Eumathios Philokales
Encyclopedia
Eumathios Philokales was a high-ranking Byzantine
military leader and administrator during the reign of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos
(r. 1081–1118), most notably as governor of Cyprus
for twenty years, from 1093 to ca. 1112. He also served as governor of southern Greece, ambassador to Hungary
and megas doux
(commander-in-chief of the Byzantine navy
).
Philokales' career is known both through his mention in the Alexiad
and through his surviving seals of office. These trace his ascent from a protospatharios
epi tou Chrysotriklinou
to judge of the joint themes of Hellas
and the Peloponnese
, and eventually, sometime around 1090, to praetor
of the latter. In about the same time, he was sent by Emperor Alexios to a mission to Hungary
to arrange matters relating to the marriage of Alexios' son and heir, John II Komnenos
, to Irene of Hungary.
In 1093, Alexios appointed Philokales was appointed as stratopedarches
and governor of Cyprus
following the suppression of the revolt of the island's previous governor, Rhapsomates. Given the island's strategic location, it was an appointment that indicated both Philokales' prominence in the imperial hierarchy and the emperor's confidence in his ability. Indeed, in the Alexiad, Alexios' daughter Anna Komnene
praises his intelligence and devotion to his duty. Philokales remained in Cyprus as governor for about 20 years, with the exception of a short period in 1109–1110. In contrast to the praise he receives from Anna Komnene, local Cypriot sources of ecclesiastic origin portray him as a cruel and pitiless official and name him a wolf or a disciple of the devil, because of his imposition of heavy taxes on the island's population. In 1099, Philokales repelled Pisan raiders from Cyprus. From his position he also played a role in the affairs of the Crusader states
, providing the link between Alexios and Raymond IV, Count of Toulouse, an imperial ally. This was most notably the case in 1102, when Philokales sent supplies and equipment to Raymond during his siege of Tripoli
.
In 1109, Philokales travelled to Constantinople
, where he requested to be transferred to the governorship of Attaleia. Despite his inexperience in military matters, Emperor Alexios granted his wish, and gave Philokales troops. Philokales landed with his army at Abydos
and proceeded to move over land through western Asia Minor
to take up his post. On his way, he rebuilt and repopulated the city of Adramyttion, destroyed by Tzachas years before. In the region of Lampe his troops inflicted a heavy defeat on the local Turks, and then moved on to Philadelphia
. Anticipating a retaliatory attack, Philokales repaired the city's walls, and placed many scouts about. In this way, the city was prepared when the Turks of Cappadocia
, under a certain Asan, appeared before the walls. Asan therefore did not assail the city, but divided and sent his troops to raid and plunder westwards. Philokales dispatched his own army after them. The Byzantines first pursued the Turkish division, 10,000 strong according to the Alexiad, that had moved towards Kelbianos and routed it in a surprise attack at dawn. Then Philokales' troops moved against the raiders who had moved towards Nymphaion and Smyrna
and defeated them near the Meander River
.
Little is known of Philokales after that. In 1111/1112, during Manuel Boutoumites
' embassy to the Kingdom of Jerusalem
, he was back in his post as governor of Cyprus
. In an act dating to 1118, he is noted as holding the office of megas doux
. A few verses also testify to his elevation to the ranks of magistros and kouropalates and, by 1118, to the exalted dignity of pansebastos sebastos.
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...
military leader and administrator during the reign of Emperor 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), most notably as 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...
for twenty years, from 1093 to ca. 1112. He also served as governor of southern Greece, ambassador to Hungary
Kingdom of Hungary
The Kingdom of Hungary comprised present-day Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia , Transylvania , Carpatho Ruthenia , Vojvodina , Burgenland , and other smaller territories surrounding present-day Hungary's borders...
and megas doux
Megas Doux
The megas doux was one of the highest positions in the hierarchy of the later Byzantine Empire, denoting the commander-in-chief of the Byzantine navy. It is sometimes also given by the half-Latinizations megaduke or megadux...
(commander-in-chief of the Byzantine navy
Byzantine navy
The Byzantine navy was the naval force of the East Roman or Byzantine Empire. Like the empire it served, it was a direct continuation from its imperial Roman predecessor, but played a far greater role in the defense and survival of the state then its earlier iterations...
).
Philokales' career is known both through his mention in the Alexiad
Alexiad
The Alexiad is a medieval biographical text written around the year 1148 by the Byzantine historian Anna Comnena, daughter of Emperor Alexius I....
and through his surviving seals of office. These trace his ascent from a protospatharios
Protospatharios
Prōtospatharios was one of the highest court dignities of the middle Byzantine period , awarded to senior generals and provincial governors, as well as to foreign princes.-History:...
epi tou Chrysotriklinou
Chrysotriklinos
The Chrysotriklinos , latinized as Chrysotriclinus or Chrysotriclinium, was the main reception and ceremonial hall of the Great Palace of Constantinople from its construction, in the late 6th century, until the 10th century...
to judge of the joint 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...
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:...
, and eventually, sometime around 1090, to 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 latter. In about the same time, he was sent by Emperor Alexios to a mission to Hungary
Kingdom of Hungary
The Kingdom of Hungary comprised present-day Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia , Transylvania , Carpatho Ruthenia , Vojvodina , Burgenland , and other smaller territories surrounding present-day Hungary's borders...
to arrange matters relating to the marriage of Alexios' son and heir, John II Komnenos
John II Komnenos
John II Komnenos was Byzantine Emperor from 1118 to 1143. Also known as Kaloïōannēs , he was the eldest son of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos and Irene Doukaina...
