Emperor John II Comnenus, son of Alexius, is a peculiar figure.
He was unusually ugly and short. The Crusaders derisively referred to him as "the Moor." But he came to be known as John the Beautiful because of his exceptional moral character.
The Byzantine Marcus Aurelius.
He was unusually ugly and short. The Crusaders derisively referred to him as "the Moor." But he came to be known as John the Beautiful because of his exceptional moral character.
The Byzantine Marcus Aurelius.
He is overshadowed because the primary historian for the period was his older sister, Anna Comnena, who envied his position.
Anna even conspired to kill her brother in order to put her husband Nicephorus on the throne. But Nicephorus so loved John that he ratted on his wife.
Anna even conspired to kill her brother in order to put her husband Nicephorus on the throne. But Nicephorus so loved John that he ratted on his wife.
Another crucial ally during the succession crisis was John's brother Isaac. But John was opposed to nepotism and uplifted skilled administrators and generals (and later his sons, the princes) to governing positions. Isaac asked the Turks to help him topple John.
In both cases, John reconciled with his disloyal siblings. In an era when blinding, mutilation, and executions were common, John spared both Isaac and Anna.
Their punishments? Anna's wealth was confiscated, and then returned to her if she promised to stay out of public life.
Their punishments? Anna's wealth was confiscated, and then returned to her if she promised to stay out of public life.
Isaac was forced to move to Anatolia - but he was allowed to keep all of his wealth and property and became a great patron of the arts.
In a society where dozens of imperial family members were brutally mutilated to avoid succession disputes.
In a society where dozens of imperial family members were brutally mutilated to avoid succession disputes.
In John's entire twenty-five-year reign, there is no record that he ever condemned ANYONE to death or mutilation.
Quoth John: "God destroyed the cunning plots of my visible and invisible enemies and rescued me from every trap; subjecting all my enemies under my feet."
Quoth John: "God destroyed the cunning plots of my visible and invisible enemies and rescued me from every trap; subjecting all my enemies under my feet."
Also unlike most medieval rulers, he had no extramarital affairs and was faithful to his wife; and never remarried after her death. They had eight children.
He also started the rebleaching of the "Romans" by starting a tradition of marrying western European princesses.
He also started the rebleaching of the "Romans" by starting a tradition of marrying western European princesses.
This was crucial to John's foreign policy, as he made a point of forging alliances with the Holy Roman Empire and the crusader states, so he could focus on subduing the Balkans, beating the Turks, and destroying steppe hordes of the Pechenegs.
John was a skilled tactician and had great personal courage. He repeatedly led his men into battle against the empire's greatest enemies and won.
His son, Manuel, would build off his successes to bring the Empire to its greatest extent since Heraclius.
His son, Manuel, would build off his successes to bring the Empire to its greatest extent since Heraclius.
He was also a bit of a stick in the mud. The emperor's dinner table was frugal, and he lectured courtiers who lived in luxury. But the emperor also dispensed charity lavishly. He further demanded that all imperial courtiers restrict themselves to serious subjects only; no gossip.
John's piety, mercy, and prudence were such that his reign resulted in a general revival of morals and manners in the Roman Empire, something which later writers commented on.
While Alexius brought the Crusaders to the holy land, John was responsible for saving the empire.
While Alexius brought the Crusaders to the holy land, John was responsible for saving the empire.
Short, ugly, hairy, swarthy John.
Called "John the Beautiful" because everybody liked him so much.
Called "John the Beautiful" because everybody liked him so much.
As follow-up, it is worth noting that John's rule was so stable and popular that the succession from John to Manuel was undisputed and free of the usual court machinations that accompanied the unnatural death of an emperor (John died at age 56 from an infection in a cut finger).
It's even more spectacular because Manuel was not John's eldest son.
John's principal advisor was John Axouch, a Christian Turk and commander-in-chief of the Roman armies. Axouch advised John to select his eldest son, Isaac, as heir. But John was firm in his decision.
John's principal advisor was John Axouch, a Christian Turk and commander-in-chief of the Roman armies. Axouch advised John to select his eldest son, Isaac, as heir. But John was firm in his decision.
When John died, Axouch as commander-in-chief became the single most powerful man in the empire.
Rather than use his influence to put his chosen successor on the throne, Axouch raced back to Constantinople, beating news of John's death, to ensure Manuel was put on the throne.
Rather than use his influence to put his chosen successor on the throne, Axouch raced back to Constantinople, beating news of John's death, to ensure Manuel was put on the throne.
Loading suggestions...