Why did Alexios I Komnenos call for aid in 1095? (Ep.3: Normans and Pechenegs)

The myriad threats to the Byzantine Empire’s stability and security in the late eleventh century didn’t only come from the east. In this episode, Professor Jonathan Harris (Royal Holloway University of London) explores the crises thrown up by the Normans’ conquest of southern Italy and the Pechenegs’ activities in the Balkans.

This episode is the third 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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