John Ii Comnenus

John II Comnenus, in ancient Greek : ' ( 13 September 1087 - Cilicia , 8 April 1143 ) is an Emperor Byzantine reigning from 15 August 1118 . He is nicknamed Kalojannis or Calojanni or "John the Beautiful" beautiful inside, a good soul (Kalos means "beautiful", Jannis, "John"). The chronicles of the time describe him of dark complexion, with lines rather thankless and black hair that earned him the nickname of Maurus. His reign, with his son Manuel , is the last period of expansion of the Byzantine Empire. Continuing the work of her father Alexius I ^Comnenus , he fought actively against the Seljuk Turks in Asia Minor , overwrite the Pechenegs and pacified the Balkans. However, the results of John II remain inconsistent and mixed (at Antioch , for example, face and Venice ), and explain that the record of his reign to be looked at, regardless of the personality of the emperor, with caution by historians. This is probably accentuated by the fact that his reign is built between them, denser and more dramatic, Alexius ^I and Manuel ^I, whose personalities seem more complex than his.

Summary 1 An eventful accession to the throne 1.1 A designated successor? 1.2 The death of Alexis I. 1.3 The plot of Anne Comnenus 2 The early years of the reign of John II Comnenus 2.1 The character 2.2 The 1119-1121 campaign in Asia Minor 2.3 The victory over the Pechenegs and consolidation of the Balkan frontier (1122-1128) 2.4 The conflict with Venice (1122-1126) 2.5 The campaigns in Asia Minor (1130-1135) 3 The intervention in Syria 3.1 The German alliance 3.2 The war against the Crusader States 3.3 The intervention in Syria Muslim 3.4 The relations with the Catholic Church 4 The last campaign Progeny 5 6 Notes 7 References 8 Bibliography 9 See also

A troubled accession to the throne

A designated successor?

John II Comnenus was the third child, but the first son of the Byzantine emperor Alexios I ^Komnenos and Irene Doukas. From his childhood he has at his side as confidant and constant companion of a Turkish child his age, John Axouch , arrived in Constantinople as a prisoner and delivered by the Crusaders to his father . The young Jean enjoys the unconditional love of his father , but his mother Irene and her sister Anne Comnenus despise and slander, hoping to see him removed from the imperial legacy in favor of Nicephorus Bryennius , the husband of Anne . However, John enjoys the confidence of his father. He was crowned in his lifetime on ¹ September 1092 , and nothing indicates that this choice has been questioned by Alexis. It is unlikely that it has promoted the accession to the throne of Nicephorus, whom he had fought and blind father, to the detriment of the Comnenus dynasty . Instead, in 1111 , asked the Patriarch Alexis Nicolas Grammatikos , dying, bless John. In addition, he wrote at the end of his life, Mousa, a series of tips to destination of the future emperor, Jean. The assumption is that Alexis contemporary historians, as usual throughout his reign, pretended to agree to cede power to Bryennius and Anne, while not yielding anything about his background and his desire to see son to succeed him .

The death of Alexis ^I.

According to the detailed account of Nicetas Choniates, during the summer of 1118 , Alexis feels his death approaching. Sick for many years, he suffered from gout , and probably knows a first heart attack in 1112. The role of Irene Doukas, the mother of John and Anne Comnenus , with Alexis will then increasing, and that of Nicephorus Bryennius, the husband of Anne. During the expedition against the Turks Alexis (circa 1115-1116) is Nicephorus who heads the administration in Constantinople. Two rival clans involve stories about the emperor. John receives the support of his brother Isaac, which opposes the clan of women in the family, headed by Irene and especially Anne.

During the agony of Alexis, probably suffering from angina pectoris , Irene and Anne mount a jealous guard to the emperor at the monastery of Mangana and attempt to disinherit him John. But Alexis wants to make John his successor and replies, according Nicetas Choniates, no emperor has a son capable of ruling does failed and he preferred a son . It seems that John, taking advantage of the transfer of his father in the northern part of the monastery, on the fifth floor, in a cooler, disappears in a hurry and win the Grand Palais after they actually got to his dying father the 'royal ring . During a trip to the Hagia Sophia where, during a ceremony fast enough, he was appointed by the Byzantine Emperor Patriarch John IX, he had himself proclaimed emperor by the Senate, the army and was acclaimed crowd, while the palace guard and Nicephorus Bryennius hesitate. The guard Varangian by order of Empress Irene, denied access to him, but John, as John Zonaras , announces the death of his father, who will actually place a few hours later, and won its bid. According Choniates, its entrance is somewhat heavy-handed: the men in the custody of John dismantle the bronze doors of the palace from their hinges to enter .

