Michael Anemas

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Michael Anemas ( Middle Greek Μιχαήλ Ἀνεμᾶς ) was a Byzantine military who led a conspiracy against Emperor Alexios I in 1103 .

Life

Michael Anemas was probably the oldest of four brothers, only one other, Leon , is known by name. On his father's side, he was a cousin of Johannes Komnenos , a nephew of Emperor Alexios I.

Anemas first appears in the Alexiad as a troop commander in connection with the invasion of the Cumans, allied with the usurper Pseudo-Diogenes , in 1095. He had a written order from the emperor to wait until the invaders had crossed the passes over the Zygos , and then in Attack guerrilla men in their back.

In 1103 Michael Anemas sat with his three brothers at the head of a large-scale conspiracy aimed at overthrowing Alexios I. A number of prominent people were involved, including the protoproedros Georgios Basilakes , the Dux of Smyrna , Nikephoros Exazenos Hyaleas , and the city ​​prefect Xeros . Anemas drew the wealthy Senator Johannes Solomon on his side by promising him the imperial crown in the event of success. According to Anna Komnena , however, this offer was never meant to be serious, but only served the purpose of giving the conspirators access to the senator's lavish funds.

The plot was exposed prematurely by an informer, and the four Anemas brothers were arrested. Michael Anemas was condemned to be dazzled as the head of the conspiracy , his accomplices were scalped and publicly presented with him at the Mese in Constantinople. During the shame procession an imperial decree was issued at the intercession of Anna Komnena and her mother Irene Dukaina to leave the delinquent's eyesight.

Michael Anemas was imprisoned in a heavily fortified bulwark of the Blachernen Palace , which was later named after him " Prison of Anemas ". He was held there until at least 1105, when the rebellious Dux of Chaldia , Gregorios Taronites , was also chained in this complex.

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literature

  • Jean-Claude Cheynet: Pouvoir et contestations à Byzance (963-1210) (= Publications de la Sorbonne. Series Byzantina Sorbonensia. Vol. 9). Reimpression. Publications de la Sorbonne Center de Recherches d'Histoire et de Civilization Byzantines, Paris 1996, ISBN 2-85944-168-5 , pp. 100-101 no. 130.
  • Basile Skoulatos: Les Personnages Byzantins de l'Alexiade. Analysis Prosopographique et Synthèse (= Recueil de Travaux d'Histoire et de Philologie. Sér. 6, Vol. 20, ZDB -ID 437846-5 ). Nauwelaerts, Louvain-la-Neuve 1980, No. 128 (also: Louvain, Universität, Dissertation, 1978).

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Michael Anemas
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Μιχαήλ Ἀνεμᾶς (Middle Greek)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Byzantine rebel against Emperor Alexios I.
DATE OF BIRTH 11th century
DATE OF DEATH after 1105