After Empress Theophano left the Imperial Bedchamber, the old, ascetic general got out of bed to sleep on the floor. When John Tzimiskes & his group of assassins entered the room they panicked, seeing the bed empty & thinking they had been betrayed.
A member of the palace staff led them to where Nikephoros was sleeping. They struck the Emperor across the head and he cried out, βHelp Me! O Mother of God!β The men hacked at Nikephoros with their blades, killing the Emperor.
When the Imperial Bodyguard heard of the attack they came to protect the Emperor, only relenting when Tzimiskes produced Nikephorosβs severed head. Tzimiskes would reign as Emperor until his death in 976.
Note: Nikephoros had been warned the day before of an assassination plot but after searching the palace and finding nothing amiss, retired to his chambers. Did he sleep on the floor out of caution or habit from a lifetime of campaigning?
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