Irene, ignoring the last wishes of Alexis asks the husband of Anne was proclaimed emperor. Nicetas Choniates relates in his columns, Alexis thank God , because his wife is not aware of the coronation of John . He died shortly afterwards on 15 August 1118 , certain that his son will succeed him and he will ensure the stability of the empire. He is buried in the monastery dedicated to Christ philanthropist. The position of John does not seem so assured that, since it does not attend the funeral of his father, fearing for his life.

The conspiracy of Anne Comnenus

Animosity Comnenus Anne, eldest daughter of Alexius, to John is old. It is because at the age of five she had been betrothed to the son of Michael VII Ducas , Constantine , which in theory should allow it access to the throne as empress . Constantine died young and she is betrothed to Bryennius Nicephorus, the son of Nicephorus Bryennius , which among in 1077 - 1079 , tried to seize the throne of Byzantium before being defeated and blinded by Alexis. The latter, who is trying to ally the great families of the Byzantine aristocracy, imposes this marriage, and appoints his son Caesar in 1111. The latter holds, moreover, an important place with the emperor at the end of his life and partly controls the administration.

Anne also does not give up possession of the throne after the death of his father, while his mother Irene seems resigned In spring 1119, she tried to kill John in the Philopation Palace, which serves hunting lodge outside the city walls. The lack of enthusiasm Nicephorus Bryennius frustrated the project, what his wife did not forgive him . However, John shows mild. The fortune of the conspirators was confiscated before they be returned shortly after. Bryennius Nicephorus continued his political career with the new emperor. Anne is exiled to the monastery of Kecharitomene and spends the rest of his life to write the biography of his father, Alexiad, became one of the main sources on this period of the Byzantine Empire and the First Crusade.

John decides quickly to avoid similar mishaps in his own succession to associate his eldest son Alexis to the throne in 1122.

The early years of the reign of John II Comnenus

The character

During his reign, the emperor received the nickname of "good" for his character. John does not support frivolous people and it does not allow the luxury. It is popular not only because he often distributes gifts to the people, but also because he seems sincere in its commitment to the values of orthodox religion , although it is slightly worn, unlike his father, on intellectual and religious controversy . John is deemed faithful to his wife, even if it has little influence on him. It is considered right and milder, rare qualities for a man of power. His tastes are austere. Finally it is a capable and efficient administrator.

He does not choose his advisers from among the members of his family and in whom he trusts most is the Turkish Axouch John , his childhood friend, whom he calls "great servant," army commander Imperial . The imperial family feeds of resentment against the decision, which is reinforced by the fact that they are required to swear allegiance to Axouch.

As is tradition in his family, after the military aristocracy, is a soldier. His great-uncle Isaac ^I. His father Alexius ^I and later his son Manuel ^I are very active militarily. But while the reign of his father is a phase where the empire is in decline and the defensive, the reign of John II is much more offensive: his dream is to regain all the lands of the Byzantine Empire are among the hands of Muslims , and that Antioch , which belongs to the Crusaders, and regain the old glory of the empire. To his contemporaries, his life is an ongoing military campaign. Throughout the twenty-two years of his reign, he spent more time with the army at Constantinople. He did not hesitate when they are old enough to take his son in his military campaigns. He is the prototype of the "emperor-soldier, courageous, bold and full of integrity. He is considered by his subjects as the "greatest Comnenus" and also as " Marcus "in Constantinople. But the historical sources, particularly the writings of historians John Cinnamus and Nicetas Choniates , like the poet Theodore Prodomus, lack of objectivity. Modern historians regard it with much caution, given the weakness of its results.

The campaign of 1119-1121 in Asia Minor

The first act of John II is to regain the initiative against the Seljuk Turks in Asia Minor. If the empire under his control the northern coast, western and south to the river Meander , Antalya is only accessible by sea . Indeed, despite the victory of Alexis in 1115 to Philomlion , the Turks resumed their offensive and captured about 1117 of Laodicea of Phrygia and the Meander Valley, which crosses the road of Antalya. Alexis was preparing an offensive against them at the time of his death. Therefore John wishes to undertake this expedition against the Turks, not only to enlarge the territories of the empire, but also because they have violated the peace treaty they signed with his father . The situation seems propitious, because things are quiet on the western flank of the empire .

