Nikifor III Byzantine emperor in 1078-1081. Country: Greece

Biography of Nikephoros III Botaneiates

Nikephoros III Botaneiates was a Byzantine emperor who reigned from 1078 to 1081. According to Bryennios, he was considered to be one of the bravest men in the East. Despite his advanced age, he ascended to the throne after being appointed by Michael VII as the commander of the Eastern forces in early 1077. In October of the same year, Botaneiates openly declared a rebellion and ordered the gathering of scattered troops throughout Asia.

Initially, Botaneiates had very few forces as he moved from Phrygia to Bithynia. However, the rebellion gained momentum after receiving open support from Nikea, and soon it spread throughout Asia. Even the capital experienced unrest, leading to Michael voluntarily abdicating and becoming a monk. Upon seizing power, Botaneiates, despite his age, married the beautiful Empress Maria and sought to win the favor of the citizens by distributing generous gifts. However, his lavish spending soon exceeded the income, resulting in a financial shortage.

Throughout his short reign, Nikephoros III Botaneiates faced numerous rebellions and wars. Initially, there were uprisings in the west led by Nikephoros Bryennios and Nikephoros Basilakes. In late 1080, a rebellion was sparked in Asia by Nikephoros Melissenos. The elderly emperor did not actively participate in these campaigns, leaving the successful struggle against the enemies to the young military commander Alexios Komnenos.

For a time, Botaneiates managed to retain his power. However, when the rebellion led by Komnenos himself erupted in February 1081, he had no means to resist. After the rebels entered the capital, the patriarch advised Botaneiates to relinquish power and avoid civil war. Yielding to their persistent pleas, the deposed emperor chose to become a monk.

According to Komnenos, when asked by his friends how he was coping with the change in his circumstances, Nikephoros replied, "The only thing that bothers me is abstaining from meat, everything else does not concern me."