Alexios Raoul (protovestiarios)
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The protovestiarios
Alexios Raoul was a Byzantine
aristocrat and general of the Empire of Nicaea
.
, and possibly the son of the sebastos
Constantine Raoul, who had played a role in the usurpation of Alexios III Angelos
(r. 1195–1203). He became the son-in-law of Emperor John III Vatatzes (r. 1221–1254), having married a niece of his. By her he had four sons, three of whom are known by name, John
, Manuel and Isaac, and one daughter.
Under Vatatzes, he was raised to the rank of protovestiarios
, and was given command of troops in Macedonia
. In 1242, he accompanied the emperor in his campaign against the ruler of Thessalonica, John Komnenos Doukas
(r. 1237–1244). He appears again in 1252, during Vatatzes' wars against the Despot of Epirus Michael II Komnenos Doukas
(r. 1230–1268). After the conclusion of a peace treaty, Alexios apparently remained in Europe along with the future emperor Michael Palaiologos
(r. 1259–1282) at Vodena, guarding the approaches to Thessalonica.
As a member of the traditional aristocracy, he and his family suffered under Theodore II Laskaris
(r. 1254–1258). Theodore sought to reduce the nobility's power and influence, and favoured men of humble origin, whom he appointed to the highest state offices. In 1255, the emperor stripped him of his title and awarded it to his low-born protégé, George Mouzalon
. Furthermore, Theodore married one of Raoul's daughters to George's brother Andronikos Mouzalon, an act regarded as insulting, given the groom's origin. In addition, Theodore II imprisoned Alexios' sons (the exact date is not clear).
Consequently, the family actively supported the murder the Mouzalon brothers in 1258, following Theodore II's death, and the subsequent usurpation of Michael VIII Palaiologos
(r. 1259–1282).
Protovestiarios
Protovestiarios was a high Byzantine court position, originally reserved for eunuchs.-History and functions:The title is first attested in 412, as the comes sacrae vestis, an official in charge of the Byzantine emperor's "sacred wardrobe" , coming under the praepositus sacri cubiculi...
Alexios Raoul was a Byzantine
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
aristocrat and general of the Empire of Nicaea
Empire of Nicaea
The Empire of Nicaea was the largest of the three Byzantine Greek successor states founded by the aristocracy of the Byzantine Empire that fled after Constantinople was occupied by Western European and Venetian forces during the Fourth Crusade...
.
Life
Alexios was the scion of a wealthy aristocratic family with large landholdings around SmyrnaSmyrna
Smyrna was an ancient city located at a central and strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia. Thanks to its advantageous port conditions, its ease of defence and its good inland connections, Smyrna rose to prominence. The ancient city is located at two sites within modern İzmir, Turkey...
, and possibly the son of the sebastos
Sebastos
Sebastos was an honorific used by the ancient Greeks to render the Roman imperial title of Augustus. From the late 11th century on, during the Komnenian period, it and variants derived from it formed the basis of a new system of court titles for the Byzantine Empire. The female form of the title...
Constantine Raoul, who had played a role in the usurpation of Alexios III Angelos
Alexios III Angelos
Alexios III Angelos was Byzantine Emperor from 1195 to 1203.- Early life:Alexios III Angelos was the second son of Andronikos Angelos and Euphrosyne Kastamonitissa. Andronicus was himself a son of Theodora Komnene, the youngest daughter of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos and Irene Doukaina. Thus...
(r. 1195–1203). He became the son-in-law of Emperor John III Vatatzes (r. 1221–1254), having married a niece of his. By her he had four sons, three of whom are known by name, John
John Raoul Petraliphas
John Raoul Komnenos Doukas Angelos Petraliphas was a Byzantine noble and military commander during the reign of Michael VIII Palaiologos .- Life :...
, Manuel and Isaac, and one daughter.
Under Vatatzes, he was raised to the rank of protovestiarios
Protovestiarios
Protovestiarios was a high Byzantine court position, originally reserved for eunuchs.-History and functions:The title is first attested in 412, as the comes sacrae vestis, an official in charge of the Byzantine emperor's "sacred wardrobe" , coming under the praepositus sacri cubiculi...
, and was given command of troops in Macedonia
Macedonia (region)
Macedonia is a geographical and historical region of the Balkan peninsula in southeastern Europe. Its boundaries have changed considerably over time, but nowadays the region is considered to include parts of five Balkan countries: Greece, the Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia, as...
. In 1242, he accompanied the emperor in his campaign against the ruler of Thessalonica, John Komnenos Doukas
John Komnenos Doukas
John Komnenos Doukas was ruler of Thessalonica from 1237 until his death in 1244....
(r. 1237–1244). He appears again in 1252, during Vatatzes' wars against the Despot of Epirus Michael II Komnenos Doukas
Michael II Komnenos Doukas
Michael II Komnenos Doukas or Comnenus Ducas , often called Michael Angelos in narrative sources, was the ruler of Epirus from 1230 until his death in 1266/68.-Life:...
(r. 1230–1268). After the conclusion of a peace treaty, Alexios apparently remained in Europe along with the future emperor Michael Palaiologos
Michael VIII Palaiologos
Michael VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus reigned as Byzantine Emperor 1259–1282. Michael VIII was the founder of the Palaiologan dynasty that would rule the Byzantine Empire until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453...
(r. 1259–1282) at Vodena, guarding the approaches to Thessalonica.
As a member of the traditional aristocracy, he and his family suffered under Theodore II Laskaris
Theodore II Laskaris
Theodore II Doukas Laskaris or Ducas Lascaris was emperor of Nicaea, 1254–1258.-Life:Theodore II Doukas Laskaris was the only son of Emperor John III Doukas Vatatzes and Eirene Laskarina, the daughter of Emperor Theodore I Laskaris and Anna Angelina, a daughter of Emperor Alexios III Angelos and...
(r. 1254–1258). Theodore sought to reduce the nobility's power and influence, and favoured men of humble origin, whom he appointed to the highest state offices. In 1255, the emperor stripped him of his title and awarded it to his low-born protégé, George Mouzalon
George Mouzalon
George Mouzalon was a high official of the Empire of Nicaea under Theodore II Laskaris . Of humble origin, he became Theodore's companion in childhood and was raised to high state office upon the latter's assumption of power. This caused great resentment from the aristocracy, which had monopolized...
. Furthermore, Theodore married one of Raoul's daughters to George's brother Andronikos Mouzalon, an act regarded as insulting, given the groom's origin. In addition, Theodore II imprisoned Alexios' sons (the exact date is not clear).
Consequently, the family actively supported the murder the Mouzalon brothers in 1258, following Theodore II's death, and the subsequent usurpation of Michael VIII Palaiologos
Michael VIII Palaiologos
Michael VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus reigned as Byzantine Emperor 1259–1282. Michael VIII was the founder of the Palaiologan dynasty that would rule the Byzantine Empire until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453...
(r. 1259–1282).