Konstantios Doukas
Encyclopedia
Konstantios Doukas Latinized as Constantius Ducas, was the son of Byzantine Emperor Constantine X Doukas and younger brother of Byzantine Emperor Michael VII Doukas. He reigned as junior co-emperor from his birth, but was unable to establish himself as sole emperor against Nikephoros III
when Michael VII abdicated in 1078.
, was also elevated some eight years later. He retained the imperial title during the reigns of Romanos IV Diogenes and his elder brother, Michael VII, as senior emperors. In 1078, when Michael's reign came to an end by an insurrection at Constantinople
, he abdicated in favour of Konstantios, as Andronikos had apparently died a year or two before. His only rival was Nikephoros III
, who was on his way to Constantinople when news arrived of Michael's overthrow.
It was soon manifestly evident that Konstantios was completely incapable of leading the empire. Although the troops in Asia Minor
also proclaimed him emperor, his incapacity was soon so evident that his own supporters swiftly delivered him to Nikephoros III, who forced him to become a monk, taking up his residence on one of the Princes Islands in the Propontis.
By 1081, he was recalled into active service by Alexios I Komnenos
, who had married into the Doukas family. Sent to the war against the Normans
, he perished while fighting them at Dyrrhachium in 1082.
Nikephoros III
Nikephoros III Botaneiates, Latinized as Nicephorus III Botaniates was Byzantine emperor from 1078 to 1081. He belonged to a family which claimed descent from the Byzantine Phokas family.- Early career :...
when Michael VII abdicated in 1078.
Career
Konstantios was the youngest son of Constantine X Doukas and was born a Porphyrogenitus. Upon his birth he was made co-emperor, alongside his brother Michael VII Doukas. His other brother, Andronikos DoukasAndronikos Doukas (co-emperor)
Andronikos Doukas , Latinized as Andronicus Ducas, was the third son of Byzantine Emperor Constantine X Doukas and younger brother of Byzantine Emperor Michael VII Doukas . Unlike his other brothers, he was not named junior co-emperor by his father, and was raised to the dignity only by Romanos IV...
, was also elevated some eight years later. He retained the imperial title during the reigns of Romanos IV Diogenes and his elder brother, Michael VII, as senior emperors. In 1078, when Michael's reign came to an end by an insurrection at 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:...
, he abdicated in favour of Konstantios, as Andronikos had apparently died a year or two before. His only rival was Nikephoros III
Nikephoros III
Nikephoros III Botaneiates, Latinized as Nicephorus III Botaniates was Byzantine emperor from 1078 to 1081. He belonged to a family which claimed descent from the Byzantine Phokas family.- Early career :...
, who was on his way to Constantinople when news arrived of Michael's overthrow.
It was soon manifestly evident that Konstantios was completely incapable of leading the empire. Although the troops in 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...
also proclaimed him emperor, his incapacity was soon so evident that his own supporters swiftly delivered him to Nikephoros III, who forced him to become a monk, taking up his residence on one of the Princes Islands in the Propontis.
By 1081, he was recalled into active service by 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,...
, who had married into the Doukas family. Sent to the war against the Normans
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
, he perished while fighting them at Dyrrhachium in 1082.