Constantine Euphorbenos Katakalon
Encyclopedia
Constantine Euphorbenos Katakalon was a Byzantine
noble and one of the most prominent generals of the reign of Alexios I Komnenos
(r. 1081–1118).
A descendant of the noble Katakalon and Euphorbenos families, Constantine is first mentioned in the sources when he commanded the Chomatenoi corps and the Turkish contingent of Alexios Komnenos' army in the Battle of Kalavrye in 1078. He appears again in the lists of the Synod of Blachernae in 1094, bearing the title of protokouropalates. In the next year, he took part in Alexios' campaign against the Cumans
. Alexios sent him to attack the Cumans while they were crossing the Zygos pass, but the latter, guided by local Vlachs
, managed to cross the pass sooner and seize the town of Goloe. Katakalon nevertheless attacked the Cuman foraging parties and managed to capture about a hundred prisoners, for which he was promoted to nobelissimos. He was next dispatched to assist the city of Adrianople, which was being besieged by the Cumans. He attempted to enter the city from the south, but was surprised by the Cumans on the march, and barely escaped with his life. In 1096, the emperor sent him to rescue the remnants of the People's Crusade
, which had been defeated and almost destroyed by the Seljuks. The Turks withdrew before his advance, and Katakalon managed to rescue Peter the Hermit
and the surviving crusaders. In ca. 1100, he was named doux
(military governor) of Cyprus
, and held that post at least until 1102/1104. In 1108, Katakalon was part of an embassy sent by Alexios to Bohemond, who was besieging the imperial fortress of Dyrrhachium. The Byzantine delegation convinced the Norman prince to seek a settlement with the Empire, and accompanied him to the imperial camp at Deabolis, where the namesake treaty
was signed.
Katakalon was one of Alexios' most trusted and esteemed officials. In token of this, his son Nikephoros
was given the hand of Maria Komnene, the emperor's second daughter, in marriage. Together they had several children, of whom three sons are known: Alexios, Andronikos and John.
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...
noble and one of the most prominent generals of the reign of 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).
A descendant of the noble Katakalon and Euphorbenos families, Constantine is first mentioned in the sources when he commanded the Chomatenoi corps and the Turkish contingent of Alexios Komnenos' army in the Battle of Kalavrye in 1078. He appears again in the lists of the Synod of Blachernae in 1094, bearing the title of protokouropalates. In the next year, he took part in Alexios' campaign against the 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...
. Alexios sent him to attack the Cumans while they were crossing the Zygos pass, but the latter, guided by local Vlachs
Vlachs
Vlach is a blanket term covering several modern Latin peoples descending from the Latinised population in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. English variations on the name include: Walla, Wlachs, Wallachs, Vlahs, Olahs or Ulahs...
, managed to cross the pass sooner and seize the town of Goloe. Katakalon nevertheless attacked the Cuman foraging parties and managed to capture about a hundred prisoners, for which he was promoted to nobelissimos. He was next dispatched to assist the city of Adrianople, which was being besieged by the Cumans. He attempted to enter the city from the south, but was surprised by the Cumans on the march, and barely escaped with his life. In 1096, the emperor sent him to rescue the remnants of the People's Crusade
People's Crusade
The People's Crusade is part of the First Crusade and lasted roughly six months from April 1096 to October. It is also known as the Peasants' Crusade or the Paupers' Crusade...
, which had been defeated and almost destroyed by the Seljuks. The Turks withdrew before his advance, and Katakalon managed to rescue Peter the Hermit
Peter the Hermit
Peter the Hermit was a priest of Amiens and a key figure during the First Crusade.-Before 1096:According to Anna Comnena, he had attempted to go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem before 1096, but was prevented by the Seljuk Turks from reaching his goal and was tortured.Sources differ as to whether he...
and the surviving crusaders. In ca. 1100, he was named doux
Dux
Dux is Latin for leader and later for Duke and its variant forms ....
(military governor) of Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
, and held that post at least until 1102/1104. In 1108, Katakalon was part of an embassy sent by Alexios to Bohemond, who was besieging the imperial fortress of Dyrrhachium. The Byzantine delegation convinced the Norman prince to seek a settlement with the Empire, and accompanied him to the imperial camp at Deabolis, where the namesake treaty
Treaty of Devol
The Treaty of Devol was an agreement made in 1108 between Bohemond I of Antioch and Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos, in the wake of the First Crusade. It is named after the Byzantine fortress of Devol in Macedonia...
was signed.
Katakalon was one of Alexios' most trusted and esteemed officials. In token of this, his son Nikephoros
Nikephoros Katakalon
Nikephoros Euphorbenos Katakalon was a Byzantine aristocrat and son-in-law of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos .He was the son of the distinguished general Constantine Euphorbenos Katakalon, one of Alexios' most trusted officials...
was given the hand of Maria Komnene, the emperor's second daughter, in marriage. Together they had several children, of whom three sons are known: Alexios, Andronikos and John.