Niketas Scholares

Niketas Scholares (Νικήτας Σχολάρης, fl. 1341–1361), was a Byzantine Greek aristocrat and military leader in the Empire of Trebizond. Niketas was a leader of the Scholarioi faction in Trebizond.

Life
Although the Scholarioi faction is mentioned as early as 1306, it was after the death of Emperor Basil (April 6, 1340) that the Scholarioi first play a role in Trebizond affairs when they and the Meitzomatai joined the faction opposed to Irene Palaiologina. Niketas and Gregory Meitzomates escorted Michael Megas Komnenos from Constantinople to Trebizond, arriving 30 July 1341. However, aristocratic backers of Anna separated Michael from his supporters while their armed supporters slaughtered the sailors Niketas and Gregory brought to support Michael's candidacy. The next day Michael was sent to captivity at Oinaion, and a few days later the dethroned Irene was put on a Frankish ship for Constantinople.

Niketas and Gregory escaped serious injury in the counter-coup, for Michael Panaretos states both fled the city and sailed on a Venetian ship to Constantinople, accompanied by Constantine Doranites, his son John, and Michael Meitsomates the brother of George, reaching that city September 10, 1341. There they recruited John Megas Komnenos to be Emperor. John agreed to their proposal, the group hired three Genoese galleys and with two of their own departed Constantinople August 17, 1342, and took control of Trebizond September 4.

The aristocrats who elevated John apparently grew dissatisfied with him, for Niketas freed his father Michael from captivity at Limnia and put him on the throne May 3, 1344, and had John banished to the monastery of St. Sabas. In return, Michael granted Niketas the title of megas doux, Gregory Meizomates the title of stratopedarches, Gregory's son epikernes, John Kabazites megas logothetes, Niketas Scholaris's son parakoimomenos, Michael Meizomates Amytzantarios, and Stephan Tzanichites the title of megas konostaulos. Thus the Scholarioi achieved overwhelming control of the government.

The power of the Scholarioi proved unpopular with the populace of Trebizond, who revolted against their oligarchy. In November 1345 Niketas was arrested and imprisoned, along with his associate Gregory Meizomates and others of their party. However, the Emperor Michael, old and sick, released Niketas from prison and restored to him his former office of megas doux on December 13, 1349. Niketas strengthened his position by marrying the daughter of Michael Sampson, the Intendent of the Palace. Then on December 22, Niketas led a coup that deposed Michael and place on the throne the son of Emperor Basil, John who took the name of Alexios III of Trebizond. This was the moment of Niketas' greatest power in the Empire.

From that moment, Niketas' power started to erode. The first year and a half of Alexios' reign was wracked with civil strife, which was marked by Niketas being stripped of his rank and becoming the prisoner of Theodore Doranites, known as Pileles. But Pileles, his son, and his son-in-law were strangled in the castle of Kenchrina in July 1352, allowing Niketas to return to power. But by that time, young Alexios had strengthened his own position, and Niketas fled to Kerasunt in June 1354, where he and his supporters led a revolt against Alexios. In March of the next year, Niketas, his son, the Lord Chamberlain, and Basil Choupakes the Treasurer led a fleet against Trebizond which failed to accomplish anything; that May Emperor Alexios led his own fleet against Kerasunt and captured that city. Niketas was, however, away at Kenchrina which was the rebels' last stronghold, which Alexios promptly besieged. Niketas held out in Kenchrina until October, and the surrender of that city ended the revolt.

Although Niketas spent the rest of his life in confinement in Trebizond, Alexios showed his regard for the former megas doux by walking in the white robes that were the garb of Imperial mourning.