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
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 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
Michael VII was very worried about events in the Balkans, and wanted to associate with himself a good and experienced military man, offering the position of kaisar (formally vacated by the tonsured Ioannes Doukas). He and Nikephoritzes agreed to make Nikephoros Bryennios kaisar and doux of all Bulgaria, with the task of subduing the whole people of the Slavs. Bryennios was summoned from Thrace to Constantinople, despite the disagreement of Konstantinos (nephew of Keroularios) with this decision: Konstantinos was said to covet the position for himself
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 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