Nikephoros Xiphias

[3] It is unclear whether he was already the military governor (strategos) of Philippopolis at the time, or was appointed to it after the successful conclusion of the campaign, as John Skylitzes reports, when Theodorokanos, who is known to have previously held the post, retired due to his advanced age.

Towards the end of the same year he campaigned from Mosynopolis to the region of Triaditza (Sofia), razing its environs and capturing the fort of Boyana.

[7] In 1021/22, however, Xiphias, now posted at Caesarea as strategos of the Anatolic Theme, fell out with Basil II because he was not allowed to accompany the Emperor on his campaign against the Kingdom of Georgia.

Xiphias allied himself against the Emperor with the magnate Nikephoros Phokas Barytrachelos, whose father had risen in revolt in the early years of Basil II's reign.

[8][9] When the emperor learned of the plot, however, he did not turn back, but instead sent letters to the two rebel leaders separately, aiming to sow distrust between them.

The patrikios Pherses the Iberian was executed, while two imperial chamberlains were also killed: one by Basil's own hand, and the other, who had tried to poison the Emperor, was thrown to the beasts.