Michael VII bribed Turks against Roussel, who released kaisar Ioannes, proclaiming him emperor

Summary:
Roussel refused attempts at appeasement by Michael VII, but released the kaisar Ioannes Doukas from his bonds and, despite his reluctance, proclaimed him emperor with acclamations and imperial insignia. Once the proclamation was made, Ioannes bacame more positive about the idea and contacted his friends in the capital. Michael VII and Nikephoritzes, despairing of using their own forces, persuaded the Seljuk general Artuk with large bribes to march against them. Artuk came from the east with huge forces to Metabole, then crossed passes to Mt. Maroxos and found his quarry camped near Trisea 
Dates:
1074 
Artuk, Turkish amir (Artuk 101)
  • Was in the East when, encouraged with money and promises, he was convinced by Nikephoros 63 (Nikephoritzes) to take up the war against Roussel 61 and Ioannes 62, and marched against them with numerous troops (:) τοῖς τῆς ἑῴας τηνικαῦτα μέρεσιν ἐπιχωριάζοντα τὸν κατ ᾿ ἐκείνων πόλεμον ἀναδέξασθαι πέπεικε Bryennios 179.7-11
  • Crossed the Sangarios with a huge mass of Turks, arrived at Metabole and finding neither the kaisar (Ioannes 62) nor Roussel 61 he went over the passes and arrived at Mount Maroxos, encamped there and watched the enemy encamped by the village of Trisea (:) ἐπεὶ μὴ εὗρε τὸν καίσαρά τε καὶ τὸν Οὐρσέλιον, διέβαινε καὶ αὐτὸς τὰ ἐκεῖσε στενά Bryennios 179.20-181.1
Ioannes Doukas, kaisar (Ioannes 62)
  • When Roussel 61 withdrew to Nikomedeia from Chrysopolis, he was released from captivity, was offered friendly gestures to make amends for his earlier ill treatment, and was proclaimed emperor of the Romans with acclamations and imperial insignia (:) βασιλέα Ῥωμαίων τοῦτον ἀνίστησιν Attaleiates: History 189.10-14 / 140.1-4
  • Taken by Roussel 61 to Chrysopolis, he was released when his captor realised his difficult position, was proclaimed emperor, and when a Turkish army appeared (sent by Michael 7) he urged Roussel to hold back and learn of the enemy's numbers first (:) τὸ κράτος αὐτῷ συγκαταστησάμενος Skylitzes Continuatus 159.4-12
  • Initially angry and vexed, he did everything to escape Roussel 61's plan, but when pushed unwillingly into it by the barbarian, he started getting involved more actively and contacted secretly those at Constantinople winning almost everybody's favour (:) εἰς μέσον τοῦ ἔργου αὐτὸν ὁ βάρβαρος καὶ ἄκοντα ὤθησε, γενναιότερον ἤρξατο τῶν πραγμάτων ἀντιλαμβάνεσθαι Bryennios 177.18-179.1
  • Since Roussel 61 was not in a fit state to fight a war, he released Ioannes from his bonds and gave him imperial proclamaton with acclamations, thinking that he would win over many men to him (:) Zonaras 18.16.23
Emperor Michael VII Doukas (Michael 7)
  • Summoned Turks against Roussel 61 for a reward (:) Zonaras 18.16.23
Nikephoritzes (Nikephoros 63)
  • Got involved more actively in the situation and thwarted their (Ioannes 62, Roussel 61) plan, and giving up any hope that the Roman army might help he contacted the Turks and convinced with money and promises Artuk 101 to take up the war against them (:) Ἀπογνοὺς γὰρ τῆς ἐκ τῶν Ῥωμαϊκῶν στρατευμάτων βοηθείας πρὸς τοὺς Τούρκους διεπρεσβεύσατο Bryennios 179.4-10
Roussel de Bailleul (Roussel 61)
  • Wishing to bring over to his side the Roman soldiers he released the kaisar (Ioannes 62), tried with friendly gestures to make amends for his earlier ill treatment, and proclaimed him emperor of the Romans with acclamations and imperial insignia (:) φιλανθρώποις δεξιώσεσι τὰς πρώην κακώσεις παρὰ πᾶσαν θεραπεύσας ἐλπίδα Attaleiates: History 189.10-14 / 140.1-4
  • Was offered the dignity of kouropalates and was sent his wife and children (Anonyma 103, Anonymi 106) by Michael 7 who strived to appease him, but realising his difficult position he released the kaisar (Ioannes 62) and proclaimed him emperor (:) ὁρῶν ἑαυτὸν ἀσθενῆ Skylitzes Continuatus 158.28-159.6
  • Conceived an elaborate plan, albeit not one sanctioned by the Lord, to proclaim the kaisar (Ioannes 62) emperor of the Romans and thus subjugate the cities to himself, for he thought he would thus attract the goodwill of the powerful of Constantinople (:) ἑλκύσαι γὰρ καὶ τῶν ἐν βασιλίδι τῶν πόλεων δυναμένων τὴν εὔνοιαν οὕτως ᾤετο Bryennios 177.14-18
  • Since he was not in a fit state for the war, he released the Kaisar (Ioannes 62) from bonds and gave him imperial proclamaton with acclamations, thinking that he would win over many men to him (:) Zonaras 18.16.23
  • Michael 7 summoned Turks against him for a reward (:) Zonaras 18.16.23
  • Pushed further into his plan the unwilling kaisar (Ioannes 62) who was trying to disengage himself from it (:) εἰς μέσον τοῦ ἔργου αὐτὸν ὁ βάρβαρος καὶ ἄκοντα ὤθησε Bryennios 177.20-21