Maniakes I, also known as Maniakes the Elder, was a famed Videssian cavalry general and one of Likinios' most trusted generals. He was also the father of Maniakes II who later became the Avtokrator of the Empire of Videssos. He was a Vaspurakaner immigrant to Videssos. At the rise of Smerdis to the Makuraner throne, a Makurani nobleman named Abivard had come to Likinios for help to bring down Smerdis. To this end, Likinios sent his famous and innovative general, Maniakes I and his son. The duo helped put Sharbaraz King of Kings on the throne and became very friendly with Abivard.