Defection to the Turks of the emperor's nephew Ioannes

Summary:
Ioannes II might have taken Neokaisareia, but for the unexpected pride and unjust anger of his nephew Ioannes, son of his brother Isaakios. When a fierce battle had begun, Ioannes II saw that a distinguished Italian knight had no horse, and told his nephew to provide him with his Arabian steed, knowing he had others. The young man was furious and abusive, challenged the Italian to a duel for the horse, but eventually had to give way, seeing the emperor was angry. He remounted on another horse, charged towards the enemy, but suddenly stopped, reversed his lance, removed his helmet and deserted. He was welcomed as an old acquaintance, and one who would help the Turks. He would later become a Muslim and marry the daughter of Mas'ud of Ikonion 
Dates:
1140 
daughter (Kamero) of Mas'ud I, sultan of Ikonion (Anonyma 25002)
  • She was married by Ioannes 25002, shortly after he had defected to the Turks and become a Muslim (:) Niketas Choniates, Historia 36.56-60
distinguished Italian knight without a horse (Anonymus 25008)
  • When Ioannes 2 saw he had no horse for battle, he told Ioannes 25002 to give him his, knowing he owned others; his nephew behaved abusively, challenged the Italian to a duel, but finally, as the emperor was angry, the Italian got the horse (:) Niketas Choniates, Historia 35.39-36.51
Emperor Ioannes II Komnenos (Ioannes 2)
  • He might have captured Neokaisareia but for the defection of Ioannes 25002: the emperor saw Anonymus 25008 without a horse, and told his nephew to give him his, knowing he had others; but the young man challenged the Italian to a duel (:) Niketas Choniates, Historia 35.39-36.48
  • He angrily made Ioannes 25002 give up his horse, so Ioannes rode another toward the Turks, then reversed his spear, removed his helmet and defected; the emperor realised that he would tell the enemy of the Byzantines' serious lack of supplies (:) Niketas Choniates, Historia 36.48-65
Ioannes Komnenos, son of Isaakios, brother of Ioannes II (Ioannes 25002)
  • When told by Ioannes 2 to provide Anonymus 25008 with his Arabian steed (as he had others), he was furious and abusive, challenged the Italian to a duel for the horse, but eventually had to give way, seeing the emperor was angry (:) Niketas Choniates, Historia 35.42-36.51
  • He remounted on another horse, charged towards the enemy, but suddenly stopped, reversed his lance, removed his helmet and deserted; he was welcomed as an old acquaintance, and one who would help the Turks (:) αὐτόμολος γίνεται Niketas Choniates, Historia 36.51-59
  • Shortly after, he would reject Christianity and marry a Muslim wife, Anonyma 25002; Ioannes 2 expected him to be eloquent in telling the Turks of the Byzantines' lack of horses and other serious problems, and decided to retreat (shortly after: μικρῷ ὕστερον) Niketas Choniates, Historia 36.59-67
  • He abandoned his family and deserted to the enemy - unworthy of the names of Ioannes and of Komnenos (:) Prodromos, Historische Gedichte XIX.162-171
  • Aas the result of a minor grievance changed sides and took refuge with Masud 17001 (:) μικρολυπίαν Niketas Choniates, Historia 53.49-50