, to Irene of Hungary.
In 1093, Alexios appointed Philokales was appointed as stratopedarches
Stratopedarches
Stratopedarchēs , sometimes Anglicized as stratopedarch, was a Greek term used with regard to high-ranking military commanders from the 1st century BC on, becoming a proper office and later an honorary title during the Byzantine Empire.-History:...
and 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...
following the suppression of the revolt of the island's previous governor, Rhapsomates. Given the island's strategic location, it was an appointment that indicated both Philokales' prominence in the imperial hierarchy and the emperor's confidence in his ability. Indeed, in the Alexiad, Alexios' daughter Anna Komnene
Anna Komnene
Anna Komnene, Latinized as Comnena was a Greek princess and scholar and the daughter of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos of Byzantium and Irene Doukaina...
praises his intelligence and devotion to his duty. Philokales remained in Cyprus as governor for about 20 years, with the exception of a short period in 1109–1110. In contrast to the praise he receives from Anna Komnene, local Cypriot sources of ecclesiastic origin portray him as a cruel and pitiless official and name him a wolf or a disciple of the devil, because of his imposition of heavy taxes on the island's population. In 1099, Philokales repelled Pisan raiders from Cyprus. From his position he also played a role in the affairs of the Crusader states
Crusader states
The Crusader states were a number of mostly 12th- and 13th-century feudal states created by Western European crusaders in Asia Minor, Greece and the Holy Land , and during the Northern Crusades in the eastern Baltic area...
, providing the link between Alexios and Raymond IV, Count of Toulouse, an imperial ally. This was most notably the case in 1102, when Philokales sent supplies and equipment to Raymond during his siege of Tripoli
Tripoli, Lebanon
Tripoli is the largest city in northern Lebanon and the second-largest city in Lebanon. Situated 85 km north of the capital Beirut, Tripoli is the capital of the North Governorate and the Tripoli District. Geographically located on the east of the Mediterranean, the city's history dates back...
.
In 1109, Philokales travelled to 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:...
, where he requested to be transferred to the governorship of Attaleia. Despite his inexperience in military matters, Emperor Alexios granted his wish, and gave Philokales troops. Philokales landed with his army at Abydos
Abydos, Hellespont
For other uses, see Abydos Abydos , an ancient city of Mysia, in Asia Minor, situated at Nara Burnu or Nagara Point on the best harbor on the Asiatic shore of the Hellespont. Across Abydos lies Sestus on the European side marking the shortest point in the Dardanelles, scarcely a mile broad...
and proceeded to move over land through western Asia Minor
Asia Minor
Asia Minor is a geographical location at the westernmost protrusion of Asia, also called Anatolia, and corresponds to the western two thirds of the Asian part of Turkey...
to take up his post. On his way, he rebuilt and repopulated the city of Adramyttion, destroyed by Tzachas years before. In the region of Lampe his troops inflicted a heavy defeat on the local Turks, and then moved on to Philadelphia
Alasehir
Alaşehir, in Antiquity and the Middle Ages known as Philadelphia , i.e. " brotherly love" is a town and district of Manisa Province in the Aegean region of Turkey. It is situated in the valley of the Kuzuçay , at the foot of the Bozdağ...
. Anticipating a retaliatory attack, Philokales repaired the city's walls, and placed many scouts about. In this way, the city was prepared when the Turks of Cappadocia
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a historical region in Central Anatolia, largely in Nevşehir Province.In the time of Herodotus, the Cappadocians were reported as occupying the whole region from Mount Taurus to the vicinity of the Euxine...
, under a certain Asan, appeared before the walls. Asan therefore did not assail the city, but divided and sent his troops to raid and plunder westwards. Philokales dispatched his own army after them. The Byzantines first pursued the Turkish division, 10,000 strong according to the Alexiad, that had moved towards Kelbianos and routed it in a surprise attack at dawn. Then Philokales' troops moved against the raiders who had moved towards Nymphaion and Smyrna
Smyrna
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 defeated them near the Meander River
Maeander River
The Büyük Menderes River ; , Ancient Greek: Μαίανδρος, Maíandros) is a river in southwestern Turkey. It rises in west central Turkey near Dinar before flowing west through the Büyük Menderes graben until reaching the Aegean Sea in the proximity of the ancient Ionian city Miletus...
.
Little is known of Philokales after that. In 1111/1112, during Manuel Boutoumites
Manuel Boutoumites
Manuel Boutoumites or Butumites was a leading Byzantine general and diplomat during the reign of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos , and one of that emperor's most trusted aides...
' embassy to the Kingdom of Jerusalem
Kingdom of Jerusalem
The Kingdom of Jerusalem was a Catholic kingdom established in the Levant in 1099 after the First Crusade. The kingdom lasted nearly two hundred years, from 1099 until 1291 when the last remaining possession, Acre, was destroyed by the Mamluks, but its history is divided into two distinct periods....
, he was back in his post as 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...
. In an act dating to 1118, he is noted as holding the office of megas doux
Megas Doux
The megas doux was one of the highest positions in the hierarchy of the later Byzantine Empire, denoting the commander-in-chief of the Byzantine navy. It is sometimes also given by the half-Latinizations megaduke or megadux...
. A few verses also testify to his elevation to the ranks of magistros and kouropalates and, by 1118, to the exalted dignity of pansebastos sebastos.