Bringas, Joseph

   Civil official who held various high positions for Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos and Romanos II (qq.v.). As parakoimomenos (q.v.) for Romanos II he managed the entire affairs of state. However, when Romanos II died an untimely death, his wife Theophano (q.v.) was caught up in a power struggle that pitted the unpopular Bringas against the famous general, Nikephoros (II) Phokas. Theophano sided with Nikephoros Phokas, as did the high civil official Basil the Nothos (q.v.). Bringas tried to defend the capital, but he had little support and was soon forced to retire to a monastery. It was a victory for the military aristocracy, one that made Nikephoros II Phokas (qq.v.) emperor, and Theophano his new wife.