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 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
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
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
With the permission of Michael VII, Nikephoritzes established a granary outside Raidestos, which was a very prosperous place as the local centre of grain sales. An order was issued to gather the region's entire harvest there, thus establishing a monopoly that led to a famine. The granary was rented out and Nikephoritzes enjoyed its considerable revenue
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
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 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
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 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