X-Nico

unusual facts about Manuel I Comnenus



Michael Glycas

A poem of some 15-syllable verses, written in 1158/1159 during his imprisonment on a charge of slandering a neighbor and containing an appeal to the emperor Manuel I, is extant, and is commonly regarded as the first dated work of Modern Greek literature, since it contains several vernacular proverbs.

Vatatzes

In 1047, a John Vatatzes joined the revolt of Leo Tornikios, but in the 12th century they rose to high offices: Theodore Vatatzes was named despotes by Emperor Manuel I, and his son John Komnenos Vatatzes became megas domestikos (commander-in-chief of the Byzantine army).

William I of Sicily

The barons, always chafing against the royal power, were encouraged to revolt by Pope Adrian IV, whose recognition William had not yet sought, by the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Comnenus, and by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I.


see also