Constantine X Doukas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Constantine X Doukas |
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| Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans | |
Contemporary miniature of Constantine X, previously thought to be Alexios I
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| Byzantine emperor | |
| Reign | 23 November 1059 – 23 May 1067 |
| Predecessor | Isaac I |
| Successor | Romanos IV Eudokia (regent) |
| Co-emperors | Konstantios Michael VII |
| Born | c. 1006 |
| Died | 23 May 1067 (aged about 61) |
| Spouse | Delassena Eudokia Makrembolitissa |
| Issue | Michael VII Doukas Andronikos Doukas Konstantios Doukas Anna Doukaina Theodora Anna Doukaina Zoe Doukaina |
| Dynasty | Doukas |
| Father | Andronikos Doukas |
Constantine X Doukas was a Byzantine emperor who ruled from 1059 to 1067. He was the founder of the Doukid dynasty, an important ruling family. During his time as emperor, the Byzantine Empire faced many challenges. The Normans took over lands in Italy, and the Hungarians captured Belgrade in the Balkans. He also lost battles against the Seljuk Turks.
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Becoming Emperor
Constantine X was born around the year 1006. We don't know much about his parents. Some historians think his father was Andronikos Doukas, a nobleman. Constantine was known for being very smart and loved discussing philosophy and religion.
He became more powerful after marrying Eudokia Makrembolitissa. She was the niece of a very important church leader, Patriarch Michael Keroularios. In 1057, Constantine supported Emperor Isaac I Komnenos at first. But then he started to disagree with Isaac's changes.
Even with these disagreements, Isaac chose Constantine to be the next emperor. This happened in 1059, partly because of the influence of a famous scholar named Michael Psellos. Isaac stepped down on November 22, and Constantine X was crowned emperor the very next day.
Constantine's Rule
As the new emperor, Constantine quickly gave power to his two young sons, Michael VII Doukas and Konstantios Doukas. He also made his brother, John Doukas, a kaisar, which was a very high title. Constantine then made decisions that favored the government workers and the church.
However, he made some choices that weakened the army. He cut down on training and money for the military. He even got rid of a large Armenian local army of 50,000 men. This happened at a bad time, as the Seljuk Turks were moving closer to the empire's borders.
Constantine also undid many important changes made by the previous emperor, Isaac I Komnenos. He hired many highly paid court officials for the military. He also filled the Senate, a powerful group of advisors, with his own supporters.
These decisions made him unpopular with the military leaders. They even tried to assassinate him in 1061. He also became unpopular with regular people because he raised taxes. He needed more money to pay the army, which he had replaced with mercenaries. He also left the border forts unrepaired.
Challenges and Losses
Early in his rule, the Normans, led by Robert Guiscard, finished taking over Byzantine lands in southern Italy. This area was called Calabria. However, Constantine still wanted to keep control of other parts of Italy, like Apulia. He sent military leaders and extra soldiers there to fight the Normans.
The empire also faced attacks from other groups. In 1064, Alp Arslan invaded Asia Minor, and the Armenian capital was lost. In 1065, the Oghuz Turks attacked the Balkans. During this time, Belgrade was also lost to the Hungarians.
End of His Reign
Constantine X was already old and not very healthy when he became emperor. He died on May 23, 1067. Before he died, he made his wife, Eudokia Makrembolitissa, promise not to remarry. He wanted only his sons to become emperors after him.
However, both Michael and Konstantios were too young to rule on their own. So, Empress Eudokia ruled the empire herself for a short time. On January 1, 1068, she married Romanos IV Diogenes and made him emperor.
Family Life
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Constantine X Doukas had children from two marriages.
With his first wife, who was the daughter of Constantine Dalassenos, he had several daughters:
- Anna Doukaina, who became a nun.
- Theodora Doukaina, who married Domenico Selvo, a leader of Venice.
With his second wife, Eudokia Makrembolitissa, he had these children:
- Michael VII Doukas, who became co-emperor in 1060 and later the main emperor.
- Andronikos Doukas, who was also a co-emperor.
- Konstantios Doukas, another co-emperor, who died fighting the Normans.
- Zoe Doukaina, who married Adrianos Komnenos, a brother of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos.
See also
In Spanish: Constantino X Ducas para niños
