Nikephoros III Botaneiates

   Emperor (q.v.) from 10781081. He was a general and member of the landed aristocracy of Asia Minor (qq.v.) who rebelled against Michael VII Doukas (q.v.), forcing him to abdicate. He proved to be ineffectual against the Seljuk (q.v.) onslaught in Asia Minor. By 1080 most ofAsia Minor was in their hands, the Sultanate of Rum (q.v.) was founded, and Seljuks were raiding the Asiatic suburbs of Constantinople (q.v.). The failure to provide any effective resistance to the Seljuks, in addition to the debasement of the nomisma (q.v.), prompted several revolts, including the successful one of Alexios (I) Komnenos (q.v.). His good fortune was to have Michael Attaleiates (q.v.) as one of his chief historians (among whom was also Michael Psellos [q.v.]). Attaleiates dedicated his work to Nikephoros, and he showers him with praise.