Nikephoros Bryennios usurper [1077] L XI
Νικηφόρον τὸν Βρυέννιον (BBÖ I.153, Skoulatos 143) (Nikephoros 62)
(Unspecified)
(null)
Narrative
(127)
Authorship
(null)
Death
(null)
Description
(25)
Described by
Konstantinos 120
in his response to
Michael 7
's plan to make Nikephoros a kaisar as a brave, energetic and active man
ἀνδρὶ ὄντι γενναίῳ καὶ δραστηρίῳ καὶ ῥέκτῃ. Bryennios 213.6-7
He was an expert in war, of aristocratic birth, tall, handsome, intelligent and of unusual strength, worthy of being an emperor; he was so attractive and persuasive that he could win people over immediately, and was accepted by many cities
Anna Komnene 18.23-19.34
He and
Alexios 1
were compared at the beginning of the battle at the river Halmyros: they were equally handsome, brave and experienced, but while Bryennios could trust in his seasoned soldiery, Alexios had to rely on his own military skill
Anna Komnene 20.63-74
Previously appeared in the narrative attempting usurpation, being captured and mutilated in the eyes
ὁ λόγοςπροέφηνε τῇ τυραννίδι ἐπιχειρήσαντα καὶ ἁλόντα καὶ πηρωθέντα τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς. Zonaras 18.22.23
Usurper ...wretch
τὸν τυραννήσαντα ... τὸν δείλαιον. Zonaras 18.19.6
Though blinded because of usurpation, he was recognised as a pre-eminent and subtle expert in strategy and tactics
ἀλλὰ τό γε εἰς στρατηγικωτάτην βουλὴν καὶ παράταξιν δεινότατος τῶν πολλῶν καὶ ποικιλώτατος ἐγνωρίζετο. Anna Komnene 206.86-88
Persistent, tough and proud
ἄτεγκτος ἦν καὶ ἀτεράμων καὶ ὑπερήφανος. Skylitzes Continuatus 179.16
A most graceful and generous man
ἦν γὰρ ὁ ἀνὴρ χαριέστατος καὶ ἐλευθεριώτατος. Bryennios 213.25-26
Was more sharp-witted than anybody else
καὶ γὰρ ἦν εἴπερ τις ἄλλος ἀγχίνους. Bryennios 263.15-16
Skilful in military tactics
δεινὸς ὢν περὶ τὰ στρατηγικά. Bryennios 115.3-4
Pretended to the imperial throne (even before the allegiance of Traianoupolis was secured)
τοῦ βασιλειῶντος ἤδη Νικηφόρου. Bryennios 229.12
Considered by
Nikephoros 3
Botaneiates a worthy son of his father (
Anonymus 195
Bryennios) whom Botaneiates had known
οὐχ ἧττον καὶ σὲ ἐπίσταμαι ἄξιον ὄντα παῖδα τοιούτου πατρός. Bryennios 263.8-9
He shone among his brave and very experienced generals like the sun among the stars
πολλοὺς στρατηγούς τε ἅμα γενναίους καὶ πολυπειροτάτους, ὧν καθάπερ ἀστέρων η῞λιος ἐξῆρχεν ὁ βασιλειῶν. Bryennios 267.20-21
His appearance and stature were greatly admired by
Alexios 1
Komnenos, who was pleased to have fought against such a general, with a courageous hand, a daring soul and a firm character with a heroic spirit
τὴν χεῖρα γενναίου καὶ τὴν ψυχὴν τολμηροῦ καὶ στάσιμον ἦθος ἔχοντος. Bryennios 281.11-14
His family came from the West and was of humble origin, his ancestors were insignificant and had not served even in the lowest ranks of the army
ἀφανεῖς ὄντες καὶ μηδὲ τοῖς εὐτελεστέροις τῶν ἀξιωμάτων ἐν τάγματι στατιωτικῷ συνταττόμενοι. Attaleiates: History 287.24-288.7 / 206.6-12
Faithful in matters relating to God, a loyal friend, capable of foreseeing the future and of taking precautions, he was most effective against the enemy
τὰ πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν πιστός, τὰ πρὸς φιλίαν βέβαιος δεινός τε ὑπαισθέσθαι τὸ μέλλον καὶ προφυλάξασθαι στρατηγῆσαί τε κατ ᾿ ἐχθρῶν δοκιμώτατος. Bryennios 211.13-15
