Phostis was a peasant from a village in the northern frontier of the Empire of Videssos. Among other things, he was stolen from the village by raiders from Kubrat, ransomed back by Iakovitzes, fought more Kubrati raiders, and last but not least, raised his son, Krispos, who went on to become Avtokrator of Videssos. He died along with his wife, Tatze, and youngest daughter, Kosta, in a cholera outbreak in the village. His other daughter, Evdokia, was killed sometime later during an attack led by Harvas Black-Robe.