In 1119, in the spring, John landed in Asia Minor at the head of a powerful army to fight the Seljuks. It crosses the Phrygia , crossed the Meander and besieged Laodicea . He then recalled to Constantinople and the seat assigned to John Axouch, although he does not have extensive military experience . Axouch seized the city after a siege and proven abilities as a strategist. After the conquest of Laodicea, Emir Abuchara is expelled and the emperor returned, had rebuilt the city walls in order to fortify . With the conquest of Laodicea, the Byzantine army is advancing rapidly and has a strong support base. John grabs subsequently Sozopolis (Uluborlu (Isparta)), again on the Seljuks Sultanate of Rum , and jointly attacked the most easterly Danichmendides . However, this latest offensive, led by the Duke of Trebizond Constantine Gabra , is a failure. It is defeated and taken prisoner by the Emir Ghazi and Toughroul of Mytilene. But a dispute between the two leaders timely Turkish prevents them from enjoying their victory.

However, the conquest and pacification of Laodicea in the Antalya region, annexed to the Byzantine Empire, is already a major success. In late autumn 1121 , Jean made a triumphal entry into Constantinople with his side Axouch .

Victory over the Pechenegs and consolidation of the Balkan frontier (1122-1128)

In 1122 , the Pechenegs again becoming a threat to the empire. This nomadic people of Turkish origin, had been severely beaten but not without difficulty by Alexis ^I.. But from 1122, the Pechenegs devastate Macedonia and Thrace . From the Russian steppes, located north of Thrace, in present Bulgaria , they invaded the Byzantine Empire through the border on the Danube. According to Michael Angold, it is possible that Vladimir Monomakh II ( 1113 - one thousand one hundred twenty-five ), king of Kiev , was the cause. John II is strongly determined to stop the invaders who are likely to make him lose control of the northern part of the Balkans. He transferred his army to the border of Asia Minor, where she has just defeated the Seljuk Turks.

John brings his army near Constantinople, and then moving very rapidly towards the Pechenegs to engage. They have set up camp near the town of Broia in Bulgaria. Jean offers them a peace treaty, but it is actually a hoax, and while the response of Pechenegs not yet arrived, John gives the order to attack their camp. Taken by surprise, Petchenegs object, nevertheless, a strong resistance, and neither army seems able to achieve victory. The emperor orders his Varangian Guard , the elite of the Byzantine army and bodyguard of the Emperor of the assault. His intervention was crucial. Pechenegs are surrounded and beaten. The victory is complete, many were deported Pechenegs as colonists, while others are incorporated into the Byzantine army . The Byzantine victory Broia terminates the problem of invasion Pechenegs. Those who escape fall into Hungary and merged with the local population, thus ending their identity.

However, for John II, victory does not lead immediately to peace in the Balkans. It also acts against the Serbs from Raska , who were defeated, and against the Dalmatians and Croats , who are forced to recognize the authority Byzantine . Between 1124 and 1128 , he fought successfully against Hungarians , although Jean has taken to wife Piroska, later known as Irene , daughter of King Ladislaus ^I of Hungary . The troops of King Stephen II of Hungary , a relative of Irene, invade the empire and move towards Sofia before being beaten by John on their own ground . Ultimately, victory on Pechenegs, followed by the Hungarians, Byzantines allows to reinforce their borders on the Danube, and gives John the opportunity to concentrate its forces in the struggle against the Seljuks in Asia Minor, which remain the main threat to the empire.

Conflict with Venice (1122-1126)

As well as intervening in the Balkans, John is facing a deterioration of its relations with Venice. Indeed, in 1082 , Alexis ^I. issued a chrysobull by which Venetian merchants exempted from taxation in the major ports and cities of the Byzantine Empire in exchange for using the Venetian fleet during the war against the Normans of Robert Guiscard . The consequences of this measure, necessary in the context of the time, is significant for the coffers of the Empire, who lose significant tax revenues. Also, the death of Alexius, John refuses to renew the agreement, despite the protests of the Venetian ambassadors . It prefers to support trade with the rival of Venice, Pisa and Genoa .

Venice is affected in its business, which is the keystone of its economic system, social and political. Relations with its former mother country (the Duchy of Venice was a former Byzantine duchy) change. The Doge, Domenico Michele , is preparing for war, seeking a pretext for the trip and to reaffirm the power of Venice on the seas of the Levant.