Of noble birth and distinguished
ἄνδρες τῶν εὖ γεγονότων καὶ ἐπισήμων. Bryennios 61.23-24
Although capable of finding the right solution in times of trouble, of drawing up an army in order of battle and of defeating the enemy, he was nevertheless vanquished by the young
Alexios 1
Komnenos
τὸν δεινὸν μὲν ἐν ἀπερισκέπτῳ χρόνῳ τὸ δέον εὑρεῖν, δεινὸν δὲ τάξαι φάλαγγα καὶ καταστρατηγῆσαι πολεμίων. Bryennios 281.18-20
Behaved like the arrogant who blew threatening to shake the earth and stir up the sea (after
Nikephoros 3
Botaneiates sent him a second embassy)
ὁ φυσῶν τὰ μεγάλαυχα καὶ κινῆσαι τὴν γῆν καὶ τὴν θάλασσαν ἀπειλῶν. Attaleiates: History 286.1-3 / 204.23-24
Boasted and claimed he had the might of Briareos and could not accept being second to the emperor (
Nikephoros 3
Botaneiates) and subjected to him
τὴν Βριαρέως ἰσχὺν ἀγερωχοῦντα καὶ ἐγκαυχώμενον. Attaleiates: History 284.21-23 / 204.2-3
A native of Adrianople
εἰς τὴν ἐνεγκαμένην αὐτὸν εἰσελήλυθε πόλιν. Attaleiates: History 248.13 / 179.18-19
Received the envoys of
Nikephoros 3
Botaneiates mounted on his white horse and clad in imperial garb to which he seemed perfectly suited, being a man of attractive physique and a most capable interlocutor
ἵστατο δὲ οὐκ ἐν τοῖς ὅπλοις, ἀλλ ᾿ ἐν κόσμῳ βασιλικῷ, ὃν ἐδόκει μᾶλλον ἐκεῖνος κοσμεῖν, ἀνὴρ ὢν ἀγαθός τε τὸ εἶδος καὶ ὁμιλῆσαι δεινότατος. Bryennios 261.16-18
Was elevated by hopes that the senate would receive him with open arms, as the saying goes, on account of hostility towards the logothetes Nikephoros (
Nikephoros 63
) and the simplicity of the emperor (
Michael 7
)
ᾐώρητο γὰρ ἐλπίσιν ὡς ὑπτίαις, τὸ τοῦ λόγου, χερσὶν οἱ τῆς συγκλήτου βουλῆς αὐτὸν ὑποδέξόνται διὰ τὴν πρὸς τὸν λογοθέ´την Νικηφόρον ἀπέχθειαν καὶ τὴν τοῦ βασιλέως ἀφέλειαν. Zonaras 18.17.24
According to
Nikephoros 3
Botaneiates, he was most capable in military matters, most generous and at the same time most energetic too
ᾔδει γὰρ αὐτὸν πρὸς τῷ στρατηγικώτατον εἶναι καὶ ἐλευθεριώτατον ὄντα ὁμοῦ καὶ δραστηριώτατον. Bryennios 257.4-5
Described as a pretender to the throne shortly after
Nikephoros 3
Botaneiates's accession
τὸν βασιλειῶντα. Bryennios 261.11, 263.4, 267.21
Dignity/Office
(18)
Autokrator
αὐτοκράτωρ. Attaleiates: Diataxis 109.1094
Basileus
βασιλέως ἑαυτῷ περιέθηκεν ὄνομα. Attaleiates: History 242.16 / 175.18
βασιλεὺς Ῥωμαίων. Bryennios 231.16
βασιλέως. Attaleiates: Diataxis 109.1483
Basileus (rebel)
βασιλεύς. Glykas 615.20
Doux of Bulgaria
δοῦκα τῆς τῶν Βουλγάρων...πάσης χώρας. Bryennios 213.14
Doux of Dyrrachion
τοῦ Δυρραχίου δουκικὴν διέπων ἀρχήν. Skylitzes Continuatus 172.22
τὴν δουκικὴν ἔχων ἀρχήν. Attaleiates: History 242.14-15 / 175.17
δοὺξ Δυρραχίου. Zonaras 18.17.19
τὴν δουκικὴν περιεζωσμένος ἀρχὴν Δυρραχίου. Anna Komnene 18.15
Magistros
μάγιστρον. Skylitzes Continuatus 145.16
μάγιστρον. Attaleiates: History 154.4 / 115.3
μάγιστρον. Zonaras 18.13.12
Megas domestikos (Doux of all the West)
τῷ δουκὶ πάσης δύσεως. Bryennios 107.3
Proedros
πρόεδρος. Skylitzes Continuatus 172.21
πρόεδρος. Attaleiates: History 242.15 / 175.17
πρόεδρος. Zonaras 18.17.19
Protonobelissimos
πρωτονωβελισσίμῳ.
