Why did Alexios I Komnenos call for aid in 1095? (Ep.5: Komnenian Reforms)

Author: Teach Medieval
Published: Mon 14 Nov 2022
Episode Link: https://shows.acast.com/teach-medieval/episodes/the-crusades-the-byzantine-empire-by-1095-ep5-how-successful

The accession of Alexios I Komnenos in 1081 heralded the dawn of what has widely come to be seen as one of the high points of Byzantine history. In this episode, Professor Jonathan Harris (Royal Holloway University of London) discusses the actions Alexios took to deal with the empire’s myriad threats and assesses the degree to which he succeeded in dealing with them.

This episode is the fifth 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)