Supervisors info:
Τριανταφυλλίτσα Μανιάτη-Κοκκίνη, Ομότιμη Καθηγήτρια, Φιλοσοφική Σχολή, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας
Αντωνία Κιουσοπούλου, Καθηγήτρια, Φιλοσοφική Σχολή, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας
Σοφία Μεργιαλή-Σαχά, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια, Φιλοσοφική Σχολή, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας
Summary:
The present thesis examines the relations that were established and developed between Byzantium and the Crusader States of Syria-Palestine in the period after the Second Crusade up until the battle of Hattin.
In the introduction, there is an overview of the bounds of the christian world and how they were affected in the 11th century. Concurrently, the primary sources that were used for the writing of the thesis are presented. In the first chapter, the changes of the papal ideology and the influence which it had in shaping the crusading movement are examined. Afterwards, the events of the First Crusade which led to the foundation of the latin states of the East, as well as the first frictions between the empire and the principality of Antioch are briefly mentioned.
The next chapter deals with the reign of John Comnenus and in particular with his two campaigns in Antioch in order to better understand the situation in which Manuel found himself when he took the reins of the empire. Within this context, the dealing of the Second Crusade on behalf of the new emperor is not omitted, since the failure of the Crusaders to either reclaim Edessa or capture Damascus was crucial.
Later on, the events that concern the relations between the empire and all the crusader states until 1163 are thoroughly and diligently examined. During this time period, the king of Jerusalem, Baldwin, clearly influenced by the conclusion of the Second Crusade and the strengthening of his muslim neighbors, tried to tighten the relations between his kingdom and Byzantium. For this reason, he, for the first time in the history of the kingdom, wed a byzantine woman. For his part, Manuel, after proving his might in Antioch, was content with recognizing the suzerainty of Baldwin amongst the other latin states. Furthermore, he formalized the excellent relations of Byzantium-Jerusalem by choosing a bride from Antioch.
Right after the death of Baldwin, his brother and heir, Amalrich, tried to change the policy of his predecessor, but to no avail. Byzantium and Jerusalem undertook a joint campaign in Egypt, while in 1171, Amalrich recognized the overlordship of Manuel. His heir, Baldwin IV, continued the cooperation with Byzantium but the plans for a new campaign in Egypt were never made a reality. The death of Manuel in 1180 and, even more so, the ascent of Andronicus to the imperial throne in 1182 marked the end of the cooperation. The Byzantines allied with Saladin, who in 1187 dealt a death blow to the crusader states.
It becomes clear that Manuel was instrumental in bringing together the two sides and that his death was decisive in making the breach that followed.
Keywords:
Byzantine History, Byzantium, Crusades, Crusader States, Medieval Ages
