Certainty: 3 Distribution of rogai to senators by Nikephoros Botaneiates. Once established in the palace Nikephoros Botaneiates distributed dignities to the countless senators. They were so numerous that the protovestiarios who called out their names lost his voice
Certainty: 2 Accession of Nikephoros III Botaneiates instead of legitimate heir Konstantios Doukas. Nikephoros Botaneiates ascended the throne, put on the imperial costume, and devoted himself at once to the management of public affairs. He made arrangements to win the loyalty of many public figures and to dispense with some tarnished figures from the last reign. He struck with terror the Turks who ravaged the East, while dealing politely with those who had supported him. He was crowned by the patriarch Kosmas I. The legitimate heir Konstantios Doukas was passed over
Certainty: 2 Attempt of Alexios (I) in favour of Konstantios Doukas failed through his reluctance & unpopularity. Alexios (I) Komnenos tried to place on the throne the brother of Michael VII, Konstantios Doukas. He first had to deal with the man's timidity and lack of ambition. When he had persuaded him to act by showing him the document signed by Michael VII, he took him through the streets wearing the imperial purple shoes, but met with considerable hostility from the public. They reached the palace, but instead of sitting on the throne, Konstantios begged Alexios to abandon the plan. One result of the episode was to make Alexios suspect to Botaneiates' men
Certainty: 2 Failure of Alexios (I) Komnenos to have Nikephoros III install Konstantios as his heir. Following the reluctance of Konstantios Doukas to succeed his brother Michael VII, Alexios Komnenos proposed his nomination as successor to Nikephoros Botaneiates, with an equal lack of success
Certainty: 2 Marriage of Nikephoros III to Maria of Alania. Following the death of his wife Bebdene, Nikephoros Botaneiates first planned to marry Eudokia Makrembolitissa, but she was advised to refuse by her servant Leon Kydoniates, and the match was opposed as adulterous by monks including Panaretos. Eudokia was rumoured to have wooed the new emperor, maybe in favour of her daughter Zoe porphyrogennetos. Botaneiates then decided to marry his predecessorÂ’'s wife, Maria of Alania, persuaded by Ioannes kaisar's praise of her beauty and lack of meddlesome relatives, being a foreigner. At the start of the wedding, Ioannes saw the priest was reluctant to continue (since this marriage was just as adulterous). Ioannes looked across at Michael Doukas (brother of Eirene Doukaina), who immediately understood. He went to the altar, grabbed the reluctant priest by the vestments, led him quietly away and replaced him by another whom he had kept hidden. The second priest performed the ceremony but was immediately defrocked for blessing an obviously adulterous union. Maria's son Konstantinos Doukas was allowed to wear slippers including some imperial crimson
Certainty: 2 Boril & Germanos, Botaneiates' chief henchmen, became hostile to the Komnenian brothers. Boril and Germanos, a pair of ill-educated barbarian slaves, managed and directed everything as they wished, including the emperor Nikephoros III himself. Through them Nikephoros came to be hated by other officials, since the slaves behaved towards them boastfully and insolently. They were particularly hostile to Isaakios and Alexios Komnenos, who roused their envy by being favourites of Nikephoros, who was well aware of their competence
Certainty: 2 Nikephoros III debased system of dignities as never before. Following his acession Nikephoros Botaneiates found that the wealth of the palace had been stripped out and looted at the fall of Michael VII more than at any previous change of regime. Despite this, he granted a general remission of debts and a multitude of gifts, dignities and offices, far more than in similar situations in the past. The recipients were not the best persons in the state, nor even the most loyal, but simply anybody who asked. Many were of low social status. This activity was more important to him than defending Byzantine areas threatened by barbarians
Certainty: 2 Reinstatement of Eudokia Makrembolitissa & her family by Nikephoros III. Following the accession of Nikephoros III Botaneiates, Eudokia Makrembolitissa, his predecessor's banished mother, was reinstated, allowed back into Constantinople, granted revenues and gifts, and greatly honoured by the new emperor. He treated her like a family member, much more sympathetically than the way she had been persecuted by her son Michael VII. Similar privileges were enjoyed by her children, Andronikos, Konstantios, Anna, Theodora and Zoe
Certainty: 2 Psellos forgave the envy of Konstantinos, nephew of Keroularios, whom he had now overtaken in dignity. Psellos received a promotion [to kouropalates from Nikephoros III?] and Konstantinos, nephew of Keroularios, reacted jealously but soon apologised, having stumbled in friendship, like Atlas. Konstantinos, who had started with a higher dignity than Psellos, now, as protoproedros, had been overtaken. Psellos accepted the apology with a eulogy. The rest of the letter alternates between equality and generous condescension (sun to moon, Psellos to Konstantinos). He is generous in praise of Konstantinos as his possible superior, but implies omniscience to guarantee his praise. [Later that year the balance was restored: Psellos addresses Konstantinos as sebastos]
Certainty: 2 Psellos appears to have prepared his simple introduction in verse on the Song of Songs for dedication to Nikephoros III. Many of Psellos' poems are simple introductions in verse written in decapentasyllable metre for emperors. Most were originally composed for Konstantinos IX, then updated at least once, for Michel VII. In one ms., it seems that he also prepared his simple introduction in verse on the Song of Songs for dedication to Nikephoros III
Certainty: 2 Psellos compared the family of Konstantinos, nephew of Keroularios with his own state, consoled only by Eudokia. Psellos wrote a tragic letter to Konstantinos, nephew of Keroularios. Konstantinos had sent him a fish, which reminded him of those sent by his uncle decades ago. The letter compares Konstantinos' house full of family with his own isolation. Among Konstantinos' companions are the children of his first marriage, especially Charistikarea (?), Psellos' favourite, and his second wife and her young child. Psellos, by contrast, is on his own, apart from meeting the ex-empress Eudokia. As for his family, he knows where his daughter Styliane was buried and the convent where his wife was immured. His adoptive family were not with him, and he did not know if they were alive or dead
Certainty: 2 Rebellion of Nikephoros Bryennios & Nikephoros Basilakes against Nikephoros III Botaneiates. Nikephoros Basilakes refused to accept the accession of Nikephoros Botaneiates to the throne and continued the rebellion he had started with Nikephoros Bryennios against Michael VII. From Dyrrachion he gathered troops, especially Franks from Italy summoned by the bishop of Diabolis, and then set out for Thessalonike
Certainty: 2 Pechenegs raiding the Chersonnesos were defeated by Ioannes Bryennios & became his allies. Ioannes Bryennios used a Pecheneg attack as an excuse for his retreat from the failed siege of Constantinople. He led his troops against them, defeated them and subsequently a treaty was agreed with an exchange of hostages. This secured Pecheneg support for the rebellion of Ioannes' brother Nikephoros
Certainty: 2 Nikephoros Bryennios marched on Constantinople; Nikephoros III gathered a few defenders. After Alexios (I) Komnenos returned from the East he was apppinted domestikos and sent by Nikephoros III to the West to deal with Nikephoros Bryennios. He was given some troops from Crete and some Turkish fighters. Bryennios was bringing the whole army of Thrace and Macedonia in his attack on Constantinople
Certainty: 2 Several peace overtures from Nikephoros III rejected by Nikephoros Bryennios. Nikephoros III attempted to bring peacefully to his side the rebel Nikephoros Bryennios with three successive embassies involving Konstantinos Choirosphaktes and Romanos Straboromanos. He offered to adopt the rebel and thus nominate him as his successor with the dignity of kaisar, and to confirm all honours he had given his men; but there were difficulties over the location of the adoption ceremony. Bryennios completely refused to cooperate with the third embassy, not even accepting the envoys' imperial status, so that the only solution was war
