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 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 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
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
Roussel refused attempts at appeasement by Michael VII, but released the kaisar Ioannes Doukas from his bonds and, despite his reluctance, proclaimed him emperor with acclamations and imperial insignia. Once the proclamation was made, Ioannes bacame more positive about the idea and contacted his friends in the capital. Michael VII and Nikephoritzes, despairing of using their own forces, persuaded the Seljuk general Artuk with large bribes to march against them. Artuk came from the east with huge forces to Metabole, then crossed passes to Mt. Maroxos and found his quarry camped near Trisea
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
Nestor brought his troops up to Constantinople and refused to leave unless Nikephoritzes, who had confiscated his properties, was handed over to him. Facing a rebellion by his own troops and the refusal of Michael VII to satisfy his demand, he withrew, ravaging the regions of Thrace and Macedonia up to the Danube, until he reached Pecheneg territory
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 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
Nikephoros Botaneiates was still at home in Lampe in Armeniakon, though he had many contacts with the disaffected in the capital. In fact he was proclaimed emperor by the officials and clergy, including the patriarch of Antioch Aimilianos and the metropolitan of Ikonion, and probably the patriarch of Constantinople Kosmas. The opponents of Michael VII gathered in Hagia Sophia, opening the gaols, making plans to gather other supporters and discourage opponents. An attempt to involve the kaisar Ioannes in the revolt via Michael Barys alerted Michael VII, then at Blachernai. But he failed to take decisive action, despite a proposal from Alexios Komnenos to Michael and Nikephoritzes that the Varangians should be used to break up the meeting. Botaneiates set out for the capital, purging two of his commanders who were afraid and had deserted
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