The opportunity is given by the capture of the king of Jerusalem Baldwin II by the Saracens and the request for assistance sent by the Crusader states. Venice rushed to their aid, eager to send a powerful fleet in the East. On 8 August 1122 , the Doge embarks from the port of Lido , with a fleet of over a hundred vessels that runs in charge of pilgrims and crusaders, the rescue of Baldwin, but its main purpose is to accomplish a punitive expedition against the Byzantine Empire. These events take place at the same time that John submits Pechenegs at the Battle of Beroia.

After a stopover in Bari , a first attack is made on Corfu. The city is besieged for six months (autumn 1122-spring 1123), but without significant results . Realizing they can not conquer it, the Venetians are moving to the islands of the Aegean and devastate Rhodes , Chios and Lesbos . They arrived in Cyprus , where they are informed of the position of the Egyptian fleet. Therefore, the Venetian fleet participates in the consolidation of positions in the East Frankish, many looted wealth and went to Sidon and Tyre , won the 30 July 1124 after a siege of five months. Finally, free of commitments with the Christian states, the duke returns to its main objective, to put pressure on the Byzantine emperor. Samos and Andros are devastated to 1124-1125. The Doge is then obliged to return to the Adriatic to face Stephen II of Hungary , which threatens the Venetian possessions in Dalmatia. In 1126 , the Venetians resume again to confront the sea and attacked the Byzantines Methoni and Cephalonia. Faced with the devastation of its maritime possessions, the Emperor resolved to send ambassadors to sue for peace.

In 1126 , John makes a new chrysobull recognizing all the rights already granted by his father and increases by new exemptions and monopolies. For the emperor, the only solution is to also grant further concessions to the republics of Genoa and Pisa, in the hope of counterbalancing the power of Venice, but the consequence of conflict is the demise of Byzantium as a major trading power and sea. Faced with the naval force of the Italian cities, John II has proved, like his father, helpless. It is indeed a failure.

Campaigns in Asia Minor (1130-1135)

Occupied Europe between 1122 and 1128, John II can intervene effectively in Asia Minor. This time have benefited Danishmendides directed by Emir Turkish Gumuchtegin .

The Emir took over from Ankara , and Gangra Kastamon at the expense of the Byzantines. In 1130, he crushed the army of Bohemond II of Antioch. Even if we ignore the exact Gumuchtegin referred to Antioch, the danger that the city falls into the hands of Muslims seems real and urged John to intervene. He can do more easily than the Seljuks are divided by family squabbles important. Indeed, in 1125, Sultan ^I. Massoud , fighting with one of his brothers, named Arab, took refuge in Constantinople, before returning to his throne in 1129 with the help of Gumuchtegin, his stepfather. Then Arab who fled to Constantinople.

Between 1130 and 1135 , with a large army, John landed in Asia Minor and conducted five successive campaigns against Gumuchtegin , became lord of a large part of Asia Minor . Five campaigns are victorious and why, in 1133 , on his return to Constantinople, John receives a triumph worthy of ancient Rome ^, . But the following year, the sudden death of Empress forced him to temporarily withdraw from the theater of operations.

He returned to Asia Minor, and led a victorious campaign. Gumuchtegin death in September 1134 , and the fratricidal conflicts among his successors permanently dedicate the victory of John, completed by a final campaign in 1135 to seize the city of Gangra. The Sultan of Rum Seljuk , Massoud ^I, deals directly with the emperor.

In just five years, John has regained much of Asia Minor and the territories lost by Byzantium. He has no rivals. In Europe , the situation is calm and the Turks suffered a crushing defeat. Thus, John can prepare to resume the territories it considers Byzantine law, although they are subject to the power of the Crusaders: the Armenian kingdom of Cilicia and the Norman principality of Antioch , founded by Bohemond of Taranto.

Intervention in Syria

The German alliance

In 1130 , accession to the throne of Sicily to Roger II of concern to the emperor. The old rivalry between Normans of Sicily and Byzantium is not extinct. In addition, the new sovereign may assert his rights over Antioch, where Bohemond II died, leaving only a young heiress, Constance. If Roger is soon confronted with a revolt of his barons, which temporarily paralyzes its ambitions, John considers it more prudent, before moving to Syria, to neutralize this potential adversary.

