Certainty: 3 Letter of Gregory VII to Hugh, abbot of Cluny. Gregory VII wrote a letter to Hugh, the abbot of Cluny, lamenting the terrible state of the world. The devil was driving eastern Christians away from the western Catholic faith and killing Christians everywhere. Western secular rulers were worse than Jews and pagans
Certainty: 3 Chrysobull of Michael VII for Christ Panoiktirmon. Following a request from Michael Attaleiates, Michael VII issued a chrysobull for his foundation of Christ Panoiktirmon, exempting it from new taxes and services. Attaleiates was afraid that his properties in Thrace and Macedonia might be plundered. The chrysobull was registered in the offices of the genikos logothetes and the stratiotikos logothetes
Certainty: 2 Embassy under Nikephoros Palaiologos to Giorgi II of Georgia seeking mercenaries. Nikephoros Palaiologos was sent by Michael VII to Giorgi II of Georgia in order to recruit a mercenary army. He went to Georgia, recruited around six thousand troops and invaded the Pontos, attempting to put an end to the attacks of Roussel de Bailleul
Certainty: 3 Excommunication of Robert Guiscard & Robert of Loritello by Gregory VII. Gregory VII at a synod excommunicated Robert Guiscard (who had already been anathematised) and Robert of Loritello. The charge against both of them was that they had invaded papal property
Certainty: 2 Campaign of Nikephoros Palaiologos against Roussel de Bailleul ended in failure. Nikephoros Palaiologos attacked Roussel de Bailleul with the Alan troops he had gained by an embassy to their homeland. He was forced to act early, prior to the departure of the Alan mercenaries who demanded their agreed pay, which he did not have. As a result they nearly all left. Roussel defeated the remainder, killing a number of them. The rest took refuge in the cities of the Pontos. When he heard, Michael VII replaced Nikephoros with Alexios (I)
Certainty: 2 Disturbances at Antioch put down by Isaakios Komnenos. Isaakios Komnenos at Antioch dealt with public affairs, attempting to suppress the growing revolts in the cities. But he was was besieged in the acropolis of Antioch by a crowd armed by some of those who had risen to prominence after the recent departure of the patriarch Aimilianos. In a position of obvious danger, he summoned the army from surrounding cities and once he had enough troops he plotted against the rebels. He divided his army into many groups and ordered them to go out and arrest any dissident they encountered. His plan was implemented, there was great carnage among the Antiochene rebels and the revolt was suppressed with difficulty. Isaakios then attempted to reconcile himself with the Antiochenes. A few days later he was told that a large army of Turks was marching against Syria. He took his forces, with Konstantinos Diogenes, faced the Turks and was defeated, but fought bravely, suffered considerable injuries and was captured, though Diogenes was killed. Diogenes' wife, Theodora, sister of Alexios I, would become a nun. Isaakios was immediately ransomed for 20,000 gold pieces by the Antiochenes and treated for his injuries. He showed them his gratitude by trying to reward them as much as possible
Certainty: 2 Konstantinos Bodin rescued from Antioch by his father Mihailo. Konstantinos/Peter Bodin, after his military defeat, was taken to Constantinople by Michael Saronites. He was there confined in the monastery of St Sergios, and then handed to Isaakios Komnenos, who took him with him to Antioch when he was appointed doux there. However his father Mihailo hired a band of Venetian adventurers, who for a large sum set him free from Antioch and restored him to his father. He would eventually succeed that father as king of Duklja
Certainty: 3 Dispute over a watermill solved by testing whether the Theotokos allowed or stopped the Blachenai miracle.