Certainty: 2 Death of Roussel de Bailleul, probably poisoned by Nikephoritzes. Roussel de Bailleul, who held Nikephoritzes in chains, died suddenly in mysterious circumstances. There was a reliable rumour that he was poisoned by his prisoner
Certainty: 2 Arrest, imprisonment & death of Nikephoritzes. After his arrest by Roussel de Bailleul (whom he may have poisoned), Nikephoritzes was sent by Roussel's relatives to Nikephoros III who banished him (to Prote or Oxeia). He was then questioned about the whereabouts of public money and tortured by Romanos Straboromanos dying as a result of his treatment
Certainty: 2 Submission of Philaretos Brachamios to Nikephoros III Botaneiates. Philaretos Brachamios pledged his loyalty to the new emperor, Nikephoros II Botaneiates, blaming Michael VII for his earlier opposition to imperial power
Certainty: 2 Nikephoros Bryennios set unacceptable conditions to Nikephoros III's peace overtures. Nikephoros Bryennios demanded that his adoption by Nikephoros II Botaneiates, suggested by the new emperor's envoys, be sealed with a ceremony outside Constantinople. Botaneiates should come out of the city with the patriarch to the church of the archangel Michael at Damokrania and perform there his adoption as kaisar. This the envoys rejected
Certainty: 2 Alexios Komnenos, now domestikos, marched against Nikephoros Bryennios with few troops. Nikephoros III Botaneiates sent Alexios Komnenos, whom he appointed domestikos, against the rebel Nikephoros Bryennios. It was hard to find troops, since the Turks controlled most of the east and Bryennios most of the west. When Botaneiates realised that the troops were inadequate, he requested Turkish reinforcements from Mansur and Sulayman ibn Kutulmush, leaders of the Turks at Nicaea. They sent 2,000 men and prepared more. Traulos the ex-Manichaean at this time became one of Alexios' servants
Certainty: 2 Alexios Komnenos & Nikephoros Bryennios drew up elaborate battle lines. Sent against the rebel Nikephoros Bryennios in Thrace, Alexios Komnenos camped in Thrace near the Halmyros river whilst his enemy Nikephoros Bryennios camped on the plain of Kedoktou. Alexios left a good distance between the camps, so that Bryennios (and his own men) should not see the weakness of his army. Bryennios drew up his forces for battle, with his brother Ioannes leading the right wing, comprising Italians, the men brought by the famous Maniakes, Thessalian horsemen and some of the Hetaireia, 5,000 in all. The left wing, under the command of Katakalon Tarchaneiotes, included Macedonian and Thracian troops totalling 3,000, flanked by Pecheneg auxiliaries who were to attack the enemy from the rear. Nikephoros himself was in the centre with elite Macedonian and Thracian troops, especially the Thessalian cavalry. Alexios hid some of his men in hollows, ordering them to attack when they found themselves behind the enemy. Despite instructions from Nikephoros III to postpone battle till the arrival of Turkish reinforcements, he divided the rest of the army in two: he himself commanded the Athanatoi and the Kelts, while Konstantinos Katakalon Euphorbenos had troops from Choma and the Turks, to keep watch on the Pechenegs
Certainty: 2 Battle of Halmyros: victory of Alexios Komnenos over Bryennios. Battle began between the troops of Alexios Komnenos and the rebel Nikephoros Bryennios. When the army of Bryennios entered the valleys where Alexios' ambush was concealed, he ordered his men to attack Bryennios' right wing. After the first surprise, Ioannes Bryennios, Nikephoros' brother, fought well and put Alexios' Athanatoi to flight. Meanwhile Alexios, fighting well behind the enemy, suddenly realised his army was in flight. He gathered six good men and planned a desperate attack on Bryennios himself, but was deterred by Theodotos, an old friend, and regrouped. Bryennios' Pechenegs defeated their opponents and, as always, turned to pillage. Alexios then captured Bryennios' horse and other imperial trappings, and announced via a herald that Bryennios had fallen. At the same time extra Turkish reinforcements happened to join Alexios [in some versions of the battle they probably arrived earlier]. Surveying the battlefield, he put some Turks in ambush, using others and his remaining troops to lure Bryennios towards them. The plan worked well and Bryennios, his brother Ioannes and his son, though fighting heroically, were exhausted and worn down. Alexios had won
Certainty: 2 Capture & blinding of rebel Nikephoros Bryennios. Though his brother and son escaped from the battle of the river Halmyros, Nikephoros Bryennios was captured by the Turks, who praised his bravery. He was brought to Alexios Komnenos, who, rebuked him for his folly but showed compassion and admiration for his defeated enemy. God stopped Bryennios from killing Alexios as they rested together under a tree. Alexios sent him to Nikephoros III at Constantinople, with his imperial footwear and a letter announcing victory. There he was handed over to Nikephoros' henchman Boril, who took him to the Philopation and blinded him. Nikephoros pardoned all Bryennios' associates and even awarded honours to their blinded leader
Certainty: 2 Varangians attacked Nikephoros III at a parade but failed to harm him. Nikephoros III Botanneiates was watching the customary parade of armed guards late in the afternoon from an open-air corridor on an upper story of the palace. Suddenly he was attacked with arrows, one of which lodged in the neck of a nearby secretary. Other assassins climbed the stairs to reach him with their swords. Although unprepared for the attack and with few soldiers available to avert it, he did not run away, being accustomed to fighting, and resisted courageously with a few men who rushed to his aid. He pushed the drunken barbarian attackers diown the stairs, where they barricaded themselves into a tower but were overpowered by his guards. He only punished the ringleaders, and claimed that his salvation was due to divine favour
Certainty: 2 Rebellion of Nikephoros Basilakes who captured Thessalonike. Nikephoros Basilakes collected a considerable army of Romans, Bulgarians, Arbanitai and his own troops, with the excuse that he had to fight the rebel Nikephoros Bryennios, and marched from Dyrrachion towards Thessalonike. He allied himself with the Pechenegs, but was prevented from proclaiming himself emperor at Ohrid by the stance of the local archbishop. When he learned of the accession of Nikephoros III Botaneiates and the capture and blinding of Bryennios, he wrote to the new emperor in a servile tone, but secretly planned to revolt. He was assisted by Gymnos, Tessarakontapechys and Gregorios Mesemerios. He rejected a chrysobull sent by Botaneiates via a close confidant, offering amnesty, the rank of nobelissimos and other privileges; he summoned his allies and occupied Thessalonike. Alexios (I) was appointed sebastos and sent to Thessalonike against him
Certainty: 2 Nikephoros III sent Alexios Komnenos against Basilakes: Alexios left his camp as a trap. Alexios Komnenos, advancing against the rebel Nikephoros Basilakes, crossed the Strymon and the passes between Strumica and the Black Mountain. He then vanquished the garrison under Gymnos which Basilakes left at Peritheorion, sending the prisoners to Botaneiates, and encamped near Thessalonike. The rebel mobilised his forces in Thessalonike and at sunset, when the trumpets gave the signal, he left the city, going by an indirect route, planning to surprise the army of Alexios in his camp by the river Varadar during the night; but Alexios had been warned by Gemistos and was kept up to date by his spies, who saw the clouds of dust as the enemy left Thessalonike. He prepared his troops with food and rest during the day, so that they would be ready to fight at night, and took his army out of the camp. He left there his attendants, the former monk Ioannikios and others, with orders to keep lights burning all night
