Nikephoros Melissenos was probably born circa 1045…

Nikephoros Melissenos was probably born circa 1045 at Dorylaeum, where his family had extensive estates.

Through both his father and his mother, he is of aristocratic descent: his father belongs to the Bourtzes line, while his mother to the illustrious Melissenos family, which dates back to the eighth century and has produced several distinguished generals.

Sometime before 1067, Nikephoros had married Eudokia Komnene, the second daughter of the Domestic of the Schools John Komnenos and Anna Dalassene and sister of the future Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos.

They have at least one known son, who is named John Komnenos.

Melissenos had held the rank of magistros and the post of governor (doux) of Triaditza (modern Sofia) for some time during the 1060s.

In 1070, he joins the field army commanded by his eldest brother-in-law, the protostrator Manuel Komnenos, in a campaign against the Seljuq Turks.

The campaign ends in defeat near Sebasteia (modern Sivas), and Melissenos along with Manuel Komnenos are captured by a Turkish chieftain whom the Greeks called Chrysoskoulos.

Manuel, however, quickly persuades the Turk to enter into imperial service, and their captivity ends.