page_title: Nikephoros Basilakes
hierarchical_section_title: Nikephoros Basilakes
caption_attribution_description: English: NICEPHORUS BASILACIUS, Rebel. Summer, 1078. Æ Follis (7.22 gm). Thessalonica mint. +NIKHFO ROC BAC, nimbate facing bust of Christ, raising hand in benediction and holding Gospels; A in right field / Patriarchal cross on base; IC XC NI KA around. DOC III pg. 706, N.1; P. Grierson, "Nicephorus Bryennius or Nicephorus Basilacius?" NumCirc 1976 pg. 2-3, type c; R. Bland, "A Follis of Nicephorus Basilacius?" NumChron 1992, pg. 175-6; SB 1903A. Good VF, dark green patina. Overstruck on uncertain type, and then double struck. Extremely rare and possibly the clearest strike among the fewer than ten known specimens. ($1000) Nicephorus Basilacius was a rebel general who held the city of Thessalonica during the summer of 1078, revolting against the legitimate emperor Nicephorus III Botaniates. He was overcome by Alexius Comnenus, a loyal general, but one who soon turned against Botaniates when Alexius' brother-in-law, Nicephorus Melissenus, also revolted. When DOC III was published in 1973, neither of the two specimens known at that time had any visible legend, so the type was called Class N Anonymous folles. Between 1976 and 1991, additional examples were discovered, rendering among them the complete obverse legend. This specimen shows an A in the right field by the shoulder of Christ, a detail not visible in any of the published specimens.
context_page_description: Nikephoros Basilakes, frequently encountered simply as Basilakios, Latinized as Nicephorus Basilacius, was a Byzantine general and aristocrat of the late 11th century, who in 1078/79 tried to overthrow the Emperor Nikephoros III Botaneiates and was defeated by Alexios Komnenos.
  In the chaos that surrounded the dethronement of Michael VII, Nikephoros Basilakes, at the time doux of Dyrrhachium decided that his time had arrived. Moving into position at Thessalonica, he waited for the outcome of the clash between two other claimants to the throne, Nikephoros III and Nikephoros Bryennios, in order that he might quickly crush the exhausted victor.
  His forces consisted of veteran Frankish, Sclavenian, Albanian and Greek soldiers, and his confidence in his own abilities and courage convinced him that victory would easily be his. Nikephoros III sent his best general, Alexios Komnenos to deal with him, and Alexios managed to entrap Basilakes in a night attack on the imperial camp, on the banks of the Vardar River, some eighteen miles distant from Thessalonica.
context_section_description: Nikephoros Basilakes (Greek: Νικηφόρος Βασιλάκης), frequently encountered simply as Basilakios (Βασιλάκιος), Latinized as Nicephorus Basilacius, was a Byzantine general and aristocrat of the late 11th century, who in 1078/79 tried to overthrow the Emperor Nikephoros III Botaneiates and was defeated by Alexios Komnenos.
  In the chaos that surrounded the dethronement of Michael VII, Nikephoros Basilakes, at the time doux of Dyrrhachium decided that his time had arrived. Moving into position at Thessalonica, he waited for the outcome of the clash between two other claimants to the throne, Nikephoros III and Nikephoros Bryennios, in order that he might quickly crush the exhausted victor.
  His forces consisted of veteran Frankish, Sclavenian, Albanian and Greek soldiers, and his confidence in his own abilities and courage convinced him that victory would easily be his. Nikephoros III sent his best general, Alexios Komnenos to deal with him, and Alexios managed to entrap Basilakes in a night attack on the imperial camp, on the banks of the Vardar River, some eighteen miles distant from Thessalonica. Defeated, Basilakes fled to Thessalonica where he attempted to defend the city, but was seized by his own soldiers and delivered to Nikephoros III who ordered that Basilakes be blinded.
caption: Follis struck by Basilakes during his brief usurpation
exif: {}