Nikephoros Bryennios, kaisar, husband of Anna Komnene L XI / E XII
τῶ εὐτυχεστάτω πανυπερσεβάστω (Skoulatos 144, cf. Varzos 32-I.176) (Nikephoros 117)
(Unspecified)
(null)
Narrative
(34)
Authorship
(13)
At the request of
Eirene 61
Doukaina, he wrote a readable history of
Alexios 1
before he became emperor, with special emphasis on his grandfather
Nikephoros 62
Bryennios, without showing bias towards these two relations
Anna Komnene 206.12-207.19
Did not know the original name of the river called Halmyros by the locals, because most of the names had changed
οὐκ οἶδ᾿ ὅπως ἀρχῆθεν καλούμενον διὰ τὸ ἀμειφθῆναι τῶν ὀνομάτων τὰ πλεῖστα. Bryennios 267.13-14
Did not know whether the emperor (
Michael 7
)'s refusal to agree with
Alexios 1
Komnenos's plan to send troops against the conspirators was due to his cowardice, or to his excessive virtue that placed him above the troubles he was already suffering
εἴτε δειλίᾳ συσχεθείς, εἴτε ἀρετῆς ὑπερβολῇ ἀνωτέρω τῶν ξυμπιπτόντων ἤδη τούτῳ παθῶν γενόμενος, οὐκ ἐπίσταμαι. Bryennios 247.18-20
Having related the events taking place in Antioch and the East after the overthrow of Diogenes (
Romanos 4
), he will proceed to talk next about the affairs of the West in order to bring the narrative back to the exploits of
Alexios 1
Komnenos
τὰ μὲν κατὰ τὴν Ἀντιόχειαν ἐν τούτοις ἦν, ὁ δὲ ἑξῆς λόγος δηλώσει καὶ περὶ τῶν κατὰ τὴν ἑσπέραν ... ἵν ᾿ εἱρμῷ τινι καὶ τάξει βαδίζων ὁ λόγος ἐπὶ τὰς πράξεις αὖθις ἔλθῃ τοῦ Κομνηνοῦ Ἀλεξίου. Bryennios 207.12-209.10
He is not saying and writing these things (praise for
Nikephoros 62
) in order to brag about himself, since that man's deeds, virtues and glory are beyond words, and should one wish to relate in detail his exploits, another Iliad would be required
εἰ γοῦν μὴ πρὸς ἄλλον σκοπὸν ὁ λόγος ἑώρα, ἀλλὰ τὰ ἐκείνου κατὰ μέρος διεξελθεῖν ἠβουλήθη, ἄλλης ἂν Ἰλιάδος ἐδέησε. Bryennios 281.14-18
He was asked to write about
Alexios 1
by
Eirene 61
; the commission included a historical introduction going back to the times of
Romanos 4
Diogenes (when Alexios was a teenager); death stopped him at
Nikephoros 3
Botaneiates
Anna Komnene 7.58-8.76
He wrote other valuable works as well as his history of
Alexios 1
Anna Komnene 7.57-58
His account of the development of the rebellion of
Nikephoros 62
was referred to by
Anna 62
, so that she should not have to go into details herself
Anna Komnene 18.18-19
His account of the origin and rise of
Alexios 1
and of
Nikephoros 3
was referred to by
Anna 62
, so as not to repeat it
εἰς τὰς τοὐμοῦ καίσαρος συγγραφάς. Anna Komnene 55.1-19
His intention was neither to write a history, nor an encomium, but to provide material for those who may wish to describe the deeds of
Alexios 1
Komnenos, calling his work Historical Material
ἀφορμήν τινα παρασχεῖν βουλόμενος τοῖς τὰ ἐκείνου συγγράφειν ἐθέλουσι πρὸς ταυτηνὶ τὴν γραφὴν ἐξώρμησα· ταύτῃ τοι καὶ Ὕλη ἱστορίας ὄνομα ἔστω τῷ λόγῳ. Bryennios 71.26-73.11
His wife,
Anna 62
, referred to his work (as well as her own previous books) as a good record of the career of his ancestor (grandfather?)
