John Komnenos (Domestic of the Schools) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John Komnenos |
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Lead seal of John Komnenos as kouropalates and Domestic of the Schools
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| Born | c. 1015 |
| Died | 12 July 1067 (aged 51–52) |
| Spouse | Anna Dalassene |
| Issue Detail |
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| House | Komnenos |
| Father | Manuel Erotikos Komnenos |
| Religion | Eastern Orthodox |
John Komnenos (born around 1015 – died July 12, 1067) was an important leader in the Byzantine Empire. He was a skilled military commander and a member of a powerful family.
John was the younger brother of Emperor Isaac I Komnenos. During Isaac's short time as emperor (1057–1059), John held a very important job called the Domestic of the Schools. This was a top military position.
After his brother Isaac stepped down, Constantine X Doukas became the new emperor. John then left public life. He lived quietly until he passed away in 1067.
John Komnenos is very famous because his son, Alexios I Komnenos, later became emperor in 1081. This made John the ancestor of the Komnenian dynasty. This family ruled the Byzantine Empire for a long time, from 1081 to 1185. They also ruled the Empire of Trebizond from 1204 to 1461.
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John's Early Life and Career
John Komnenos was born around the year 1015. His father was Manuel Erotikos Komnenos, a high-ranking military leader. Manuel served during the later years of Emperor Basil II's rule (976–1025).
We first hear about John in 1057. This was the year his older brother, Isaac I Komnenos, led a group of generals. They rebelled against Emperor Michael VI (who ruled from 1056–1057). The rebellion succeeded, and Michael VI was forced to leave the throne.
At the time of this revolt, John was a doux, which was a military commander. After his brother Isaac became emperor, John received a higher title, kouropalates. He was also made the Domestic of the Schools of the West. This meant he was in charge of the army in the western parts of the empire.
We don't know much about what John did during his brother's reign. However, a historian named Nikephoros Bryennios the Younger wrote about him. Bryennios married John's granddaughter, Anna Komnene. He said that John's actions as Domestic of the West left a lasting mark on the people of the Balkan provinces.
Isaac's Abdication and John's Choice
Emperor Isaac's rule ended quickly. He had a big disagreement with the powerful Patriarch of Constantinople, Michael Keroularios. The Patriarch was a very important church leader. He had helped Isaac become emperor.
Isaac also clashed with the wealthy families in the capital city. The Patriarch and his supporters did not like Isaac's strict money-saving plans. Because of this pressure, Isaac had to step down on November 22, 1059. He then went to live in a monastery.
After Isaac left, the crown was offered to Constantine X Doukas (who ruled from 1059–1067). However, Bryennios claimed that the crown was first offered to John Komnenos. Bryennios said John refused it, even though his wife, Anna Dalassene, wanted him to accept.
Some historians, like Konstantinos Varzos, think this story might not be completely true. They believe it could have been made up later. This would have helped make it seem more right for John's son, Alexios I Komnenos, to take the throne later (in 1081).
John's Later Years
During the rule of Emperor Constantine X, John Komnenos is not mentioned much in historical records. This might mean he was not in favor with the emperor. However, Bryennios wrote that both John and his brother Isaac were still highly respected by the new emperor.
A special document from the late 12th century, called a typikon, mentions John Komnenos. This document was from a monastery founded by Alexios I's wife, Irene Doukaina. It says that John Komnenos retired to a monastery. He probably did this at the same time as his wife, Anna Dalassene. John Komnenos died as a monk on July 12, 1067.
John's Family
John Komnenos married Anna Dalassene. She was the daughter of Alexios Charon. They likely married in 1044. Anna was born around 1028. She lived much longer than her husband. After John's death, Anna became the strong leader of their family.
Anna was involved in plans against the Doukas family. She never forgave them for taking the throne in 1059. Later, she played a big part in removing Emperor Nikephoros III Botaneiates (who ruled from 1078–1081). She also helped her son Alexios become emperor. For about fifteen years after that, she was almost like a co-ruler of the empire with her son. She then retired to a monastery and died around 1100 or 1102.
John and Anna had eight children together, five boys and three girls:
- Manuel Komnenos (born around 1045 – died 1071). He held the titles of kouropalates and protostrator. He married a relative of Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes.
- Maria Komnene (born around 1047 – died after 1094). She married Michael Taronites.
- Isaac Komnenos (born around 1050 – died 1102/1104). He was a sebastokrator. He married Irene, who was the daughter of the ruler of Alania.
- Eudokia Komnene (born around 1052 – died before 1136). She married Nikephoros Melissenos.
- Theodora Komnene (born around 1054 – died before 1136). She married Constantine Diogenes, who was the son of Emperor Romanos IV.
- Alexios Komnenos (born 1057 – died 1118). He later became the emperor. He married Irene Doukaina.
- Adrianos Komnenos (born around 1060 – died 1105). He was a protosebastos. He married Zoe Doukaina.
- Nikephoros Komnenos (born around 1062 – died after 1136). He was a sebastos and a droungarios of the fleet, meaning he commanded part of the navy.
