Some Thoughts on the Military Capabilities of Alexios I Komnenos : Battles of Dyrrachion (1081) and Dristra (1087)

MEŠKO, Marek. Some Thoughts on the Military Capabilities of Alexios I Komnenos : Battles of Dyrrachion (1081) and Dristra (1087). Graeco-Latina Brunensia. Brno: Masarykova Univerzita, 2019, vol. 24, No 2, p. 143-161. ISSN 1803-7402. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.5817/GLB2019-2-10.

Basic information

• Original name: Some Thoughts on the Military Capabilities of Alexios I Komnenos : Battles of Dyrrachion (1081) and Dristra (1087)
• Name in Czech: Zamyšlení nad vojenskými schopnostmi Alexia I. Komnéna : bitvy u Dyrrachia (1081) a Dristry (1087)
• Authors: MEŠKO, Marek (703 Slovakia, guarantor, belonging to the institution).
• Edition: Graeco-Latina Brunensia, Brno, Masarykova Univerzita, 2019, 1803-7402.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Article in a journal
• Field of Study: 60101 History
• Country of publisher: Czech Republic
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: URL
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14210/19:00112436
• Organization unit: Faculty of Arts
• Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5817/GLB2019-2-10
• Keywords (in Czech): Byzantská říše; Alexios Komnénos; armáda; bitvy; středověké vojenství
• Keywords in English: Byzantine Empire; Alexios Komnenos; military; battles; medieval warfare
• Tags: rivok
• Tags: International impact, Reviewed

Abstract

Alexios I Komnenos belongs to the most important emperors of the Byzantine history. Yet, in many respects, this period still remains an underdeveloped field of study. This paper attempts to review one of the aspects of his reign, namely his capabilities as a military commander since he owed much of his success in restoring the fortunes of Byzantium to his strong military background. In order to succeed in the final evaluation, most of the relevant military events during Alexios Komnenos’ life and career in which he took personal part will be briefly reviewed and taken into consideration. Particular cases where Alexios Komnenos was allegedly responsible for a serious military defeat will be discussed in more detail (e.g. battle of Dyrrachion in 1081 and battle of Dristra in 1087) in order to assess whether it was solely Alexios Komnenos’ responsibility, or whether the causes of defeat were not result of his faulty decision-making as a military commander.

Links

• MUNI/A/1269/2018, interní kód MU: Name: Výzkum starověkých jazyků mediteránního prostoru, jejich písemnictví a příslušných kultur, včetně jejich recepce – 2019 (Acronym: Staré jazyky a kultury)

Investor: Masaryk University, Category A