Damian Dalassenos (duke of Antioch)
Encyclopedia
Damian Dalassenos (died 998) was a Byzantine
aristocrat and general, who served as the doux
of Antioch
in 995/6–998.
Damian is the first attested member of the distinguished Dalassenos
clan. As a holder of the high title of magistros, he succeeded the disgraced Michael Bourtzes
as governor of Antioch in 995/996. This post was one of the most important military positions in the Byzantine Empire, as its holder commanded the forces arrayed against the Fatimid Caliphate and the semi-autonomous rulers of Syria
. Damian was engaged in operations against the amir Nazzal of Tripoli
, and forced him to agree to terms. Soon however Nazzan was overthrown by the city's populace, forcing Dalassenos to resume operations along the northern Syrian coast. In June/July 998, he marched his troops to Apamea
to seize the city after a catastrophic fire. There he was killed while pursuing a force of Bedouin
s, and was succeeded as doux by Nikephoros Ouranos
.
Damian Dalassenos had at least three sons:
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...
aristocrat and general, who served as the doux
Dux
Dux is Latin for leader and later for Duke and its variant forms ....
of Antioch
Antioch
Antioch on the Orontes was an ancient city on the eastern side of the Orontes River. It is near the modern city of Antakya, Turkey.Founded near the end of the 4th century BC by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals, Antioch eventually rivaled Alexandria as the chief city of the...
in 995/6–998.
Damian is the first attested member of the distinguished Dalassenos
Dalassenos
Dalassenos , feminine form Dalassene or Dalassena , was a Byzantine aristocratic family prominent in the 11th century.- Origins and rise to prominence :...
clan. As a holder of the high title of magistros, he succeeded the disgraced Michael Bourtzes
Michael Bourtzes
Michael Bourtzes was a leading Byzantine general of the latter 10th century. He became notable for his capture of Antioch in 969, but fell into disgrace by the Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas . Resentful at the slight, Bourtzes joined forces with the conspirators who assassinated Phokas a few weeks...
as governor of Antioch in 995/996. This post was one of the most important military positions in the Byzantine Empire, as its holder commanded the forces arrayed against the Fatimid Caliphate and the semi-autonomous rulers of Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
. Damian was engaged in operations against the amir Nazzal 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...
, and forced him to agree to terms. Soon however Nazzan was overthrown by the city's populace, forcing Dalassenos to resume operations along the northern Syrian coast. In June/July 998, he marched his troops to Apamea
Apamea (Syria)
Apamea was a treasure city and stud-depot of the Seleucid kings, was capital of Apamene, on the right bank of the Orontes River. . Its site is found about to the northwest of Hama, Syria, overlooking the Ghab valley...
to seize the city after a catastrophic fire. There he was killed while pursuing a force of Bedouin
Bedouin
The Bedouin are a part of a predominantly desert-dwelling Arab ethnic group traditionally divided into tribes or clans, known in Arabic as ..-Etymology:...
s, and was succeeded as doux by Nikephoros Ouranos
Nikephoros Ouranos
Nikephoros Ouranos was a high-ranking Byzantine official and general during the reign of Emperor Basil II. One of the emperor's closest associates, he was active in Europe in the wars against the Bulgarians, scoring a major victory at Spercheios, and against the Arabs in Syria, where he held...
.
Damian Dalassenos had at least three sons:
- Constantine DalassenosConstantine Dalassenos (duke of Antioch)Constantine Dalassenos was a prominent Byzantine aristocrat and general of the first half of the 11th century. An experienced as well as popular general, he twice came close to ascending the imperial throne and marriage to the porphyrogenita empress Zoe, and suffered a long period of imprisonment...
, doux of Antioch in 1025 and a favourite of Emperor Constantine VIIIConstantine VIIIConstantine VIII was reigning Byzantine emperor from December 15, 1025 until his death. He was the son of the Emperor Romanos II and Theophano, and the younger brother of the eminent Basil II, who died childless and thus left the rule of the Byzantine Empire in his hands.-Family:As...
(r. 1025–1028). - Theophylaktos Dalassenos, also a doux of Antioch.
- Romanos Dalassenos, katepanoKatepanoThe katepánō was a senior Byzantine military rank and office. The word was Latinized as capetanus/catepan, and its meaning seems to have merged with that of the Italian "capitaneus"...
of Iberia. - a further child was the parent of Adrianos Dalassenos, the maternal grandfather of Anna Dalassene, the mother of Alexios I KomnenosAlexios I KomnenosAlexios 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).