Nicephorus Melissenos, one of the great generals of the second half of the 11th century, was catepan of Cyprus, duke of Triaditza (present day Sofia), and monostrategos of Anatolia. He was proclaimed emperor in Nicaea in 1080 and the next year advanced on Constantinople from the east while his brother-in-law, Alexius Comnenus advanced from the west. After the abdication of Botaneiates, Alexius became emperor and Melissenos accepted the title Caesar, as well as the immense revenues of the region of Thessalonika. He continued to campaign loyally for Alexius, and died in 1104.