For this, an embassy is sent to the Holy Roman Emperor Lothair III order to initiate a war against the Normans ( 1135 ). Lothair, supported by Pope Innocent II , accepted after lengthy negotiations. He knows it gives him the opportunity to pursue a lucrative military expedition against the Kingdom of Sicily with the money of the Byzantine Empire. Lothar began his campaign in spring 1137. Despite the rising military (making Bari ), Lothario, a prey to the revolt of his troops, returned to Germany. By the bubble of 27 July 1139 , Pope admits defeat and accepts definitely Rex Siciliae Roger II, and ducatus Apuliae principatus Capuae ("King of Sicily, Duke of Apulia and prince of Capua). But it remains blocked in Italy and must turn away from his eastern ambitions.

The war against the Crusader States

John, from 1137, is in a position to intervene in Syria. The Turks of Anatolia are temporarily tamed and Roger II of Sicily, occupied by the invasion of his dominions by Lothair III. Also, in spring 1137, an imposing Byzantine army , directed by John II in person, accompanied by several of his son, collects at Antalya. Like his father, his priority remains Antioch , which, by treaty Dabolis (also called the Treaty of Devol) is an imperial. John then goes to Cilicia, under Armenian control of the house roupnide and its King Leo ^I , when his fleet is progressing in parallel along the coast. The army is composed of Byzantine soldiers, but also allies including detachments of Pechenegs , the Turks and Armenians hostile to the dynasty of Roupnides .

The army's advance was rapid. She seized the cities of Mersin , Adana and Mamistra. John began the siege of the city of Tarsus . During the siege, John gives his son Alexis command of the army and the designated heir to the throne proves his status as a strategist / Sup>. In the early fighting, the battle is against the Byzantines, but Alexis manages to reverse the situation by ordering the bombing of the city by the trebuchets . Then, after a siege of 37 days, John takes to Anazarbe in July 1137. Within six months, the whole of Cilicia was conquered by Byzantium, which temporarily put an end to the Armenian kingdom of Cilicia . Leo ^I , the deposed king of Little Armenia took refuge in the mountains of Taurus.

The Emperor then advanced to the principality of Antioch , ending shortly Drtyol then Alexandretta . It takes a few localities to Muslims in Syria , and then deploys its army to the gates of Antioch on 29 August 1137 . Raymond of Poitiers , prince of Antioch by his marriage with the heiress of the county, Constance , is is then further south towards the plains of the Bekaa , to help the King Fulk of Jerusalem. He returned as quickly as possible towards his capital, and succeeded, John did not have time to fully invest the city, into Antioch. With few troops, no assistance to expect from the outside and barons who want to negotiate, his position is untenable. At first, Raymond sends an envoy to John to ask him to name his imperial vicar in exchange for submitting to his authority . John refuses and imposes an unconditional surrender . Raymond then asked the arbitration of the King of Jerusalem. Fulk's response is unequivocal: "We all know ^, . The allusion by the oath of vassalage Fulk of Bohemond of Taranto to Alexis ^I and the Treaty of Dabolis is obvious. It is likely that Fulk, struggling against the Muslims, do not want to alienate the main Christian state in the region. Finally, some authors do not hesitate to see in this support to the emperor, the queen of vengeance Melisende , wife of Fulk, of Raymond of Poitiers, who had betrayed his sister Alix .

John is realistic enough to understand that he must give the Crusaders compensation for the loss of Antioch. So he offers in Raymond, cons the keys to the city, the cities of Aleppo , Shayzar , Homs and Hama , which remain to be Muslims from Syria . In addition, the Latin Patriarch of Antioch should be replaced by an Orthodox . If the flag is hoisted on the imperial citadel, the Byzantine troops do not enter immediately in Antioch. John then returned to Cilicia to liquidate the last resistance of the Armenian princes. ^Leo I. was taken prisoner after taking Feke with two of his son, and the future Roupen Thoros II. They are sent into captivity at Byzantium in 1138. If Roupen is executed, and Leon Thoros remain under house arrest. At the same time, John sends ambassadors Zenghi to make him believe he has nothing to fear from the Byzantine presence.

Intervention in Syria Muslim

If John wants to take full possession of Antioch, it is necessary to seize northern Syria on Muslims, especially on Zengi prevailing in Aleppo. For this, in February 1138, the authorities of Antioch, on imperial order, stop all the merchants and travelers from the Muslim cities of northern Syria, they go to prevent reporting military preparations. In late March, Jean Antioch wins with his army. He is joined by a contingent of Crusaders led by Raymond and Josselin of Courtenay , count of Edessa , which enlisted a strong detachment of Templars. John did not trust the two men because of the lack of sympathy they have always shown towards the empire.

