Nikephoritzes

   Logothetes tou droumou under Michael VII (q.v.). He was a eunuch (q.v.) whose administrative capabilities had been recognized by Constantine X and Romanos IV (qq.v.). Under Michael VII he became the real ruler of the empire. His attempt to create a monopoly over the corn trade in Thrace (q.v.) failed miserably, and it produced a revolt in Thrace in 1077. His other attempts at centralization produced opposition from the guilds, provincial landowners, and bishops that resulted in a revolution in 1078 that brought Nikephoros III Botaneiates (q.v.) to power. Nikephoritzes fled to Roussel of Bailleul (q.v.), but to no avail. He was seized and killed.