1087–1143 · Byzantine emperor (1118–1143)
John II Komnenos
Son of Alexios I and Byzantine emperor; in 1137–1138 he recovered Cilicia, forced the prince of Antioch to swear allegiance and besieged Shaizar together with the Latins.
BIOGRAPHICAL DOSSIER
Life and historical role
Life and political setting
John II became emperor in 1118 on the death of his father Alexios I Komnenos. He survived his sister Anna Komnene's attempt on the throne and campaigned successfully against the Pechenegs, the Hungarians and the Turks in Anatolia. Byzantine sources praise his character and piety.
Role in the Crusades
In 1137 he took Armenian Cilicia and besieged Antioch; Prince Raymond of Poitiers was forced to swear allegiance to the emperor. In 1138 Latin and Byzantine forces jointly besieged Shaizar, but the Latin leaders' reluctance left the siege inconclusive. The emperor entered Antioch in ceremony but left after unrest in the city.
Historical significance and source problems
While preparing a new Syrian campaign in 1142, John was wounded in a hunting accident in Cilicia and died in April 1143. His policy of turning Byzantium's claim to Antioch into real political power was continued by his son Manuel. Kinnamos, Choniates and William of Tyre are the main sources.
Biographical information is linked to the sources shown on the page and to the connected event records. Disputed dates are given as approximate, gaps are not filled by conjecture, and later literary or visual depictions are not treated as contemporary portraits.