The campaign against Muslims begins by successfully allowing the Byzantines to conquer the fortified towns. On ¹ April 1138 , al-Balat is busy, the April 8 is the turn of Biza. On 20 April, the army is to Sawar, but the fortress had just received reinforcements and Zenghi appears too heavily defended. John then moves southward and seized Athareb on April 22 , from al-Numan Maarat 25 and 27 Kafartab. Finally, on April 28 , he laid siege to the fortress city of Chayzar , defended by the Emir Sultan Ibn Mounqidh old, which controls the valley of the Orontes (now Nahr al-Asi ) . John prefers to avoid besieging Aleppo , the capital of Zengi , which seems difficult to win without causing significant losses in the ranks of his army , and he hopes to conquer the cities around Aleppo to isolate . From 28 April 1138 , Jean made encircling the citadel and ordered his army to begin the siege, but while the battle rages, what he feared is true: neither Raymond nor Josselin not want to fight reasons of jealousy, resentment against him , and they care little for the taking of Aleppo, which would force them to cede Antioch.

The army Zengi, lord of Aleppo, rescued by Chayzar. Although smaller than her opponent, she gives a frontal attack and began a harassment tactic. Zengi been spreading rumors that the arrival of huge armies from Persia , from Iraq and Anatolia . It only remains for the Emperor to break camp in fear, especially, losing the powerful trebuchets which are essential to fill . The chance is that before giving the order to retreat, the lord of Muslim Chayzar offers peace to John, resigned to what the city becomes dependent on the Byzantine Empire and the restitution of the Red Cross lost Romanus IV Diogenes at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071 . The Emperor agrees to lift the siege of Chayzar and goes to the Antioch 21 May 1138 .

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John insists on making a triumphal entry into the city, the Prince of Antioch and Count of Edessa at his side . It requires Raymond to divest the city to the Byzantine Empire and chronicles of the time, even if they do not report the reaction of Raymond, Josselin indicate that ensures the emperor's arrival in the city of all the barons Latin, including Raymond to discuss the whole issue. When the meeting takes place, Josselin Raymond proposes to broadcast in the city, the false information that the Emperor thinks hunt all the Latins and for that reason, we must attack it immediately to take him by surprise .

A riot broke out and returns to the palace Josselin, pretending to have miraculously escaped lynching. Jean realizes that events take a turn for the worse: his army is two miles from Antioch and his life is in danger . It just so the renewal of the oath of all Latin barons, then takes the path of return. While traveling to Constantinople, he fought the Seljuk Turks of Massoud who, once again, invaded the Byzantine territories and defeated in 1138. Finally, in late spring 1139 , the emperor returned to his palace after three years of war .

Relations with the Catholic Church

During the campaign of 1137 against Antioch, the claim of John is that the Patriarchate of Antioch is expressly given to the Orthodox clergy. It is also just one of the clauses of the Treaty of Devol. The fear of the Latin Patriarch of Antioch, Raoul Domfront (which is, again, in violent conflict with Raymond), referring to the Byzantine claims, led him to seek the support of Pope Innocent II. It issues a decree forbidding any cooperation of the Catholic Church in an action brought against the clergy of the city. Jean, uncertain of his position, rather procrastinate and endorsed as a first step the presence of a Latin patriarch in agreeing to be officially welcomed by Raoul Domfront.

However, in general, relations with the Papacy were relatively cordial. The threat of the common enemy, the Norman kingdom of Sicily , says this situation. After the schism of 1054 due to the excommunication of the patriarch Greek Cerularius Michel , several popes had tried to restore relations with the Byzantine Church. A letter written by the emperor to Pope Innocent II in April 1142 , shows how John II is to achieve unity between the two churches . In agreement with the emperor, the Byzantine theologians show a willingness to revisit the controversy with the Roman Church in a climate of openness and a spirit of reconciliation. The dialogue between the two Churches is also facilitated by the fact that Byzantium, due to its geographical position, became the hub of commerce and trade qu'entretiennent different states and regions of Europe and we can easily meet people who come from Russia , Venice, of Amalfi , and traders English , Genoese and French. The Christian faithful of the Roman rite as well as Greek, meet and interact without hostility and mutual respect. According to historians, the reign of John II is also characterized by the emergence of religious foundations.

