Nikephoros Melissenos facts for kids

Nikephoros Melissenos (Greek: Νικηφόρος Μελισσηνός, born around 1045 – died November 17, 1104) was a powerful general and noble in the Byzantine Empire. He came from a very important family.

During the 1060s, he worked as a governor and general in areas like the Balkans and Asia Minor. After a big battle called the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, many generals tried to become emperor. But Melissenos stayed loyal to Emperor Michael VII Doukas.

Later, a new emperor, Nikephoros III Botaneiates, sent Melissenos away. In 1080–1081, Melissenos got help from Turkish groups. He took control of parts of Byzantine Asia Minor and declared himself emperor against Botaneiates.

However, his brother-in-law, Alexios I Komnenos, also started a revolt. Alexios managed to take the capital city, Constantinople. Melissenos then gave up his claim to the throne. He accepted a high rank called Caesar and became the governor of Thessaloniki.

Melissenos remained loyal to Alexios after that. He fought alongside the emperor in many important battles between 1081 and 1095. He passed away on November 17, 1104.

Who Was Nikephoros Melissenos?

His Family and Early Life

Nikephoros Melissenos was likely born around 1045. His family owned a lot of land near a place called Dorylaeum. Both his mother and father came from noble families. His father's family was called Bourtzes. His mother belonged to the famous Melissenos family, which had been important since the 700s. This family had many great generals.

Before 1067, Nikephoros married Eudokia Komnene. She was born around 1052. Eudokia was the second daughter of John Komnenos and Anna Dalassene. She was also the sister of Alexios I Komnenos, who would later become the Byzantine emperor (1081–1118). Nikephoros and Eudokia had at least one son, named John Komnenos.

Early Military Career

By 1067, Melissenos held an important title called magistros. He was also the military governor (doux) of Triaditza, which is modern-day Sofia.

In 1070, he joined the army led by his older brother-in-law, Manuel Komnenos. They were fighting against the Seljuk Turks. The Byzantine army lost the battle near Sebasteia (modern Sivas). Melissenos and Manuel Komnenos were captured by a Turkish leader. But Manuel quickly convinced the Turk to join the Byzantine army, and they were set free.

Melissenos stayed loyal to Emperor Michael VII Doukas (1071–1078). This was during a time when a general named Nikephoros Botaneiates (who became Nikephoros III) rebelled in October 1077. Emperor Michael VII rewarded Melissenos by giving him Botaneiates's old job. But after Botaneiates won and entered Constantinople in April 1078, Melissenos was sent away to the island of Kos.

Why Did Melissenos Rebel?

In the autumn of 1080, Melissenos left Kos and went back to Asia Minor. There, he gained the support of the local people. He also hired many Turkish fighters to join his army. One by one, cities in western and central Asia Minor opened their gates to him. Turkish soldiers were placed in these cities.

Emperor Botaneiates tried to send Alexios Komnenos to fight Melissenos. Alexios had just stopped other rebellions. But Alexios refused to go. In February 1081, Melissenos's troops captured Nicaea. There, he was declared emperor. The emperor sent an army against him, but it was defeated easily and went back to Constantinople.

Negotiations with Alexios Komnenos

In March 1081, Melissenos's army was camped at Damalis. This was on the Asian side of the Bosporus, across from Constantinople. He heard that the Komnenos family had rebelled against Botaneiates. He also learned that Alexios Komnenos had been declared emperor.

Melissenos sent letters to the Komnenos family. He suggested they divide the empire. He wanted the Balkans to stay under Komnenos control, and he would keep Asia Minor. He also said the Byzantine Empire should officially remain united.

In response, the Komnenos family offered him the title of Caesar. This was the second highest title after the emperor. They also offered him control of Thessalonica, the empire's second most important city. This was if he would give up his claim to the throne. Melissenos first said no. But since the Komnenos family was about to take Constantinople, he knew they might not offer him as much later. So, he finally agreed.

At the same time, Emperor Nikephoros Botaneiates tried to stop Constantinople from falling to the Komnenos family. He sent for Melissenos, asking him to enter the city and become emperor. But Botaneiates's messengers were stopped and never reached Melissenos. So, Constantinople fell to Alexios's forces.

On April 8, 1081, Melissenos also entered the capital. Alexios I kept his promise. He made Melissenos a Caesar and gave him control over Thessalonica. He also gave Melissenos the city's income. However, Alexios also gave his brother Isaac Komnenos a new, higher title called sebastokrator. This title was above Caesar, which meant Isaac was now more important than Melissenos.

Historians believe Melissenos might have been more interested in protecting his lands in Asia Minor from the Turks. When Alexios gave him Thessalonica and similar lands, he was happy to give up his fight for the throne.

Even though Melissenos gave up his rebellion, it had a lasting negative effect. The towns he had taken and put Turkish soldiers in remained under Turkish control. This included areas like Ionia, Phrygia, Galatia, and Bithynia. By getting involved in Byzantine civil wars as hired fighters, the Turks were able to take over central and western Asia Minor more easily.

Serving Emperor Alexios I Komnenos

Melissenos continued to serve Alexios I loyally for the rest of his life.

Battles and Campaigns

In the autumn of 1081, he marched with Alexios in a war against the Italo-Normans led by Robert Guiscard. In the Battle of Dyrrhachium, which the Byzantines lost badly, Melissenos led the right side of the Byzantine army.

In 1083, during a campaign in Thessaly, the Normans were attacking a city called Larissa. Alexios used Melissenos in a clever trick. The emperor gave Melissenos the imperial symbols and a part of the army. The Norman leader, Bohemond, attacked Melissenos's group, thinking it was the main Byzantine army with the emperor. While the Normans chased Melissenos's men, Alexios with his main army attacked and looted the Norman camp. This forced Bohemond to stop the attack and leave.

Melissenos also fought with Alexios in the Battle of Dristra in August 1087 against the Pechenegs. He commanded the left side of the Byzantine army. The Byzantines suffered a big defeat, and Melissenos was captured. The emperor later paid to have him freed.

In the spring of 1091, Melissenos was sent to Ainos. His job was to recruit soldiers from among the Bulgarians and Vlachs. Because he was busy with this, he did not join the imperial army in time for the big Byzantine victory over the Pechenegs at the Battle of Levounion on April 29. He arrived the next day.

Later that same year, he took part in a family meeting in Philippopolis. They were looking into accusations that John Komnenos, the governor of Dyrrhachium, had planned against the emperor. The meeting became a heated family argument. John's father accused Melissenos and another noble of lying about his son. But in the end, Alexios decided the charges were false.

Later Life and Death

In the 1095 campaign against the Cumans, Melissenos, along with George Palaiologos and John Taronites, was left in charge of defending the region of Berrhoe (modern Stara Zagora) from Cuman attacks. This is the last time Melissenos is mentioned in the historical book Alexiad by Anna Komnene. He seems to have retired to his lands around Thessalonica.

Nikephoros Melissenos died on November 17, 1104. The exact date his wife died is not known, but it was before 1136.