944 Stephanus and Constantine VIII at instigation of Constantine VII banish their father to Prota. Constantine VII then regains full power, and banishes Stephanus and Constantine VIII likewise to Prota, 945.
During the remainder of Constantine’s reign the war with the Mohammedans is prosecuted with great vigour, especially when Nicephorus Phocas succeeds in assembling a large army. Many conspiracies against Constantine by the deposed emperors.
959 Death of Constantine, the result of poison administered by his son Romanus II, who becomes emperor.
961 Brilliant conquest of Crete by Nicephorus. The Mohammedans expelled after occupation of 150 years.
962 Nicephorus attacks Aleppo, but is unable to take the citadel.
963 Death of Romanus, which has been attributed to poison administered by the empress Theophano. Nicephorus (II) Phocas marries Theophano and obtains the throne. His chief aim is to break the Mohammedan power.
964-965 Conquest of Tarsus by the Byzantines. Nicephorus recalled to Constantinople by troubles with Bulgarians and Hungarians. To repel them he makes alliance with Sviatoslaff, prince of Kieff, which causes a bloody war with the Russians.
965 Embassy of Liutprand to Constantinople. The emperor imprisons him.
968 Nicephorus returns to Asia Minor and recovers Antioch, 328 years in the Mohammedan power. He prepares to attack Baghdad.
969 Joannes Zimisces, the general, and Theophano conspire against Nicephorus, who is assassinated. Joannes (I) Zimisces takes the throne. He associates with him the young sons of Romanus II, Basil II, and Constantine IX, who were nominal rulers during reign of Nicephorus. The brother of Nicephorus, Leo, and his son Bardas Phocas make unsuccessful attempts to invite rebellion and regain the throne. They are banished.