Nikoulitzas Delphinas (Greek: Νικουλιτζάς Δελφινάς[a]) was an 11th-century Byzantine magnate and local lord of Larissa, in Thessaly. He took part in a revolt initiated by the Vlachs of Thessaly in 1066.[1]

Biography

It is uncertain whether Nikoulitzas may have been an ethnic Greek or an ethnic Vlach, as Vlachs could have been considered by Byzantine chroniclers at the time as Greeks.[2] He was the grandson of Nikulitsa, the governor of Servia and archon of the Vlachs of Hellas.[1] The younger Nikoulitzas bore the rank of protospatharios, but is not known to have had any official position.[3]

Nikoulitzas had his own fortress with a garrison of men, and was one of the most powerful lords of Thessaly.[4] The Vlachs and Slavs of the region started planning a revolt in 1065, prompted by the taxation increases and corruption in the same area. When Nikoulitzas heard this from his spies[5] he went to Constantinople to warn the Emperor Constantine X Doukas, but the Emperor dismissed him and no measures were taken.[4]

Upon returning to Larissa, Nikoulitzas saw the growing movement and tried to talk the rebels out of it. They insisted on Nikoulitzas becoming their leader, as he had a fort and a private army. Nikoulitzas declined, as his two sons were in Constantinople, fearing they would come in harm's way. The rebels, however, forced Nikoulitzas to take a leadership position and the revolt began.[4]

The revolt ended by negotiation, but the Emperor captured Nikoulitzas and imprisoned him in Amaseia, on the Black Sea coast of Asia Minor.[1] His son-in-law was the writer Kekaumenos, whose Strategikon is the only source on him and the revolt.[1][6]

Notes

  1. ^ His first name is a Hellenization of the Slavic Nikulitsa or Nikolitsa. Other variations of his surname are Delphinus and the shortened version Delphin.

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d Curta 2006, p. 280.
  2. ^ Winnifrith 1987, p. 108: "The exchange was made because Peter was a foreigner and this suggests that Nikoulitzas was a Greek, although some have claimed him to be a Vlach. It is possible that Vlachs were considered as Greeks at this time."
  3. ^ Cheynet 1996, p. 72.
  4. ^ a b c Fine 1991, p. 216.
  5. ^ Bury 1897, p. 50: "Nikulitzas—who had obtained his information by spies, for the conspirators had not ventured to make overtures to him—was much vexed at the Emperor's silence."
  6. ^ Cheynet 1996, pp. 168, 392.

Sources

Categories