Constantine Doukas
Encyclopedia
Constantine Doukas or Ducas , (c. 1074–c. 1095) was Byzantine
co-emperor from c. 1074 to 1078 and from 1081 to 1087. He was the son of Emperor Michael VII
Doukas and his Georgian
wife Maria of Alania.
Constantine was porphyrogennētos, i.e., Born in the purple
, and was associated on the throne by his father soon after his birth. He was quickly involved in imperial diplomacy, as the infant was betrothed to Olympias of Apulia, renamed Helena, the daughter of the Norman
leader Robert Guiscard
and Sikelgaita
. After his father was forced to abdicated in 1078, Constantine's mother Maria married the new Emperor Nikephoros III
Botaneiates, but failed in convincing him to recognize the imperial status and succession rights of her son. Constantine's demotion also involved the breaking off of the engagement to the daughter of Robert Guiscard, who used this as pretext to commence military action against the Byzantine Empire.
After the fall of Botaneites in 1081, Maria's intimacy (of whatever nature) with his successor Alexios I Komnenos
and the latter's policy of alliance with the Doukas
family brought about Constantine's restoration as co-emperor. His signature was appended to all official documents issued by Alexios, and he accompanied the emperor on public occasions. When Anna Komnene, the first child of Alexios I and Irene Doukaina
was born, she was promptly betrothed to Constantine, which confirmed his positions as heir. At Maria's request, a noted philosopher Theophylaktos of Ohrid
wrote a special treatise for the young prince’s education.
However, Constantine's position was undermined by his weak constitution and, more immediately, by the birth of a son (the future John II Komnenos
) to Alexios I in 1087. Although now deprived of his status as co-emperor and imperial heir, Constantine retained the emperor's favor and remained on good terms with him. Maria was forced to retire to a monastery. During Alexios' campaign against the Serbia
ns in 1094 Constantine dined and entertained the emperor at his own expense. Later he refused to participate in a rebellion against Alexios. Constantine apparently died in c. 1095.
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
co-emperor from c. 1074 to 1078 and from 1081 to 1087. He was the son of Emperor Michael VII
Michael VII
Michael VII Doukas or Ducas , nicknamed Parapinakēs , was Byzantine emperor from 1071 to 1078.- Life :...
Doukas and his Georgian
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
wife Maria of Alania.
Constantine was porphyrogennētos, i.e., Born in the purple
Born in the purple
Traditionally, born in the purple was a term used to describe members of royal families although the term was later expanded to include all children born of prominent or high ranking parents. The parents must be prominent at the time of the child's birth so that the child is always in the spotlight...
, and was associated on the throne by his father soon after his birth. He was quickly involved in imperial diplomacy, as the infant was betrothed to Olympias of Apulia, renamed Helena, the daughter of the Norman
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...
leader Robert Guiscard
Robert Guiscard
Robert d'Hauteville, known as Guiscard, Duke of Apulia and Calabria, from Latin Viscardus and Old French Viscart, often rendered the Resourceful, the Cunning, the Wily, the Fox, or the Weasel was a Norman adventurer conspicuous in the conquest of southern Italy and Sicily...
and Sikelgaita
Sikelgaita
Sikelgaita was a Lombard princess, the daughter of Guaimar IV, Prince of Salerno, and second wife of Robert Guiscard, Duke of Apulia....
. After his father was forced to abdicated in 1078, Constantine's mother Maria married the new Emperor 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 :...
Botaneiates, but failed in convincing him to recognize the imperial status and succession rights of her son. Constantine's demotion also involved the breaking off of the engagement to the daughter of Robert Guiscard, who used this as pretext to commence military action against the Byzantine Empire.
After the fall of Botaneites in 1081, Maria's intimacy (of whatever nature) with his successor 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,...
and the latter's policy of alliance with the Doukas
Doukas
Doukas, latinized as Ducas , from the Latin tile dux , is the name of a Byzantine Greek noble family, whose branches provided several notable generals and rulers to the Byzantine Empire...
family brought about Constantine's restoration as co-emperor. His signature was appended to all official documents issued by Alexios, and he accompanied the emperor on public occasions. When Anna Komnene, the first child of Alexios I and Irene Doukaina
Irene Doukaina
Irene Doukaina or Ducaena was the wife of the Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos, and the mother of the emperor John II Komnenos and of the historian Anna Komnene.-Succession of Alexios and Irene:...
was born, she was promptly betrothed to Constantine, which confirmed his positions as heir. At Maria's request, a noted philosopher Theophylaktos of Ohrid
Theophylact of Bulgaria
Theophylact of Ohrid was a Greek archbishop of Ohrid and commentator on the Bible.-Life:...
wrote a special treatise for the young prince’s education.
However, Constantine's position was undermined by his weak constitution and, more immediately, by the birth of a son (the future 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 Alexios I in 1087. Although now deprived of his status as co-emperor and imperial heir, Constantine retained the emperor's favor and remained on good terms with him. Maria was forced to retire to a monastery. During Alexios' campaign against the Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
ns in 1094 Constantine dined and entertained the emperor at his own expense. Later he refused to participate in a rebellion against Alexios. Constantine apparently died in c. 1095.