Why did Alexios I Komnenos call for aid in 1095? (Ep.2: Civil War)

The Byzantine defeat at the Battle of Manzikert led to ten years of civil war as the Byzantine elites fought amongst themselves whilst the victorious Seljuks seized more and more of Anatolia for themselves. In this episode, Professor Jonathan Harris (Royal Holloway University of London) explores the economic and political fallout from the battle and considers the degree to which the Byzantines themselves can be blamed for the extent of the losses.

This episode is the second in a mini-series of five. The complete mini-series includes:

Ep.1: What happened at the Battle of Manzikert?

Ep.2: What were the internal consequences of the defeat at Manzikert?

Ep.3: What western threats did the Byzantine Empire face?

Ep.4: What eastern threats did the Byzantine Empire face?

Ep.5: How successful was Alexios I Komnenos in stabilising the Byzantine Empire up to 1095?

This mini-series is based on:

Byzantium and the Crusades (Third Edition)

Other recommended works by Professor Jonathan Harris:

Introduction to Byzantium 602-1453

The Lost World of Byzantium

Constantinople: Capital of Byzantium (Second Edition)

Further reading:

Andrew Jotischky: Crusading and the Crusader States (2nd Ed.)

Jonathan Phillips: The Crusades 1095-1204

Jonathan Riley-Smith: The Crusades: A History

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Music by Aroshanti.

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