A giant of a man who had rebelled against John Tzimiskes and been exiled, Bardas Phokas was released from exile by the chamberlain Basil to fight Bardas Skleros — a calculated gamble that worked. He proved a superior duellist, felling Skleros in single combat, ending the civil war. Later combining forces with Skleros against Basil II, he advanced within the city walls at the Golden Horn before collapsing and dying of a stroke from his horse mid-charge during the final battle, with both armies watching — an event Brownworth frames as clear divine judgment.
Also known as: Bardus Focus · Bardas Phocas
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Episode 13 (3 mentions)
A giant of a man who had rebelled against John Tzimiskes and been exiled, Bardas Phokas was released from exile by the chamberlain Basil to fight Bardas Skleros — a calculated gamble that worked. He proved a superior duellist, felling Skleros in single combat, ending the civil war. Later combining forces with Skleros against Basil II, he advanced within the city walls at the Golden Horn before collapsing and dying of a stroke from his horse mid-charge during the final battle, with both armies watching — an event Brownworth frames as clear divine judgment.
“Bardus Focus, a giant of a man, had rebelled against John Smiskys and consequently been”
“He entrusted the armies of the empire to the exiled Bardus Focus.”
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