Such was his subsequent disposition towards the empress (Eirene 61), and then she had great power, and continued thus as long as he remained physically strong
When he had pains in his feet and his walking had been impeded, and over his limbs streams of malignant matter had agglomerated, and he was consequently bedridden, the empress (Eirene 61) began to rule and he was largely shaped to her will
Was aggrieved that he enjoyed the rule practically in name alone, but he respected his mother (Anna 61) and did not want to remove her power against her will
He and Nikephoros 62 were compared at the beginning of the battle at the river Halmyros: they were equally handsome, brave and experienced, but while Bryennios could trust in his seasoned soldiery, Alexios had to rely on his own military skill
Anna Komnene 20.63-74
Reigned for 37 years
ἔτη λζ´. Glykas 459, 618.13-14
Did not lack affection for his wife (Eirene 61) but he was not very close to her either, and being devoted to sexual pleasure he was unfaithful to her, but time softened the arrows of Eros and he became attached to her
He was a most religious man in character and speech, a high priest of all kinds of piety: he was strongly evangelical, wishing to convert Pecheneg nomads as well as all Islamic areas
One of the emperor (Michael 7)'s officials, he was a military man, young of age, but inferior to nobody in wisdom and courage
τῶν ἐν ὑπεροχαῖς ἀξιωμάτων ἕνα. Attaleiates: History 199.11-13 / 147.1-2
The only result his proposed plan for Konstantios 61 to succeed Nikephoros 3 (III Botaneiates) after the latter's death had was to render Nikephoros 3 and his entourage, especially his slaves Boril 61 and Germanos 101, suspicious of him
The great hope and later greatest saviour of the Romans, not having grown yet a full beard he showed his military virtues, more than Scipio who accompanied Aemilius against Perseus, he collaborated with Isaakios 61 and was skilful in military matters
Described by his men, when they arrived at Constantinople, as their saviour and a golden youth, wherever he went people ran up to him marvelling at his virtues
Towards the partner of his life (Eirene 61) he was neither averse initially nor especially devoted, but when mastered by lust he was not wholly just towards his marriage bed, so that the Augusta (Eirene 61) had been smitten by darts of jealousy
His achievements (as emperor and before) were so great that after his death his daughter Anna 62 felt compelled to save them from oblivion
Anna Komnene 5.1-11
He was called "Lisper", because despite his great eloquence he had a problem in pronouncing the rho
τραυλός. Anna Komnene 30.76
His view was not superficial, neither blind to the truth nor under the sway of reprehensible prejudices, but weighing up reality on the well-balanced scales of his conscience
In the estimation of Anna 62. he had to face more problems at home and abroad than any of his predecessors, whether from the empire's loss of divine favour or the indecision of predecessors; all enemies, from all directions, had increased in power and envied the Byzantines their naturally dominant position
Anna Komnene 449.77-450.8
Good in everything
ὁ καλὸς τὰ πάντα Ἀλέξιος. Bryennios 201.15
A brave youth
ὁ δὲ γενναῖος νεανίας. Bryennios 191.12-13
Was preferred above his younger brother of Isaakios 61
τοῦ μείζονος προτιμηθεὶς ἀδελφοῦ. Zonaras 18.20.4
Perhaps ignorant of canon law due to being occupied with public affairs and warfare
When advancing time dulled the fiery darts of love in him, then he directed his love towards the Augusta (Eirene 61) and was wholehearted in affection for her, and wanted to be virtually inseparable from her
Not only is he not to be blamed for having assumed power, but in the future he will serve as an example for those whose legitimate rights are not respected
Hearing of the muttered opposition against him over his use of church goods, he was wounded in spirit; he convened a meeting of major officials of church and state at Blachernai, where he presided but also made a speech of self-justification
ἀκούων ἐτιτρώσκετο τὴν ψυχήν. Anna Komnene 171.11-173.60
Used to winning the minds of men and smoothing stony natures
The extent of his renewed empire would move the boundaries from the Bosporos to the Tigris and the Euphrates in the east, and from Adrianople to the Adriatic in the west
Was full of grace, with a graceful face, cheerful and full of goodness, most keen and energetic, with so gentle a soul that he appeared unable to succumb to anger
παντοίων ἦν χαρίτων ἀνάπλεως. Bryennios 87.7-16
Was able to conceal things and not to reveal the truth prematurely
Although young in age, he was old in wisdom and judgement, firm and invincible in battle, and so loyal to the emperor (Nikephoros 3) that he was not afraid of deadly blows
vir nequam et subdolus. William of Tyre bk. 2, 5.1-2
A vicious, evil man ... had stirred up nations of the East against the First Crusade and the Crusade of 1101, and used every other opportunity to do crusaders harm; yet in person was charming and generous
vir maliiosus et nequam ... contra primam expeditionem ... contra secundam ...; timeo Danaos et dona ferentes. William of Tyre bk. 11, 6.1-15
His beard had hardly grown and was still fresh as green shoots and gold-coloured
Compared in an extended simile to a good helmsman, steering the ship of state through repeated storms of wind and waves; no history, no ancient writer could do him justice ...
ὥσπέρ τις ἀγαθὸς κυβερνήτης .... Anna Komnene 283.57-74
Characterised by excess of nobility and wisdom, having performed many valiant deeds
Defeated Nikephoros 62 Bryennios, an experienced general, not by the superior numbers of his forces, but with determination, daring, and military planning, assisted by divine providence
He was one of the four deceased members of Ioannes 2's family given daily commemoration in the obituary of the Pantokrator monastery
Pantokrator Typikon 209-210
He was censured for provoking Robert 61 on his accession, implying things would have been better had he waited: but Robert was such a determined enemy that he would always have been a vigorous opponent
183.67-77. Anna Komnene
Was honoured with the imperial office which he himself honoured
According to his own words, he remained loyal to Nikephoros 3 (Botaneiates)'s predecessor (Michael 7) until the very end, sending neither envoys nor letters to him (Nikephoros 3) although everybody had switched sides