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Former Byzantine Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes blinded by rivals and exiled

Romanos IV Diogenes was Byzantine emperor from 1068 to 1071. Determined to halt the decline of the Byzantine military and to stop Turkish incursions into the empire, he is nevertheless best known for...

Romanos IV Diogenes was Byzantine emperor from 1068 to 1071. Determined to halt the decline of the Byzantine military and to stop Turkish incursions into the empire, he is nevertheless best known for his defeat and capture in 1071 at the Battle of Manzikert, which played a major role in undermining Byzantine authority in Anatolia and allowed for its gradual Turkification.

Son of the general Constantine Diogenes and a prominent member of the Cappadocian Greek military aristocracy, Romanos rose to fame as a successful Akritai commander, serving in Syria and on the Danubian frontier. In 1068, he was crowned Byzantine emperor following his marriage to the dowager empress Eudokia Makrembolitissa.

Historical Significance

Romanos IV Diogenes was Byzantine emperor from 1068 to 1071.

Events Before

  1. Roquefort cheese created in a cave near Roquefort, France

    Roquefort cheese created in a cave near Roquefort, France

  2. Arnulf III the Hapless becomes Earl of Flanders

    Arnulf III the Hapless becomes Earl of Flanders

  3. Battle of Cassel; Robert I the Frisian defeats Arnulf III/I

    Robert I (1035 – 13 October 1093), known as Robert the Frisian, was count of Flanders from 1071 until his death in 1093.

  4. Bari falls to Robert Guiscard's Norman forces, ending Byzantine rule in Italy

    Bari falls to Robert Guiscard's Norman forces, ending Byzantine rule in Italy

  5. Battle of Manzikert: Seljuq Turks led by sultan Alp Arslan beat and capture Byzantine Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes

    Battle of Manzikert: Seljuq Turks led by sultan Alp Arslan beat and capture Byzantine Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes

Events After

  1. Pope Alexander II buried and Cardinal Hildebrand is chosen as Pope Gregory VII

    Pope Alexander II buried and Cardinal Hildebrand is chosen as Pope Gregory VII

  2. Battle of Montesarchio: Prince of Benevento, Pandulf IV killed battling the encroaching Normans in southern Italy

    Battle of Montesarchio: Prince of Benevento, Pandulf IV killed battling the encroaching Normans in southern Italy

  3. Dmitar Zvonimir is crowned king of Croatia

    Demetrius Zvonimir (Croatian: Dmitar Zvonimir, pronounced [dmîtar zʋônimiːr]; Old Church Slavic: ⰸⱏⰲⱏⱀⰻⰿⰻⱃⱏ; died 1089) was a King of Croatia and Dalmatia from 1075 or 1076 until his death in 1089.

  4. Pope Gregory VII excommunicates Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV for the first time

    Henry IV (German: Heinrich IV; 11 November 1050 – 7 August 1106) was Holy Roman Emperor from 1084 to 1105, King of Germany from 1054 to 1105, and King of Italy and Burgundy from 1056 to 1105.

  5. The first Parliament of Friuli is created

    The first Parliament of Friuli is created

More from the 1070s

Pope Gregory VII excommunicates Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV for the first time

Henry IV (German: Heinrich IV; 11 November 1050 – 7 August 1106) was Holy Roman Emperor from 1084 to 1105, King of Germany from 1054 to 1105, and King of Italy and Burgundy from 1056 to 1105.

Robert Guiscard's Norman force conquers Palermo

The Siege of Palermo was carried out by the Normans under the command of Robert Guiscard and Roger of Hauteville against the Muslim-held city of Palermo.

Battle of Montesarchio: Prince of Benevento, Pandulf IV killed battling the encroaching Normans in southern Italy

Battle of Montesarchio: Prince of Benevento, Pandulf IV killed battling the encroaching Normans in southern Italy

Battle of Cassel; Robert I the Frisian defeats Arnulf III/I

Robert I (1035 – 13 October 1093), known as Robert the Frisian, was count of Flanders from 1071 until his death in 1093.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on June 29, 1072?
Romanos IV Diogenes was Byzantine emperor from 1068 to 1071. Determined to halt the decline of the Byzantine military and to stop Turkish incursions into the empire, he is nevertheless best known for his defeat and capture in 1071 at the Battle of Manzikert, which played a major role in undermining Byzantine authority in Anatolia and allowed for its gradual Turkification. Son of the general Constantine Diogenes and a prominent member of the Cappadocian Greek military aristocracy, Romanos rose to fame as a successful Akritai commander, serving in Syria and on the Danubian frontier.
Why is Former Byzantine Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes blinded by rivals and exiled significant?
Romanos IV Diogenes was Byzantine emperor from 1068 to 1071.

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June 29 in HistoryYear 1072