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The Restoration of Glory: How Alexios I Komnenos transformed the Byzantine Empire's frail international position

Jan 30

By Joseph Hemsley - United Kingdom and Germany 


In this article, I will explore the position of the Byzantine Empire based on its political stability, economic situation, military power, and how respected it was on the international stage compared to its close neighbours and rivals. Through my analysis of the positive and negative changes made under each ruler between 1070 and 1095, I will investigate the shifts of the empire’s position under the reigns of Romanus IV Digonese, Michael VII Doukas and Nikephoros III Botaneiates and Alexios I Komnenos. In the early years of this period, the Byzantine Empire did little to improve its position: under the first three rulers, the empire faced successive military defeats, political upheaval, and economic hardships (Byzantine Empire under the Doukas Dynasty). However, under Alexios I Komnenos, the empire saw widespread reformation and significant improvements in military progress as well as international respect and security (Alexios I Komnenos). Due to these reforms, it is clear that Alexios I Komnenos was a crucial agent for the metamorphosis and advancement of the empire. 

 

Romanus IV Diogenes and the Loss of Territory


Under the rule of Romanus IV Diogenes (1068-1071), the Byzantine Empire faced significant setbacks due to consecutive military defeats and the subsequent loss of territory. His greatest failure was the loss at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, which did not only leave the empire even more vulnerable to the Seljuk Turks, but also left Romanus himself captured by the enemy (Romanus IV Diogenes). This loss gravely weakened the empire’s external position, as they became susceptible to further Turkish advances. On an internal level, political instability and turmoil was triggered in Constantinople, as several noble families attempted to seize the empty throne and establish control (Romanus IV Diogenes). The loss of Anatolia, caused by defeat at the Battle of Manzikert significantly weakened the empire’s economic standing, since Anatolia was the Empire’s agricultural heartland (Battle of Manzikert). This chain of events established the conditions for the empire’s further decline.


Michael VII Doukas and Further Decline

 

The reign of Michael VII Doukas (1071-1078) was doomed from the beginning, as he inherited a weakened empire (Michael VII Doukas). His rule was characterised by internal division and a collapsing economy, with rampant inflation caused by currency devaluation. This weakened financial stability of the empire left them even more vulnerable to Turkish attack. This proved to be the case in 1071 and 1078, when Michael VII Doukas failed to address the Turkish advancements in Anatolia and Asia Minor (Byzantine Empire under the Doukas Dynasty). This led to large areas of Asia Minor falling under Turkish control, consolidating their military advancement over the Byzantine Empire (Byzantine Empire under the Doukas Dynasty). This weakness caused open revolts in the Balkans - reinforcing the empire’s frail position caused by external invasion and the tumult of political unrest. 


Nikephoros III Botaneiates and Continued Instability  

 

Nikephores III Botaneiates (1078-1081) facilitated the continuity of decline. His strategy of gaining loyalty from the noble families through offers of land grants worked in the short term. Yet, the broader ramifications of resentment from other factions spread political instability - further weakening the empire’s position (Nicephorus III Botaneiates). His biggest failure was his attempt to drive the Seljuk Turks out, since he lacked sufficient military and economic resources to mount an effective defence (Byzantine Empire under the Doukas Dynasty). Furthermore, the hefty taxes he imposed in order to equip his army made him vastly unpopular and contributed to social unrest, which culminated in riots and his subsequent overthrow (Nicephorus III Botaneiates). By the end of his reign, the empire was left in an even weaker state.


Alexios I Komnenos and the Empire’s Recovery


The turning point in this trend of decline came with the reign of Alexios I Komnenos (1081-1118). At the start of his reign, he suffered from economic troubles due to high inflation, so he introduced a new stable currency, the ‘hyperpyron,’ which helped to reorient the economy towards security and consistency (Hyperpyron). He also implemented reforms that focused on the revival of culture and education (Alexios I Komnenos). Although they had no direct effect on the empire’s international position, these reforms improved the quality of life and led to greater satisfaction and security - hence amending the issue of revolt that Nikephoros previously struggled with. 


One of Alexios’ key achievements was the defence of Italy against the 1085 Norman invasion (God's Regents on Earth). After securing an alliance with the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV in 1085, they were able to drive back the Normans, which restored the empire’s honour and international prestige (Alexios I Komnenos). This strategic alliance with the Holy Roman Empire also strengthened the empire’s security in Western Europe and helped to stabilise their position on the world stage. However, Alexios’ reign had its shortcomings. Despite his military prowess, he was unable to recover the economically viable territories lost to the Seljuk Turks (Byzantine Empire under the Doukas Dynasty). This meant that the empire’s morale still suffered slightly, as they were unable to redeem themselves from the successive defeats by the Turks. Nevertheless, the situation was still improving on the whole, especially since the infighting of the Seljuk Turks in 1095 weakened their hold on Byzantine lands (Byzantine–Seljuk Wars: Turkic Conquests). This meant that the Byzantine Empire was now stronger against them, especially since they were less susceptible to attack and invasion.  


Conclusion

 

The time period between 1070-1095 was instrumental to massive shifts in the Byzantine empire’s position. Despite the struggles of military defeats, economic hardship and political instability, which greatly weakened its position, Alexios’ reign transformed the empire through strategic alliances, educational reform and economic stabilisation. This helped the empire redeem its former respectability status on the international stage. While it faced challenges regarding the loss of territory, Alexios’ reign ultimately restored most of the empire’s power, prosperity and stability.



Bibliography 

"Alexios I Komnenos." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Nov. 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexios_I_Komnenos.

"Byzantine Empire under the Doukas Dynasty." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Dec. 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire_under_the_Doukas_dynasty.

"Alexios I Komnenos." World History Encyclopedia, 26 Nov. 2024, https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexios_I_Komnenos/.

"Romanus IV Diogenes." Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/biography/Romanus-IV-Diogenes.

"Romanos IV Diogenes." World History Encyclopedia, 20 Nov. 2024, https://www.worldhistory.org/Romanos_IV_Diogenes/.

"Nicephorus III Botaneiates." Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nicephorus-III-Botaneiates.

"Hyperpyron." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Dec. 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperpyron.

"Battle of Manzikert." Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Manzikert.

"Byzantine–Seljuk Wars: Turkic Conquests (1071–1096)." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Dec. 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine–Seljuk_wars#Turkic_conquests:_1071–1096.




 
 
 

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