Manzikert, 1071 ⚔️ Battle that broke the Byzantine Empire and sparked the First Crusade

Ironically, General Nikephoros Bryennios the Elder, who fought at Manzikert (on Romanos IV's left flank and held out as long as he could to save the encircle Emperor), would become known by scholars as one of the greatest Byzantine tacticians (later historian in the 11th century) and would play a role in the growing rise & reigns of Michael VII, Nicephorus III Botaniates and Alexios Komnenos I.

Ironically, General Nikephoros Bryennios the Elder, who fought at Manzikert (on Romanos IV's left flank and held out as long as he could to save the encircle Emperor), would become known by scholars as one of the greatest Byzantine tacticians (later historian in the 11th century) and would play a role in the growing rise & reigns of Michael VII, Nicephorus III Botaniates and Alexios Komnenos I.

During Michael's reign, he was the "Doux" or supreme general of Byzantine forces & governor in Bulgaria until he was disgusted with Michael's treaty with the Sejlks in 1077 after this massive defeat at Manzikert that led to the annexation of Anatolia alongside multiple civil wars in various parts of the empire. Bryennios attempted to take the title of emperor with the backing of most of his available troops, but Constantinople's defenses still proved impossible to breach, even to domestic rebellions.

He was offered the title of "Ceasar" by Bontanites, who later obtained the title of emperor over the empire after Bryennios failed to oust Michael while besieging Constantinople. Still, he refused to submit to Nicephorus's authority, considering a former minister named Nikephoritzes under Michael VII tried to assassinate him (which was the cause of making his move on Michael's throne in late 1077), and the new emperor Nicephorus still considered him a potential threat. Later, Bryennious faced the early stardom of General Alexios I (the future emperor during the First Crusade). He was subsequently defeated & taken prisoner by Alexios despite having a superior army at the battle of Kalavrye in 1078.

He was blinded in both eyes by the orders of Nicephorus. However, the emperor later pitied the already-beaten Bryennios and decided to restore his rank & family's fortune. Despite being badly handicapped & retired from the army, he later successfully helped lead & defend the city of Adrianople during Alexios's Pecheneg campaign against a Cuman rebel attack in 1094/5, led by a pretender who claimed to be Constantine Diogenes, the son of Romanos IV Diogenes, who had died in 1073. Thus ensuring the longevity of Alexios's reign, the brief restoration of Byzantine land & prestige, and the empire's stability.

Bryennios would finally accept the title of Caesar under Alexios (his once former foe) despite his retirement, be given many honors, and be one of Alexios's leading generals until his death around 1096. Emperor Alexios's daughter Anna would later marry Nikephoros the Younger because Nikephoros the Elder's successor greatly impressed the emperor, and Bryennios's heir would become one of the first men to gain the brand new Byzantine imperial title of Panhypersebastos - "Venerable Above All."