# Botaneiates

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{{Short description|Byzantine aristocratic family}}
{{Infobox family
| name = Botaneiates
| native_name = Βοτανειάτης
| type = [Noble family](/source/Noble_family)
| origin = [Anatolic Theme](/source/Anatolic_Theme),<br/>[Asia Minor](/source/Asia_Minor)
| country = [Byzantine Empire](/source/Byzantine_Empire)
| founded = 9th century
| founder = Andrew Botaneiates<br/><small>(first known)</small>
| dissolution = 12th century
| members = [Theophylact Botaneiates](/source/Theophylact_Botaneiates),<br/>
[Nikephoros III Botaneiates](/source/Nikephoros_III_Botaneiates)
| other_families = [Doukas](/source/Doukas)
| titles = [Strategos](/source/Strategos),<br/>[Doux](/source/Dux),<br/>[Byzantine emperor](/source/Byzantine_emperor)
}}

The '''Botaneiates''' ({{Langx|el|Βοτανειάτης}},{{efn|{{IPA|el|votaˈɲa.tis}}}} <small>[pl.](/source/Plural)</small> '''Botaneiatai''', {{Langx|el|Βοτανειάται}}) or '''Botaniates''' was a [Byzantine](/source/Byzantine_Empire) [aristocratic](/source/Aristocracy) family that produced several [generals](/source/Byzantine_military) and one [Byzantine Emperor](/source/List_of_Byzantine_emperors) during the 11th and 12th centuries. The earliest attestation of the name occurred in the 6th and 9th centuries and it originated from [Asia Minor](/source/Anatolia). The family remained obscure until the 11th century when the first prominent member, [Theophylact Botaneiates](/source/Theophylact_Botaneiates), is mentioned holding the title of [''doux''](/source/Dux) in [Thessalonica](/source/Thessalonica_(theme)). The family reached their heyday under [Nikephoros III Botaneiates](/source/Nikephoros_III_Botaneiates) who held high military offices before ruling as Emperor between 1078 and 1081. During the [Komnenian period](/source/Byzantine_Empire_under_the_Komnenos_dynasty), the Botaneiatai continued to hold important titles thanks to their ties with the [Komnenos](/source/Komnenos) dynasty. The status of the family begun to decline from the late 12th century onwards.