Certainty: 2 Nikephoros Basilakes surprised at night while pillaging Alexios' camp. The rebel Nikephoros Basilakes planned to surprise the army of Alexios Komnenos during the night. But Alexios was forewarned, and Basilakes' men attacked and began to plunder a near-empty camp. When Basilakes arrived, he saw that the camp had already been pillaged by his men. He made for the tent of Alexios (I) thinking that he would capture him, but found there only the monk Ioannikios (who denied all knowledge of events), and a burning torch. After a frantic search, destroying the tent and much of its furniture, Basilakios realised he had been tricked, and ordered his officers with a great shout to get out of the camp. At that moment the imperial army attacked. Tatikios had informed Alexios of the enemy approach, claiming to have recognised Basilakios. Alexios cut off the hand of a tall man trying to restore discipline among the pillagers, but it was not Basilakios. Basilakios was recognised and attacked by Goules, but the latter's sword shattered. Alexios called the unarmed Goules a coward, till he saw the hilt of the shattered sword. Another of Alexios' men, Petros Tornikios, made a further brave charge. Another of his guards, a Kelt, by mistake attacked Alexios himself and nearly unseated him: Alexios spoke to him by name and spared him, and he apologised, having not recognised his general in the dark. At this point day broke
Certainty: 2 Battle on the banks of the Vardar: Basilakes was defeated & fled to Thessalonike. After daybreak a more regular battle was fought on the banks of the river Vardar. Alexios (I) attempted as much as possible to break any remaining order among the army of Nikephoros Basilakes and ordered his army not to delay but to follow him as quickly as possible. He made a personal raid on the enemy. Basileios Kourtikios climbed the hill where Manuel, Basilakes' brother, was stationed on horseback. When Manuel drew his sword against him, he hit him with his staff on the helmet causing him to fall off his horse; he then carried him as a captive to the domestikos Alexios (I). The rebel Nikephoros Basilakes fled and took refuge in the acropolis of Thessalonike
Certainty: 2 Thessalonike surrendered to Alexios Komnenos; arrest & blinding of Nikephoros Basilakes. Alexios (I) took up position outside Thessalonike as if contemplating a siege. He sent a message via Symeon, hegoumenos of Xenophontos [or his servant, the ex-monk Ioannikios], asking Basilakes to surrender both himself and the city, but to no avail, though he promised that no harm would come to him. Thessalonike was handed over to Alexios Komnenos by its terrified inhabitants while the rebel Nikephoros Basilakes remained in the acropolis, but his position was collapsing and his men deserting. Soon Basilakes was surrendered too. Large sums of money were captured with him. On the way to Constantinople, between Philippi and Amphipolis, at a place which became known as the fountain of Basilakes, he was blinded following orders from Nikephoros III Botaneiates
Certainty: 2 Rebels Nikephoros Bryennios & Nikephoros Basilakes arrested by Alexios Komnenos. Alexios Komnenos was successful in his task of capturing both major rebels (Nikephoros Bryennios and Nikephoros Basilakes). He was greatly honoured by Nikephoros III Botaneiates upon returning to Constantinople, though not so honoured as he had hoped
Certainty: 0 Death of Aimilianos, patriarch of Antioch: to be replaced by Nikephoros Mauros. Aimilianos, patriarch of Antioch, died. He was succeeded as patriarch by Nikephoros Mauros
Certainty: 3 Gregory VII at a synod in Rome excommunicated Nikephoros III. Gregory VII held a synod in Rome at which Nikephoros III, who had just made himself emperor of Constantinople, was excommunicated
Certainty: 2 Unsuccessful rebellions of Leka, supported by Pechenegs, & Dobromir. The Paulician Leka from Philippopolis defected to the Pechenegs and prepared to attack the empire. His ally Dobromir ransacked Mesembria and killed Michael the loyal bishop of Serdica in his sacred vestments. But when Nikephoros III prepared to send an army against them, they were forewarned by the fate of others, gave up, were forgiven, and awarded high dignitaries and splendid gifts
Certainty: 2 Successful campaign under Alexios Komnenos against Pechenegs. Alexios Komnenos marched into Thrace where at Adrianople he learnt of the hostile intentions of the Pechenegs and gathered a large army. He advanced to Philippopolis from where he planned to reach the region of Skopje. The Pechenegs however fled when the army arrived at Serdica, and Alexios returned again victorious to Constantinople, where he was again well received
Certainty: 2 Peace with Pechenegs after embassy to Nikephoros III. Nikephoros III received an embassy from the Pechenegs of the Danube who offered their loyalty and proved it by maltreating the envoys who had previously sided with them
Certainty: 2 Stephanos the megas droungarios restored (as Symeon) the monastery of Xenophontos. Stephanos the megas droungarios was granted by Nikephoros III permission to become a monk (as Symeon). The emperor also gave permission and funds to restore the abandoned monastery of Xenophontos: he embellished its church, built fortifications and cells, and added vineyards, prairies and proasteia thus making it one of the greatest monasteries of Athos. He was followed there by three beardless and disrespectful youths, Eusebios, Hilarion and Kandidos. He bought for Xenophontos 700 modioi of land at Gymnou and 1000 modioi at Sybre on Kassandra, 2 properties at Thessalonike, houses at Hagios Menas, and 100 horses and donkeys, 130 buffaloes, 150 cows, and 2000 sheep and goats. Nikephoros III appointed Paulos, hegoumenos of Docheiariou as protos of Athos, and told him to compensate Xenophontos for the removal from its jurisdiction of the metochion of Phalakrou
Certainty: 2 Athanatoi sent to Chrysopolis against Turks. Nikephoros III Botaneiates, having dealt with the rebellions of Bryennios and Basilakes in the Balkans, sent an army against the Turks in Asia Minor. While at Nicaea the troops requested reinforcements and he sent the Athanatoi to Chrysopolis to join them
Certainty: 1 Murder of Ioannes Bryennios by the Varangian he had mutilated. As Ioannes Bryennios was leaving the palace in Constantinople, he was attacked by the Varangian whom he had previously mutilated by having his nose slit. He was killed by a dagger. The murder caused an affray when Varangians supporting Bryennios arrived to take revenge
Certainty: 1 Death of Michael Psellos. [Psellos wrote two letters in this year, and probably began to prepare a poem for dedication to Nikephoros III. No letter can be dated later, and other later texts attributed to him range from uncertain to completely mistaken. This is probably the year of his death. Severe doubts have been expressed over the authenticity of a letter of Theophylaktos of Ohrid, which consoles Psellos' brother for his death. Psellos, who was passionate about family, never mentions the existence of a brother]
Certainty: 2 Rebellion of Konstantios Doukas at Chrysopolis; he was arrested, tonsured & banished. Konstantios Doukas, son of the deposed emperor Michael VII, was assigned to an army sent to pacify the east, which was suffering from Turkish attacks. While the commander was away, Konstantios plotted against Nikephoros III and attempted to have the troops proclaim him as emperor, causing severe disturbances. Some of the worst elements in the army supported his attempt, but Constantinople was loyal to Botaneiates, who prepard for war. When the emperor enquired into the origins of the revolt, he found it easy to bribe Konstantios' supporters to betray him. He was handed over and imprisoned, then sent back to Constantinople, where he was forcibly tonsured and exiled to an island
Certainty: 2 Nikephoros III enacted legal reforms. After the revolt of Konstantios Doukas, Nikephoros III redrafted some ambiguous legislation, sought to change the law on spouses who go mad, and brought back a relevant but forgotten novella of Emperor Leon, rendering it fairer. He also brought back in force an old law of Theodosios stipulating that a criminal's sentence should not be carried out until thirty days had elapsed from his last conviction, so that the anger of emperors might be restrained, allowing the defendant's acquittal, if appropriate
Certainty: 3 Famine in Syria, everywhere but Edessa.
