Alexios Strategopoulos
Encyclopedia
Alexios Strategopoulos was a Byzantine
general during the reign of Michael VIII Palaiologos
, rising to the rank of megas domestikos and Caesar
. He is most notable for leading the reconquest of Constantinople
from the Latins
in 1261.
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Nothing is known of the early years of his life. A seal dated to ca. 1255 has been found bearing the inscription "Alexios Strategopoulos from the Komnenos
family", but his exact connection to the Komnenoi remains unclear. He first appears in the chronicles in 1252-1253, during the reign of John III Doukas Vatatzes
, when he led a detachment of the army sent to plunder the areas of the Despotate of Epirus
around Lake Ostrovo. In 1254, he was based at Serres
, and in the next year, he participated, along with pinkernes
Konstantinos Tornikes, in a failed campaign against the fortress of Tzepaina in the western Rhodope
mountains. As a result, and because of his close connection to the aristocratic faction around Michael Palaiologos, he was removed of his offices. At some point afterwards, his son Constantine was blinded as a traitor, and in 1258, Alexios himself was imprisoned.
He did not remain in prison for long, being released shortly after the death of Theodore II Laskaris
, and was a prominent supporter of Michael Palaiologos' successful coup against George Mouzalon
in a bid to assume the regency of the infant John IV Laskaris
. In the same year he was raised by Michael to the rank of megas domestikos of the Empire of Nicaea
, and accompanied the army under sebastokrator
John Palaiologos to Macedonia
. Alexios participated in the campaign against the Despotate of Epirus
, which led to the decisive Battle of Pelagonia
. After the Byzantine victory, John Palaiologos invaded Thessaly
, while Alexios and John Raoul were tasked with reducing Epirus. Alexios succeeded in taking the Despotate's capital, Arta
, releasing many Nicaean prisoners and forcing the Despot Michael II
to flee to the island of Cephalonia. For this success, he was raised to the position of Caesar. In the next year however, the Nicaean successes were largely undone: Despot Michael with his sons and an Italian mercenary army landed at Arta, and the Epirote population rallied to his cause. The Epirote army clashed with Alexios' forces at the Trikorfon pass near Nafpaktos; the Nicaean army was routed, and Alexios himself captured.
Despite these reverses, in 1260, Emperor Michael VIII set his sights on capturing the great prize: Constantinople, which had been the seat of the Latin Empire
since 1204. He concluded an alliance with Genoa, and in July 1261, Strategopoulos, recently released from Epirote custody, was sent with a small advance force of 800 soldiers, most of them Cumans
, to keep a watch on the Bulgarians
and spy out the defences of the Latins. When the Byzantine force reached the village of Selymbria
, they learned from independent local farmers (thelematarioi) that the entire Latin garrison, and the Venetian fleet, were absent conducting a raid against the Nicaean island of Daphnousia. Although initially hesitant, due to both the small size of his force, which might be destroyed if the Latin army returned, and because he would exceed his orders, Alexios eventually decided not to lose such a golden opportunity to retake the city.
On the night of July 25, 1261, Alexios and his men approached the city walls
and hid at a monastery near the Pege Gate. Alexios sent a detachment of his men, who, led by some of the thelematarioi, made their way to the city through a secret passage. They attacked the walls from the inside, surprised the guards and opened the gate, allowing the Byzantine force entry into the city. The Latins were taken completely by surprise, and after some fighting, the Byzantine force gained control of the land walls. Fearing the revenge the Byzantines would exact upon them, the Latin inhabitants, from Emperor Baldwin II
downwards, hurriedly rushed to the harbour, hoping to escape by ship. Thanks to the timely arrival of the returning Venetian fleet, they were evacuated, but the city was lost for good. The recapture of Constantinople meant the restoration of the Byzantine Empire by the Nicaeans, and on August 15, the day of the Dormition of the Theotokos
, Emperor Michael entered the city in triumph and was crowned at the Hagia Sophia
.
and captured. He was ransomed in 1265 in exchange for Constance II of Hohenstaufen
, and died sometime between 1271 and 1275.
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
general during the reign 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...
, rising to the rank of megas domestikos and Caesar
Caesar (title)
Caesar is a title of imperial character. It derives from the cognomen of Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator...
. He is most notable for leading the reconquest of Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
from the Latins
Latin Empire
The Latin Empire or Latin Empire of Constantinople is the name given by historians to the feudal Crusader state founded by the leaders of the Fourth Crusade on lands captured from the Byzantine Empire. It was established after the capture of Constantinople in 1204 and lasted until 1261...
in 1261.
