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The Centurion Who Stole Rome's Throne - Phocas' Bloody Ascent
A Thracian centurion seizes the imperial purple in Constantinople-what did it cost him?
The Centurion Who Stole Rome's Throne - Phocas' Bloody Ascent
In this episode, we follow how a previously unknown centurion became emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire in 602 and the immediate decisions and violences that followed. We trace the march from a grabbed beard at court to a coronation at Hebdomon, asking what the rise of Phocas reveals about power, army morale, and imperial legitimacy.
Person: Phocas
Date: November 22-25, 602
Location: Constantinople; Hebdomon; Bosphorus/Bitinia
Event: Army…
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