Certainty: 3 Chrysobull of Nikephoros III Botaneiates for Christ Panoiktirmon. At the request of Michael Attaleiates, Nikephoros III issued a chrysobull for his foundation of Christ Panoiktirmon, confirming its ownership of properties in Macedonia and Thrace and the privileges (of exemption from new taxes and services) granted by his predecessor Michael VII. The chrysobull was registered in the offices of the megas sakellarios, the genikos logothetes and the stratiotikos logothetes. Nikephoros also granted the monastery an annual endowment of 12 nomismata, to be paid at the same time as the allowances of the spatharokandidatoi
Certainty: 3 Chrysobull of Nikephoros III renewing & confirming earlier grants & privileges for Nea Mone (Chios). Following a request from the monks of Nea Mone, Nikephoros III Botaneiates issued a chrysobull confirming those of his predecessors Zoe and Theodora, Konstantinos IX Monomachos, Isaakios I Komnenos, Romanos IV Diogenes and Michael VII Doukas. He included a pittakion for the sekreton of the megas sakellarios renewing the solemnion of two pounds of gold
Certainty: 3 Chrysobull of Nikephoros III confirming earlier donations & granting further privileges to Iveron. At the request of the monks of Iveron, he issued a chrysobull confirming those of his predecessors, granting them exkousseia for their properties and confirming earlier donations. He stipulated that legal action against them should be judged by the katepano or doux of Thessalonike, and not by thematic kritai or tax officials exploiting the monksÂ’ lack of Greek. They were to be protected from local bishops and magnates by the logothetes of the dromos. The chrysobull is notable for a comprehensive list of taxes and charges from which the monastery was exempted, and a comprehensive list of officials who must be prevented from meddling
Certainty: 3 Chrysobull of Nikephoros III confirming island of Neoi to Lavra & tax exemptions. Nikephoros III issued a chrysobull adding 100 tax-exempt paroikoi to those owned by the monastery of Lavra on Athos and confirming its ownership of the island of Neoi
Certainty: 3 Anagrapheus of Smolenoi, Thessalonike & Serres Ioannes Kataphloron issues an act on tax obligations of the Saviour (Hierissos). Following an order from Nikephoros III, the anagrapheus of Smolenoi, Thessalonike & Serres, Ioannes Kataphloron, examined the earlier acts concerning the tax obligations of the metochion of the Saviour at Hierissos, belonging to the monastery of Kaliourgou, and issued a fresh act
Certainty: 2 Lightning hit the column in forum of Constantine (Constantinople). No persons mentioned
Certainty: 2 Michael Attaleiates wrote his History, dedicated to Nikephoros III. Michael Attaleiates completed a book describing recent events and their causes as an eye-witness, together with some unexpected occurrences and the virtues and defects of rulers. He completed the work up to the second year of Nikephoros III Botaneiates and dedicated it to that emperor
Certainty: 2 Gagik II was ambushed & killed by sons of Mandale.
Certainty: 2 Tutush captured Damascus from Atsiz.
Certainty: 3 Nikephoros III granted privileges to monastery of Prodromos at Strobilos. Konstantinos Kaballoures, vestarches, decided to set up a monastery on his properties at Strobilos, but died childless before fulfilling his wish. His sister Maria determined to carry out his plan: she founded the monastery of Timios Prodromos at Strobilos, and was granted a chrysobull by Nikephoros III, declaring it independent and exempting it and its properties from taxes, to be administered according to the typikon Maria would provide
Certainty: 3 Nikephoros III granted money & privileges to monastery of Arsenios Skenoures on Kos. Arsenios Skenoures founded a tiny monastic community of two cells on the deserted and waterless Mount Dikaion on the island of Kos, for which he sought imperial help. Nikephoros III issued a chrysobull for an annual grant from the dioiketes of Kyklades, full independence and tax privileges for the cells
Certainty: 3 Chrysobull of Nikephoros III on sentences & fate of imperial family after fall from power. The emperor Nikephoros III Botaneiates issued a chrysobull on sentences of death and mutilation, and generally on the fate of members of imperial families after their fall from power. The document attracted 34 signatures from metropolitans and other leaders of the church
Certainty: 1 Tax assessment for Docheiariou on its properties of Satoubla & Perigardikeia (Chalkidike). Ioannes Kataphloron, stategos & anagrapheus of Smolenoi, Thessalonike & Serres, and Kontoleon, praktor of the theme of Thessalonike, prescribed the tax to be paid by the monastery of Docheiariou on its properties of Satoubla and Perigardikeia (in Chalkidike) and issued an act for the monastery
Certainty: 1 Tax obligation of Lavra on its properties increased by the anagrapheus of Smolenoi, Thessalonike & Serres Ioannes Kataphloron. The anagrapheus of Smolenoi, Thessalonike & Serres, Ioannes Kataphloron, increased the tax obligation of the monastery of Lavra on its properties
Certainty: 1 Turkish attacks in Anatolia. As a result of Turkish atttacks in the region of Latros (Asia Minor), Christodoulos (later founder of Theologos on Patmos) was forced to flee for a second time, avoiding a theoretical duty to stay and die. In another attack, the young Chaka was captured by Alexandros Kabalikas and handed over to Nikephoros III. Chaka would later boast that this was due to his inexperience, not to any lack of courage. Nikephoros made him nobelissimos and gave him very generous presents
Certainty: 1 Election of Basileios (in Constantinople) as metropolitan of Calabria.
