Emperor Andronikos I Komnenos E / L XII
Ἀνδρόνικος Κομνηνός (Varzos 87-I.493) (Andronikos 1)
(Unspecified)
(null)
Narrative
(138)
Authorship
(null)
Death
(null)
Description
(17)
He yielded to none of the great in questions of bravery
ὡς γὰρ πολλάκις ἔφην, τῶν τῆς γενναιότητας λόγων οὐδενὶ τῶν μεγάλων ὑπεχώχρει. Kinnamos 124.4-6
Was by nature always agitated and had a quick and resourceful look, just as if the movements of his mind had emerged and were external
σεσόβητο γὰρ ἀεὶ φύσει καὶ γοργόν το και ἔντρεχες ἔβλεπεν, ὡς ἂν οἶμαι τῶν ψυχικῶν αὐτῷ κινημάτων ἐκδυομένων ἤδη καὐτοῖς ἐκτός. Kinnamos 232.19-21
He was of high nobility and a very good-looking man
ὡς γένει μέγαν καὶ ὡς ἐν ἀνδράσιν ἀξιοθέατον. Niketas Choniates, Historia 138.94
He was an extremely experienced letter-writer, able to quote glibly from the Pauline epistles
ἦν γάρ, εἰ καί τις ἄλλος, γραμμάτων ἔμπειρος καὶ ἄνα στόμα φέρων τοῦ πνευματορρήτορος Παύλου τὰ ἐπιστόλια. Niketas Choniates, Historia 229.53-55
He was impetuous and the wiliest of men, able to take care of himself even in difficult circumstances and methodical
θερμουργὸς δὲ ὢν καὶ ἀνθρώπων πολυτροπώτατος κἀν τοῖς ἀπόροις ποριστικὸς καὶ εὐμέθοδος. Niketas Choniates, Historia 106.87-89
He was excellent at devising abusive comments and devastating in using them, and skilful in poking fun at those who were unsuccessful or suffered from physical deformities; e.g. Koutso-Arslan (lame Arslan) for
Kilic Arslan 52
φιλολοίδορος ὢν εἴπερ τις ἄλλος καὶ καθάψασθαι ἀνθρώπων δεινότατος. Niketas Choniates, Historia 122.50-54
A tyrant
τοῦ τυράννου. Kleinchroniken 1476.86
Gave himself up to indolence and goings-on in his tent ... his effeminacy and ... licentiousness ... behaved with extreme negligence
ῥᾳστώναις καὶ παιδιαῖς ἑαυτὸν ταῖς ἐπὶ σκηνῆς ἐδεδώκει ... μαλακίαν ... ἀσελγίας ... ὀλιγωρίᾳ πολλῇ τινι κεχρημένος. Kinnamos 123.17-124.3
He was remarkably handsome, like a shoot climbing up a fir-tree; he was passionately fond of outré robes, especially those that are slit and fall down over buttocks and thighs and are as if they were woven together with the body
πλουτῶν μὲν καὶ ἄλλως εἶδος ἀξιάγαστον καὶ ὡς ἔρνος ἀναβαίνων ἐλάτινον, ἐπτοημένος δὲ καὶ περὶ τὰς ἐξάλλους
στολάς, καὶ τούτων ὅσαι περὶ γλουτὸν καὶ μηροὺς καταβαίνουσαι διασχίζονται καὶ οἷον εἰσί πως συνυφασμέναι τῷ σώματι. Niketas Choniates, Historia 139.49-52
He was praised in the encomium of a letter in a way which is stylised, but may also reflect to some extent his charm and popular appeal
... τῶν οὕτως ὑψηλῶν καὶ θεοπρεπῶν χαρισμάτων .... Tornikes, Georgios 108.1-111.14
He was suspected and imprisoned by
Manuel 1
because of his outspokenness, his unusual strength, his imperial physique, his indomitable spirit, his martial skills and his distinguished birth
... τὸ ἐλευθεροστομεῖν ἀεὶ καὶ τὸ τῇ ῥώμῃ τῶν πολλῶν διαφέρειν καὶ ἡ εὖ ἔχουσα πλάσις τοῦ σώματος ἀξία οὖσα τοῦ τυραννεῖν καὶ τὸ τοῦ φρονήματος ἀταπείνωτον … ἀλλὰ δὴ καὶ τὸ ἐν ταῖς μάχαις ἐνδέξιον καὶ τὸ τοῦ γένους ἐπίσημον. Niketas Choniates, Historia 103.8-18
May have been planning revolt from the beginning; certainly was jealous of favours given to