Certainty: 3 Death of patriarch Ioannes VIII Xiphilinos, to be replaced by Kosmas I. The patriarch Ioannes VIII Xiphilinos died, after shepherding the church for eleven years and seven months. In his place, Michael VII chose Kosmas I, a monk from Jerusalem who had come to the capital, a man of the highest reputation, unacquainted with learning but adorned with every kind of virtue
Certainty: 2 Konstantinos, Keroularios' nephew, desired Kalai again, & Michael VII gave it; Konstantinos managed to pay. He wrote part of a chysobull on transactions between Michael VII and Konstantinos (nephew of Keroularios), protoproedros and droungarios of the vigla. It gives a picture of Michael as an emperor with theoretical and literary interests, able to satisfy by boundless generosity his more material subjects. When he saw that Konstantinos felt a strong desire to recover Kalai, he decided to satisfy the lover with a simple gift of the desired object, without demanding back the estates given in exchange or changing the chysobull. But Michael had spent more than 150 litrai on increasing the size of Kalai and on improvements to its buildings and other facilities, so Konstantinos blushed crimson at receiving it back as an imperial gift. He insisted that Michael accept some recompense for his generosity, not as the purchase price of an estate, but as an unseen and sacred contribution to make it holy ground. Michael eventually was persuaded to accept 120 litrai. Konstantinos and his heirs should have undisputed ownership of Kalai, whatever view is taken of his transaction with Michael VII - whether a sale, or a perfect meeting of imperial generosity with the gratitude of an embarrassed subject
Certainty: 2 Psellos wrote to Konstantinos, Keroularios' nephew, to congratulate him on the birth of a son. Michael Psellos congratulated Konstantinos, nephew of the patriarch Michael Keroularios, and his second wife, on the birth of a child, especially as it was a son. Psellos imagined the scene after the birth, remembering family life with the vestarches, his son-in-law. Psellos was susceptible to natural events like childbirth, though being tough, "Scythian", in the rest of his life ... he was not a single, monotonous note, but could play a variety of different tunes
Certainty: 2 Alexios (I) sent against Roussel de Bailleul, who made alliance with Turks. Michael VII chose Alexios (I) as stratopedarches and strategos autokrator, to continue the campaign in Anatolikon against Roussel de Bailleul. When Alexios' mother, Anna Dalassene, heard of this, she compelled him to decline the position, saying that war required a brave, knowledgeable and experienced man and not the brains and hand of a youth. Nevertheless he begged and convinced her, and left with her blessing, having received neither money from Michael VII for campaign expenses nor an adequate army. At her insistence he took with him Ignatios, a holy man as spiritual father, who saved him by his prayers from serious illness. Alexios crossed the Paphlagonian Pontos, reached Amaseia, found some 150 surviving Alan troops and repulsed and vanquished the enemy. He found sophisticated ways of interfering with Roussel's supply chain, so that he was able to capture his forts one by one and throw him into despair. Roussel was compelled to make an alliance with a Turkish commander, Artuk, who had recently arrived from the east with a powerful force. Roussel sent envoys to him, then visited him in his camp in person
Certainty: 2 Alexios (I) also allied with Turks against Roussel, who was captured. Artuk, a Turkish amir, came with strong forces from Persia. He was approached by Roussel de Bailleul, who agreed on a peace treaty with him. Alexios Komnenos had been sent by Michael VII against Roussel and reached Amaseia. While he remained there, he tried to negotiate with the Turks for the surrender of Roussel to himself. He first sent gifts to Artuk, asking for envoys to be dispatched to him. When Artuk's most trusted ambassador arrived, he offered him gifts and talked so often to him that he became well disposed. He then suggested that the amir hand over Roussel and obtain a generous payment, the beneficial friendship of the Roman emperor, and the elimination of an enemy of the Turks. He said that the friendship between major powers should not be disturbed by minor brigands. Artuk was convinced. Roussel regularly visited him with a small escort, but during one of their dinners he was captured and put to chains. Artuk then demanded a large sum from Alexios to hand him over, taking hostages to ensure it was paid. Alexios, who had no money, was at a loss
Certainty: 2 Alexios (I) tried unsuccessfully to raise the ransom for Roussel from the people of Amaseia. Alexios (I) arranged to hand over a high ransom to receive Roussel from Artuk who had captured him, but unfortunately he had insufficient money on hand to pay. He addressed himself to the citizens of Amaseia, appealing to their self-interest in removing such an expensive menace from the area of their city, and begging them to go home and decide on the best course. But they, stirred up by troublemakers, were not willing to provide the money he required. He made a second attempt to persuade the citizens to give him the money, attacking the treachery of those opposing him, promising that those who contibuted would be paid back by the emperor; but again he failed