Certainty: 3 Chrysobull of Nikephoros III granting paroikoi & tax concessions to Vatopedi. Nikephoros III, following a request from the monks of Vatopedi (Athos), issued a chrysobull for the monastery granting it 50 paroikoi and tax exemptions on five properties
Certainty: 2 Chrysobull of Nikephoros III confirming solemnion of 100 nomismata & independence of Nea Mone (Chios). Nikephoros III Botaneiates issued a chrysobull for Nea Mone confirming its annual grant of 100 nomismata and its independent status
Certainty: 2 Symeon of Xenophontos & his three disrespectful young companions expelled from Athos. Symeon the hegoumenos of Xenophontos was expelled from the mountain (Athos) by the assembly of monks on account of the young age of his companions. The young monks Eusebios, Kandidos and Hilarion were also expelled for their youth and because of their disrespectful behaviour
Certainty: 2 Rebellion of Nikephoros Melissenos, who captured Nicaea. Nikephoros Melissenos, while living on Kos, concluded an alliance with the Turks who were ravaging Asia Minor and rose in rebellion against Nikephoros III Botaneiates. He handed over several cities to the Turks and then captured Nicaea. When Alexios (I) Komnenos refused to move against Melissenos with the few troops available, fearing an unfair accusation of treachery if he failed, Botaneiates sent Ioannes the protoverstiarios, Basileios Kourtikios and Georgios Palaiologos in his place
Certainty: 2 Unsuccessful siege of Nicaea by protovestiarios Ioannes. The eunuch protovestiarios Ioannes (who had raken over the army of Alexios (I)), Basileios Kourtikios and Georgios Palaiologos approached the rebel Nikephoros Melissenos in Nicaea. The three generals disagreed about the strategy to be followed to oust him from Nicaea, which they discussed in Ioannes' tent. Ioannes insisted on a siege, insisting on his superior rank. The other two believed that a combination of an attack from a Turkish force outside with others shooting from the walls and making sorties from the gates would be irresistable and cause great losses. So they told Ioannes not to attack, but to plunder the area and capture small fortresses. Ioannes advanced to the walls of Nicaea and demanded surrender, largely out of ignorance, but had to retreat when a superior Turkish force appeared
Certainty: 2 Ioannes the protovestiarios, though saved by his fellow-commanders, made them lose imperial favour. Georgios Palaiologos, who with Basileios Kourtikios had said little during the failed attack, offered advice when the need for an orderly retreat became plain. Ioannes promptly handed command of the army to Georgios, who took precautions to extricate it from a difficult position. But a crisis arose, and the men under Ioannes' command were routed, leaving him alone and terrified. Kourtikios was in favour of ignoring him, but Palaiologos answered his pleas for help, telling the man to follow him. When the attack intensified again and Ioannes almost went crazy with fear, Palaiologos killed the leading attackers, slapped Ioannes' face and told him to buck up. Ioannes was so dehydrated he could not speak, asking for water with signs. Palaiologos brought him water in his helmet at great personal danger. Ioannes was effusively grateful, making elaborate promises. Palaiologos then left the eunuch with his servants while he went to help Isaakios Kontostephanos, who had lost his horse. He first played a charade to test Isaakios, then became serious and found him a horse. The group then withdrew with the army to Helenoupolis and from there to the capital. Palaiologos and Kourtikios wondered how the eunuch would react. They discovered when they tried to enter the palace. Ioannes wrote to the emperor complaining of their appalling conduct towards him, and arranged for the doorkeepers not to let them in. Palaiologos' help was repaid with constant scheming and malicious plots
Certainty: 2 Muslim b. Quraysh captured Aleppo, then 'Azaz & other places.
Certainty: 3 Chrysobull of Nikephoros III granting properties on Kos to Christodoulos; foundation of Theotokos monastery. Christodoulos (later of Patmos) with his small community had taken refuge at a property of Arsenios Skenourios at Strobilos on the mainland. But there were more Turkish attacks and so he moved to Kos, having been offered other properties on the island by Skenourios. Christodoulos secured a chrysobull from Nikephoros III confirming ownership of the properties with a tax exemption. He founded a monastery dedicated to the Theotokos at Pelion, threw himself into the work but lost Skenourios, who fled to Jerusalem. The work eventually bore fruit in a church dedicated to the Theotokos and an excellent monastery where Christodoulos expected to spend the rest of his life
Certainty: 3 Investiture of Robert Guiscard by Gregory VII. Gregory VII invested Robert Guiscard with the lands granted him by Gregory's predecessors as pope, Nicholas II and Alexander II
Certainty: 3 Robert Guiscard swore fidelity to the Roman church & Gregory VII. Robert Guiscard at Ceprano swore fidelity to the Roman church and to Gregory VII, setting out the terms of the agreement made with him
Certainty: 2 Appearance in South Italy of false Michael VII, either through his own initiative or that of Guiscard. Robert Guiscard had been so successful in Italy that he decided to aim at the Byzantine imperial throne, and began to search for reasons to launch an attack. The case of the false Michael VII was a useful opportunity. Two stories circulated as to how the event began. In one, Raiktor the monk took the initiative, pretending to be Michael, complaining he had been compelled to become a monk, and his bride Helena (Robert's daughter) to become, as it were, a widow; Maria of Alania and her son Konstantinos had unwillingly gone over to Nikephoros III. In the other, more credible scenario, the whole scheme was a cynical plan of Robert's: he cunningly convinced opponents of his plans, including his wife Gaita. He sent emissaries to Crotone to search for a presentable Greek monk on pilgrimage to Italy; they found Raiktor, and had him act as the wronged Michael VII as above
Certainty: 3 Gregory VII supported (the false) Michael VII in a letter to the bishops of Apulia & Calabria. Gregory VII had received a cry for help from Michael VII, supposedly the deposed emperor of Byzantium (though probably a monk and imposter). The request had been seconded by Robert Guiscard. Gregory judged it right to respond to this appeal, and so wrote to the bishops of Apulia and Calabria, asking for their support. He told any bishops who joined the expedition to fulfil their spiritual role suitably, giving them authority to pronounce absolution
Certainty: 2 Robert Guiscard used the false Michael VII as pretext to prepare invasion of Byzantium. Robert Guiscard [to take the more credible story], had the monk Raiktor (the false Michael VII) announce his arrival in Southern Italy by letter. With this he persuaded his wife Gaita and other doubters to welcome the man and support his restitution to the throne. He staged an elaborate charade around Raiktor, deferring to his imperial standing, apparently sparing his feelings in what he said to him and stressing their fictitious connections by marriage. Before he left to attack Byzantium to save his unhappy daughter Helena, he married off his two remaining daughters: one to Raymond Berengar of Barcelona and the other to count Ebalus of Roucy (?)