The last campaign

In subsequent years, John is again mobilized by the Amir Ghazi danishmendide Mehmed III. The latter, in 1139 , invaded Cilicia and took the high fortress Vahki. He made an alliance with the Duke of Trebizond, Constantine Gabra, who visited autonomous vis--vis the imperial power. Between 1139 and 1140 , John pushes the Turks Bithynia and Paphlagonia Gabra and forced into submission. He laid siege to the fortress of Niksar. The desertion of his nephew John, son of his brother Isaac, who goes to the enemy, marries the daughter of Seljuk Sultan Masud and converted to Islam, deeply mark the emperor, who gave up the seat. Death in 1141 of Mehmed III Ghazi and divisions among his heirs allow John to return to its projects in Syria.

All profits from the campaign of 1137 are indeed lost. Zenghi, from the end of 1137, resumed Kafartab, Arrate Ma `al-Nu` man , and Biza Athareb. Raymond of Poitiers , Prince of Antioch, is proving completely unable to counter this offensive and is more concerned his conflict with the patriarch of Raoul Domfront. Jean then decides a new campaign for 1142. He assured his back again and renew his alliance with Holy Roman Emperor, Conrad III , who had succeeded Lothair III. This alliance, always directed against Roger II of Sicily , is concluded by a marriage between the sister of Conrad, Bertha of Sulzbach, and the youngest son of John, Manuel. Jean also ensures the neutrality of the Italian merchant cities, like Venice and Genoa .

John began his campaign in spring 1142 to rectify the situation in northern Syria. He is accompanied by his four son. Reached Attalia , his heir Alexis died of a fever jumping on August 2 . He orders his second son, Andronicus and third, Isaac, to bring their brother's remains to Constantinople and buried with dignity . He keeps his youngest son Manuel to him, because he plans to have her be a principality of Antioch around, Attalia and Cyprus. During the return trip, Andronicus died of the same disease that struck Alexis . When news happens to John, the pain is unbearable: it loses son in two days, including one he had trained to be his heir .

Despite the ordeal, John continues the campaign . Not to arouse the concern of the Crusaders, it excuse an expedition against the Turks danishmendides. He forced marches through Cilicia and laid siege to Turbessel, the second city in the county of Edessa. Count II of Courtenay, Josselin hastened to pay homage to the emperor, who then turned to Antioch. He demands the surrender of Raymond of the city and promises in exchange for helping to create a principality in territories taken to Muslims . Raymond is in a difficult situation, because if he tries to deliver the city to the emperor, his wife Constance dethrone with the help of his vassals, so the only way out is war. But the winter has arrived and John decided to return to Cilicia before resuming the offensive in the spring, the seat of Antioch can be long .

In March 1143 , during a routine hunt, the emperor was accidentally wounded by a poisoned arrow . The injury seems minor, but the infection spreads rapidly and gangrene sets. John works until the end with dignity and courage. He must prepare his succession. On 5 April 1143 , Sunday of Easter , he gathered his advisers at his bedside and informs them that his heir to the throne is not Isaac his third son, but her youngest Manual .

"Welcome so my son Manuel as Lord anointed by God as king by my decision. . "

He takes the crown of his head and places it on the head of Manuel . This choice is, it seems, by the low confidence that John possesses Isaac considered volatile and unreliable . But in the Comnenus dynasty, this is not the first time a younger son accesses the empire at the expense of an elder. Alexius ^I had an older brother and that he, also named Isaac, who had given way to the throne.

John died three days later. The faithful John Axouch hand quickly to Constantinople to secure the throne to face the Manual referred to Isaac, while the new emperor's army back across the Anatolia. Manuel holds the burial of his father . His body was taken to Constantinople and buried with his two son died in 1142.

Progeny

John II and Irene of Hungary he married in 1104 had eight children:

• Alexius Comnenus (1106-1142), co-emperor from 1122 until 1142 ;
• Mary, born in 1106 , sister of Alexis, who married Jean-Roger Dalassena ;
• Andronicus Comnenus died in 1142 ;
• Anne, who married Stephanos Kontostephanos;
• Isaac Comnenus (1113-1154);
• Theodora, who married Manuel Anemas;
• Eudoxia (Eudokia), who married Theodore Vatatzes;
• Manuel I ^Komnenos , Byzantine emperor from 1143 to 1180.

