Nikephoros Palaiologos facts for kids

Nikephoros Palaiologos was an important general in the Byzantine Empire during the 11th century. He is known as the first member of the Palaiologos family. This family later became the last ruling dynasty of the Byzantine Empire, from 1259 to 1453.

A Powerful Byzantine General

Nikephoros Palaiologos was a powerful general. He was the first person we know from the Palaiologos family. This family would later become very famous. They ruled the Byzantine Empire for many years, from 1259 to 1453.

Nikephoros had two sons, named George and Nicholas. His son, George Palaiologos, also became a general. George was a strong supporter of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos. The later Palaiologos emperors were descendants of George.

Early Life and Loyalty

We first hear about Nikephoros during the reign of Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes (1068-1071). Nikephoros supported the Doukas family, who were rivals of Romanos. He was part of a group that opposed Emperor Romanos. This group included important figures like John Doukas and Michael Psellos.

After Emperor Romanos lost power, Nikephoros was sent to fight a rebel. This rebel was a Norman mercenary named Roussel de Bailleul. Roussel had rebelled against the empire. Nikephoros gathered about 6,000 soldiers from Georgia. He fought Roussel, but his Georgian troops switched sides. Nikephoros was defeated.

In 1077, Nikephoros was the military governor, or doux, of Mesopotamia. He was loyal to the Doukas family and Emperor Michael VII Doukas (1071-1078). However, he allowed his son George to join a rebellion. This rebellion was led by Nikephoros Botaneiates, who became Emperor Nikephoros III (1078-1081).

Supporting the Emperors

In 1081, Nikephoros remained loyal to Emperor Botaneiates. This was even though his son George supported Alexios I Komnenos and the Komnenoi family. Alexios Komnenos was leading a new rebellion.

According to a historical book called Alexiad, Nikephoros and his son George met. This happened when Alexios's forces entered Constantinople on April 1, 1081. It was a very emotional meeting.

Even then, Nikephoros tried to convince Emperor Botaneiates to fight back. He urged the emperor to give him command of the Varangian Guard. This was a special group of guards. Nikephoros wanted to defend the imperial palace, but it was too late.

Nikephoros then tried to find a peaceful solution. He suggested that Alexios become like a son to Botaneiates. Alexios would then take control of the empire. Botaneiates would still be emperor in name only. But the Komnenoi family rejected this idea. In the end, Emperor Botaneiates gave up his throne.

Final Battle and Death

Nikephoros accepted Alexios as the new emperor. He joined Alexios in a military campaign that same year. They fought against the Normans, led by Robert Guiscard.

Nikephoros fought bravely in the Battle of Dyrrhachium. This battle was against Guiscard's forces. Nikephoros was killed in this battle on October 18, 1081.