Nikephoros 62
Anna Komnene 206.93-94
Though he had given a full account of the story of Roussel 101 in Book II of his history,
Anna 62
also wrote of it more briefly, as far as was important for her purpose
Anna Komnene 12.54-13.57
Thought that the emperor (
Michael 7
) knew nothing of the pact and oaths between Bryennios (
Ioannes 61
) and Basilakes (
Nikephoros 61
) to rise in rebellion
Ὁ δὲ βασιλεὺς Μιχαὴλ ἀγνοήσας, οἶμαι, τὰς μεταξὺ τοῦ Βρυεννίου καὶ τοῦ Βασιλάκη συμβιβάσεις καὶ τὰ ὅρκια. Bryennios 225.10-14
Death
(3)
He died after
Alexios 1
and
Eirene 61
, but before
Theodora 25001
, in the series of major blows to affect the Komnenian house in the period
Prodromos, Historische Gedichte XXXIX.171-172
He died soon after returning to Constantinople, a heartrending loss to his wife,
Anna 62
, which she could never recall without weeping
Anna Komnene 9.94-10.39
He is recorded among the deceased in the obituary of the Typikon of the Pantokrator monastery (October, 1136) [presumably a slightly later insertion]
Pantokrator Typikon 225
Description
(12)
He was a distinguished soldier, but also versed in literature; he read all books, studied all sciences, religious and secular, and derived great benefit from them; he also wrote his history
καὶ τὰ στρατιωτικὰ γεγονῶς ἄριστος οὐκ ἀμελετήτως ἔσχε πρὸς λόγους. Anna Komnene 206.8-12
A wise man, distinguished by strength, speed, bodily beauty, all the virtues of mind and body combined. Nature bore and God created in him a unique individual
καὶ ἁπλῶς εἰς ταὐτὸ συνελθόντα ὅσα ψυχῆς καὶ σώματος ἀγαθά. Anna Komnene 206.97-06
He was called "Macedonian", because he came from Adrianople, one of the richest and strongest Macedonian cities
Μακεδόνα. Niketas Choniates, Historia 6.21
His usual sluggish and unenthusiatic attitude towards coups to make him emperor dispirited the plotters and frustrated their plans
τὸ εἰωθὸς ὑπόνωυρον καὶ χαλαρὸν πρὸς βασιλεἰας ἐπίθεσιν. Niketas Choniates, Historia 10.49-52
He was a man who surpassed all his contemporaries in attractive appearance, sharpness of intellect and precision of language; it was an absolute wonder to look at him and hear him
ἀνὴρ καὶ κάλλους ὑπερβολῇ καὶ συνέσεως ἀκρότητι καὶ λόγων ἀκριβείᾳ μακρῷ τοὺς κατ᾿ αὐτὸν ὑπερβάλλων. Θαῦμα γὰρ ἦν ἄντικρυς καὶ ὁρώμενος καὶ ἀκροώμενος. Anna Komnene 7.49-52
He was one of the deceased members of
Ioannes 2
's family prescribed weekly commemoration on Saturdays in the obituary of the Pantokrator monastery
Pantokrator Typikon 225
Traits of character which appeared at maturity: moral excellence, solemnity of manner, questions of intelligence and sublime spirit, an intellect which always reached its goal with brilliance and judgement ...
Tornikes, Georgios 255.13-16
An excellent huntsman, with skills transferable to the battlefield, both under imperial command and independently, when
Alexios 1
delegated power; Nikephoros also showed gave excellent counsel against heretics; with
Anna 62
he made their palace a sanctuary of the Muses
Tornikes, Georgios 255.18-31
Because the empress (
Eirene 61
) had great power, he was also very strong
τῆς δὲ βασιλίσσης μέγα δεδυνημένης, καὶ τῷ κηδεστῇ τῷ Βρυεννίῳ τῷ Καίσαρι πολλή τις ἦν ἰσχὺς. Zonaras 18.26.14
His excellent skills and qualities (listed) were guarantees for
Alexios 1
and
Eirene 61
of his intellectual, moral and religious maturity
Tornikes, Georgios 257.1-12
Elder of the sons of
Nikephoros 62
Bryennios (probably inaccurate)
τὸν μείζω τῶν υἱῶν Νικηφόρου τοῦ Βρυεννίου. Zonaras 18.22.23
He was a young man from a family that fought over the empire, at the time of disputes, tall and straight, of ruddy complexion with fine eyes, manly and handsome, powerful, sharp and swift in attack, effective with spear and javelin, nimble and unshakeable horseman, dextrous and accurate bowman - and very successful
Tornikes, Georgios 253.16-21
