Michael VII Doukas - Usurpers

Usurpers

Various usurpers attempted to overthrow Michael VII or rule parts of the empire. These included:

• Nestor – A former slave of Constantine X, he had been promoted to become the dux of Paradounavon, on the region bordering the Danube. Having had much of his property and wealth confiscated by the minister Nikephoritzes, he rebelled in around 1076, placing himself at the head of the garrisons under his command, which were already in a state of mutiny due to an arrears in their pay. The troops were eager to plunder the Bulgarians, and he obtained the assistance of one of the chiefs of the Patzinaks before marching onto Constantinople. The rebels demanded the dismissal of Nikephoritzes, but discovering that he didn't have the numbers to attack the capital, his troops separated into smaller parties, and proceeded to plunder Thrace. Defeated by Alexios Komnenos in 1078, Nestor remained with the Patzinaks, and retreated with them back to Paradunavum.
• Philaretos Brachamios
• Caesar John Doukas
• Nikephoros Bryennios
• Nikephoros Botaneiates