Botaneiates

The family remained obscure until the 11th century when the first prominent member, Theophylact Botaneiates, is mentioned holding the title of doux in Thessalonica.

[5] The most distinguished member of the family was Nikephoros III Botaneiates, who had a long and successful career in the army before ascending to the Byzantine throne.

Nikephoros became a general during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos, serving in the Pecheneg revolt of 1048–1053, after which he likely received the title of magistros as a reward.

[4] In 1057 Nikephoros served in the revolt of Isaac I Komnenos against the Byzantine Emperor Michael VI Bringas which helped him ascend to high military offices.

[4] When Constantine X died in 1067, his wife, Empress Eudokia Makrembolitissa, considered taking Nikephoros as husband and emperor, but she eventually chose Romanos IV Diogenes instead.

In October 1077, when Nikephoros Bryennios rebelled in the Balkans, Botaneiates started his struggle for the throne in Anatolia and came into conflict with Michael in 1078.

[8] During the Komnenian period, the Botaneiatai continued to hold prominent positions in the Empire thanks to their ties to the Komnenos and Synadenos families.

In c. 1110-1112, their alliance was strengthened and Nikephoros Botaneiates was awarded the title of sebastos after his marriage to Eudokia, daughter of sebastokrator Isaac Komnenos.