Seal 0
Education
(null)
Ethnic label
(null)
Second Name
(6)
Bryennios
Βρυέννιος. Glykas 615.18
τὸν Βρυέννιον. Skylitzes Continuatus 145.16-17
Βρυέννιον. Attaleiates: History 154.4 / 115.3
Βρυέννιος. Bryennios 61.23
Βρυέννιον. Zonaras 18.13.12, 18.13.13, 18.13.16, etc.
Βρυεννίῳ.
Seal 0
Kinship
(15)
ancestor (grandfather) of
Nikephoros 117
προγόνου. Anna Komnene 207.17
brother of
Ioannes 61
αὐτάδελφος. Skylitzes Continuatus 172.25
αὐτάδελφος. Attaleiates: History 242.18 / 175.20
αὐτάδελφος. Bryennios 217.4, 219.5
(ἀδελφῷ). Zonaras 18.17.20, 18.17.23, 18.17.28, etc.
(ὁμαίμονι). Zonaras 18.17.27
αὐτάδελφον. Anna Komnene 20.79
brother (adoptive) of
Romanos 4
ἀδελφὸν εἰσποιήσασθαι. Anna Komnene 288.34
father of
Anonymus 61
Bryennios
(υἱός). Bryennios 229.13
father of
Nikephoros 117
[probably false]
(τὸν μείζω τῶν υἱῶν). Zonaras 18.22.23
kin of
Anonyma 105
(τῆς συγγενοῦς αὐτοῦ). Skylitzes Continuatus 174.15
(συγγένειαν ἐκ τοῦ ἀνδρός). Attaleiates: History 244.20 / 177.5
son of
Anna 64
(μητρός). Bryennios 225.5
son of
Anonymus 195
παῖδα. Bryennios 263.9
υἱός. Anna Komnene 287.69
Language Skill
(null)
Location
(49)
Adrianople (Thrace)
entered his native city of Adrianople (Thrace) πόλιν. Attaleiates: History 248.13 / 179.19
left Dyrrachion with troops and supporters and advanced to Adrianople (Thrace) πρὸς Ἀνδιανούπολιν. Attaleiates: History 242.18 / 175.19
left Traianoupolis where he was proclaimed emperor and was welcomed at Adrianople (Thrace) τὴν Ἀδριανούπολιν. Bryennios 231.17
left Traianoupols on a red coach and proceeded to Adrianople (Thrace) εἰς Ἀδριανούπολιν. Attaleiates: History 247.8 / 178.21-22
remained one of the chief men of Adrianople Ἀδριανούπολιν. Anna Komnene 287.66
resolved to march against
Nikephoros 3
and left Adrianople (Thrace) τῆς Ἀδριανουπόλεως. Attaleiates: History 286.4 / 204.24-25
returned to Adrianople (Thrace) πρὸς Ἀδριανούπολιν. Bryennios 227.1
persuaded Pechenegs to withdraw from Adrianople Ἀδριανουπόλεως. Zonaras 18.18.1
rose in rebellion and arrived at Adrianople πρὸς Ἀδριανούπολιν. Skylitzes Continuatus 172.25
set out for Adrianople Ἀδριανούπολιν. Zonaras 18.17.19
was proclaimed emperor at Adrianople τὴν Ἀνδιανούπολιν. Glykas 615.19-20
was welcomed by the inhabitants of Adrianople τῆς Ἀδριανουπόλεως. Skylitzes Continuatus 173.19
Adrianople (Thrace): Theometor
arrived at Adrianople and offered his thanks to the Mother of God in the church of the Theometor τὸν ναὸν...τῆς Θεομήτορος. Bryennios 231.19-20
Bulgaria
was appointed doux and subjugated the Slavs of Bulgaria τῆς τῶν Βουλγάρων...πάσης χώρας. Bryennios 213.14-15
Constantinople
learnt of the revolt against
Michael 7
, gathered his troops, and marched against Constantinople τὸ Βυζάντιον. Bryennios 259.12
rose in rebellion and attacked Constantinople Κωνσταντινουπόλει. Glykas 615.21
sent his brother
Ioannes 61
with a large force against Constantinople τὸ Βυζάντιον. Attaleiates: History 250.6 / 180.22
vanquished and imprisoned by
Alexios 1
Komnenos he was then handed over to the emperor (
Nikephoros 3
) at Constantinople τὴν βασιλίδα τῶν πόλεων. Bryennios 63.6-7
was led blind to Constantinople τὴν βασιλεύουσαν. Zonaras 18.19.6
was summoned by the emperor (
Michael 7
) from Adrianople to Constantinople τὴν βασιλίδα. Bryennios 211.17
Constantinople: Philopation
was led by
Boril 61
who blinded him at Philopation τὸ Φιλοπάτιον. Bryennios 283.18-19
