greek november byzantine general distinguished lineage served governor general balkans asia minor turbulent period generals tried seize throne remained loyal exiled successor turkish aid seized control remained proclaimed emperor revolt brother law succeeded taking constantinople submitted accepting rank governance remained loyal participating byzantine campaigns period balkans emperor died november biography origins early career probably born circa family extensive estates father mother aristocratic descent father belonged line mother family dated 8th century produced distinguished generals married second daughter domestic schools sister future byzantine emperor known son named held rank post governor modern time joined field army commanded eldest brother law campaign campaign ended defeat near modern captured turkish byzantines called quickly persuaded enter byzantine service captivity ended remained loyal rebellion theme began october rewarded appointing post victory entry constantinople april exiled island rebellion autumn left returned asia minor succeeded gaining support local population recruiting turkish mercenaries army cities western central asia minor opened gates turkish garrisons installed tried send recently suppressed revolts refused february troops took acclaimed emperor defeated loyalist army john march army asian shore constantinople received news revolt proclamation emperor sent letters suggesting division authority imperial territory balkans remaining control keeping asia minor emphasized byzantine_empire remain united reply offered recognize second highest dignity imperial title governance empire second important city submit initially refused accept offer verge taking constantinople refuse similar concessions later eventually agreed time emperor tried capital fall sending asking enter city assume imperial authority envoys reached constantinople fell forces april entered imperial capital true word raised gave authority city revenues income time raised brother newly created dignity placed bypassing act submission unique rebels time throw light motivation uprising according historian believes probably concerned asian estates turks granted equivalent estates later distributed clients like family readily gave contest byzantine throne despite end revolt left profound legacy submitted towns occupied garrisoned turkish soldiers remained hands involved byzantine civil wars mercenaries allies especially use respective revolts hold cities turks completed relatively peaceful central western asia minor service continued serve rest life autumn marched alongside campaign ended crushing byzantine defeat commanded byzantine army right wing campaign son besieging centerpiece ruse emperor gave imperial insignia detachment army proceeded attack belief main byzantine force emperor present pursued men main army took looted norman camp forcing lift siege withdraw fought alongside battle late august commanding byzantine left wing battle ended heavy byzantine defeat taken captive byzantines emperor time spring sent recruit soldiers occupied task join imperial army time crushing byzantine victory battle april arriving day later year participated family council examined accusations conspiracy raised council degenerated heated family quarrel john father accused son end dismissed charges campaign left charge defending region modern attacks mention died november
Nikephoros Melissenos