Staurakios

Staurakios
Staurakios (right) on a coin issued by his father Nikephoros I (left)
Emperor of the Byzantine Empire
Reign	26 July 811 – 2 October 811
Predecessor	Nikephoros I
Successor	Michael I
Died	11 January 812
Consort	Theophano
Dynasty	Nikephorian
Father	Nikephoros I

Staurakios or Stauracius (Greek: Σταυράκιος; died January 11, 812) was Byzantine Emperor from July 26 to October 2, 811 in succession to his father, Nikephoros I, who had fallen at the Battle of Pliska. His rule was cut short by a severe wound suffered in the same battle, and he was forced into retirement in a monastery by his brother-in-law, Michael I Rangabe, where he died soon after.

The son of Emperor Nikephoros I, Staurakios had been crowned as co-emperor by his father in December 803. The chronicler Theophanes the Confessor, on top of stating that he was completely unfit to become co-emperor also claimed that Staurakios was guilty of rape, a claim perhaps colored by his hostility to Nikephoros I. On 20 December 807, the Athenian Theophano, a relative of the deposed Empress Irene, was selected by Nikephoros as Staurakios' wife from a company of young ladies, assembled from around the Empire in a bride show. The two were married that same day. During his father’s reign, he had been given command of the elite tagma of the Hikanatoi.

Staurakios participated in his father's expedition against Krum of Bulgaria in 811, and barely escaped with his life from the disastrous Battle of Pliska, in which his father was killed. However, Staurakios was paralyzed by a sword wound near his neck, and was saved by the Imperial guard which retreated from the battlefield towards the safety of Adrianople. Fleeing with him were his brother-in-law, the curopalates Michael Rangabe, the Domestic of the Schools Stephen, and the magistros Theoktistos. Gathered around Staurakios’s bedside, they debated the succession. Because of his uncertain condition, he was hastily proclaimed Emperor by Stephen, who had the backing of the army. This was the first time an Emperor of the Eastern Empire had been crowned outside Constantinople.