Certainty: 0 A young Nikephoros (Nikephoritzes) taken into the palace by Konstantinos IX Certainty: 0
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
Ioannes the kaisar, realising that his nephew Michael VII had no adequate grasp of the empire's affairs, took charge, with the help of Ioannes of Side. Ioannes encouraged Michael to recall Nikephoritzes from Peloponnesos and Hellas where he was serving in a kind of exile, and appointed him logothetes of the dromos, unaware that he was arming his own enemy. Ioannes of Side was elbowed out of the management of public affairs by Nikephoritzes, who invented allegations against him involving other people. The emperor was devoted to childish games and rendered ineffective and incompetent by his teacher Psellos. Nikephoritzes now turned to Michael's family, accusing them of being his worst enemies, in contrast to his own absolute devotion to the emperor. Michael's mother Eudokia and his brothers Andronikos and Konstantios were charged with aiming at the throne. Eventually even Ioannes the kaisar found himself despised and suspected, then pushed aside and ignored. Nikephoritzes established complete domination over Michael
1073
Certainty: 2 Defeat & capture of Isaakios Komnenos by Turks at Caesarea
Action against Roussel had to be postponed because of a more pressing emergency. Isaakios Komnenos attacked the Turks outside Caesarea during the night. However the enemy were ready and resisted stoutly. When Isaakios' horse was hit he fell, was captured, and his army was defeated with considerable losses. His camp and all his baggage were seized, and his men dispersed. His brother Alexios (I) fought heroically and almost saved the day, but in the end found himself in grave danger
Certainty: 1 Creation of tagma of Athanatoi by Michael VII & Nikephoritzes Certainty: 1
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 Certainty: 2
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
After his return to Armeniakon, Roussel de Bailleul captured strongholds in the Pontos and raided Amaseia and Neokaisareia. He also abused the inhabitants of the cities of Armeniakon. This provoked Nikephotitzes to suggest to Michael VII to allow the Turks into the area rather than have Roussel establish himself on Roman territory
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 Certainty: 1
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
Nikephoritzes requested the grant of the monastery of Hebdomon, then endowed it with many estates and abundant income, exploiting the gullibility of Michael VII. It was to be the centre of his many properties. He claimed that it would in the end become a sumptious imperial residence for Michael and his successors
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
The rebel Nikephoros Bryennios, dressed in imperial garb, was welcomed to his native Adrianople by the people and its katepano Tarchaneiotes. He also secured the support of Raidestos through Batatzina, a relation of his, who won over many citizens by gifts and promises. Traianoupolis and Panion also went over to Bryennios. The rebel appointed his supporters to various posts and made his brother Ioannes a kouropalates. Nikephoritzes failed to contain the situation, either through lack of resources or laziness. He attempted unsuccessfuly to have Ioannes Bryennios killed at Adrianople by a Varangian, who got drunk, confessed and had his nose slit
Certainty: 2 Michael Attaleiates had personal experience of the rebellion at Raidestos
Michael Attaleiates happened to be at Raidestos visiting his estates when the rebellion of Nikephoros and Ioannes Bryennios broke out at Adrianople. However for several days he did not believe the rumours which circulated. He thought that Raidestos was safe, being the same distance from Adrianople as the latter from Constantinople, so that Michael VII would have heard and taken appropriate action. He had confidence in the loyalty of the people of Raidestos, but was proved wrong when a woman, Batatzina, related through her husband to Bryennios, won them over with gifts, so that they were preparing to acclaim the rebel. When Attaleiates was secretly informed of her plans by one of her supporters he had helped in the past, he was disgusted, spoke of treachery, and dimissed his informant. He decided to avoid the plot and leave Raidestos secretly at once with all his mules, horses, attendants and baggage, but found the city gates barred, guarded by armed men sent by Batatzina. After sending her threatening messages, he was allowed to leave at daybreak, finding the road to Constantinople quiet and imperial troops unaware of danger. He rushed to Constantinople, and before going home visited Nikephoritzes at the palace to report events at Raidestos. He advised Nikephoritzes to act quckly with a chrysobull and the army in support of Michael VII, but he smiled and delayed. Because he fled and opted out of the rebellion, Attaleiates' house in the kastron of Raidestos and his rural properties were pillaged in the subsequent troubles. His nunnery of Hagios Prokopios outside the western sea gate had to be rebuilt
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