Arrest, imprisonment & death of Nikephoritzes

Summary:
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 
Dates:
1078 
advisers to Nikephoros III (Anonymi 6064)
  • Fearing the presence of the logothetes (Nikephoros 63) as the narrative has previously mentioned, they persuaded Romanos 61 Straboromanos to kill Nikephoros 63 by any means (:) Zonaras 18.19.33
  • Fearing that if Nikephoritzes (Nikephoros 63) came into the emperor (Nikephoros 3)'s sight he would be taken up and elbow all out, they put it to Nikephoros 3 that Nikephoritzes abounded in untold wealth and that this must be added to the imperial treasury (:) Zonaras 18.19.31
Emperor Nikephoros III Botaneiates (Nikephoros 3)
  • Was handed Nikephoros 63 by the men of Roussel 61, banished him to Prote, and although he ordered that he be interrogated concerning monies belonging to the state and then left alone, his courtiers sent Straboromanos (Romanos 61) who killed him (:) Skylitzes Continuatus 186.6-16
  • Nikephoros 63 was handed over to him by kinsmen of Roussel 61 (Anonymi 6063) and exiled to one of the islands situated in front of the queen of cities (:) Zonaras 18.19.30
  • Anonymi 6064 fearing that Nikephoros 63, if he came into his sight, would be taken up and elbow all out, put it to him that the man abounded in untold wealth and that this must be added to the imperial treasury (:) Zonaras 18.19.31
Nikephoritzes (Nikephoros 63)
  • Since no church would provide shelter for him after the deposition of Michael 7, for he was ashamed to do what he had prevented others from doing (Anonymus 127) in a place he had defiled out of rashness, he fled on horseback with some of his men: in association with David 102 (:) καὶ ὧν ὕβριν καὶ ἀτιμίαν ἐκ προπετείας ἀτασθάλου κατέχεον Attaleiates: History 271.13-23 / 194.18-25
  • Fleeing Constantinople after the deposition of Michael 7, he reached Roussel 61 at Herakleia, who was celebrating his victory over his foes (the troops of Ioannes 61 Bryennios): in association with David 102 (:) πρὸς ἑσπέραν ἐξώρμησαν Attaleiates: History 271.23-272.1 / 194.25-27
  • Supported in every way the childish behaviour of Michael 7 Doukas who refused to face the reality of his unpopularity and his rival (Nikephoros 3 Botaneiates)'s inevitable accession to the throne, turning to imposters and astrologers (:) συντρέχοντος ἐν πᾶσι Νικηφόρου τοῦ λογοθέτου τοῦ δρόμου Attaleiates: History 257.18-19 / 185.20-21
  • After the overthrow of Michael 7 he fled to the west and reached Roussel 61 who was encamped in Herakleia celebrating his victory over his enemies: in association with David 102 (:) Skylitzes Continuatus 178.20-23
  • Having fled to Roussel 61 (after the fall of Michael 7) he was imprisoned, but poisoned Roussel, was handed over by the latter's men to Botaneiates (Nikephoros 3), and was banished to Prote where he was tortured by Straboromanos (Romanos 61) (:) Skylitzes Continuatus 186.4-16
  • Despite the emperor (Nikephoros 3)'s order that he be interrogated concerning monies belonging to the state and then left alone, he was tortured cruelly by Straboromanos (Romanos 61) although he promised to reveal all he knew if he were spared (:) Καίτοι γε ὑπισχνεῖτο, εἰ μὴ ἐτασθείη, ὁμολογῆσαι ταῦτα καὶ ἀναδοῦναι Skylitzes Continuatus 186.13-20
  • In despair about the situation and the emperor (Nikephoros 3) he left to join Bryennios (Nikephoros 62), went to Selymbria where he met Roussel 61, whom he and the emperor Michael 7 had sent there with the army, and wished to go to Bryennios with him (:) Ἐπὶ τούτοις ὁ λογοθέτης τῶν παρακειμένων καὶ τοῦ βασιλέως ἀπογνοὺς ἐξώρμησε φεύγειν πρὸς τὸν Βρυέννιον Bryennios 255.18-22
  • Arrested by Roussel 61, he was taken to Botaneiates (Nikephoros 3), incarcerated on Oxeia and shortly thereafter died, having been tortured inhumanely and mercilessly (:) συλλαβὼν τοῦτον δεσμώτην πρὸς τὸν Βοτανειάτην ἀπήγαγε καὶ τῇ Ὀξείᾳ καλουμένῃ νήσῳ περιορισθείς Bryennios 255.22-25
  • Was handed over to (Nikephoros 3) Botaneiates by kinsmen of Roussel 61 (Anonymi 6063) and exiled to one of the islands situated in front of the queen of cities (:) Zonaras 18.19.30
  • When Roussel 61 died unexpectedly it gave rise to a suspicion that he was killed by Nikephoros 63's poison (:) Zonaras 18.19.29
  • As has already been said he went over to Roussel 61 and was guarded by him in chains (:) Zonaras 18.19.28
  • Anonymi 6064 fearing his presence, as the narrative has previously mentioned, persuaded Romanos 61 Straboromanos to kill him by any means (:) Zonaras 18.19.33
  • Slipped out of the city and went over to Roussel 61 who was encamped in Herakleia (:) Zonaras 18.18.15
  • Romanos 61 Straboromanos, who was at that time megas hetaireiarches, was despatched to ask him where his money had been hidden (:) Zonaras 18.19.32
  • Failed to turn the shrine (Hagia Sophia, where Anonymus 127 was arrested) into a gateway to salvation and was removed further away instead, punished as befits those who commit sacrilege: in association with Michael 7 (:) τιμωρίας θεοσύλαις πρεπούσας ἠνέγκαντο Attaleiates: History 259.22-260.4 / 187.1-4
  • Anonymi 6064, fearing that if he came into the emperor (Nikephoros 3)'s sight he would be taken up and elbow all out, they put it to Nikephoros 3 that he abounded in untold wealth and that this must be added to the imperial treasury (:) Zonaras 18.19.31
Romanos Straboromanos (Romanos 61)
  • Was sent by the emperor (Nikephoros 3)'s courtiers to murder Nikephoros 63, arrived on Prote, and contrary to the emperor's orders he tortured him cruelly and caused his death (:) ἐτάζει σφοδρῶς Skylitzes Continuatus 186.12-16
  • Coming to the island on which Nikephoros 63 was exiled, he examined him so violently that Nikephoros 63 gave up his soul under the torture itself, even though promising that he would give all executed and signed should he escape the inquisition (:) Zonaras 18.19.34
  • Anonymi 6064, fearing the presence of the logothetes (Nikephoros 63) as the narrative has previously mentioned, persuaded him to kill Nikephoros 63 by any means (:) Zonaras 18.19.33
  • Being at that time megas hetaireiarches, he was despatched to ask Nikephoros 63 where his money had been hidden (:) Zonaras 18.19.32