Staurakios was born in the early 790s, probably between 791 and 793, to Nikephoros I and an unknown woman.
26 Facts About Staurakios
2.
Staurakios took part in an invasion of the Bulgarian Khanate in 811, alongside his father and brother-in-law.
3.
Staurakios was born in the early 790s, probably between 791 and 793, to Nikephoros I and an unknown woman.
4.
Staurakios took similar efforts to tackle the issue of corruption, founding a new court where he heard complaints levied by the poor against the elites.
5.
Staurakios was not given an official government position upon his father's accession to the throne, but, in the summer of 803, a general named Bardanes Tourkos revolted against Nikephoros, prompting a change of course.
6.
Staurakios was crowned by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Tarasios in the Hagia Sophia.
7.
The contemporary chronicler Theophanes the Confessor stated that Staurakios was "completely unfit in appearance, strength, and judgment for such an honor", but this is likely a reflection of Theophanes' own animosity toward Nikephoros and Staurakios.
8.
The remaining Byzantine forces, including a severely wounded Staurakios, retreated to Adrianople over three days.
9.
Staurakios spine had been severed during the battle, which along with his demonstrated lack of ability, led the uninjured influential figures in the empire to consider the issue of Nikephoros' successor.
10.
The severity of Staurakios wounds led to speculation as to whether he would live, although eventually those assembled judged he would make the best candidate, as the legitimate successor, and declared him emperor.
11.
The historian Christian Laes comments that it is difficult to assess the condition that Staurakios was in, and how he was able to deliver his virulent speech.
12.
Almost immediately after Staurakios acceded to the throne, Michael was pressured to usurp it, due to the legitimacy granted to him by his marriage to Staurakios' sister Prokopia and his military abilities.
13.
In spite of his ill health, Staurakios endeavored to assert his authority, including rebuffing the attempts of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Nikephoros I, to have funds that Nikephoros had collected returned to the church.
14.
The delay of Staurakios in selecting a successor caused passionate dispute within the capital.
15.
The only proof of such intrigues given by contemporary historians comes from records that Staurakios became hostile to Theoktistos and Michael, which would suggest he was aware of their plottings, and that he suspected Prokopia of conspiring to kill him.
16.
Staurakios reportedly wavered between two possible options for his succession.
17.
Afraid of the possibility of a public uprising due to the lack of an heir, Staurakios declared Theophano his successor.
18.
Staurakios summoned his relative, the monk Simeon, and was tonsured and dressed in monastic garb.
19.
Staurakios sent a letter of protest to Patriarch Nikephoros for his role in the coup d'etat; Nikephoros answered in person, writing alongside Michael and Prokopia, and assured Staurakios that he had not betrayed him, but rather protected him.
20.
Staurakios was unimpressed and informed the Patriarch that "you will not find him [Michael] a better friend", meaning that Michael would not be more useful to Nikephoros than Staurakios himself had been.
21.
Staurakios was buried in the Monastery of Braka, which was given to Theophano by Prokopia.
22.
The main source for the reigns of both Nikephoros I and Staurakios is Theophanes Chronographia, which was tainted by Theophanes dislike of the former, although it does hint that Staurakios possessed a talent for military strategy.
23.
Indeed, the Chronicle of 813 even mistakes the time of death of Staurakios, giving it as two months into his reign, rather than nearly six months after the battle.
24.
Staurakios largely existed in the shadow of Nikephoros; little is known about him.
25.
Staurakios only reigned for just over two months, and was therefore unable to leave a mark on the empire as his father had done.
26.
Hints from the Chronographia suggest that Staurakios wielded strategic understanding, and perhaps that Staurakios was as strong-willed as his father, but his character is otherwise unknown.