Editing Nikephoros III Botaneiates (section)

====Reforms and domestic policy====
[[File:Histamenon nomisma sous Nicéphore III Botaniatès.jpg|thumb|A gold coin bearing Nikephoros III's image (right) and [[Christ Pantocrator]] (left)|alt=A gold coin stamped with the image of Nikephoros III and Christ Pantocrator]]
Nikephoros performed many acts to secure the support of the Byzantine populace, as he lacked the legitimacy of imperial succession as a usurper. He spent large amounts of money on [[Donativum|donatives]] for his army and supporters, which severely sapped the imperial treasury,{{sfn|Maynard|2018}}{{sfn|Attaleiates|Kaldellis (tr.)|Krallis (tr.)|2012|loc=33.2}} and distributed many titles to them; he also donated generously to charities.{{sfn|Maynard|2018}}{{sfn|Attaleiates|Kaldellis (tr.)|Krallis (tr.)|2012|loc=33.4}} He returned the gold and silver ornaments that Michael VII had confiscated from the churches to fund his civil war against him.{{Sfn|Maynard|2018}}{{sfn|Attaleiates|Kaldellis (tr.)|Krallis (tr.)|2012|loc=33.6}} Whether or not these acts managed to gain the support of the people cannot be ascertained, as Nikephoros{{'}}s reign was filled with revolts and political uncertainty; however, it can be assumed that he was determined to prevent the betrayal which many previous emperors had suffered, and as such freely handed out gifts and titles. Many of the reforms which Nikephoros enacted were more likely intended to solidify his tenuous hold on the throne, rather than for the security of the empire.{{sfn|Maynard|2018}}

Nikephoros issued a chrysobull that forgave all debt which was [[in arrears]] in order to gain support and to attempt to remedy the debt crisis which had occurred under the [[Byzantine Empire under the Doukas dynasty|Doukas dynasty]]; he also forbade creditors from demanding debt repayment before the terms of the contract stated, likely to improve the financial stability of the empire by preventing sudden impoverishment, and forbade creditors from seizing the property of their debtors in payment of debt after their debts were canceled. Attaleiates says that these laws "put an end to the fear of debt", which he said had been a source of much suffering for the Byzantine citizens under the Doukas dynasty.{{sfn|Maynard|2018}}{{sfn|Attaleiates|Kaldellis (tr.)|Krallis (tr.)|2012|loc=33.11}}

Nikephoros may have revoked the edicts of Michael VII to secure more legitimacy and to reward the citizens of Constantinople who had supported him; one such measure involved the restoration of rights to owners of small [[jetties]] around Constantinople, allowing them to again use these ports, called ''skalai''.{{sfn|Maynard|2018}}{{sfn|Attaleiates|Kaldellis (tr.)|Krallis (tr.)|2012|loc=33.7-8}} Attaleiates states that Nikephoros "diligently attended the festivals of the capital and frequently bestowed gifts to his subjects",{{sfn|Maynard|2018}}{{sfn|Attaleiates|Kaldellis (tr.)|Krallis (tr.)|2012|loc=36.18}} suggesting that Nikephoros did not hesitate to embrace the trappings of an emperor to ensure that he was viewed as the legitimate emperor rather than a mere usurper. Nikephoros worked to not only gain the favor of the masses, but also the previous dynasty, which Romanos IV had failed to do, leading to his downfall. He brought Eudokia Makrembolitissa out of her monastic exile and allowed her to live among her family,{{sfn|Maynard|2018}}{{sfn|Attaleiates|Kaldellis (tr.)|Krallis (tr.)|2012|loc=33.2}} and attempted to make Constantine Doukas his heir, likely in an attempt to appease the civil officials who he had just deposed. Additionally, succession was a strong concern, as Nikephoros was a widower, old, and childless in 1078. His marriage to Maria, the wife of Michael VII, and attempt to take Constantine as his heir, show Nikephoros{{'}}s determination to both secure his succession and restore stability to the empire.{{sfn|Maynard|2018}}

Attaleiates praised Nikephoros for his reforms to the legal code and his diligence in the performance of his imperial duties. Nikephoros presided over court cases and in his free time read books to improve his ability to judge cases.{{sfn|Maynard|2018}}{{sfn|Attaleiates|Kaldellis (tr.)|Krallis (tr.)|2012|loc=1.2-3 & 36.10}} Nikephoros settled several pressing legal issues in 1079, first enacting a law regarding spousal insanity, the second increasing the time between sentencing and execution to thirty days to allow new evidence to be presented or the judge to review whether the crime merited capital punishment.{{sfn|Maynard|2018}}{{sfn|Attaleiates|Kaldellis (tr.)|Krallis (tr.)|2012|loc=36.12-13}} Nikephoros also issued a law that extended the same legal rights and protections enjoyed by private servants to imperial servants.{{Sfn|Maynard|2018}}{{sfn|Attaleiates|Kaldellis (tr.)|Krallis (tr.)|2012|loc= 36.14-15}} While the reforms of Nikephoros are quite minor, they provide insight into Nikephoros{{'}}s desire to relieve some of the issues plaguing the Byzantine Empire and correct the rampant corruption of the Byzantine courts; that his reforms were quite minor is unsurprising in light of the fact that Nikephoros was nearly eighty and had to suppress several revolts and defend against the Turks in Anatolia.{{sfn|Maynard|2018}}{{sfn|Attaleiates|Kaldellis (tr.)|Krallis (tr.)|2012|loc=22.4}}