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 Certainty: 1
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
The personal wealth of the bishop of Besaine had already proved modest (Psellos wrote to Nikephoritzes). The latter was asked to check the wealth of Besaine, and act as Good Samaritan before the bishop, who was reputed to be rich, fell among thievish tax-gatherers, who were already gathering. He should help, especially if he liked the sources of the bishop's wit - popular proverbs and the Bible
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 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 Certainty: 2
Certainty: 1 Expulsion of patriarch Aimilianos from Antioch by doux Isaakios Komnenos
Isaakios Komnenos (brother of the future Alexios I) was appointed doux of Antioch with instructions from Michael VII and Nikephoritzes to expel from the city its patriarch Aimilianos, held responsible for the unrest that broke out there. Isaakios was received with much honour and initially pretended to be favourably disposed towards the patriarch in order to avoid trouble in the divided city. Later, pretending to be unwell, he was invited to the patriarch's country estate to hunt hare. But once there, he used the excuse of going hunting to return to the city, and sent the imperial order to the patriarch ordering him to leave at once. Aimilianos, though very angry, could only go to Laodikeia, spend a few days there until his luggage was brought from Antioch, and then sail to Constantinople
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 Certainty: 1
1077
Certainty: 2 Rebellion of Ioannes Bryennios & Nikephoros Basilakes, joined reluctantly by Nikephoros Bryennios
Dissatisfaction with the rule of Michael VII and Nikephoritzes led to plots againt them: Ioannes Bryennios started a rebellion and first tried to persuade his brother Nikephoros at Dyrrachion to join him, but Nikephoros was reluctant until he learnt from the emperor's envoy Eustathios Kappadokes that he was suspected of plotting. When Michael VII appointed Nikephoros Basilakes to succeed Nikephoros Bryennios as doux of Dyrrachion he decided to act. Basilakes, who had been contacted by Ioannes Bryennios about the planned rebellion, met and fought against Nikephoros Bryennios at Thessalonike. Bryennios then advanced towards Adrianople, where he was proclaimed emperor, before marching on Constantinople
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 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
At a synod convened by the patriarch Kosmas the bishop of Ikonion expressed dissatisfaction with the situation, indirectly attacking Michael VII and Nikephoritzes and blaming them for the lack of food. He predicted the imperial displeasure which would result, and took refuge in the sanctuary of Hagia Sophia. He was violently removed from there by David the megas hetaireiarches at the order of Nikephoritzes. When the bishop was brought before the emperor he was not punished, as the emperor was fearful of the wrath of God for his violation of sanctuary
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