Mai Dunama Dabbalemi vs Nikephoros II Phokas

Mai Dunama Dabbalemi destroyed the Mune, a sacred symbol of the Kanem Empire's traditional religion. This act was intended to assert the dominance of Islam over indigenous beliefs, but it caused deep divisions within the empire and alienated many subjects.

Mai Dunama Dabbalemi led military campaigns that expanded the Kanem Empire to its greatest territorial extent. He conquered territories in the Lake Chad region and beyond, including parts of Fezzan and the Hausa states, establishing Kanem as a major power.

Mai Dunama Dabbalemi died, ending his reign of approximately 45 years. His death led to a period of instability and civil war in the Kanem Empire, as the divisions caused by his destruction of the Mune and his expansionist policies came to a head.

Nikephoros II led a campaign that recaptured the island of Crete from the Arabs after a long siege of Chandax. This victory eliminated a major pirate base and restored Byzantine control over the eastern Mediterranean.

Nikephoros II Phokas was proclaimed emperor after the death of Romanos II. He was a successful general who had recaptured Crete. His accession was supported by the military aristocracy.

Nikephoros II launched a series of campaigns against the Hamdanid Emirate, recapturing Tarsus, Adana, and other cities in Cilicia. He also invaded Syria, capturing Aleppo in 962. These victories expanded Byzantine territory.

Nikephoros II was assassinated in his palace by a conspiracy led by his nephew John Tzimiskes and his wife Theophano. He was stabbed to death in his bedchamber. John Tzimiskes then became emperor.