Certainty: 2 Rudolf of Swabia & Welf of Bavaria, supported by pope Gregory VII, defeated by emperor Henry IV. Pope Gregory VII quarreled with the emperor Henry IV, accusing him of of accepting money for church preferment and offering high ecclesiastical positions to unworthy priests; Henry responded that Gregorios had usurped the papacy without his consent. Henry's language was most intemperate, and so Gregorios was moved to treat his ambassadors in so violent a way that Anna Komnene, in recounting the story, refused to give details, as a woman and princess. Both sides tried to enlist Robert Guiscard as an ally, the pope having some success, limited by Robert's determination to attack Byzantium. Rudolph of Rheinfelden, Duke of Swabia, and Welf, duke of Bavaria, became leaders of Gregorios' papal army in the struggle against Henry; in the bloody battle which resulted, the papal forces fought well under Rudolph's direction, but collapsed when he was killed. After the great battle, both sides sought the help of Robert Guiscard; he sent a letter to Gregorios and a verbal message to Henry, excusing himself to both, on the grounds of war against Byzantium. Robert became powerful because others failed to unite against him
Certainty: 2 Nikephoros III disinherited his empress' son Konstantinos, pushing her towards the Komnenoi. Nikephoros III, as his life drew towards its close, decided not to keep Konstantinos Doukas, the son of his wife Maria of Alania, as his heir. He turned to Synadenos (probably Nikephoros and probably his sister's son). This was a fatal mistake: it pushed Maria towards the Komnenoi, who were able to act as her champions and those of Doukas legitimacy. Isaakios as the husband of her cousin and Alexios as her adopted son could visit her freely. They (and their mother Anna Dalassene) realised that she was distressed at the change in her son's status: they made a pact that they would defend Konstantinos while she would give them important news from the palace, especially over the enmity shown by Boril and Germanos
Certainty: 2 Death of Geza I of Hungary; his wife returned to Byzantium. Geza I, kral of Hungary, died. His wife (a Synadene, niece of Nikephoros III), returned to Byzantium
Certainty: 3 Letter of Gregory VII to the Armenian patriarch.
Gregory VII wrote to the Armenian patriarch, the archbishop of Dzamendav [probably Gregory the Martyrophile, the Armenian katholikos] that he had heard of certain Armenian errors: not mixing water with wine at Eucharist, making chrism using butter, not balsam and venerating Dioskoros of Alexandria as a saint. Ioannes the presbyter, legate of the Armenian patriarch, had denied these charges, but Gregory asked the patriarch himself to reply in writing. He also asked him to confirm acceptance of the councils of Nicaea, Ephesos, Constantinople and Chalcedon; he wanted "qui crucifixus es pro nobis" removed from the trisagion, as it was not found elsewhere and represented a scandal. Gregory supported Armenian use of azymes, which accorded with Roman use. He did not condemn Greek use of leavened bread, only their bigotry. Ioannes the presbyter was to take this letter back to the patriarch
Certainty: 2 Gregory VII wrote to Roffredus of Benevento over an Armenian heretic. Gregory VII had received information on heresy in Armenia from the archbishop of Dzamendav [probably Gregory the Martyrophile, the Armenian katholikos]. The information had been brought by Ioannes, an orthodox presbyter, and mentioned Macharus, an Armenian resident in Frigento, who had been condemned as a heretic in Armenia. Gregory wrote to Roffredus, bishop of Beneventum, telling him to seek out Macharus and investigate the charges of heresy against him, accepting him into the church if he was willing to be corrected but taking necessary measures against him if he proved obdurate. Any money Macharus had acquired under false pretences was to be confiscated and given to the poor
Certainty: 2 Foundation of Theotokos Eleousa by bishop Manuel of Stroumitza. Manuel, bishop of Stroumitza, founded the monastery of the Theotokos Eleousa (the Merciful) in the theme of Stroumitza, in the village called Ano Palaiokastron. He spent much on his monastery, building it from the foundations. Fearing outside interference he later petitioned the emperor Alexios I to grant it protection, which he did, in the form of a chrysobull
Certainty: 3 Dispute between Iveron & monastery of Sarabares over vineyard examined by synaxis of hegoumenoi. Paulos, hegoumenos of Docheiariou and protos of Athos decided, with the hegoumenoi gathered during the feast of the Dormition, to give Iveron three months to produce witnesses to ownership of a vineyard allegedly usurped by the monks of Sarabares
Certainty: 3 Pittakion of Nikephoros III on usurpation of Iveron properties. Nikolaos, hegoumenos of Iveron appealed to Nikephoros III complaining that some of his monastery's properties were usurped by other monasteries. The emperor issued a pittakion ordering the protos Paulos to investigate and restore the properties to their rightful owner
Certainty: 3 Dispute between Iveron & monastery of Sarabares over vineyard settled by protos Paulos. At the expiry of the three-month deadline given Iveron by the synaxis, Paulos, the protos of Athos, went to the vineyard with many hegoumenoi; when the parties failed to bring witnesses or prove their claims, he established its borders with boundary stones before both parties. He valued the vineyard at 100 nomismata, deciding that it, and the 124 measures of wine produced that year, should be shared between the two monasteries. He signed a report describing his actions, giving copies to the two parties. Nikolaos, the hegoumenos of Iveron, offered his half of the property to the Sarabares monks for 50 nomismata, and gave them the water-mill on the Megalos Potamos. Seven witnesses (five Georgian) are listed for the division of the property, and four others who also witnessed the payment of the 50 nomismata
Certainty: 3 Dispute over field near Hierissos between Lavra & Xeropotamou, resolved with periorismos. When Lavra and Xeropotamou on Athos disagreed about a property given to Lavra long before by Maria Lagoudia, the hegoumenos of Xeropotamou asked the parties to visit the disputed field and establish its boundaries. Barnabas, the oikonomos of the Lavra metochion at Hierissos, took Demetrios Makrys, a trustworthy old man, to the disputed field; then, before witnesses and representatives of Xeropotamou (Theodoretos the oikonomos, and Demetrios, the oikonomos of the Xeropotamou metochion at Ozolimnos) the boundary was established, basically in favour of Lavra. Georgios, the kouboukleisios and nomikos of Hierissos, drafted a document to reflect the periorismos, and signed it on behalf of Demetrios Makrys (see above) and Demetrios Philokorasis, one of the witnesses, both apparently illiterate. Three other witnesses (another Demetrios presbyter and deutereuon, Georgios the grandson and oikonomos of the bishop of Hierissos and Leon presbyter and domestikos), signed for themselves
Certainty: 2 Alexios & Isaakios Komnenos did not attend court together, so that one of them would survive any plot. The brothers Alexios and Isaakios Komnenos realised the danger they were running from the plans of Boril and Germanos, as the envy against them reached the proportions of a great fire. They therefore decided that one would go to the palace on one day and the other the next, so that they could not both be taken together by any plot
Certainty: 2 Capture of Kyzikos by the Turks caused summoning of Alexios on a day when Isaakios was at court. One day, hearing of the fall of Kyzikos, Nikephoros III summoned Alexios (I) to the palace. Alexios met his brother Isaakios (whose turn it was to be at court) and explained his own presence at lunch. Because of the sombre mood, Alexios was convinced that danger threatened them. But Isaakios heard the true reason for the bad mood of the guests - the fall of Kyzikos - from a servant, who got the information to him at table via the cook (whom, like the whole imperial retinue, the Komnenoi had been cultivating). Isaakios passed the information on to Alexios by lipreading. Forewarned of the news about Kyzikos, the brothers were able to flatter and reassure Nikephoros III when he announced it and left unharmed