Certainty: 2 Alexios (I) achieved his purposes by pretended blinding of Roussel. Alexios conceived a very wise and humane plan: he summoned the executioner, had a fire lit, an iron bar heated and Roussel thrown to the ground and ordered to scream loudly as if having his eyes gouged out. Pain-relieving ointment was put on his eyes which were bandaged, and he was presented to the crowd at dawn. This was play-acting by Alexios, designed to have the citizens of Amaseia pay for his ransom; it succeeded. Alexios spent a few days in Amaseia, restored peace in the cities, and having behaved most pleasantly he left, accompanied by applause and praises, taking Roussel with him
Certainty: 2 Return of victorious Alexios Komnenos with captured Roussel to Constantinople. When calm was restored at Amaseia by presenting the supposedly blind Roussel to the crowd, Alexios planned how to destroy his army and capture the forts he had taken. However he was requested by Michael VII's envoys to return with Roussel to Constantinople. He disagreed with this order, considering it shameful to capture only the rebel but not his men, who might continue harassing the cities. He left Amaseia, went through Paphlagonia and visited Theodoros Dokeianos, who welcomed but reproached him for blinding such a brave man as Roussel, who could have been of great benefit to the Byzantines. He asked Theodoros gently to wait until they were alone to learn the reasons, assuring him that he would then absolve him of the blame at once. They arrived at Theodoros' house, had dinner, then went to the room where Roussel was held and ordered him to remove the bandage from his eyes. On discovering the truth, Theodoros was delighted and congratulated him. After three days as Theodoros' guest, he left, and went to Kastamon, wishing to visit his ancestral home with a few companions. He wept to see it abandoned, and had to be dragged away by his men, to avoid capture by the Turks. He crossed the passes to Herakleia and met Michael Maurex, whose house he visited. While there he went to the church of the Theotokos to give thanks. As he left he defeated a band of Turks with the help of Maurex's men led by Michael Boutoumites. He planned to stay near Herakleia to win more victories, but received an urgent summons from Michael VII to return at once by ship, as the roads were blocked by the Turks. He obeyed and returned to the capital, buffeted by a severe storm in the Sea of Marmara which he only escaped by the Theotokos' aid. He was received kindly by Michael VII, who embraced him gratefully and rewarded him with dignities
Certainty: 2 Michael VII & Nikephoritzes ignored military potential of Roussel, torturing & imprisoning him. Alexios (I) took good care of Roussel, who was imprisoned after he brought him back to Constantinople. He brought him all that was necessary from his house and tried to soothe Michael VII's anger against him. But Michael refused to receive Roussel or take a decision worthy of imperial magnanimity - for example, to put him to trial, sentence him to death and then spare such a soldier for the good of the empire. Instead of this he delivered him to the torturers who lashed him like a runaway slave, then locked him up in a dark tower not fit for humans, and kept him there neglected and in iron chains
Certainty: 2 Psellos wrote a speech on the patriarch Ioannes Xiphilinos soon after his death. Psellos wrote an encomium of the patriarch Ioannes Xiphilinos shortly after his death, because it was important that extraordinary ability and virtue should be remembered. The patriarch's family was only praised for virtue, not for wealth or prominence. The extent of his learning was indicated through the juxtaposition of negative and positive judgements. However the biographical sketch gave a picture of a determined man who shone in many different areas of achievement
Certainty: 1 Psellos wrote Oratio Panegyrica 13 for Michael VII: Psellos' expulsion from court was rescinded. Michael Psellos was excluded from the court as the result of a false accusation. After a brief time, to his great joy and gratitude to Michael VII, he was reinstated. His encomium for the emperor includes military as well as personal characteristics
Certainty: 1 Nikephoritzes collected his treasure at the monastery of Hebdomon, promising to make it an imperial palace. Nikephoritzes requested the grant of the monastery of Hebdomon, then endowed it with many estates and abundant income, exploiting the gullibility of Michael VII. It was to be the centre of his many properties. He claimed that it would in the end become a sumptious imperial residence for Michael and his successors
