Comnenus

The Comnenus dynasty was a Byzantine Greek noble family, originating from the theme of Charsianon in Anatolia. They rose to prominence in the late 11th century and ruled the Byzantine Empire from 1081 to 1185. The dynasty's founder, Alexios I Komnenos, seized the throne during a period of crisis for the empire, facing external threats from the Normans, Pechenegs, and Seljuk Turks. His reign marked a significant revival for Byzantium, characterized by military and administrative reforms, and a more assertive foreign policy.

Alexios I was succeeded by his son John II Komnenos, who continued his father's work of consolidating imperial power and restoring Byzantine influence in the Balkans and Anatolia. John II was known for his piety and administrative skill, though his reign also saw internal challenges and prolonged campaigns. His son, Manuel I Komnenos, ascended to the throne in 1143. Manuel was an energetic and ambitious ruler who pursued an active foreign policy, engaging with Western European powers, the Crusades, and the Byzantine successor states in the East. His reign was marked by both military successes and costly failures, including a significant defeat at the Battle of Myriokephalon in 1176 against the Seljuks, which weakened Byzantine control in Anatolia.

The Comnenian restoration, while substantial, did not fully restore the empire to its former glory. After Manuel I's death, a succession struggle ensued, culminating in the overthrow of the last Comnenian emperor, Andronikos I Komnenos, in 1185 by the Angelos dynasty. Despite the end of their imperial rule, branches of the Comnenus family continued to exist, notably establishing the Empire of Trebizond in 1204, which ruled for over two centuries. The Comneni were a significant force in Byzantine history, shaping its political, military, and cultural landscape during a crucial period.