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Description
Nikephoros Phokas, general and later Emperor of Byzantium, is mostly remembered for his military exploits, which earned him the sobriquet of Pale Death of the Saracens. However, before he gained this grim title, he had fallen in love with a woman, Stephano Maleina. The two of them married and had a son, whom they named Bardas. However, as fate would have it, both Stephano and her child died. Their unfortunate deaths seem to have scarred Nikephoros deeply and he took an oath of chastity, in honor of his wife's memory.

This would later cause some political problems when, in order to become Emperor, he had to marry the widow-Empress Theophano. Theophano was less than thrilled: Phokas was by that time an old man and according to most sources rather unattractive. She was further worried that her children, Constantine VIII and Basil II would be displaced by Phokas in order to establish his own dynasty. However Phokas showed little romantic interest in her and made no attempts to sideline or harm her children. He would keep his oath until the end of his life.

A Rather short and hasty ink sketch I came up with. I had little time in my hands, being busy with writing scripts, drawing comic storyboards etc... Hopefully it's not too bad...

Description
Nikephoros Phokas, general and later Emperor of Byzantium, is mostly remembered for his military exploits, which earned him the sobriquet of Pale Death of the Saracens. However, before he gained this grim title, he had fallen in love with a woman, Stephano Maleina. The two of them married and had a son, whom they named Bardas. However, as fate would have it, both Stephano and her child died. Their unfortunate deaths seem to have scarred Nikephoros deeply and he took an oath of chastity, in honor of his wife's memory.

This would later cause some political problems when, in order to become Emperor, he had to marry the widow-Empress Theophano. Theophano was less than thrilled: Phokas was by that time an old man and according to most sources rather unattractive. She was further worried that her children, Constantine VIII and Basil II would be displaced by Phokas in order to establish his own dynasty. However Phokas showed little romantic interest in her and made no attempts to sideline or harm her children. He would keep his oath until the end of his life.

A Rather short and hasty ink sketch I came up with. I had little time in my hands, being busy with writing scripts, drawing comic storyboards etc... Hopefully it's not too bad...