Certainty: 1 Ioannes Italos accused of treachery at Dyrrachion; he fled to Rome. With Italy in revolt from the Byzantines, Ioannes Italos was sent to Dyrrachion by Michael VII, as a good friend, a good man and an expert on Italy; but he was caught out as a traitor and forced to take refuge in Rome. Perhaps at this time, but certainly under Michael VII, his unorthodox ideas were discussed and condemned, though in general terms and without naming names, leaving him with a desire to be cleared of suspicion
Certainty: 1 Michael VII's relationship to his brothers, & to Psellos. Michael VII did not think his brothers Andronikos and Konstantios should be kept in subjection or reined in, but he shared with them his imperial duties and and gave them freedom and independent power. But he did not have so much confidence in them, or men of noble birth, or priests and holy men, as he had in Michael Psellos. He gave Psellos many benefits, constantly augmenting them, chose him as his teacher and gave him much credit. When he heard that Psellos planned to write about him, he told him not to do so before he himself had set out the main points of his character. When his secretary read to Psellos the resultant autobiographical text, he expected to hear something rather grand; but he so abased himself, ranked himself so humbly, so denounced his soul as to make it impossible not to admire his deep humility
Certainty: 1 Geza I, king of Hungary, married a Synadene. A member of the Synadenos family was married by her uncle, the future emperor Nikephoros III Botaneiates, to the kral of Hungary. Immediately after his death, she was to return to Byzantium
Certainty: 1 Copy of tax register of three Iveron properties made by Gregorios Chalkoutzes. Gregorios Chalkoutzes, chartoularios of the genikon logothesion signed and sealed a tax register pertaining to properties of Iveron in the villages of Podogorianoi, Obelos and Dobrobikeia
Certainty: 0 Niketas Stethatos wrote a substantial work "On the Limits of Life". Niketas Stethatos wrote a substantial work "On the Limits of Life". A certain Manuel had expressed the opinion that God has not fixed the end of our lives, respecting human free will: Niketas disagreed
Certainty: 0 Niketas Stethatos wrote "On Hierarchy", largely based on Pseudo-Dionysios. He composed a treatise "On the Celestial and Terrestrial Hierarchies", drawing largely on Pseudo-Dionysios, and sent it with an accompanying letter to Niketas, deacon of Hagia Sophia and ecumenical didaskalos for approval and correction. He received a reply from Niketas in response to this dedicatory letter: it declared unreserved admiration for Stethatos' treatise. Alexios, monk and deacon, composed two dedicatory poems, a longer one placed at the end of Niketas' treatise and a shorter one at the beginning. He added a piece addressing Niketas, praising him in particular for his treatises "On the Soul" and "On Paradise"
Certainty: 0 Niketas Stethatos wrote "On Paradise", especially paradise as interior to man. Niketas Stethatos wrote "On Paradise", putting particular emphasis on paradise as interior to man; it is preserved with eight annexed letters. A member of the secular intelligentsia took exception to the treatise and criticised it. Niketas wrote some disparaging remarks on these criticisms, and sent copies of these, with the treatises "On the Soul" and "On Paradise" themselves, to Niketas, synkellos and chartophylax, son of Koronis. The latter responded to all these documents with thanks and his (humble) comments. These comments produced a rection from Stethatos, who defended his position, principally with references to Pseudo-Dionysios and John of Damascus. Gregorios the sophist too criticised Stethatos' treatises "On the Soul" and "On Paradise". Stethatos replied with four letters: the first responded rather irritably to Gregorios' response to the two treatises, while the second disagreed strongly with Gregorios' view on the nature of paradise. The third letter to Gregorios accused him of a Nestorian interpretation of the present resting-place of the souls of the just, and warned him that as a layman he had no teaching role in the church. The fourth criticised him for arguing that the laity should observe the Eucharistic mysteries and for having a private chapel
Certainty: 0 Niketas Stethatos wrote a treatise "On the Soul", discussing God, creation & the nature of the soul. Niketas Stethatos wrote a treatise "On the Soul" in which he discussed God, creation, man's nature and place in creation, the nature of the soul and its destiny after death. In the course of the treatise he referred to several of his own works, both known and otherwise unknown. He also wrote two dedicatory letters before the treatise: one was to Niketas, synkellos and chartophylax enclosing his trilogy of treatises, "On the Soul", "On Paradise" and "On the upper and lower hierarchies", and asking him to comment on and correct them; the other was an elegant epistle to a close friend, enclosing the same works. During the treatise he mentioned an important dogmatic letter sent to a certain Kosmas