Alexios Komnenos | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1077 |
| Died | after 1108 |
| Allegiance | Byzantine Empire |
| Rank | doux |
| Battles / wars | Siege of Dyrrhachium (1107–1108) |
| Relations | Isaac Komnenos (father),Alexios I Komnenos (uncle),John Komnenos (brother) |
Alexios Komnenos (Greek:Ἀλέξιος Κομνηνός,romanized: Alexios Komnēnos;c. 1077 – after 1108) was aByzantine aristocrat and nephew of EmperorAlexios I Komnenos. Promoted to the rank ofsebastos, he served asdoux ofDyrrhachium from 1106 until after 1108. During this time, he led the successful resistance to asiege of Dyrrhachium byBohemond I of Antioch, leading to theTreaty of Devol.
Bornc. 1077, Alexios was the second son and third child of thesebastokratorIsaac Komnenos, older brother ofByzantine emperorAlexios I Komnenos (r. 1081–1118), and his wife Irene of Alania.[1][2] As an imperial relative, he bore the title ofsebastos.[1]
Almost the only details about his life come from theAlexiad, written by his cousin,Anna Komnene.[2] He is first mentioned in the spring of 1106, when he was appointed by his uncle as the military governor (doux) ofDyrrhachium, replacing his older brotherJohn.[1][2] His earlier life and career are unknown, but it is likely that he had previously held other public posts, just like John, who held his first office at the age of 19.[3] At some point, probably around 1094, he married a certain Zoe, whose family is unknown.[4][5]
The post of governor of Dyrrhachium was of major importance. The city was of great importance to the Byzantine Empire, as the "key ofAlbania" and the main point of entry from Italy into theBalkans, a fact illustrated by the role it played in theNorman invasion in the early years of Alexios I's reign.[6] John had proven himself unreliable, having been accused of plotting against the emperor and suffering a defeat at the hands of theDalmatians. With the threat of another Norman invasion looming, Emperor Alexios confided this crucial post to Alexios instead, in whom he evidently placed greater trust.[7] At the same time, the emperor continued sending letters to his nephew, impressing upon him the need to keep constant watch on the coasts for the first sign of a Norman invasion.[2][8]
Indeed, in October 1107,Bohemond I of Antioch, emulating his fatherRobert Guiscard, landed with a strong army atAvlona.[9] Alexios, who had diligently implemented his uncle's instructions, immediately sent news to him.[2][8] Bohemond laid siege to Dyrrhachium in November 1107, which lasted until the next spring. The Normans employed numeroussiege engines, but the defenders held firm, usingGreek fire to destroy them. Anna Komnene praises Alexios' leadership, both for his bravery and for the inspiration he provided to his men. In the meantime, the situation of the besiegers worsened as Emperor Alexios sent detachments to occupy the various passes and prevent the Normans from foraging, while he moved with his army toDevol to await an opportunity to strike against them. As famine, disease, and desertions plagued the Norman army, Bohemond sent envoys to Alexios to negotiate.[2][10] On instructions from his uncle, Alexios forwarded the envoys to the Emperor, leading to the conclusion of theTreaty of Devol in which Bohemond acknowledged the Emperor's suzerainty and became his vassal.[11][12]
Alexios' subsequent life and career are unknown, as is the date of his death.[13] According toTheodore Balsamon, his wife fell heavily ill shortly after 1130 to a disease deemed incurable by her physicians. In desperation, her family turned to foreign charlatans, who claimed that her illness was due to spells, and proceeded to discover claypoppets, blaming her servants and entourage. The latter were interrogated and even tortured, but to no avail, as the charlatans were responsible for planting these dolls themselves. In the end, as they proved unable to improve her condition, they fled the palace. Some of her relatives and servants who participated in these events were later punished for believing in and abetting sorcery by PatriarchLeo Styppes.[14] The couple probably had a son, named John, known from a single funerary poem, who was a distinguished military commander.[15]
| Preceded by | Doux ofDyrrhachium 1106 – after 1108 | Unknown Title next held by Pirogordus |