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Byzantine Empire, Nicephorus III Botaniates and Maria, 7 January 1078 - 1 April 1081 A.D.
After the inept rule of Michael VII led to several revolts, Nicephorus seized the capitol and was crowned emperor. His wife died shortly after. To gain the aura of royalty and the support of the powerful Ducas family, he married Michael's wife, Empress Maria of Alania (despite that her husband was still alive). Instead of strengthening his position, the marriage would lead to his downfall. In order to ensure the succession of her son Constantine, Empress Maria conspired with Alexius Comnenus to dispose of Nicephorus. Just as Nicephorus had banished Michael to a monastery, Alexius Comnenus banished Nicephorus to a monastery. He died soon after.BZ90892. Silver miliaresion, DOC III-2 6; SBCV 1886; Sommer 56.4; Morrisson BnF p. 661 (non in the collection); Wroth BMC p. 537 and pl. LXIII, 8 (Berlin specimen); Ratto -, Fair, clipped, holed, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, weight 0.988g, maximum diameter 20.3mm, die axis 180o, obverse large ornamented patriarchal cross-crosslet set on pellet on four steps; X at center, • above crescent on shaft; flanked by crowned facing busts of Nicephorus on left, wearing jeweled chlamys, and Maria, on right, wearing loros; reverse NIKΗΦP / KAI MAPIA / ΠICTOI PA/CILΛΕIC PΩ/MAIΩN in five lines; from the Robert Watcher Collection; very rare; SOLD
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