Dyrrachion
defeated the Croatians and Diokleians and returned to Dyrrachion Δυρράχιον. Bryennios 215.14
held the office of doux of Dyrrachion τοῦ Δυρραχίου. Skylitzes Continuatus 172.22
received letters from his brother (
Ioannes 61
) urging him to rise in rebellion while at Dyrrachion Δυρράχιον. Bryennios 219.7
rose in rebellion and left Dyrrachion ἐκεῖθεν. Skylitzes Continuatus 172.24
rose in rebellion at Dyrrachion τοῦ Δυρραχίου. Glykas 615.19
was doux of Dyrrachion Δυρράχιον. Attaleiates: History 242.14 / 175.16-17
was doux of Dyrrachion Δυρραχίου. Zonaras 18.17.19
was sent to deal with the affairs of Illyricum in Dyrrachion Δυρράχιον. Bryennios 213.21-22
Illyricum
arrived and was welcomed by the inhabitants of Illyricum Ἰλλυρικόν. Bryennios 213.24
Kalabrye (Thrace)
left Mesene and approached with his army a place called Kalabrye (Thrace) Καλαβρύην. Skylitzes Continuatus 180.14-15
Met with by
Alexios 1
at Kalabrye (Thrace) Καλαβρύη. Zonaras 18.19.6
Kedoktou (Thrace)
pitched his camp in the plains of Kedoktou (Thrace) ἐν τοῖς κατὰ τοῦ Κηδόκτου πεδίοις. Bryennios 267.25
Kedoktou: Theometor
while encamped in the plains of Kedoktou he prayed in the church of the Theometor ναὸν τῆς τοῦ Θεοῦ Λόγου μητρός. Bryennios 269.1-2
Kyzikos
sent his brother (
Ioannes 61
) to being under his rule the peninsula of Kyzikos τῆς Κυζίκου. Skylitzes Continuatus 176.3
sent troops to capture the peninsula of Kyzikos τῆς Κυζίκου. Attaleiates: History 268.20 / 192.22
Mesene (Thrace)
advanced with his entire army against
Alexios 1
, having left Mesene (Thrace) τῆς Μεσήνης. Attaleiates: History 289.11 / 207.6
left with his army Mesene (Thrace) τῆς Μεσήνης. Skylitzes Continuatus 180.16
Panion (Thrace)
people of hastened to join him at Panion (Thrace) Πάνιον. Zonaras 18.17.22
Raidestos (Thrace)
people of hastened to join him Raidestos (Thrace) οἱ Ῥαιδεστήνοι. Zonaras 18.17.23
Theodoroupolis (Thrace)
was preparing his army when he received the envoys of Botaneiates (
Nikephoros 3
),
Konstantinos 126
Choirosphaktes and
Romanos 61
Straboromanos, at Theodoroupolis (Thrace) τὴν Θεοδωρούπολιν. Bryennios 261.6-7
Theodosioupolis (Erzerum)
advised
Romanos 4
to either wait for the enemy there (in Cappadocia) or in Theodosioupolis (Erzerum) τὴν Θεοδοσίου πόλιν. Bryennios 107.8
Thessalonike
came across
Nikephoros 61
Basilakes who attacked him near Thessalonike περὶ Θεσσαλονίκην. Bryennios 225.18
came across Basilakes (
Nikephoros 61
) in the city of Thessalonike τῆς Θεσσαλονίκης. Attaleiates: History 246.11 / 178.6
came across Nikephoiros 061 Basilakes at Thessalonike ἐν Θεσσαλονίκῃ. Skylitzes Continuatus 173.11
Thrace
learnt of the revolt against
Michael 7
while staying in Thrace ἐν Ὀδρυσοῖς. Bryennios 259.9
was summoned to Constantinople by the emperor (
Michael 7
) from Thrace ἐξ Ὀδρυσῶν. Bryennios 211.16
Traianoupolis (Thrace)
joined his brother
Ioannes 61
at Traianoupolis (Thrace) εἰς Τραϊανούπολιν. Skylitzes Continuatus 173.13
met his brother (
Ioannes 61
) with the latter's troops at Traianoupolis (Thrace) εἰς Τραϊανούπολιν. Attaleiates: History 246.21 / 178.14
Occupation/Vocation
(null)
Possession
(1)
A tent which collapsed after he had turned down the peace proposals of
Nikephoros 3
Botaneiates and sent away his envoy
Romanos 61
ἡ τοῦ Βρυεννίου σκηνή. Attaleiates: History 287.3-4 / 205.15
Religion
(null)
Eunuchs
(null)
Alternative Name
(null)