| Konstantios Doukas | |
|---|---|
| Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans | |
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| Byzantine co-emperor (underRomanos IV Diogenes) | |
| Reign | 1060–1078 |
| Predecessor | Michael VII Doukas |
| Successor | Nikephoros III Botaneiates |
| Co-emperors | Leo Diogenes (1070–1071) Nikephoros Diogenes (1070–1071) Michael VII Doukas (1071–1078) Constantine Doukas (1074–1078) Andronikos Doukas (1068–1070s) |
| Born | 1060 (1060) |
| Died | 18 October 1081(1081-10-18) (aged 20–21) Dyrrhachium |
| Dynasty | Doukas |
| Father | Constantine X Doukas |
| Mother | Eudokia Makrembolitissa |
Konstantios Doukas (Greek:Κωνστάντιος Δούκας,romanized: Kōnstantios Doúkās; 1060 – 18 October 1081),Latinized asConstantius Ducas, was a juniorByzantine emperor from 1060 to 1078. Konstantios was the son of EmperorConstantine X Doukas and EmpressEudokia Makrembolitissa. Upon his birth, he was elevated to junior emperor, along with his brotherMichael VII. He remained as junior emperor during the reigns of Constantine,Romanos IV, and Michael VII. He was handed over toNikephoros III, a usurper, following the abdication of Michael VII. He was sent to live in a monastery, where he stayed until recalled byAlexios I Komnenos, who made him a general. He was killed in 1081, in theBattle of Dyrrhachium. Sources sometimes confuse him with his nephew,Constantine Doukas.
Konstantios Doukas was born in 1060,[1] the son of EmperorConstantine X Doukas and EmpressEudokia Makrembolitissa. He was born during Constantine's reign; meaning that he was aporphyrogennetos ("born in the purple").[2] His father became emperor on 24 November 1059, afterIsaac I Komnenos selected him as his heir, shortly before Isaac abdicated.[3]
Later in 1060, Constantine elevated bothMichael VII and Konstantios to junior emperors under him, but did not elevate his middle sonAndronikos Doukas to junior emperor, for unknown reasons.[2] Konstantios retained his title of junior emperor during the reigns of Constantine (1060–1067),Romanos IV Diogenes (1068–1071), and Michael VII (1071–1078). Konstantios was engaged toAnna Vsevolodovna of Kiev in 1074.[4]
Michael VII was forced to abdicated on 31 March 1078, due to a popular uprising and the two active revolts ofNikephoros III Botaneiates andNikephoros Bryennios, retiring to theMonastery of Stoudios.[5] Michael VII chose Konstantios to succeed him, as Andronikos had died a few years before this or he wasn't interested to throne.[6] Konstantios technically became senior emperor following Michael's abdication. However, the Byzantine Senate had already declared Michael VII deposed on 7 January 1078.[7] According toMichael Attaleiates, "they [the populace] kept the City in order without a ruler for three days".[8]
Konstantios only had to contend with Nikephoros III, as Nikephoros Bryennios had been defeated by Nikephoros III at theBattle of Kalavrye, and subsequently blinded by him.[6] Konstantios rapidly lost support, as it became clear he had no skill as a ruler.[9] Upon Nikephoros III's entry into Constantinople on 3 April,[10] Konstantios' supporters attempted to negotiate, but the populace of Constantinople rejected him completely.[11] Later that year an Anatolian army rebelled in favour of Konstantios, but it was quickly defeated by Nikephoros' forces.[9] Konstantios was sent to betonsured and live in a monastery on one of thePrinces' Islands in thePropontis.[9] By becoming a monk he became unable to marry, and thus his engagement to Anna Vsevolodovna was cancelled.[4]
He was recalled byAlexios I Komnenos, who succeeded Nikephoros, and who was related to Konstantios by way of his marriage toIrene Doukaina, in 1081. He was made a general, and sent tocampaign against theNormans. After Alexios seized the throne, he elevatedConstantine Doukas to co-emperor.[12] Konstantios fought in theBattle of Dyrrhachium on 18 October 1081, where Byzantine forces besiegingDyrrachium were engaged by Norman forces. Although the Byzantines were initially successful, with the Norman right wing being routed by the Byzantine left wing, the Norman center routed the central forces of the Byzantines. During this engagement, theVarangian Guard, with whom Konstantios was fighting, was separated from the core body of the Byzantine army and massacred. Konstantios himself perished in the combat.[13]
Due to the limited sources for Konstantios' life, he's often confused with his younger nephew, theporphyrogennetosConstantine Doukas.[11][9][4] However, Constantine was only a child during this time (born in 1074), so contemporary sources most likely talk about Konstantios instead.[11]
Konstantios Doukas is thought to be engraved on theHoly Crown of Hungary, which was given to KingGéza I of Hungary (r. 1074–1077) by Konstantios' brother Michael VII, depicted alongside King Geza I and Michael VII;[14] although some argue that it actually depictsConstantine Doukas.[15]
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