Kouropalates in the context of "Adarnase IV of Iberia"

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👉 Kouropalates in the context of Adarnase IV of Iberia

Adarnase IV (Georgian: ადარნასე IV) (died 923), or Adarnase II, was a Georgian monarch of the Bagrationi dynasty who reigned in the late 9th and early 10th centuries. The son of the Kouropalates David I of Iberia, he ruled as duke of Lower Tao from 881 to 923, king (mepe) of the Kingdom of the Iberians from 888 to 923 and Kouropalates of Iberia from 891 to 923, re-establishing the Georgian monarchy in 888, more than three centuries after the abolition of the Kingdom of Iberia by Sasanian Empire.

He succeeded his father to the duchy of Lower Tao, a border march between Byzantine Empire and Caucasus, when the latter was assassinated by Nasra of Tao-Klarjeti in 881. When the latter led a Byzantine invasion force to invade the Caucasus, Adarnase defeated him in 888 and became the first sovereign to take the title of ‘King of the Iberians’, to signal his independence from the Byzantine Empire. With the help of neighbouring Armenia, he consolidated his power and gained control over Kartli, as well as Byzantine recognition in 891 after killing Gurgen I of Tao. The reign of Adarnase IV was marked by a change in Georgia's political orientation, as it left the Byzantine sphere of influence to join Armenia and, by extension, a declining Abbasid caliphate. The king often became involved in Armenia's internal affairs and helped King Smbat I of Armenia to consolidate his own power.

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Kouropalates in the context of Nikephoros III Botaneiates

Nikephoros III Botaneiates (Greek: Νικηφόρος Βοτανειάτης, romanizedNikēphóros Botaneiatēs; 1002–1081), Latinized as Nicephorus III Botaniates, was Byzantine Emperor from 7 January 1078 to 1 April 1081. He became a general during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos, serving with distinction during the Pecheneg revolt of 1048–1053. In 1057 he aided Isaac I Komnenos in overthrowing Emperor Michael VI Bringas, leading forces at the decisive Battle of Petroe. Under the Emperor Constantine X Doukas Nikephoros was made doux, first of Thessalonica and subsequently of Antioch. In the latter position he repelled numerous incursions from the Emirate of Aleppo. Constantine X died in 1067 and Empress Eudokia Makrembolitissa married Romanos IV Diogenes; Nikephoros, who had also been a candidate for Eudokia's hand and the position of emperor, was exiled and remained in retirement until Emperor Michael VII summoned him to serve as kouropalates and governor of the Anatolic Theme.

Having insulted Emperor Michael with overly frank appeals for help against the Seljuk Turks in Byzantine Anatolia, Nikephoros decided to protect himself from reprisals by seizing the throne. His military acumen and family renown won him strong support, and he took power in 1078 with the approval of the Byzantine Senate and the citizens of Constantinople. As emperor he faced numerous revolts, including those of Nikephoros Bryennios, Nikephoros Basilakes, and Constantine Doukas, as well as an attempted assassination by the Varangian Guard. Nikephoros performed many acts to increase his legitimacy and support, spending large amounts on donatives for the army and his supporters, forgiving all debt in arrears, and instituting minor legal reforms. Diplomatically, he secured the submission of Theodore Gabras and Philaretos Brachamios, governors of Trebizond and Antioch, respectively, who had become de facto independent of the Byzantine Empire.

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