of his family.

[6][7] It is here that Nikephoros is named for the first time in the sources: his father sent him to David III of Tao to secure military aid, and to confront the loyalist general Gregory Taronites, who had landed in the Phokades's rear at Trebizond and had raised an army of Armenians in the eastern provinces.

Nikephoros secured 1,000 Georgian soldiers from David and defeated Taronites, but soon after that news reached him of the death of his father at the Battle of Abydos on 13 April 989.

Bardas Phokas's demise led to the immediate collapse of the rebellion: the Georgians returned to their country, and Nikephoros's troops dispersed to their homes.

[1][13] Basil first withdrew to the safety of the fortress of Mazdat, and according to John Skylitzes sent an envoy to the rebel leaders aiming to sow distrust between them, while according to Yahya the emperor appointed as the new governor of the Anatolic Theme Theophylact Dalassenos and sent him to suppress the revolt.

[1][15] In 1026, however, Constantine VIII accused the last surviving member of the once great family, Bardas Phokas (a son of Nikephoros Barytrachelos),[16] of plotting against the throne, and had him blinded.