Alexios Komnenos
Alexios Komnenos was Emperor of Byzantium from 1081 to 1118.
History
Emperor Alexios greeted King Sigurd Magnusson and King Sigurd's crew to his court at the Great Palace in January 1111. It was there that King Sigurd presented the Eye of Odin to the Emperor, as gesture of thanks for his hospitality. Later that March, Emperor Alexios bought King Sigurd's fleet and retained most of seafaring Norsemen. They and the gargoyles Magni and Modi became part of the Emperor's Varangian Guard. ("Fortune Favors the Brave...")
Appearances
- "Fortune Favors the Brave..." (First Appearance)
- "Fallen From the Ranks..." (Mentioned Only)
Real World Background
Born around 1057, Alexios I Komnenos (in Greek, Ἀλέξιος Κομνηνός) participated in overthrowing then Emperor Nikephoros III Botaneiates in 1081, in a political alliance with Anna Dalassne, who wanted to ensure the future reign of her son, Constantine Doukas. Following the usurpation of Emperor Nikephoros, Alexios and Constantine ruled as joint rulers, until when Alexios's son, John Komnenos, was born in 1087. The political alliance ended, and John Komnenos became heir apparent.
When Alexios ascended to the throne, Byzantium had lost significant territory in Asia Minor to the Seljuk Empire. In response, Emperor Alexios appealed to Pope Urban II for support in 1095, which resulted in the First Crusade.
See Also
- Alexios Komnenos at Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia
