Niketas Scholares
Encyclopedia
Niketas Scholares was a Byzantine Greek aristocrat and military leader in the Empire of Trebizond
.
, who resided in the Byzantine
capital Constantinople
, to assume the reigns of the Empire from his niece, Anna of Trebizond
. This was unsuccessful as Michael was imprisoned by the megas doux
John the Eunuch. Instead, Michael's son John III
became emperor in September 1342. John's incompetent rule allegedly infuriated his chief supporters, and Nicetas is said to have marched with the army to Limnia to free Michael. Nicetas was instrumental in deposing John III.
After becoming Emperor, Michael granted Nicetas the title of megas doux and gave Nicetas and his ministers extensive powers in the Empire by promising to seek their counsel in all official actions. This proved unpopular with the populace of Trebizond, who revolted against the oligarchy of the Scholarioi. In 1345 Nicetas was arrested and imprisoned, however Michael was later been forced to release from him prison. On December 13, 1349 Nicetas conspired to depose Michael and his supporters placed John
, the son of Emperor Basil
, on the throne. Nicetas appears to fade from historical records after this point.
Empire of Trebizond
The Empire of Trebizond, founded in April 1204, was one of three Byzantine successor states of the Byzantine Empire. However, the creation of the Empire of Trebizond was not directly related to the capture of Constantinople by the Fourth Crusade, rather it had broken away from the Byzantine Empire...
.
Life
Nicetas was a leader of the Scholarioi faction in Trebizond. In 1341 Nicetas and his co-leader, Gregory, sent for Michael Megas KomnenosMichael of Trebizond
Michael Megas Komnenos , , Emperor of Trebizond for one day, July 30, 1341 and from May 3, 1344 to December 13, 1349. He was a younger son of Emperor John II of Trebizond and Eudokia Palaiologina...
, who resided in the Byzantine
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
capital Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
, to assume the reigns of the Empire from his niece, Anna of Trebizond
Anna of Trebizond
Anna Anachoutlou Megale Komnene , , Empress of Trebizond from July 17, 1341 to September 4, 1342. Anna was the elder daughter of Emperor Alexios II of Trebizond and his Georgian wife, Djiadjak Jaqeli....
. This was unsuccessful as Michael was imprisoned by the megas doux
Megas Doux
The megas doux was one of the highest positions in the hierarchy of the later Byzantine Empire, denoting the commander-in-chief of the Byzantine navy. It is sometimes also given by the half-Latinizations megaduke or megadux...
John the Eunuch. Instead, Michael's son John III
John III of Trebizond
John III Megas Komnenos was Emperor of Trebizond from September 4, 1342 to May 3, 1344...
became emperor in September 1342. John's incompetent rule allegedly infuriated his chief supporters, and Nicetas is said to have marched with the army to Limnia to free Michael. Nicetas was instrumental in deposing John III.
After becoming Emperor, Michael granted Nicetas the title of megas doux and gave Nicetas and his ministers extensive powers in the Empire by promising to seek their counsel in all official actions. This proved unpopular with the populace of Trebizond, who revolted against the oligarchy of the Scholarioi. In 1345 Nicetas was arrested and imprisoned, however Michael was later been forced to release from him prison. On December 13, 1349 Nicetas conspired to depose Michael and his supporters placed John
Alexios III of Trebizond
Alexios III Megas Komnenos or Alexius III , Emperor of Trebizond from December 1349 until his death. He was the son of Emperor Basil of Trebizond and his second wife, Irene of Trebizond...
, the son of Emperor Basil
Basil of Trebizond
Basil Megas Komnenos was Emperor of Trebizond from August 1332 to his death in 1340. Basil was a younger son of Emperor Alexios II of Trebizond and his wife Djiadjak Jaqeli...
, on the throne. Nicetas appears to fade from historical records after this point.