Certainty: 0 A young Nikephoros (Nikephoritzes) taken into the palace by Konstantinos IX
A young man called Nikephoros was taken into the palace by Konstantinos IX and affectionately called Nikephoritzes on account of his youth
1063
Certainty: 1 Nikephoritzes was made doux of Antioch for slandering empress Eudokia: he provoked barbarian attacks
Nikephoritzes served in the administration of Konstantinos X Doukas but was dismissed when he proved to be so malicious, slanderous and expert in evil deeds as to accuse the empress Eudokia to the emperor of adultery, out of hatred for Michael of Nikomedeia, the logothetes of the dromos. He was dismissed from the central administration as a result of this conduct, and appointed doux of Antioch, but there too he caused trouble by erecting forts and providing excuses for war, provoking the Saracens to retaliate and attack the borders. Unable to fight the Saracens he roused them to fight the Romans, and did not leave in peace even the Antiochenes, confiscating their properties or imposing unreasonable demands, until he was dismissed there too
1067
Certainty: 2 Nikephoritzes removed from government of Antioch & put in prison there Certainty: 2
1068
Certainty: 2 Nikephoritzes freed from prison at Antioch & sent as krites to Hellas & Peloponnesos Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Psellos recommended Elias Krystalas to Nikephoritzes Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Psellos asked Nikephoritzes to see if Besaine was a rich see, as its bishop was likely to be taxed as a rich man Certainty: 2
1071
Certainty: 0 Nikoulitzas Delphinas, advised by Nikephoritzes, visited Michael VII in the capital Certainty: 0
1072
Certainty: 2 Nikephoritzes replaced Ioannes of Side as chief minister, & even supplanted the kaisar Ioannes Certainty: 2
1073
Certainty: 2 Defeat & capture of Isaakios Komnenos by Turks at Caesarea Certainty: 2
Certainty: 1 Creation of tagma of Athanatoi by Michael VII & Nikephoritzes
Following the Turkish attacks on the eastern provinces of the empire Michael VII and Nikephoritzes resolved to create a new army. They summoned troops from Asia, armed them and placed them under the command of Konstantinos Kappadox who was charged with their training. This was made very rigorous, with real though blunted weapons, combined with psychological pressure. The bravest among them were then selected to form the new tagma of the Athanatoi (Immortals)
1074
Certainty: 2 Fresh campaign against Turks (&/or Roussel) under kaisar Ioannes Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Michael VII began to feel responsible for Byzantine disasters, but still followed evil counsellors
After the rebellion of Roussel de Bailleul and the defeat of the kaisar Ioannes Doukas at the bridge of Zompos, Michael VII began to feel responsible for these disasters. In a speech he claimed to be desperately worried, and compared himself to Jonah, expecting to be thrown overboard. He nevertheless persisted in the policy which was causing the problems, continuing to rely on the advice of Nikephoritzes, who isolated the emperor from his entourage and concentrated more and more money and power in his own hands, extorting bribes from military and civil officials, especially tax collectors
Certainty: 2 Michael VII bribed Turks against Roussel, who released kaisar Ioannes, proclaiming him emperor Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Roussel, after ransom, returned to his old base in Armeniakon Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Raids of Roussel de Bailleul on cities of Pontos Certainty: 2
Certainty: 1 Expulsion of patriarch Aimilianos from Antioch by doux Isaakios Komnenos Certainty: 1
Certainty: 1 A case of forgery in the signature of a report on the bishop of Korone Certainty: 1
Certainty: 1 Dispute at court over proposed appointment of Nikephoros Bryennios as kaisar Certainty: 1
Certainty: 1 Granary built near Raidestos by Nikephoritzes to establish wheat monopoly & brutally enforce it Certainty: 1
Certainty: 1 The Danubian cities (including Dristra/Dorostolon) were infiltrated by Pechenegs & revolted
Following the suspension of payments to the multicultural cities of the Danube from Constantinople suggested by Nikephoritzes, the inhabitants of Dristra defected to the Pechenegs; they entrusted the control of their city's acropolis to the Pecheneg leader Tatous
Certainty: 1 Nestor, trusted lieutenant of Michael VII, sent to restore order on Danube, joined the rebels Certainty: 1
Certainty: 1 Nestor's demand for surrender of Nikephoritzes rejected: he finally retreated because he feared a plot Certainty: 1
1075
Certainty: 1 Nikephoritzes collected his treasure at the monastery of Hebdomon, promising to make it an imperial palace Certainty: 1
1077
Certainty: 2 Rebellion of Ioannes Bryennios & Nikephoros Basilakes, joined reluctantly by Nikephoros Bryennios Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Rebellion of Nikephoros Bryennios, joined by Adrianople, Raidestos & other cities Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Michael Attaleiates had personal experience of the rebellion at Raidestos Certainty: 2
1078
Certainty: 3 The people in Hagia Sophia proclaimed Nikephoros Botaneiates (still at Lampe) emperor Certainty: 3
Certainty: 2 Synod of prelates decided to support rebel Nikephoros Botaneiates Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Turks sent against Nikephoros Botaneiates by Michael VII were bribed by the rebel Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Arrest, imprisonment & death of Nikephoritzes Certainty: 2