Early life
Komnenos
Komnenós or Comnenus was the name of a ruling family of the Eastern Roman Empire , who halted the political decline of the Empire from c.1081 to c.1185.-Origins:...
family", but his exact connection to the Komnenoi remains unclear. He first appears in the chronicles in 1252-1253, during the reign of John III Doukas Vatatzes
John III Doukas Vatatzes
John III Doukas Vatatzes, Latinized as Ducas Vatatzes |Nymphaion]]) was emperor of Nicaea 1221–1254.-Life:John Doukas Vatatzes was probably the son of the general Basileios Vatatzes, Duke of Thrace, who died in 1193, and his wife, an unnamed daughter of Isaakios Angelos and cousin of the Emperors...
, when he led a detachment of the army sent to plunder the areas of the Despotate of Epirus
Despotate of Epirus
The Despotate or Principality of Epirus was one of the Byzantine Greek successor states of the Byzantine Empire that emerged in the aftermath of the Fourth Crusade in 1204. It claimed to be the legitimate successor of the Byzantine Empire, along with the Empire of Nicaea, and the Empire of Trebizond...
around Lake Ostrovo. In 1254, he was based at Serres
Serres
Serres is a city in Greece, seat of the Serres prefecture.Serres may also refer to:Places:* Serres, Germany, a part of Wiernsheim in Baden-WürttembergIn France:* Serres, Aude in the Aude département...
, and in the next year, he participated, along with pinkernes
Pinkernes
Pinkernes was a high Byzantine court position. The term, deriving from the Greek verb , signified the Byzantine emperor's cup-bearer. The position is attested in Philotheos's Kletorologion of 899, where a pinkernes of the Byzantine emperor and of the Augusta are listed amongst the eunuchs of...
Konstantinos Tornikes, in a failed campaign against the fortress of Tzepaina in the western Rhodope
Rhodope
Rhodope may mean:* Queen Rhodope, a figure of Greek mythology* Rhodope Mountains, in Bulgaria and Greece* Rhodope Prefecture, of Greece* Rhodope * 166 Rhodope, an asteroid...
mountains. As a result, and because of his close connection to the aristocratic faction around Michael Palaiologos, he was removed of his offices. At some point afterwards, his son Constantine was blinded as a traitor, and in 1258, Alexios himself was imprisoned.
He did not remain in prison for long, being released shortly after the death of 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...
, and was a prominent supporter of Michael Palaiologos' successful coup against 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...
in a bid to assume the regency of the infant John IV Laskaris
John IV Laskaris
John IV Doukas Laskaris was emperor of Nicaea from August 18, 1258 to December 25, 1261...
. In the same year he was raised by Michael to the rank of megas domestikos 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...
, and accompanied the army under sebastokrator
Sebastokrator
Sebastokratōr was a senior court title in the late Byzantine Empire. It was also used by other rulers whose states bordered the Empire or were within its sphere of influence. The word is a compound of "sebastos" Sebastokratōr was a senior court title in the late Byzantine Empire. It was also used...
John Palaiologos to 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...
. Alexios participated in the campaign against the Despotate of Epirus
Despotate of Epirus
The Despotate or Principality of Epirus was one of the Byzantine Greek successor states of the Byzantine Empire that emerged in the aftermath of the Fourth Crusade in 1204. It claimed to be the legitimate successor of the Byzantine Empire, along with the Empire of Nicaea, and the Empire of Trebizond...
, which led to the decisive Battle of Pelagonia
Battle of Pelagonia
The Battle of Pelagonia took place in September of 1259, between the Empire of Nicaea and the Despotate of Epirus, Sicily and the Principality of Achaea...
. After the Byzantine victory, John Palaiologos invaded Thessaly
Thessaly
Thessaly is a traditional geographical region and an administrative region of Greece, comprising most of the ancient region of the same name. Before the Greek Dark Ages, Thessaly was known as Aeolia, and appears thus in Homer's Odyssey....
, while Alexios and John Raoul were tasked with reducing Epirus. Alexios succeeded in taking the Despotate's capital, Arta
Arta, Greece
Arta is a city with a rich history in northwestern Greece, capital of the peripheral unit of Arta, which is part of Epirus region. The city was known in ancient times as Ambracia . Arta is famous for its old bridge located over the Arachthos River, situated west of downtown...
