He had risen to power from abject poverty, and like other such people had remained greedy; his ambition grew with success, like gangrene invading a body
ἀπὸ ἐσχάτης πενίας καὶ τύχης ἀφανοῦς. Anna Komnene 122.55-64
He was extremely ingenious and a deep thinker
μηχανικώτατος ὢν καὶ βαθύνους. Anna Komnene 125.75
Was one of the Franks (Normans) who entered the service of Georgios 62 Maniakes and remained in Italy when the latter rose in rebellion against Monomachos (Konstantinos 9)
Ἦν δέ τις ἐν αὐτοῖς Ῥουμπέρτος τοὔνομα. Skylitzes Continuatus 167.13-16
A terrible and hot-tempered man, he had a tyrannical disposition
He was peace-loving, profoundly Christian, intelligent, noble and legitimate - traits which attracted Michael 7 to propose a marriage alliance
Psellos Letters (Sathas) 143-144.385-392
His power and fame grew as the Roman army was busy with civil wars after the death of Monomachos (Konstantinos 9), the one-year reign of Theodora 1, the accession of Michael 6 and the rebellion against the latter by Komnenos (Isaakios 1)
On the same day (as they say), the Byzantine and German emperors saw his victorious standards and were terrified
cujus signa sub uno, ut aiunt, die Graecus Alemannusque imperator tremuerunt victricia. Ralph of Caen 1
[A substantial encomium.] An excellent leader, intelligent, of fine appearance, an amusing speaker with a quick tongue and loud voice, approachable, of tall stature, with hair well cut ...
[As well as his positive characteristics...] he was miserly, grasping, with a mercenary spirit, a great lover of possessions and above all full of ambition
was crushed by a new Venetian fleet near his camp at Butrinto Βοθρεντόν. Anna Komnene 178.20
Calabria
raided Roman provinces and subjugated Calabria Καλαβρίαν. Skylitzes Continuatus 167.26-27
Ceprano
swore an oath of loyalty to the church and Gregorios 27 at Ceprano Ciperani. Gregory VII, in Caspar VIII, 1a (514-515)
Crotone
sent emissaries to search for a Greek monk at Cotrone Κοτρώνην. Anna Komnene 41.36
Dyrrachion
chose the crossing from Brindisi to Dyrrachion Δυρράχιον. Anna Komnene 51.31-36
crossed to Dyrrachion τὸν δάμνον. Glykas 619.13
crossed to Dyrrachion Ἐπίδαμνον. Zonaras 18.22.1
made an expedition against Dyrrachion ᾿Επίδαμνον. Kinnamos 174.18, 281.1
Dyrrachion: Hagios Theodoros
took communion before the battle at Hagios Theodoros τὸ παρὰ τὴν θάλατταν ἐπ᾽ ὀνόματι τοῦ μάρτυρος Θεοδώρου πάλαι ἀνοικοδομηθὲν τέμενος. Anna Komnene 132.79-80
Francia
brought his first wife (Auberee 101) from Francia ἀπὸ Φραγκίας. Skylitzes Continuatus 167.21
Glabenitza (near Dristra)
thought of wintering in Glabenitza (near Dristra) Γλαβινίτζα. Anna Komnene 141.7
waited a week for rest at Glabenitza (near Dristra) Γλαβενίτζαν. Anna Komnene 118.73
Glossa (headland opposite Kerkyra)
suffered severely in a storm near Glossa Γλῶσσαν. Anna Komnene 117.38
Glykys (river in Epiros)
was blockaded in his camp on the river Glykys Γλυκύν. Anna Komnene 125.61
Hiericho (Albania)
was forced to wait two months in the port of Hiericho Ἱεριχώ. Anna Komnene 125.55
Ioannina
thought of wintering in Ioannina Ἰωάννινα. Anna Komnene 141.7
Italy
raided Roman provinces and captured Italy Ἰταλίαν. Skylitzes Continuatus 167.27
Jerusalem (Kephallenia or Ithake)
connected the name of Jerusalem with a prophecy of his death Ἱερουσαλήμ. Anna Komnene 179.56
Kassope (Kerkyra)
was defeated by the Venetians in a sea-battle at Kassope Κασσόπη. Anna Komnene 177.72
Kephallenia: Ather (promontory)
died near Ather Ἀθέρα. Anna Komnene 179.48
Kerkyra
crossing to Dyrrachion, a side-attack gave him possession of Kerkyra Κορυφώ. Anna Komnene 51.52
left to put down a rebellion at Kerkyra Κορυφώ. Anna Komnene 176.60
totally defeated the Venetians in a sea-battle near the harbour at Kerkyra περὶ τὸν λιμένα τῆς Κορυφώ. Anna Komnene 177.89-90
Longibardia
held sway over Longibardia τὴν Λογγιβαρδίαν. Skylitzes Continuatus 167.4
was ruler of Longibardia Λογγιβαρδίας. Zonaras 18.17.7