The campaign under Nicephorus Focas

In June 960 a powerful Byzantine fleet bearing a substantial, well-equipped force - amounting to between 200 and 250 ships and a total of 75 000 men - set sail for Crete from Phygela in Asia Minor. At their head was Nicephorus Phocas, General and Domestic (Commander) of the Schools of the East and later Emperor of Byzantium. His principal target was the fortified town of Chandax, which was besieged over the following months. On 7^th March 961, in a well coordinated offensive, the Byzantine army entered the city. The brutality and slaughter that followed were only brought to an end by the intervention of Phocas. The Arab prisoners included Abd al-Aziz ibn Suab, Emir of Crete, his family and numerous high-ranking officers, who were transported to Constantinople; the booty taken was impressive.