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. 970 Sviatoslaff conquers Bulgaria and invades Thrace. Philippopolis taken and inhabitants massacred. 971 Joannes proceeds against the Russians. Capture of Presthlava and King Boris of Bulgaria. Siege and capture of Dorystolon. Peace with the Russians. Bulgaria again a part of the empire and Boris a pensioner of the Byzantine court. The Mohammedan wars carried on. 972 Marriage of Otto the Great and Theophano, daughter of Romanus II. 973 Imperial victory at Nisibis. Defeat at Amida. 974 Joannes takes command of the Mohammedan War. 975 Many victories but futile siege of Tripolis. Antioch shuts out the imperial force. 976 Death of Joannes Zimisces, probably by poison. =Basil II= head of affairs with his brother for colleague. He is one of the greatest of the Eastern emperors. _Beginning of Period of Greatest Splendour of the Empire_ 979 Defeat of Sclerus by Bardas Phocas, the general, after a desperate revolt to capture the throne. The Bulgarians begin a long struggle to regain their independence. 982 On death of Otto, Basil consolidates his authority in southern Italy.