Nikephoros III Botaneiates
According to the "Alexiad", Tzachas was originally a raider, who was taken as a prisoner by the Byzantines during the reign of Nikephoros III Botaneiates (). Tzachas entered Byzantine service and advanced rapidly through imperial favour, receiving the title of "protonobilissimus" and rich gifts. However, when Alexios I Komnenos deposed Botaneiates in 1081, Tzachas lost his position and fled Byzantium.