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Georgia Southern University

Exonerating Manuel I Komnenos: Byzantine Foreign Policy (1143-1180)

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>Manuel I of Byzantium (1143-80) has been unfairly judged as misguided, reckless, and, ultimately, as a failure. This work endeavors to refute the claims that Manuel's imperial policy lacked any coherent strategy, and that Byzantium simply reacted to external stimuli. The most ambitious aim of this thesis is to present a cogent analysis of Manuel's imperial policy to demonstrate the emperor's efficacy and strategic flexibility. The perception, generally accepted by historians, that Manuel left his empire exhausted and vulnerable to outside aggression is also seriously challenged. Regardless of Manuel's defeat at Myriokephalon in 1176, he could claim that the empire was stronger than it had been in over a century.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts in History (M.A.)
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis (open access)
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Department of History
Year dc:date.available
2012

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Gentry, Darryl Keith, II
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Kathleen M. Comerford
  • Michael J. Decker

Subjects

dc:subject × 7

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/22
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu:etd-1021

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Georgia Southern University
Base URL
digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Gentry, Darryl Keith, II. Exonerating Manuel I Komnenos: Byzantine Foreign Policy (1143-1180). Thesis (open access) thesis, 2012. https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/22