Ioannes 17006
εἰ μὲν καὶ ἀρχῆθεν ἀποστασίαν ὤδινε ... μεγάλα ᾿Ανδρονίκου καθίκετο ψυχῆς. Kinnamos 124.22-126.9
Said to have been much discussed earlier (in the extant text he has not been mentioned)
οὗ πολὺν ἐν τοῖς ἔμπροσθεν ἐποιησάμεθα λόγον. Kinnamos 61.4-15
that raging and perverse old man
τὸ ἀκροχολώτατον ἐκεῖνο καὶ ὑποδύσκολον τὸν τρόπον γερόντιον. Niketas Choniates, Historia 147.76-77
Both Protean in his unpredictability and a tyrant (the conclusion of
Ioannes 20463
after careful study of some of his letters)
τὸν πολύμορφον Πρωτέα καὶ τυραννικὸν τὸν τρόπον Ἀνδρόνικον. Niketas Choniates, Historia 245.77-79
Manuel 1
thought his refusal to take an oath to
Maria 17002
and
Bela 53
was nonsense spoken by a man who was contrary and obstinate; but Andronikos did find some support
ἀνδρὸς ἀντιδοξοῦντος καὶ ἰσχυρογνὠμονος τερετίσματα. Niketas Choniates, Historia 137.81-82
He too rushed on with limitless courage, furious for battle, plying his spear and shield quite well
θάρσει γὰρ καὶ οὗτος ἀπείρῳ διῳκεῖτο καὶ ἔπνει τὰς μάχας, ἐπιεικῶς τὸ δόρυ χειρίσας καὶ τὴν ἀσπίδα. Kinnamos 62.11-12
Dignity/Office
(9)
Basileus
ἐβασίλευσεν. Kleinchroniken 147.86
(ἡ βασιλεία μου). Lavra 344.3
Despotes
δεσπότου.
Seal 0
Doux of Branicevo and Belegrada
δουκικῆς ἀρχῆς Βρανιτζόβης καὶ Βελεγράδων. Niketas Choniates, Historia 101.67
Doux of Cilicia
Κιλικίαν ... ἡγεμόνων. Niketas Choniates, Historia 137.90-138.93
Doux of Nis and Branicevo
Ναϊσοῦ τε καὶ Βρανιτζόβης ... δοῦκα. Kinnamos 124.21
Logothetes
λογοθέτης. Eustathios: Capture of Thessalonike 48.12
Sebastos
σεβαστός. Eustathios: Capture of Thessalonike 48.13
Strategos autokrator
στρατηγὸν αὐτοκράτορα. Kinnamos 121.19
Education
(null)
Ethnic label
(null)
Second Name
(5)
Komnenos
Κομνηνοφυοῦς.
Seal 0
Κομνηνόν. Tornikes, Georgios 74, tit
Κομνηνός. Niketas Choniates, Historia 50.57
Κομνηνός. Niketas Choniates, Historia 101.67
Κομνηνόν. Eustathios: Capture of Thessalonike 2.2
Kinship
(34)
brother-in-law of
Georgios 277
(τῆς ... γυναικὸς ἀδελφός). Niketas Choniates, Historia 268.73
cousin of
Andronikos 109
ἐξαδέλφου. Niketas Choniates, Historia 104.35
cousin of
Andronikos 119
ἐξαδέλφου. Niketas Choniates, Historia 246.7
cousin of
Manuel 1
ἐξαδέλφῳ. Kinnamos 61.4, 121.16
ἐξάδελφον. Tornikes, Georgios 108, tit
πρὸς πατρὸς ἐξάδελφος. Niketas Choniates, Historia 50.56-57
ἐξάδελφον. Niketas Choniates, Historia 104.33
cousin (first) of
Isaakios 103
(false)
πρώτου ἐξαδέλφου. Niketas Choniates, Historia 141.90
ἐξ ἀδελφῶν δ᾽ ἔφυσαν ἄμφω. Niketas Choniates, Historia 226.73
cousin (first) of
Manuel 1
αὐτανέψιος, πρῶτος ἐξάδελφος. Eustathios: Capture of Thessalonike 20.7-9
cousin (first) of the father of
Theodora 17002
(τῇ τοῦ πρώτου ἐξαδέλφου θυγατρί). Niketas Choniates, Historia 141.90
father of
Anonymi 17012
παῖδας. Kinnamos 250.19
(ἀπέτεκεν αὐτῷ). Niketas Choniates, Historia 226.82
father of
Eirene 150
(θυγάτριον). Niketas Choniates, Historia 260.51
father of
Ioannes 516
πατήρ. Niketas Choniates, Historia 107.29
(υἱοί). Niketas Choniates, Historia 231.15
father of
Manuel 20121
(παῖς).
