Lesson plan
Botaneiates
The Botaneiates ( , pl. Botaneiatai, ) or Botaniates was a Byzantine aristocratic family that produced several generals and one Byzantine Emperor during the 11th and 12th centuries. The earliest attestation of the name occurred in the 6th and 9th centuries and it originated from Asia Minor. The family remained obscure until the 11th century when the first prominent member, Theophylact Botaneiates, is mentioned holding the title of doux in Thessalonica. The family reached their heyday under Nikephoros III Botaneiates who held high military offices before ruling as Emperor between 1078 and 1081. During the Komnenian period, the Botaneiatai continued to hold important titles thanks to their ties with the Komnenos dynasty. The status of the family begun to decline from the late 12th century onwards.
Article summary
The Botaneiates ( , pl. Botaneiatai, ) or Botaniates was a Byzantine aristocratic family that produced several generals and one Byzantine Emperor during the 11th and 12th centuries. The earliest attestation of the name occurred in the 6th and 9th centuries and it originated from Asia Minor. The family remained obscure until the 11th century when the first prominent member, Theophylact Botaneiates, is mentioned holding the title of doux in Thessalonica. The family reached their heyday under Nikephoros III Botaneiates who held high military offices before ruling as Emperor between 1078 and 1081. During the Komnenian period, the Botaneiatai continued to hold important titles thanks to their ties with the Komnenos dynasty. The status of the family begun to decline from the late 12th century onwards.
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.