The Komnene Dynasty: Byzantium's Struggle for Survival, 1057 - 1185

by John Carr

The 128-year dynasty of the Komneni (1057 to 1185) was the last great epoch of Byzantium, when the empire had to fend off Turkish and Norman foes simultaneously. Starting with the extremely able Alexios I, and unable now to count on help from the West, the Komneni played their strategic cards very well. Though the dynasty ended in cruelty and incompetence under Andronikos I (the Terrible), it fought a valiant rear-guard action in keeping eastern Christendom alive.

The Komnene dynasty saw several changes in Byzantine military practice, such as the adoption of heavy cavalry on the western model, the extensive use of foreign mercenaries and the neglect of the navy (both of which were to prove a huge and possibly fatal disadvantage). A chapter is devoted to the famous Varangian Guard, which included many Saxons in exile following the Norman conquest of England. The terrible defeat at Myriokephalon in 1176 sealed the doom of the dynasty, preparing the way for the conquest of Constantinople by the Fourth Crusaders.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

230 pages, Hardcover

First published October 9, 2018

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.

John Carr has enjoyed a career as a journalist, correspondent and broadcaster (The Times, Wall Street Journal Europe, Vatican Radio), mainly in the Mediterranean and particularly Greece, where he now resides. He is the author of On Spartan Wings: The Royal Hellenic Air Force in World War II; Spartas Kings; The Defence and Fall of Greece 1940-41; RHNS Averof and Fighting Emperors of Byzantium, all published by Pen & Sword.

See also:
John Carr, English barrister and travel author
John Carr, schoolmaster
John Carr, reverend
John Carr, travel author
John Carr, pioneer
John Carr, Newton's principia
John Carr, theology professor
John Carr, veterinarian

Reviews

[Truls Ljungström · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denna var en fantastisk historisk krönika, av samma karaktär som Hopkirks "the great game". Både personporträtt och geografi och yttre omständigheter görs rättvisa. Jag kan inte annat än rekommednera andra historienördar att läsa den.

[G Liguori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book that is good on its main purpose but, in my opinion, fails when it comes to the first crusade and his assessment of the Normans, specifically Robert Guiscard and Bohemond of Taranto. A pity. A strong positive is that the book doesn't have footnotes or an excessive use of Latin. The downside, is that there is no way of checking elements that differ from other tellings of the same history.

[Aubri De baudricourt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typos and a large error in the last generation of the Komnenos family tree mar what would otherwise have been a pretty decent book.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Byzantine Resurgence

Fascinating historical figures that kept the Empire going with enemies on all sides. I thoroughly enjoyed the writer’s story telling abilities.

[Rusty del Norte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some decent information. Nothing in-depth. Goes through the Komnene dynasty based on written accounts of the time with no critical analysis.