Who was the best Byzantine emperor?

Who was the best Byzantine emperor?

Justinian I, the most influential Byzantine emperor though was someone unlikely to become emperor as he was born a peasant named Flavius Petrus Sabbatius in Illyria and only by chance he became emperor, particularly because of his uncle the commander of the palace guards who became Emperor Justin I (r.

Are there any palaiologos left?

1520–1566). Andreas’s death marks the end of the confidently verifiable imperial Palaiologos line, meaning that the last verified male-line Palaiologos descendants were extinct by the 16th century.

Who took control of the Eastern Empire in 1081?

Byzantine Empire under the Komnenos dynasty

Byzantine Empire Βασιλεία Ῥωμαίων
Government Semi-feudal Monarchy
Emperor
• 1081–1118 Alexios I
• 1183–1185 Andronikos I

Who was the worst Byzantine emperor?

Nikephoros III (who compounded the effects of Manzikert), Alexius III (4th crusade; Lord Norwich’s pick as worst), Constantine IX (neglected the government, lucky to avoid catastrophe), Constantine X (reduced the army at a bad time), Phokas and John V were all bad too.

What was the language of the Byzantine Empire?

Byzantine Greek language
Byzantine Greek language, an archaic style of Greek that served as the language of administration and of most writing during the period of the Byzantine, or Eastern Roman, Empire until the fall of Constantinople to the Turks in 1453.

Why did the Byzantines ask for help?

The Byzantine Empire was considerably overstretched. As such, it was difficult for the Emperor Alexius I to defend his vast borders from attack. Faced with such imminent danger, Alexius felt he had no choice but to make a personal appeal to Pope Urban II for assistance.

Who was the general who strengthened the Byzantine army?

Heraclius, (born c. 575, Cappadocia—died Feb. 11, 641, Constantinople), Eastern Roman emperor (610–641) who reorganized and strengthened the imperial administration and the imperial armies but who, nevertheless, lost Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and Byzantine Mesopotamia to the Arab Muslims.

When did Manuel I Komnenos become the Emperor?

Having distinguished himself in his father’s war against the Seljuk Turks, in 1143 Manuel was chosen as his successor by John, in preference to his elder surviving brother Isaac. After John died on 8 April 1143, his son, Manuel, was acclaimed emperor by the armies.

Who was the heir to the throne after John Komnenos?

After John died on 8 April 1143, his son, Manuel, was acclaimed emperor by the armies. Yet his succession was by no means assured: with his father’s army in the wilds of Cilicia far from Constantinople, he recognised that it was vital he should return to the capital as soon as possible.

What did Manuel I Komnenos do in the Second Crusade?

In the process he made alliances with Pope Adrian IV and the resurgent West. He invaded the Norman Kingdom of Sicily, although unsuccessfully, being the last Eastern Roman emperor to attempt reconquests in the western Mediterranean. The passage of the potentially dangerous Second Crusade through his empire was adroitly managed.

What was the first test of Manuel I Komnenos?

Now, more than at any time during the preceding centuries, the task facing the emperor was daunting indeed. The first test of Manuel’s reign came in 1144, when he was faced with a demand by Raymond, Prince of Antioch for the cession of Cilician territories.

Who was the best Byzantine emperor? Justinian I, the most influential Byzantine emperor though was someone unlikely to become emperor as he was born a peasant named Flavius Petrus Sabbatius in Illyria and only by chance he became emperor, particularly because of his uncle the commander of the palace guards who became Emperor Justin I…