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Alexios I Komnenos is crowned Byzantine emperor

Alexios I Komnenos, Latinized as Alexius I Comnenus, was Byzantine emperor from 1081 to 1118.

Alexios I Komnenos, Latinized as Alexius I Comnenus, was Byzantine emperor from 1081 to 1118. After usurping the throne he was faced with a collapsing empire and constant warfare throughout his reign. Alexios was able to curb the Byzantine decline and begin the military, financial, and territorial recovery known as the Komnenian restoration. His appeals to Western Europe for help against the Seljuk Turks were the catalyst that sparked the First Crusade. Although he was not the first emperor of the Komnenian dynasty, it was during his reign that the Komnenos family came to full power and initiated a hereditary succession to the throne.

The son of John Komnenos and a nephew of Isaac I Komnenos, Alexios served with distinction under three Byzantine emperors.

Historical Significance

Alexios I Komnenos, Latinized as Alexius I Comnenus, was Byzantine emperor from 1081 to 1118.

Events Before

  1. The first Parliament of Friuli is created

    The first Parliament of Friuli is created

  2. Persian polymath Omar Khayyam completes the Jalali calendar, a solar calendar with a precise 33-year intercalation cycle

    Persian polymath Omar Khayyam completes the Jalali calendar, a solar calendar with a precise 33-year intercalation cycle and the basis for the Persian calendar still in use today

  3. Iran adopts the Solar Hijri calendar

    The Jalali calendar, also referred to as Malikshahi and Maliki, is a solar calendar compiled during the reign of Jalaluddin Malik-Shah I, the Sultan of the Seljuk Empire (1072–1092 CE), by the order...

  4. Bishop Stanislaus of Kraków is executed by order of Bolesław II of Poland

    Stanislaus of Szczepanów (Polish: Stanisław ze Szczepanowa; 26 July 1030 – 11 April 1079) was a Polish Catholic prelate who served as Bishop of Kraków and was martyred by the Polish King Bolesław II...

  5. Wibbert of Ravenna chosen as anti-pope Clement III

    Wibbert of Ravenna chosen as anti-pope Clement III

Events After

  1. Battle at Mailberg: Vratislav II of Bohemia defeats Leopold II, Margrave of Austria

    Leopold II (1050 – 12 October 1095), known as Leopold the Fair (German: Luitpold der Schöne), a member of the House of Babenberg, was Margrave of Austria from 1075 until his death in 1095.

  2. Ramon Berenguer II, Count of Barcelona is assassinated

    Ramon Berenguer II the Towhead or Cap de estopes (1053 or 1054 – December 5, 1082) was Count of Barcelona from 1076 until his death.

  3. Anti-pope Clement crowns German King Hendrik IV as Holy Roman Emperor

    Anti-pope Clement crowns German King Hendrik IV as Holy Roman Emperor

  4. Alfonso VI of León and Castile captures the Muslim taifa of Toledo

    Alfonso VI of León and Castile captures the Muslim taifa of Toledo

  5. San Marcos ministry in Venice initiated

    San Marcos ministry in Venice initiated

More from the 1080s

Results of the Domesday inquiry are presented to William the Conqueror in Salisbury (the date of compilation and the Gre

Results of the Domesday inquiry are presented to William the Conqueror in Salisbury (the date of compilation and the Great Domesday are historically contestable)

Odo of Lagery is elected as Pope Urban II, succeeding Victor III

Pope Urban II (Latin: Urbanus II; c. 1035 – 29 July 1099), otherwise known as Odo of Châtillon or Otho de Lagery, was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 12 March 1088...

Anti-pope Clement crowns German King Hendrik IV as Holy Roman Emperor

Anti-pope Clement crowns German King Hendrik IV as Holy Roman Emperor

Battle at Mailberg: Vratislav II of Bohemia defeats Leopold II, Margrave of Austria

Leopold II (1050 – 12 October 1095), known as Leopold the Fair (German: Luitpold der Schöne), a member of the House of Babenberg, was Margrave of Austria from 1075 until his death in 1095.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on April 4, 1081?
Alexios I Komnenos, Latinized as Alexius I Comnenus, was Byzantine emperor from 1081 to 1118. After usurping the throne he was faced with a collapsing empire and constant warfare throughout his reign. Alexios was able to curb the Byzantine decline and begin the military, financial, and territorial recovery known as the Komnenian restoration.
Why is Alexios I Komnenos is crowned Byzantine emperor significant?
Alexios I Komnenos, Latinized as Alexius I Comnenus, was Byzantine emperor from 1081 to 1118.

Explore More

April 4 in HistoryYear 1081