phocas

Updated: June 5, 2025

Under the reign of Phocas, the fortifications of Merdin, Dara, Amida, and Edessa, were successively besieged, reduced, and destroyed, by the Persian monarch: he passed the Euphrates, occupied the Syrian cities, Hierapolis, Chalcis, and Berrhæa or Aleppo, and soon encompassed the walls of Antioch with his irresistible arms.

Edward Gibbon - History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 4

On the third day, amidst the acclamations of a thoughtless people, Phocas made his public entry in a chariot drawn by four white horses: the revolt of the troops was rewarded by a lavish donative; and the new sovereign, after visiting the palace, beheld from his throne the games of the hippodrome.

Edward Gibbon - History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 4

But the glories of this generous campaign could not preserve Maurice himself. A mutiny broke out in the Roman army, headed by Phocas, a centurion. The statues of the emperor were overthrown. The Patriarch of Constantinople, having declared that he had assured himself of the orthodoxy of Phocas, consecrated him emperor.

John William Draper - History of the Conflict Between Religion and Science

When excavated in 1813 it was found to stand on an isolated pedestal, with an inscription recording that it was erected by the exarch Smaragdus to the emperor Phocas; and the mode in which the offering was made was worthy of the infamous subject and the venal dedicator.

Hugh Macmillan - Roman Mosaics: Or, Studies in Rome and Its Neighbourhood

The column of Phocas is also erect; and you see some portions of the Rostra fitted together out of fragments discovered near by.

Émile Zola - The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete: Lourdes, Rome and Paris

Ignorant of letters, of laws, and even of arms, he indulged in the supreme rank a more ample privilege of lust and drunkenness; and his brutal pleasures were either injurious to his subjects or disgraceful to himself. Without assuming the office of a prince, he renounced the profession of a soldier; and the reign of Phocas afflicted Europe with ignominious peace, and Asia with desolating war.

Edward Gibbon - History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 4

Flight And Restoration Of Chosroes II. His Gratitude To The Romans. The Chagan Of The Avars. Revolt Of The Army Against Maurice. His Death. Tyranny Of Phocas. Elevation Of Heraclius. The Persian War. Chosroes Subdues Syria, Egypt, And Asia Minor. Siege Of Constantinople By The Persians And Avars. Persian Expeditions. Victories And Triumph Of Heraclius.

Edward Gibbon - History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 4

The column of Phocas is also erect; and you see some portions of the Rostra fitted together out of fragments discovered near by.

Émile Zola - The Three Cities Trilogy: Rome, Volume 2

Accordingly the emperor, wishing to win the people to his side, instantly dismissed both these men from office. And Phocas, a patrician, he appointed praetorian prefect, a man of the greatest discretion and fitted by nature to be a guardian of justice; Basilides he commanded to fill the office of quaestor, a man known among the patricians for his agreeable qualities and a notable besides.

Procopius - History of the Wars, Books I and II : The Persian War

The successor of the apostles might have inculcated with decent firmness the guilt of blood, and the necessity of repentance; he is content to celebrate the deliverance of the people and the fall of the oppressor; to rejoice that the piety and benignity of Phocas have been raised by Providence to the Imperial throne; to pray that his hands may be strengthened against all his enemies; and to express a wish, perhaps a prophecy, that, after a long and triumphant reign, he may be transferred from a temporal to an everlasting kingdom.

Edward Gibbon - History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 4