Dismay at the death of Ioannes II with the army so far from the capital

Summary:
There was some panic in Constantinople when it was realised that the emperor had died with the army so far away. However Manuel, by the messengers he sent and the information they provided was able to calm the situation - a good augury for the coming reign. Ioannes Axouch and Basileios Tzintzikoukes played the most important roles 
Dates:
1143 
Basileios Tzintziloukes, chartoularios and military commander (Basileios 242)
  • As soon as Manuel 1 succeeded to the throne, Basileios was sent to Constantinople with Ioannes 293 to prepare for the new reign, the emperor's arrival in the capital and its ceremonial, and to deal with Isaakios 103, whom Manuel expected to dispute the succession (:) Niketas Choniates, Historia 48.5-18
Emperor Ioannes II Komnenos (Ioannes 2)
  • One factor in his choice of Manuel 1 as successor was the need for leadership to get the army back to the capital from such a long distance; but Ioannes 293 was not convinced by this argument against Isaakios 103 (:) William of Tyre bk. 15, 15-23
Ioannes Axouch, megas domestikos (Ioannes 293)
  • As soon as Manuel 1 succeeded to the throne, Ioannes was sent to Constantinople with Basileios 242 to prepare for the new reign, the emperor's arrival in the capital and its ceremonial, and to deal with Isaakios 103, whom Manuel expected to dispute the succession (:) Niketas Choniates, Historia 48.5-18
Emperor Manuel I Komnenos (Manuel 1)
  • He first solved remaining problems in the army in Cilicia, then calmed panic in the capital by the information and messengers he sent, raising the morale of all - excellent omens for the coming reign (:) Italikos 293.3-294.2
  • Having been proclaimed emperor, he immediately sent to Constantinople Ioannes 293 and Basileios 242 to prepare for the new reign, his arrival in the capital and its ceremonial, and to deal with Isaakios 103, whom Manuel expected to dispute the succession (:) Niketas Choniates, Historia 48.5-18