Constantine Choirosphaktes
Encyclopedia
Constantine Choirosphaktes was a Byzantine
diplomat and official active during the reigns of Nikephoros III Botaneiates (r. 1078–1081) and Alexios I Komnenos
(r. 1081–1118).
He first appears in 1078, bearing the rank of proedros
, when he was sent by Botaneiates to negotiate with the rebel general Nikephoros Bryennios the Elder. After the coming to power of Alexios Komnenos, in June 1081 Choirosphaktes, now a protoproedros, was sent as ambassador to the German emperor Henry IV
, bearing proposals for an alliance between the two powers.
In 1082, he participated in the synod
that condemned John Italos. At the time, he held the office of protonotarios of the dromos
. A few years later, in 1088, he is evidenced in a chrysobull as protoproedros and holder of the important post of epi ton deeseon
, i.e. "receiver of petitions" addressed to the emperor. In 1094 he participated in another synod, which condemned Leo of Chalcedon
; on this occasion, he is recorded as holding the rank of kouropalates.
From a seal it is known that he also held the office of governor, or praetor
, of the combined themes of Hellas
(Central Greece
& Thessaly
) and the Peloponnese
, but the exact date of his tenure is unknown. B. Skoulatos hypothesized that this was between 1094 and 1105.
The historian Nikephoros Bryennios the Younger calls him a "prudent and cultivated man, and gifted with all the qualities of a wise politician", while hagiographic sources praise his piety.
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...
diplomat and official active during the reigns of Nikephoros III Botaneiates (r. 1078–1081) and Alexios I Komnenos
Alexios I Komnenos
Alexios I Komnenos, Latinized as Alexius I Comnenus , was Byzantine emperor from 1081 to 1118, and although he was not the founder of the Komnenian dynasty, it was during his reign that the Komnenos family came to full power. The title 'Nobilissimus' was given to senior army commanders,...
(r. 1081–1118).
He first appears in 1078, bearing the rank of proedros
Proedros
Proedros was a senior Byzantine court and ecclesiastic title in the 10th to mid-12th centuries. The female form of the title is proedrissa .-Court dignity:...
, when he was sent by Botaneiates to negotiate with the rebel general Nikephoros Bryennios the Elder. After the coming to power of Alexios Komnenos, in June 1081 Choirosphaktes, now a protoproedros, was sent as ambassador to the German emperor Henry IV
Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry IV was King of the Romans from 1056 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1084 until his forced abdication in 1105. He was the third emperor of the Salian dynasty and one of the most powerful and important figures of the 11th century...
, bearing proposals for an alliance between the two powers.
In 1082, he participated in the synod
Synod
A synod historically is a council of a church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. In modern usage, the word often refers to the governing body of a particular church, whether its members are meeting or not...
that condemned John Italos. At the time, he held the office of protonotarios of the dromos
Logothetes tou dromou
The logothetēs tou dromou , in English usually rendered as Logothete of the Course/Drome/Dromos or Postal Logothete, was the head of the department of the Dromos, the Public Post , and one of the most senior ministers of the Byzantine Empire.- History and functions :The exact origin and date of...
. A few years later, in 1088, he is evidenced in a chrysobull as protoproedros and holder of the important post of epi ton deeseon
Epi ton deeseon
The epi tōn deēseōn was a Byzantine office, whose holder was responsible for receiving and answering petitions to the Byzantine emperor. Subordinate officials with the same title also existed in the provinces, and the Patriarch of Constantinople also had an epi ton deeseon.The office is usually...
, i.e. "receiver of petitions" addressed to the emperor. In 1094 he participated in another synod, which condemned Leo of Chalcedon
Leo of Chalcedon
Leo of Chalcedon was an 11th-century Eastern Orthodox bishop at Chalcedon who opposed the appropriation of church treasures by Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos between 1081 and 1091.Alexios I was in a desperate situation upon ascending the throne in 1081...
; on this occasion, he is recorded as holding the rank of kouropalates.
From a seal it is known that he also held the office of governor, or praetor
Praetor
Praetor was a title granted by the government of Ancient Rome to men acting in one of two official capacities: the commander of an army, usually in the field, or the named commander before mustering the army; and an elected magistratus assigned varied duties...
, of the combined themes of Hellas
Hellas (theme)
The Theme of Hellas was a Byzantine military-civilian province located in southern Greece. The theme encompassed parts of Central Greece, Thessaly and, until circa 800, the Peloponnese...
(Central Greece
Central Greece
Continental Greece or Central Greece , colloquially known as Roúmeli , is a geographical region of Greece. Its territory is divided into the administrative regions of Central Greece, Attica, and part of West Greece...
& 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....
) and the Peloponnese
Peloponnese (theme)
The Theme of the Peloponnese was a Byzantine military-civilian province encompassing the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece. It was established in circa 800, and its capital was Corinth.-History:...
, but the exact date of his tenure is unknown. B. Skoulatos hypothesized that this was between 1094 and 1105.
The historian Nikephoros Bryennios the Younger calls him a "prudent and cultivated man, and gifted with all the qualities of a wise politician", while hagiographic sources praise his piety.