Certainty: 2 Failure of plots by Boril & Germanos to have Alexios Komnenos banished or blinded. Boril and Germanos redoubled their efforts to get revenge on Isaakios and Alexios Komnenos by having them blinded or exiled. This would also deprive Konstantinos Doukas, son of Maria of Alania, of his protector. Alexios intercepted the decrees of the two Scythian slaves and carried them to Nikephoros III, who took his side: the Scythians were reprimanded. However they still pressured Nikephoros to change his mind. At one stage he seems to have decided to blind Alexios: but he subsequently chose to send him instead on perilous missions, hoping that he would either be killed or disobey so that he might be punished
Certainty: 2 Pressure of plots against them made Komnenos brothers decide to revolt. Alexios (I) and Isaakios his bother, hearing of the plans of Boril and Germanos against them, decided that their only recourse was to revolt. There was no other way of protecting themselves
Certainty: 1 Adoption of Alexios Komnenos by empress Maria of Alania. Following the accession of Nikephoros III, Alexios Komnenos was adopted by Michael VII's wife Maria of Alania. Anna Dalassene and Isaakios Komnenos helped to prepare the way. The adoption allowed Alexios more security, and gave him access to information from the palace. As an adopted son he could visit Maria without danger of reproach
Certainty: 1 Donation of Mesolimna (near Thessalonike) to Leon Baasprakanites & Othon by Nikephoros III. Nikephoros III donated the proasteion of Mesolimna (near Thessalonike) to Leon Baasprakanites and the Frank Othon. However later (probably still during Nikephoros' reign) they joined the rebellion of the Norman leader Pounteses (Raoul de Pontoise?), and their property was conficated to the fisc
Certainty: 1 Rebellion of Raoul de Pontoise against Nikephoros III. The Norman leader Pounteses (Raoul de Pontoise?) rebelled against Nikephoros III(?). The information was given in the context of punishment for two of his allies, Leon Baasprakanites and the Frank Othon. [The date of the rebellion is uncertain, probably before but perhaps after the accession of of Alexios I]
Certainty: 1 Euthymios, hegoumenos of Docheiariou resigned, to be replaced by Neophytos. Euthymios of Docheiariou (Athos), resigned as hegoumenos of Docheiariou and appointed in writing as his successor his nephew Neophytos. Neophytos subsequently erected new buildings and cells, planted vineyards, acquired vestments, vessels, icons and books, and rebuilt the church of the monastery
Certainty: 1 Donation to Christ Panoiktirmon by patriarch of Antioch Nikephoros Mauros & Theodora Komnene. The monastery of Christ Panoiktirmon (founded by Michael Attaleiates) was granted properties by the patriarch of Antioch Nikephoros Mauros via Theodora-Xene Komnene (sister of Alexios Komnenos), with the consent of the latter's mother Anna Dalassene
Certainty: 0 Michael Attaleiates made an addition to his will. Michael Attaleiates made a signed addition to his Diataxis. In it, he confirmed the rules concerning female heirs in case of lack of a male heir, and abolished the stipulation about the obligatory restitution of inherited properties by childless heirs to his foundation. There were also to be three more commemorations as the result of the donation to the monastery of a monokellion (at Raidestos?): Nikephoros Mauros, the original owner, should have an ektenes and a commemoration celebrated for him on the anniversary of his death, while two nomismata should be granted to the monks and three to the poor; a trisagion and 24 liturgies should also be celebrated. There were also commemorations for Theodora - Xene Komnene, who took the building from Mauros and granted it to the monastery, and her deceased husband Konstantinos Diogenes
Certainty: 0 Undated acquisitions by Michael Attaleiates' foundation after the founder's death. Attaleiates left blank pages in his Diataxis for the Chrysobull of Nikephoros III (which was added), then for donations to the monastery and books and sacred objects purchased for its treasury. The added pages are not clearly set out, though some deductions are possible. Some items seem datable to 1084 and 1085, while others are not: gifts of books from a protosynkellos, Gregorios, a monk and Konstantinos Peribleptenos; books purchased from Symeon Seth; and various liturgical objects given by Boutoumites, Ignatios (another monk) and Niketas
Certainty: 0 Niketas Stethatos wrote on the filioque & against the Jews, & made a declaration of faith. Niketas Stethatos wrote a work on the filioque, castigating a Latin audience for misrepresenting the relationships of the Trinity, wrongly interpreting scriptural references to "Spirit" and creating a dyarchy. He also wrote a treatise "Against the Jews", saying that God had rejected them for failure to believe in Christ, and composed a profession of faith, setting out his basic doctrinal position. He included a reference to an important letter concerning heresies which he had sent to Leon, bishop of Arkadioupolis
Certainty: 2 Kyzikos crisis allowed Alexios Komnenos to call all friendly army-commanders to Constantinople. Alexios (I) was later ordered to gather troops to campaign at Kyzikos, and used the opportunity to confirm the support of favourable commanders and bring them to the capital. Boril became suspicious of the troop movements, and sent a messenger to Nikephoros III about them. However Alexios had a ready answer, denying that anything unusual was happening, and remained calm
Certainty: 2 Anna Dalassene married the daughter of her late eldest son Manuel to the grandson of Nikephoros III. Just before the coup of the Komnenoi, Anna Dalassene succeeded in organising the engagement of (Anna?), the only daughter of her eldest son, the late Manuel Komnenos, to (Nikephoros?), the grandson of Nikephoros III
Certainty: 2 Boril attacked Alexios (I) to Nikephoros III over summons to officers: Alexios successfully replied. The servants of Nikephoros III, Boril and Germanos, accused Alexios and Isaakios Komnenos of plotting to rise in rebellion, thus harming the emperor's relations with them. Alexios and Isaakios began to feel that rebellion was indeed the only way of ensuring their safety
Certainty: 2 Boril & Germanos made further desperate plans, but they were betrayed by an anonymous Alan. Boril and Germanos were growing increasingly desperate. Their plans were increasingly selfish and open. But a magistros of Alan background overheard their plots and escaped in the middle of the night to inform Alexios of what was to occur. Maria of Alania may have been involved. Alexios took the Alan to a crisis meeting with Isaakios and his mother Anna Dalassene
Certainty: 3 Crisis talks of Komnenos brothers & their mother, then 2 days later with Pakourianos & Oumberto(poulo)s. The Alan informant was brought by Alexios (I) to his mother Anna Dalassene and his brother Isaakios. The bad news he gave made them decide on immediate rebellion. Two days later Alexios had talks with Gregorios Pakourianos, who promised his support, stressing the need to act quickly. Alexios undertook to make him domestikos if he won the imperial throne. He also gained the support of Konstantinos Oumberto(poulo)s, exchanging oaths with him
Certainty: 3 Alexios left Constantinople at dawn for the army at Tzouroulos, inspiring a popular song. Alexios (I) left the city with his followers at dawn on Monday of cheese-week, after entrusting the keys of the house to Anna Dalassena. The people sang "On Saturday of cheese-week, well done, Alexios, you understood it, and on Monday morning early, fly well, my hawk". Anna translates this into solemn purist Greek