Seal 0
(υἱῷ). Niketas Choniates, Historia 129.40, 231.15
(παῖδες). Eustathios: Capture of Thessalonike 20.7
father of
Maria 173
(θυγάτηρ). Eustathios: Capture of Thessalonike 28.30
fiancé of
Philippa 17001
(γυναῖκα ἐγγυητήν). Kinnamos 250.7
grandfather of
David 20103
(βασιλεκγόνου).
Seal 0
husband of
Agnes 101
ἁρμόζεται ... πρὸς συμβίωσιν. Niketas Choniates, Historia 275.12-14
husband of
Anonyma 261
(γυνή). Niketas Choniates, Historia 107.16
husband of
Philippa 17001
(uxorem). William of Tyre bk. 21, 12 (13).44
husband (divorced) of
Philippa 17001
(hacque dimissa). William of Tyre bk. 21, 12 (13).44
lover of
Eudokia 17001
συνήρχετο. Niketas Choniates, Historia 104.28-29
ἐπλησίαζεν. Niketas Choniates, Historia 132.34
lover of
Theodora 17002
(ἠράσθη). Kinnamos 250.17-18
ἐγχρίπτει σαρκικῶς καὶ ἐνασελγαίνει ἀκολάστως. Niketas Choniates, Historia 141.89-90
uncle of
Alexios 2
(ἀνεψιόν). Niketas Choniates, Historia 228.43, 275.15
uncle of
Theodora 17002
(ἀνεψιᾶς). Niketas Choniates, Historia 260.51
(neptem). William of Tyre bk. 21, 12 (13).45
uncle (?) of the father of
Theodora 17002
(in fact, first cousin of her father)
(nepotis filiam). William of Tyre bk. 20, 2.11-12
Language Skill
(null)
Location
(50)
Acre
became besotted with
Baldwin 53
's widow
Theodora 17002
at Acre; ῎Ακης. Kinnamos 250.13
was entertained by
Theodora 17002
for a long time at Acre; urbem Acconensem. William of Tyre bk. 20, 2.20-21
Anchialos
In fleeing from the capital, he rode quickly from Meliboton to Anchialos Άγχιάλου. Niketas Choniates, Historia 130.79
Antioch (on the Orontes)
barely escaped to Antioch (on the Orontes); ᾿Αντιόχειαν. Kinnamos 124.7
he successfully wooed
Philippa 17001
at Antioch τὴν Ἀντιόχου. Niketas Choniates, Historia 139.44
visited Antioch from his office in Cilicia and became affianced to
Philippa 17001
; Ἀντιόχειαν. Kinnamos 250.6
Athos: Great Lavra
granted 2 enclosures and ordered their transfer to Great Lavra; μονὴν τοῦ ἁγίου Ἀθανασίου. Lavra 344.17
Beirut
was given Beirut by
Amalric 51
, but used it as a route to escape to Damascus urbem ... Beritensem. William of Tyre bk. 20, 2.8-9
Belegrada
was doux of Belegrada (and Branicevo); δουκικῆς ἀρχῆς Βρανιτζόβης καὶ Βελεγράδων. Niketas Choniates, Historia 101.67
Branicevo
as its doux planned with the Hungarians to betray Branicevo; Βρανιτζόβης. Kinnamos 126.10-14
received a letter from
Georgios 25002
when he was in Branicevo; Βρανιτζόβῃ. Tornikes, Georgios 108, tit
was appointed doux of Branicevo; Ναϊσοῦ καὶ Βρανιτζόβας. Kinnamos 124.21
was doux of Branicevo (and Belegrada); δουκικῆς ἀρχῆς Βρανιτζόβης καὶ Βελεγράδων. Niketas Choniates, Historia 101.67
Chostiane: Prodromos
granted some labourers and a mill at Mandra to Lavra's monastery of Prodromos; τὸν Πρόδρομον. Lavra 345.21
Cilicia
plotted treachery with the Turks and Crusaders from Cilicia; τῆς Κιλίκων ... γῆς. Kinnamos 126.9
was sent as supreme commander to Cilicia; τὴν Κιλίκων καὶ ᾿Ισαύρων. Kinnamos 121.18-19
was sent to settle the situation in Cilicia; Κιλικίας. Kinnamos 250.3
Constantinople: Blachernai Palace, Polytimos hall
He was first dressed in imperial costume in the Polytimos hall κατὰ τὸν ... δόμον, ὃς Πολύτιμος λέγεται. Niketas Choniates, Historia 271.44-45
Constantinople: Boukoleon
his escape was nearly thwarted by the guards of the Boukoleon Βουκολέοντα. Niketas Choniates, Historia 130.2
Constantinople: Chalke
After coronation, he rode rather quickly past the Chalke church τὸν ἐν τῇ Χαλκῇ νεὼν τοῦ σωτῆρος Χριστοῦ. Niketas Choniates, Historia 272.82