== History ==

=== Origins and early history ===
The Botaneiates family is believed to have originated from the village of Botane ({{Langx|el|Βοτάνη}}, {{Lit|[pasture](/source/pasture)}}{{Sfn|The Genealogist|1980}}), near [Synnada](/source/Synnada),{{Sfn|Krsmanović|2003|loc=Chapter 2}}{{Sfn|Belke|Mersisch|1990|p=209}} in the [Anatolic Theme](/source/Anatolic_Theme) of [Asia Minor](/source/Anatolia).{{Sfn|Maynard|2018}} The surname was acquired from the name of the village,{{Sfn|Krsmanović|2003|loc=Chapter 2}}{{Sfn|Belke|Mersisch|1990|p=209}} with the Greek [suffix](/source/suffix) -''ates'' indicating provenance. Sources from subsequent periods incidate that the family continued to maintain its ties with the region for several generations.{{Sfn|Krsmanović|2003|loc=Chapter 2}} The earliest attestation of the name ''Botaniates'' occurred in the 6th century and was associated with the village of Botane.{{Sfn|Belke|Mersisch|1990|p=209}}{{Sfn|Kazhdan|1991|p=314}} The seal of a certain Andrew Botaneiates is dated to the 9th century, during which time the family is still little known.{{Sfn|Kazhdan|1991|p=314}} The Botaneiatai would not be mentioned again in the Byzantine sources until the 11th century, when the family begun to ascend. Some Botaneiatai are known to have lived under [Basil II](/source/Basil_II) holding the titles of ''[strategos](/source/strategos)''. The first one, [Theophylact Botaneiates](/source/Theophylact_Botaneiates), is mentioned by [John Skylitzes](/source/John_Skylitzes) as the [''doux''](/source/Dux) of [Thessalonica](/source/Thessalonica_(theme)) in 1014. He participated in the [wars against](/source/Byzantine_conquest_of_Bulgaria) [Samuel](/source/Samuel_of_Bulgaria) of [Bulgaria](/source/First_Bulgarian_Empire) and was killed soon after the [Battle of Kleidion](/source/Battle_of_Kleidion). Theophylact's son, Michael, served in Thessalonica and participated in the operations against Bulgaria along his father.{{Sfn|Krsmanović|2003|loc=Chapter 3}} Theophylact is sometimes identified with "Nikephoros", also father of a Michael, and grandfather of the future emperor [Nikephoros III](/source/Nikephoros_III_Botaneiates), according to the genealogy of [Michael Attaleiates](/source/Michael_Attaleiates).{{sfn|Krsmanović|2003|loc=Chapter 3}}{{sfn|Kazhdan|1991|p=314}} The accounts of Attaleiates held that Nikephoros III was associated with the prestigious [Phokas](/source/Phokas_(Byzantine_family)) clan. Although uncertain,{{Sfn|Leidholm|2018|p=185}} this information was used to add legitimacy to the rule of the emperor.{{Sfn|Krsmanović|2003|loc=Chapter 3}}{{Sfn|Maynard|2018}} In contrast, [Michael Psellos](/source/Michael_Psellos) held that the family was of modest background and was elevated to higher status by [Michael VII Doukas](/source/Michael_VII_Doukas).{{Sfn|Kazhdan|1991|p=314}} Until the 12th century, the Botaneiatai were military commanders and landowners related to the [Komnenos](/source/Komnenos) and [Doukas](/source/Doukas) families.The exact relation of the other Botaneiatai to Emperor Nikephoros III is not clearly established.{{Sfn|Kazhdan|1991|p=314}}

=== Ascension of Nikephoros III ===
[[File:Nicephorus III and chrysostome BnF Coislin79 fol2v.jpg|thumb|Emperor [Nikephoros III](/source/Nikephoros_III_Botaneiates) with [John Chrysostom](/source/John_Chrysostom) and [Michael the archangel](/source/Michael_(archangel)). [Bibliothèque nationale de France](/source/Biblioth%C3%A8que_nationale_de_France)]]
The most distinguished member of the family was [Nikephoros III Botaneiates](/source/Nikephoros_III_Botaneiates), who had a long and successful career in the army before ascending to the Byzantine throne. Nikephoros became a general during the reign of Byzantine Emperor [Constantine IX Monomachos](/source/Constantine_IX_Monomachos), serving in the [Pecheneg revolt](/source/Pecheneg_revolt) of 1048–1053, after which he likely received the title of ''[magistros](/source/magistros)'' as a reward.{{Sfn|Maynard|2018}} In 1057 Nikephoros served in the revolt of [Isaac I Komnenos](/source/Isaac_I_Komnenos) against the Byzantine Emperor [Michael VI Bringas](/source/Michael_VI_Bringas) which helped him ascend to high military offices.{{Sfn|Maynard|2018}} Under the Emperor [Constantine X Doukas](/source/Constantine_X_Doukas), he held the titles of doux of Thessalonica ({{circa|1061}}) and later [doux of Antioch](/source/Duchy_of_Antioch) ({{circa|1066}}).{{Sfn|Maynard|2018}} When Constantine X died in 1067, his wife, Empress [Eudokia Makrembolitissa](/source/Eudokia_Makrembolitissa), considered taking Nikephoros as husband and emperor, but she eventually chose [Romanos IV Diogenes](/source/Romanos_IV_Diogenes) instead. Romanos exiled Nikephoros to his holdings in the [Anatolic Theme](/source/Anatolic_Theme), where he remained until he was brought out of retirement by the Emperor [Michael VII](/source/Michael_VII) and made ''[kouropalates](/source/kouropalates)'' and governor of the Anatolic Theme. In October 1077, when [Nikephoros Bryennios](/source/Nikephoros_Bryennios_the_Elder) rebelled in the Balkans,  Botaneiates started his struggle for the throne in Anatolia and came into conflict with Michael in 1078.{{Sfn|Kazhdan|1991|p=1479}} Nikephoros managed to gather strong support and was recognized by the [Byzantine Senate](/source/Byzantine_Senate) as emperor in early 1078. About a year later, he married his second wife, [Maria of Alania](/source/Maria_of_Alania). During his reign, Nikephoros was preoccupied with the rebellions of Bryennios, [Nikephoros Basilakes](/source/Nikephoros_Basilakes), [Nikephoros Melissenos](/source/Nikephoros_Melissenos), and the Komnenoi. He reigned until 1081, when [Alexios Komnenos](/source/Alexios_I_Komnenos) ({{Reign|1081|1118}}) overthrew him and confined him to the Peribleptos monastery, where he died a few months later.{{Sfn|Kazhdan|1991|p=1479}}