Certainty: 3 The Komnenoi left by the Blachernai gate, taking horses from royal stables & mutilating the rest. Fearing for their safety, Alexios (I), his bother Isaakios and the other rebels left the city by the gate in the Brachionion of Blachernai and broke into the imperial stables, taking the horses they needed and cutting the hind-legs of the rest. They then went on to Kosmidion
Certainty: 3 Georgios Palaiologos reluctantly joined Komnenoi, taking womenfolk to Blachernai & bringing money on mules. When the Komnenian rebels reached Kosmidion, they found Georgios Palaiologos with his wife Anna and mother-in-law Maria. He had been excluded from their plans because his father Nikephoros was a close confidant of Nikephoros III. The Komnenians forced Georgios to join them, with the aid of Maria. He persuaded them to leave Anna and Maria in the church at Blachernai, rather than taking them to a fortress. He told the others to go ahead, while he followed with his moveable wealth (which was at Kosmidion), using the monks' baggage animals. He rejoined them at Tzouroulos
Certainty: 3 Anna Dalassene tricked tutor of Nikephoros III's grandson, affianced to her granddaughter. When Alexios (I) was about to leave the capital in revolt, Anna Dalassene devised a plan to prevent the tutor of the emperor's grandson, who was sleeping in the house of the Komnenoi, from finding out and telling Nikephoros III. She pretended to organize a visit of the women to the churches. In fact they were seeing their menfolk off, then going to Hagia Sophia for asylum. They shut the door of the tutor and his charge. Much later the tutor awoke, went out with a torch and found the women near the Church of the Forty Martyrs. Anna told him they had been denounced to the emperor, were going round the churches for help and would arrive early at the palace. He was asked to warn the doorkeepers, which he did
Certainty: 3 Women & children of Komnenoi, after farewelling men, took sanctuary in Hagios Nikolaos. When the Komnenian men left Constantinople in revolt, Anna Dalassene with the other women and children of the family sought refuge in the church of Hagios Nikolaos (still called "the Refuge", near Hagia Sophia). They were stopped by a reluctant doorman, but they gained access by claiming that they were pilgrims from the East, needing to pray before setting out home
Certainty: 3 Nikephoros III summoned the Komnenian women; Anna Dalassene replied defiantly. When the Komnenoi left Constantinople, Nikephoros III convened the senate to take measures to pursue them; he also sent Romanos Straboromanos and Euphemianos to Hagios Nikolaos, to ask the Komnenian women and children to come to the palace. Anna Dalassene replied defiantly, defending her sons Alexios and Isaakios: the terrible threats hanging over them had left them no choice
Certainty: 3 At insistent imperial summons, the women gained entrance to Hagia Sophia & claimed asylum. Romanos Straboromanos and Euphemianos persisted in demanding that the Komnenian women come with them to the palace. Anna Dalassene, Eirene Doukaina and Eirene of Alania, with the others, refused. Anna Dalassene asked to be allowed to pray in Hagia Sophia; she did this, pretending exhaustion, and formally claimed asylum. She grabbed the holy doors and refused to leave without a guarantee from Nikephoros III of her safety. Straboromanos offered his cross, but Anna demanded a large and visible cross from Nikephoros III himself. Eirene of Alania demanded the same reassurance
Certainty: 2 Kaisar Ioannes was persuaded to join revolt, & en route added a tax-collector's gold & some Turks. Alexios (I) and his brother Isaakios sent a messenger with news of their revolt for Ioannes Doukas the kaisar on his estates at ta Moroboundou. It was his young grandson, Ioannes Doukas who took the message and woke his grandfather to tell him. For his pains he received a blow and was told not to speak nonsense. He woke him again and repeated the message, and was believed, with the support of the messenger and a fine veiled reference to the revolt in the letter. Ioannes' first reaction was negative, but he soon decided to give the revolt his full support, and he set off to join it. He soon met Byzantios, a tax collector carrying a lot of cash, whom he compelled, in a friendly way, to follow him. Then he met some Turkish mercenaries, who were induced by promises to come with him and swear to follow Alexios (I). When he reached the Komnenoi they greeted each other with great enthusiasm
Certainty: 2 Women & children of Komnenoi only left Hagia Sophia when reassured by Nikephoros III's great cross. Nikephoros III reacted in a kindly way to the demands of Anna Dalassene and the other Komnenian women in Hagia Sophia. As requested, he sent them his great cross with full assurances of their safety. He thus prevailed on them and their children to leave the asylum of the church
Certainty: 2 Women of Komnenoi confined to Petrion monastery with daughter-in-law of kaisar Ioannes. Anna Dalassene, Eirene Doukaina and Eirene of Alania with other women and children were transferred from Hagia Sophia to the female monastery of Petrion. There they were joined from Blachernai by Maria the protovestiaria, daughter-in-law of the kaisar Ioannes. Every morning they would ask their guards about the rebels, and the guards would give frank replies. The flow of information was increased by Maria's generosity in allowing the guards to take what they wanted from their prisoners' provisions (which were unrestricted)
Certainty: 2 Rebels started from Tzouroulos for Constantinople, welcomed nearly everywhere; they camped at Schiza. After the Komnenians started out quickly for the capital at the urging of Ioannes Doukas the kaisar, Alexios was acclaimed in most towns en route except Orestias, which remembered Nikephoros Bryennios and was loyal to Nikephoros III. They camped first at Athyra, then at Schiza
Certainty: 2 Which brother should they proclaim? Intense lobbying for Alexios from his family & the Doukai. At Schiza there arose a passionate dispute between the partisans of the two brothers Isaakios and Alexios, which seemed for a time that it would become irreconcilable. The two principals were apparently unconcerned, Alexios particularly because he knew that the army was firmly on his side, and so he could be conciliatory. Isaakios recalled the prophecy of a holy person Alexios had seen in a vision at Karpianos, predicting that Alexios would be emperor. The decisive interventions were made by the Doukai, Ioannes the kaisar, who took the lead, his grandsons Michael and Ioannes, and their brother-in-law Georgios Palaiologos. Because Alexios was married to Eirene Doukaina he was the only Komnenian whom they could easily support, as the bridge between the two families. They favoured Alexios with intense lobbying and all their eloquence
Certainty: 2 Isaakios himself made Alexios accept, amid united acclamations led by the Doukai. After discussion about which brother should become emperor, Isaakios himself placed the purple slippers on Alexios (I)'s feet, countering his opposition by reminding him of a vision that Alexios had had at Karpianos, when returning from the palace. At Isaakios' insistance, his brother had revealed the details, that Ioannes the Theologian predicted that Alexios would become emperor. The Doukai led the acclamations for Alexios I, which achieved surprising unanimity
Certainty: 3 Chrysobull of Nikephoros III confirms earlier decision in favour of Lavra in property dispute with Theodoros tou Aichmalotou. Nikephoros III issued a chrysobull confirming an earlier decision in favour of Lavra concerning that monastery's dispute with Theodoros tou Aichmalotou over some properties
Certainty: 2 Nikephoros Melissenos from Damalis suggested that a Komnenos rule the west & himself the east. Nikephoros Melissenos had been proclaimed emperor and reached Damalis with his substantial army. However, this was not yet confirmed in the Komnenian army outside Constantinople. Nikephoros thus sent ambassadors to announce the news and to make a proposal: Alexios (I) or his brother Isaakios should become ruler of the west, while Nikephoros remained ruler of the east, with joint policy and administration. Alexios regarded this plan to divide the empire as unworkable