Dignity/Office
(18)
Despotes
δέσποτα. Tornikes, Georgios 253.24, 255.12
δεσπότου. Prodromos, Historische Gedichte XXXIX.47-50
δεσπότου. Italikos 108.13
δέσποτά μου. Italikos 142.1
Kaisar
καίσαρες. Zonaras 18.24.26, 18.26.14
καῖσαρ. Anna Komnene 7.48, 206.94
καῖσαρ. Prodromos, Historische Gedichte II.41, 96
καῖσαρ. Italikos 142.2
καίσαρος. Pantokrator Typikon 225
καῖσαρ. Tornikes, Georgios 253.24, 255.12
καίσαρος. Kecharitomene 1810
καίσαρος. Sakkos (1166) 154.4
καίσαρος. Niketas Choniates, Historia 94.1
Majesty
τῆς βασιλείας σου. Theophylaktos of Ohrid, Letters 489.77
τὴν βασιλείαν ὑμῶν. Theophylaktos of Ohrid, Letters 493.156-157
Panhypersebastos
πανυπερσεβάστω. Iveron 2.230.89, 2.246.598
πανυπερσεβάστῳ. Theophylaktos of Ohrid, Letters 483.1
πανυπερσέβαστον. Zonaras 18.22.24
Education
(4)
According to his mother-in-law
Eirene 61
, who favoured him, he was praised as eloquent, well-educated, but still able to get things done
εἰπεῖν ἱκανώτατον καὶ οὐκ ἐλάττονα διαπράξασθαι. Niketas Choniates, Historia 5.1-5
He had a broad education in rhetoric and philosophy, was a living library and a capable theologian
ἐμψύχου βιβλιοθήκης. Italikos 142.20
He was chosen as figurehead by the plotters against
Ioannes 2
because of his good education, imperial bearing and membership of the imperial family
λογικῶν ἐν μεθέξει ὄντι παιδεύσεων. Niketas Choniates, Historia 10.41-43
Was devoted to letters and his wife (
Anna 62
) was no less, or rather even more than he
ἦν γὰρ καὶ λόγοις προσκείμενος ὁ ἀνήρ, καὶ ἡ σύνοικος δέ οἱ οὐδὲν ἧττον, εἰ μὴ καὶ μᾶλλον ἐκείνου. Zonaras 18.26.15
Ethnic label
(null)
Second Name
(7)
Bryennios
Βρυεννίῳ. Glykas 622.17
Βρυεννίῳ. Theophylaktos of Ohrid, Letters 483.1
Βρυέννιον. Zonaras 18.24.19, 18.24.26, 18.26.14
τὴν τῶν Βρυεννίων σειράν. Anna Komnene 7.49
Βρυεννίῳ. Niketas Choniates, Historia 5.86
Βρυεννίου. Tornikes, Georgios 163, tit
Βρυεννίου. Sakkos (1166) 154.4
Kinship
(23)
brother of
Anonyma 241
(ἀδελφῇ). Anna Komnene 403.33
brother-in-law of
Ioannes 2
γαμβροῦ. Pantokrator Typikon 225
brother-in -law of
Marianos 15001
(ἐπ᾽ ἀδελφῇ γαμβρόν). Anna Komnene 403.33
descendant (grandson) of
Nikephoros 62
ἀπόγονος. Anna Komnene 206.96
father of
Alexios 17005
(υἱέσι). Prodromos, Historische Gedichte II.96
(υἱός). Niketas Choniates, Historia 94.1
father of
Ioannes 17007
(υἱέσι). Prodromos, Historische Gedichte II.96
(υἱοῦ). Sakkos (1166) 154.4
grandfather of
Alexios 25011
(ἔγγονον). Tornikes, Georgios 163, tit
husband of
Anna 62
(τῷ ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς κηδεστῇ). Glykas 622.17
νύμφιον. Zonaras 18.22.23
(ἡ σύνοικος). Zonaras 18.26.15
ἀνήρ. Anna Komnene 7.48
(εἰς λέχος ... συνέζευκτο). Niketas Choniates, Historia 5.86
πρὸς γάμον συνάπτεται. Tornikes, Georgios 253.22-23
son of
Nikephoros 62
[probably false]
τὸν μείζω τῶν υἱῶν. Zonaras 18.22.23
son-in-law of
Alexios 1
τῷ γαμβρῷ. Theophylaktos of Ohrid, Letters 483.1
γαμβρός. Anna Komnene 206.95
(κηδεστῇ). Tornikes, Georgios 255.20
son-in-law of
Eirene 61
τῷ ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς κηδεστῇ. Glykas 622.17
τὸν ἐπ᾿ αὐτῇ κηδεστὴν. Zonaras 18.24.19
κηδεστῇ. Zonaras 18.26.14
γαμβροῦ. Kecharitomene 1809
son-in-law of
Alexios 1
(κηδεστῇ). Tornikes, Georgios 255.20
Language Skill
(null)
Location
(4)
Adrianople (Thrace)
was called "Macedonian", because he came from Adrianople Ὀρεστιάδος. Niketas Choniates, Historia 6.21-22
Antioch (on the Orontes)
worked at his history on the campaign against Antioch τὴν ᾿Αντιόχου πόλιν. Anna Komnene 7.56
Paphlagonia
used to impress
Michael 20130
with names from Paphlagonia Παφλαγονικοῖς. Italikos 144.5
Philippopolis
was involved in reforming Manichaeans with
Alexios 1
at Philippopolis τὴν Φιλίππου. Anna Komnene 457.21-22
Occupation/Vocation
(null)
Possession
(null)
Religion
(null)
Eunuchs
(null)
Alternative Name
(null)
Uncertain Ident
(1)