=== Komnenian period ===
During the Komnenian period, the Botaneiatai continued to hold prominent positions in the Empire thanks to their ties to the [Komnenos](/source/Komnenos) and [Synadenos](/source/Synadenos) families. The family became related to the Komnenoi in {{Circa|1085}} when a grandson of Nikephoros III married the daughter of [Manuel Komnenos](/source/Manuel_Komnenos_(kouropalates)), brother of Alexios I. In {{Circa|1110-1112}}, their alliance was strengthened and Nikephoros Botaneiates was awarded the title of ''[sebastos](/source/sebastos)'' after his marriage to Eudokia, daughter of ''[sebastokrator](/source/sebastokrator)'' [Isaac Komnenos](/source/Isaac_Komnenos_(brother_of_Alexios_I)). More 12th century members of the family were awarded the title ''sebastos'', indicating that they likely held important positions in the imperial court; these are Manuel, who married Eirene Synadene, and George, who married Zoe Doukaina. Their status significantly changed from the late 12th century onwards; while the name continues to be attested during the 13th and 14th centuries, members of the family do not appear to hold any significant titles.{{Sfn|Krsmanović|2003|loc=Chapter 5}}

== See also ==
* [Byzantine Empire under the Doukas dynasty](/source/Byzantine_Empire_under_the_Doukas_dynasty)

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Sources ==
* {{Tabula Imperii Byzantini |volume=7 }}
* {{Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium|ref={{harvid|Kazhdan|1991}}}}
* {{Cite encyclopedia |year=2003 |title=Botaneiates family |encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia of the Hellenic World, Asia Minor |publisher=Foundation of the Hellenic World |url=http://asiaminor.ehw.gr/forms/fLemma.aspx?lemmaId=7457 |last= Krsmanović |first=Bojana}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Leidholm |first=Nathan |year=2018 |title=Nikephoros III Botaneiates, the Phokades, and the Fabii: embellished genealogies and contested kinship in eleventh-century Byzantium |journal=Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies |volume=42 |issue=2 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/byzantine-and-modern-greek-studies/article/abs/nikephoros-iii-botaneiates-the-phokades-and-the-fabii-embellished-genealogies-and-contested-kinship-in-eleventhcentury-byzantium/EA0339D2D9A98CB4DAA857BCA95A2A64 |pages=185–201|doi=10.1017/byz.2018.4 |url-access=subscription }}
* {{cite web |last=Maynard |first=Daniel R. F. |title=Nikephoros III Botaniates (A.D. 1078–1081) |work=[De Imperatoribus Romanis](/source/De_Imperatoribus_Romanis) |date=20 June 2018 |url=http://www.roman-emperors.org/nickiii.htm |access-date=13 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803210103/http://www.roman-emperors.org/nickiii.htm |archive-date=3 August 2019 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite journal| journal=The Genealogist | volume = 1-2 |year=1980 |editor=American Society of Genealogists |publisher=Organization for the Promotion of Scholarship in Genealogy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J7pnAAAAMAAJ |ref={{harvid|The Genealogist|1980}}}}

Category:Byzantine families

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Botaneiates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botaneiates) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botaneiates?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.