John Rogerios Dalassenos
Encyclopedia
John Roger or Rogerios also known as John Dalassenos (Ιωάννης Δαλασσηνός), was a Byzantine
aristocrat, son-in-law of Emperor John II Komnenos
(r. 1118–1143) and Caesar
. In 1143, he unsuccessfully conspired to seize the throne.
, a Norman
who defected to Byzantium during the Byzantine–Norman wars and entered imperial service, and of an unnamed lady of the Dalassenos
clan. John himself evidently preferred to use the more prestigious surname of his mother's family, which is found on his seal, but historians, from John Kinnamos
to modern scholars, most often use his Norman patronymic.
Through his Dalassenoi blood, Roger was already a relative of the ruling Komnenos
dynasty, and this link was reinforced when he married John II's eldest daughter Maria and was raised to the rank of Caesar
. His life is otherwise obscure until 1143, when, on the death of John II, he plotted to usurp the throne from Manuel I Komnenos
(r. 1143–1180). He enjoyed some support within the nobility, above all among the various Normans in the imperial capital, most prominent of whom was the exiled Prince of Capua, Robert II
. His wife however, loyal to her brother, reported the conspiracy, whereupon John was tricked to leave the capital and taken prisoner.
He was soon forgiven and restored to his position, at about the time Maria died in ca. 1146, as he is recorded as participating in a synod at the Blachernae Palace in February 1147. In 1152, he is recorded as a governor at Strumica
in the upper Vardar river valley. In the same year, he was sent to Antioch
as an imperial candidate for the hand of the widow of Raymond of Antioch
and regent of the Principality of Antioch
, Constance
. Despite his lofty title and Norman ancestry, Constance found him too old and unattractive, and rejected him in favour of Reynald of Châtillon.
John returned to the Empire and retired to a monastery, where he died at an unknown date (possibly after 1166).
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, son-in-law of Emperor 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...
(r. 1118–1143) and Caesar
Caesar (title)
Caesar is a title of imperial character. It derives from the cognomen of Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator...
. In 1143, he unsuccessfully conspired to seize the throne.
Life
John was the son of a certain RogerRoger (son of Dagobert)
Roger, the son of Dagobert , was a Norman magnate who deserted to the Byzantine Empire where he entered the service of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos . He is the founder of the noble Byzantine family of Rogerios.- Life :...
, a 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...
who defected to Byzantium during the Byzantine–Norman wars and entered imperial service, and of an unnamed lady of the Dalassenos
Dalassenos
Dalassenos , feminine form Dalassene or Dalassena , was a Byzantine aristocratic family prominent in the 11th century.- Origins and rise to prominence :...
clan. John himself evidently preferred to use the more prestigious surname of his mother's family, which is found on his seal, but historians, from John Kinnamos
John Kinnamos
Joannes Kinnamos or John Cinnamus was a Greek historian. He was imperial secretary to Emperor Manuel I , whom he accompanied on his campaigns in Europe and Asia Minor...
to modern scholars, most often use his Norman patronymic.
Through his Dalassenoi blood, Roger was already a relative of the ruling Komnenos
Komnenos
Komnenós or Comnenus was the name of a ruling family of the Eastern Roman Empire , who halted the political decline of the Empire from c.1081 to c.1185.-Origins:...
dynasty, and this link was reinforced when he married John II's eldest daughter Maria and was raised to the rank of Caesar
Caesar (title)
Caesar is a title of imperial character. It derives from the cognomen of Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator...
. His life is otherwise obscure until 1143, when, on the death of John II, he plotted to usurp the throne from Manuel I Komnenos
Manuel I Komnenos
Manuel I Komnenos was a Byzantine Emperor of the 12th century who reigned over a crucial turning point in the history of Byzantium and the Mediterranean....
(r. 1143–1180). He enjoyed some support within the nobility, above all among the various Normans in the imperial capital, most prominent of whom was the exiled Prince of Capua, Robert II
Robert II of Capua
Robert II was the count of Aversa and the prince of Capua from 1127 until his death .He was the only son and successor of Jordan II of Capua...
. His wife however, loyal to her brother, reported the conspiracy, whereupon John was tricked to leave the capital and taken prisoner.
He was soon forgiven and restored to his position, at about the time Maria died in ca. 1146, as he is recorded as participating in a synod at the Blachernae Palace in February 1147. In 1152, he is recorded as a governor at Strumica
Strumica
Strumica is the largest city in eastern Macedonia, near the Novo Selo-Petrich border crossing with Bulgaria. About 100,000 people live in the region surrounding the city. The city is named after the Strumica River which runs through it...
in the upper Vardar river valley. In the same year, he was sent to 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...
as an imperial candidate for the hand of the widow of Raymond of Antioch
Raymond of Antioch
Raymond of Poitiers was Prince of Antioch 1136–1149. He was the younger son of William IX, Duke of Aquitaine and his wife Philippa, Countess of Toulouse, born in the very year that his father the Duke began his infamous liaison with Dangereuse de Chatelherault.-Assumes control:Following the...
and regent of the Principality of Antioch
Principality of Antioch
The Principality of Antioch, including parts of modern-day Turkey and Syria, was one of the crusader states created during the First Crusade.-Foundation:...
, Constance
Constance of Antioch
Constance of Antioch was the only daughter of Bohemund II of Antioch by his wife Alice, princess of Jerusalem. She was also Princess regnant of the Principality of Antioch from 1130 to her death.-Early life:...
. Despite his lofty title and Norman ancestry, Constance found him too old and unattractive, and rejected him in favour of Reynald of Châtillon.
John returned to the Empire and retired to a monastery, where he died at an unknown date (possibly after 1166).
Family
By his marriage with Maria, John had four children:- Andronikos Komnenos (died 1191)
- Alexios Komnenos
- Anna Komnene, who married the general Alexios Petraliphas
- Theodora Komnene (unascertained), who married John Kontostephanos, brother of the megas douxMegas DouxThe megas doux was one of the highest positions in the hierarchy of the later Byzantine Empire, denoting the commander-in-chief of the Byzantine navy. It is sometimes also given by the half-Latinizations megaduke or megadux...
Andronikos KontostephanosAndronikos KontostephanosAndronikos Kontostephanos, Latinized Andronicus Contostephanus was a major figure in the Byzantine Empire during the reign of Manuel I Komnenos; he was a general, admiral, politician and a leading aristocrat...