Nikephoros Diogenes was born c 1069 to Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes and Empress Eudokia Makrembolitissa.
13 Facts About Nikephoros Diogenes
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Nikephoros Diogenes was elevated to junior emperor in 1070, although he lost this position when his father was overthrown in 1071.
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Nikephoros Diogenes III was himself overthrown by Alexios I Komnenos in 1081.
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Nikephoros Diogenes was probably granted significant estates in Crete at the same time as his appointment.
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Nikephoros Diogenes was described as having many positive characteristics, such as natural charm, magnetic personality, and good looks.
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Nikephoros Diogenes was physically strong and boasted that he rivaled the Giants; a broad-chested, blond man, a head taller than others of his generation.
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Nikephoros Diogenes' revolt involved a huge number of Alexios' confidants and relatives, including former Empress Maria of Alania, Alexios' brother-in-law Michael Taronites, and indeed Alexios' full brother Adrianos Komnenos.
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Nikephoros Diogenes twice attempted to assassinate Alexios in person the first time he was not able to do so because of the presence of a maid fanning mosquitoes off of the emperor, and the second time he was halted by a guard.
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Alexios became suspicious of Nikephoros Diogenes, and ordered his brother Adrianos to investigate.
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Nikephoros Diogenes was blinded in 1094 for conspiring against Alexios, which was a standard punishment for conspirators in Byzantine culture.
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However, Nikephoros Diogenes was "frantic with grief, detested town-life and was fond of living on his own estate", to which he retired not long after his blinding.
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Nikephoros Diogenes spent the remaining years of his life there, studying classical literature and philosophy, which were necessarily read aloud to him.
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Nikephoros Diogenes became proficient in geometry, by having a tutor make geometrical models for him in relief or 3D.