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Nikephoros III Botaneiates

Type Figure Region Byzantine Empire Time c. 1002–1081 Also known as Nikephoros Botaneiates

Nikephoros III Botaneiates (c. 1002–1081), Byzantine emperor (1078–1081) from an Anatolian military noble family, who overthrew Michael VII, married …

Timeline

  1. c. 1050–1077Asia Minor · Asia MinorBotaneiates came from a Phrygian military noble family and served long as doux of themes in Asia Minor, gaining prestige in frontier wars against the Seljuk Turks; he was one of the most powerful military commanders of his time.
  2. 1077–1078Nicaea · BithyniaIn late 1077 Botaneiates declared rebellion in Asia Minor, advanced on the capital from Nicaea with the tacit consent of the Seljuk Turks for passage, and won the support of several senatorial nobles in Constantinople. In January 1078 Michael VII was forced to abdicate and Botaneiates entered the capital and acceded.
  3. 1078–1081Constantinople · Byzantine EmpireDuring his reign he married the former empress Maria of Alania to proclaim the legitimacy of his regime. Facing the empire's continuing losses in Asia Minor and multiple rebellions, his rule was extremely unstable. In the 1080s Alexios Komnenos rose and overthrew him in 1081.
  4. 1081Constantinople · Byzantine EmpireIn April 1081 Alexios I Komnenos led his army into Constantinople; Nikephoros III was forced to abdicate and take monastic vows, dying shortly afterward the same year at about seventy-nine.

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