Preceded by	John II Comnenus	Followed by
Alexios I Komnenos	Byzantine Emperor 1118 - 1143	Manuel I Komnenos

Notes

References

Bibliography

• (En) Anne Comnenus , The Alexiad, Les Belles Lettres, Paris, 2006.
• Theodore Prodomus, Chronicle, XII ^century.
• Jean Cinnamus, Chronicle, XII ^century
• Nicetas Choniates , Grandeur and disaster Byzantium. XII ^century
• (En) Elisabeth Malamut, Alexius I Comnenus, Ellipses, 2007.
• (En) Steven Runciman , History of the Crusades, Tallandier Editions, 2006.
• (En) Jean-Claude Cheynet, The Byzantine Empire 641-1204, T2, PUF, 2006
• (En) Alain Ducey, Michael Kaplan, Bernadette Martin, Franoise Micheau, The Middle Ages in the East: Byzantium and Islam, the Ottomans Barbarians, Hachette higher in 2006.
• (En) Ostrogorsky Georg, History of the Byzantine Empire, Payot, reprint of 2007.

[ a href = "% C3% Jean_II_Comn A8ne & action = edit & section = 21" alt = "Edit section: See also"> edit] See also

• Domenico Michele , Doge of Venice

List of Roman Emperors of the West and East
Principate -27 To 235	Augustus Tiberius Caligula Claude Nero Galba Otho Vitellius Vespasian Titus Domitian Nerva Trajan Hadrian Antoninus Pius Marcus Aurelius (with Lucius Verus ) Dresser Pertinax Didius Julianus Septimius Severus Caracalla Geta Macrinus (with Diadumnien ) Elagabalus Severus Alexander
Crisis Third Century 235-284	Maximin the Thracian I. Gordian and Gordian II Maxime Pupien and Balbin Gordian III Philip the Arab Decius (with Herennius Etruscus ) Hostilianus Trebonianus Galle (with Volusien ) Emilien Valerian Gallien (with Salonin ) Claudius the Goth Quintillus Aurlien Tacitus Florien Probus Carus Carin Numerian
Dominate 284-395	Diocletian Maximian Constantius Galerius Severus Maxence Maximin Daia Licinius (with Valerius Valens and Martinien ) Constantine I Constantine II Constant I. Constantius II (with Vetranio ) Julian the Apostate Jovian Valentinian I Valens Gratien Valentinian II Theodosius I
Western Roman Empire 395-480	Honorius Constantius III Jean Valentinian III Petronius Maximus Eparchus Avitus Majorian Libius Severus Anthemius Olybrius Glycerius Julius Nepos Romulus Augustus
Eastern Roman Empire 395-1204	Arcadius Theodosius II Marcian Leo I. Leo II Zeno Basiliscus Anastasius I. Justin I. Justinian I Justin II Tiberius II Constantine Maurice I. Phocas Heraclius Constantine III Hraclonas Constant II Constantine IV Justinian II Leonce II Tiberius III Philippicos Anastasius II Theodosius III Leo III Constantine V Artabasde Leo IV Constantine VI Irene the Athenian Nicephorus I Staurakios Michael I Rhangab Leo V the Armenian Michael II Theophilus Michael III Basil I. Leo VI the Wise Alexander Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus Roman I. Lecapenus Romanus II Nicephorus II Phocas John I Tzimiskes Basil II and Constantine VIII Zoe of Byzantium with Romain Argyre III and Michael IV and V Michel and Constantine IX Theodora Porphyrogenitus Michael VI Isaac I. Constantine X Romanus IV Diogenes Michael VII Doukas Nicephorus III Botaniates Alexios I Komnenos John II Comnenus Manuel I Komnenos Alexius II Comnenus Andronicus I Comnenus Isaac II Angelus Alexis III Ange Alexis Angel IV Nicolas Kanabos Alexius V Doukas Mourzuphles
Eastern Roman Empire divided 1204 to 1261	Empire of Nicaea Constantine Lascaris I. Theodore Lascaris John III Doukas Vatatzes Theodore II Lascaris John IV Lascaris Latin Empire of Constantinople Baudouin I. Henry I Peter II of Courtenay Robert Courtenay Jean de Brienne Baldwin II of Courtenay
Eastern Roman Empire restored 1261 to 1453	Michael VIII Palaeologus Andronicus II Palaeologus Michael IX Palaeologus Andronicus III Palaeologus John V Palaeologus John VI Cantacuzino Mathieu Cantacuzino Andronicus IV Palaeologus John VII Palaeologus Manuel II Palaeologus Andronicus V Palaeologus John VIII Palaeologus Constantine XI Palaeologus
Ancient Rome series Byzantine World Series

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