Byzantine OCs Reference Sheet (Patreon)

Meet Nikephoros, Eirene, and Theopano!

Nikephoros (also called Niki) is the twenty-year-old son of Petros, who is the wealthiest spice trader in Constantinopolis. As the youngest and only son in the family, he is expected to take over the family business. However, much to his father’s disappointment, Niki is only interested in pleasure and self-indulgence.

He was once a brilliant young man, but the tragedy that occurred two years prior turned him upside down. On April 1, 1081, Alexios Komnenos, a military commander who raised an army against the Emperor, entered the capital triumphantly. However, he was unable to stop his troops from ravaging the city. According to Book 3 of Alexiad (This is written by Alexios’ daughter Anna Komnene, therefore the descriptions are likely biased) :

“The Emperor [Alexios] (...) was now tortured with remorse for the plundering of the city, which had taken place on his occupation of it, and brought suffering upon all the inhabitants. (...) Alexios was distraught with these reflections and vexed in soul, lest God should make him a scapegoat for whatever crime had been committed anywhere in the city by any individual soldier, and the rabble which had surged through it at that time had been enormous -he counted as his own and reckoned that it was as if he himself had perpetrated the many deeds of shame. Thus he was wounded and sore stricken in mind; and his Empire and power, his purple robes and diadem encrusted with jewels, and his golden dress sewn with pearl she accounted, as was only right, as of no value compared with the indescribable calamity which had overtaken the Queen of Cities. For nobody, were he to attempt it, could adequately describe the evils which at that time had overwhelmed the city. Even the very churches and shrines and all property, both public and private, had been ruthlessly despoiled everywhere by everybody, one's ears were deafened by the cries and shouts raised on all sides. In fact, an onlooker would have said an earthquake was taking place. All these things Alexios revolved in his mind and was consequently vexed and harassed in spirit, and did not know how to stem the tide of his sorrow. For he was very quick in coming to the right appreciation of any evil deed. And although he knew that these occurrences under which the city had been so evilly entreated, were wrought by other men's hands and minds, yet he was also most keenly conscious that he himself had furnished the pretext for, and the beginning of, the calamity.”

During this pandemonium, the rebel soldiers killed Niki’s brother Ioannes and sister Agatha. Ioannes was defending the house from plundering, while Agatha was fiercely resisting against their assault. In the end, the leaders of the coup, including Emperor Alexios himself, had undergone arduous rituals of repentance. But ultimately, it was for their public image. Damage has already been done, as seen by Nikephoros’ decline into debauchery.

Family history of Niki

Father : Petros. Born 1028. 55 years old.

Mother : Anna. Born 1030. Died in 1068. Aged 38.

First daughter : Sophia. Born 1048. 35 years old.

Second son : Georgios. Born 1050. Killed at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071. Aged 21.

Third daughter : Maria. Born 1053. 30 years old.

Fourth daughter : Elene. Born 1056. Died as an infant.

Fifth son : Ioannes. Born 1058. Killed by the rebel soldier led by Alexios Komnenos in 1081. He was defending the house from plundering. Aged 23.

Sixth daughter : Agatha. Born 1060. Killed by the rebel soldier led by Alexios Komnenos in 1081. Aged 21.

Seventh son : Nikephoros. Born 1063. 20 years old.

Eirene and Theopano are barmaids at a tavern that Nikephoros frequents. Eirene is well-known for her risqué dances, while Theopano is an excellent singer. In the Roman (Byzantine) Empire, barmaid employed in city inns (tavernae) served travelers wine, danced for them, and often led them upstairs for ‘other services.’ And that is what Eirene and Theopano are most renowned for. Nikephoros is their favorite client because of his seemingly limitless wealth and unrivaled virility.

Eirene, aged 37, is most popular among clients due to her charming and vivacious personality. She loves luxury jewelry and cosmetics so much that she spends a substantial amount of her earnings on them. She is also a bit vain and mischievous.

Theopano, aged 42, is the chief maid of the tavern. Upper-class clients specifically ask her for their company because of her generous, caring personality and soft manner. However, she feels most comfortable around Nikephoros, so she reveals her domineering and lustful side only to him.