Constantinople: Great Palace
after nine years of imprisonment escaped from the Palace; ἐν παλατίῳ. Kinnamos 232.10
was imprisoned in the Palace; ἐν παλατίῳ. Kinnamos 130.22
was shut up in one of the prisons of the Great Palace; ἐν μιᾷ τῶν τοῦ μεγάλου παλατίου φρουρῶν. Niketas Choniates, Historia 101.73
Constantinople: House of Michaelitzes
He took up residence at the House of Michaelitzes ὁ τοῦ Μιχαηλίτζη ... οἶκος. Niketas Choniates, Historia 270.34-271.35
Cyprus
to settle the situation in Cilicia was given the tax revenues of Cyprus; Κύπρον. Kinnamos 250.5
Damascus
left secretly from Palestine for Damascus; Damascum. William of Tyre bk. 20, 2.13-14
Galicia (Halych)
He fled from the palace and reached Galicia (Halych) Γαλίτζα. Niketas Choniates, Historia 129.1
when near Galicia (Halych), he was captured by Vlachs Γαλίτζης. Niketas Choniates, Historia 131.84
Iberia (theme)
reached as far as Iberia; Ἰβήρων. Kinnamos 251.2
Isauria
was sent as supreme commander to Isauria; τὴν Κιλίκων καὶ ᾿Ισαύρων. Kinnamos 121.18-19
Kastoria (Macedonia)
together with his command was also awarded Kastoria; Καστορίαν. Kinnamos 124.21-22
Koloneia (on Lykos)
After long wanderings, he settled down to live in Koloneia τὴν τῇ Χαλδίᾳ προσεγγίζουσαν χώραν. Niketas Choniates, Historia 226.67-68
Mandra (Moglena)
granted to Lavra's monastery of Prodromos a mill at the chorion of Mandra; τῆς Μάνδρας. Lavra 345.22
Meliboton
In fleeing from the capital, he had horses waiting at Meliboton Μελίβοτον. Niketas Choniates, Historia 130.78
Metabole (Bithynia)
was nearly beheaded at Metabole; Μεταβολή. Kinnamos 127.21-22
Mopsuestia (Missis(a), Cilicia)
negligently besieged Mopsuestia; Μοψουεστίας. Kinnamos 123.15
Nicaea
he failed to persuade
Ioannes 20185
at Nicaea to join his rebellion Νίκαια. Niketas Choniates, Historia 244.70-245.74
Nikomedeia
most of the people of the Nikomedeia area came over to him at Tarsia τὴν Νικομήδους πόλιν. Niketas Choniates, Historia 245.80
Nis (Naissus)
as its doux planned with the Hungarians to betray Nis; Ναϊσοῦ. Kinnamos 126.10-14
was appointed doux of Nis; Ναϊσοῦ καὶ Βρανιτζόβας. Kinnamos 124.21
Oinaion
After reconciliation,
Manuel 1
sent him to live in Oinaion (not Sinope, as in Eustathios) Οἴναιον. Niketas Choniates, Historia 227.10
Palestine
left his post in Cilicia to go to Palestine; Παλαιστίνης. Kinnamos 250.9
Pelagonia (Macedonia)
made two assassination attempts at Pelagonia; ῾Ηρακλείᾳ ποτὲ τῇ Μυσῶν ... Πελαγονίαν. Kinnamos 127.10-130.11
was summoned for arrest at Pelagonia; Πελαγονία. Niketas Choniates, Historia 101.72
Peukia (above Chalcedon)
he camped at Peukia, within sight of the city Πευκία. Niketas Choniates, Historia 246.11
Sangarios (river)
was recaptured near the Sangarios; Σαγγαρέως ποταμοῦ. Kinnamos 232.16-17
Sinope
he observed the events of 1181 from Sinope (not Oinaion, as in Choniates) Σινωπικῆς χερσονήσου. Eustathios: Capture of Thessalonike 26.36-28.1
Tarsia (Bithynia)
at Tarsia, most of the inhabitants of Nikomedia and its environs came over to him Ταρσίᾳ. Niketas Choniates, Historia 245.80
Thrakesion
he failed to persuade
Ioannes 20463
, doux of Thrakesion, to join his rebellion Θρᾳκησίων. Niketas Choniates, Historia 245.74-79
Zeugminon (Serbia)
was particularly successful at destroying the walls of Zeugminon Ζευγμίνου. Niketas Choniates, Historia 135.22
Occupation/Vocation
(null)
Possession
(1)
Kastoria
Καστορίαν. Kinnamos 124.21-22
Religion
(null)
Eunuchs
(null)
Alternative Name
(null)