, releasing many Nicaean prisoners and forcing the Despot Michael II
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:...
to flee to the island of Cephalonia. For this success, he was raised to the position of Caesar. In the next year however, the Nicaean successes were largely undone: Despot Michael with his sons and an Italian mercenary army landed at Arta, and the Epirote population rallied to his cause. The Epirote army clashed with Alexios' forces at the Trikorfon pass near Nafpaktos; the Nicaean army was routed, and Alexios himself captured.
Recapture of Constantinople
Latin Empire
The Latin Empire or Latin Empire of Constantinople is the name given by historians to the feudal Crusader state founded by the leaders of the Fourth Crusade on lands captured from the Byzantine Empire. It was established after the capture of Constantinople in 1204 and lasted until 1261...
since 1204. He concluded an alliance with Genoa, and in July 1261, Strategopoulos, recently released from Epirote custody, was sent with a small advance force of 800 soldiers, most of them Cumans
Cumans
The Cumans were Turkic nomadic people comprising the western branch of the Cuman-Kipchak confederation. After Mongol invasion , they decided to seek asylum in Hungary, and subsequently to Bulgaria...
, to keep a watch on the Bulgarians
Second Bulgarian Empire
The Second Bulgarian Empire was a medieval Bulgarian state which existed between 1185 and 1396 . A successor of the First Bulgarian Empire, it reached the peak of its power under Kaloyan and Ivan Asen II before gradually being conquered by the Ottomans in the late 14th-early 15th century...
and spy out the defences of the Latins. When the Byzantine force reached the village of Selymbria
Silivri
Silivri is a city and a district in Istanbul Province along the Sea of Marmara in Turkey, outside of metropolitan Istanbul, containing many holiday and weekend homes for residents of the city. The largest city in the district is also named Silivri...
, they learned from independent local farmers (thelematarioi) that the entire Latin garrison, and the Venetian fleet, were absent conducting a raid against the Nicaean island of Daphnousia. Although initially hesitant, due to both the small size of his force, which might be destroyed if the Latin army returned, and because he would exceed his orders, Alexios eventually decided not to lose such a golden opportunity to retake the city.
On the night of July 25, 1261, Alexios and his men approached the city walls
Walls of Constantinople
The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople since its founding as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire by Constantine the Great...
and hid at a monastery near the Pege Gate. Alexios sent a detachment of his men, who, led by some of the thelematarioi, made their way to the city through a secret passage. They attacked the walls from the inside, surprised the guards and opened the gate, allowing the Byzantine force entry into the city. The Latins were taken completely by surprise, and after some fighting, the Byzantine force gained control of the land walls. Fearing the revenge the Byzantines would exact upon them, the Latin inhabitants, from Emperor Baldwin II
Baldwin II of Constantinople
Baldwin II of Courtenay was the last emperor of the Latin Empire of Constantinople.He was a younger son of Yolanda of Flanders, sister of the first two emperors, Baldwin I and Henry of Flanders...
downwards, hurriedly rushed to the harbour, hoping to escape by ship. Thanks to the timely arrival of the returning Venetian fleet, they were evacuated, but the city was lost for good. The recapture of Constantinople meant the restoration of the Byzantine Empire by the Nicaeans, and on August 15, the day of the Dormition of the Theotokos
Dormition of the Theotokos
The Dormition of the Theotokos is a Great Feast of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches which commemorates the "falling asleep" or death of the Theotokos , and her bodily resurrection before being taken up into heaven. It is celebrated on August 15 The Dormition...
, Emperor Michael entered the city in triumph and was crowned at the Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia is a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, and now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey...
.
Later life
After this feat that earned him fame and glory, in 1262 Alexios was appointed again to lead an army against Epirus. Here however he was defeated by Nikephoros DoukasNikephoros I Komnenos Doukas
Nikephoros I Komnenos Doukas, Latinized as Nicephorus I Comnenus Ducas , was ruler of Epirus from 1267/8 to c. 1297.-Life:Nikephoros was the eldest son of Michael II Komnenos Doukas and Theodora Petraliphaina...
and captured. He was ransomed in 1265 in exchange for Constance II of Hohenstaufen
Constance II of Hohenstaufen
Anna of Hohenstaufen , born Constance, was the daughter of Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor and Bianca Lancia.-Byzantine Empress:...
, and died sometime between 1271 and 1275.