Byzantine Relations (Before 1054-1148) Flashcards
Before 1054 – Cultural and Religious Divisions
Very Important
Long-standing tensions over language, culture, and theology (e.g., Filioque) created deep mistrust. Both sides viewed each other as heretical. Limitation: No open warfare; diplomacy and intermarriage still occurred.
1054 – The Great Schism
Very Important
Mutual excommunications formalized the East-West religious split, worsening distrust between Byzantines and Latins. Limitation: Alexius I still appealed to the Pope for aid in 1095, showing pragmatism.
1071 – Normans capture Bari
Important
Normans expelled Byzantines from Southern Italy, feeding hostility and distrust of Western motives. Limitation: Byzantines still maintained some diplomacy with Norman leaders.
1071 – Battle of Manzikert
Important
Byzantium suffered a major defeat, and Western powers offered little aid, revealing political distance. Limitation: The defeat made Byzantines more open to future Western alliances.
1081–1085 – Norman Invasion of the Balkans
Very Important
Bohemond and Robert Guiscard attacked Byzantine territory, escalating Latin aggression. Limitation: After Robert’s death, tensions eased and diplomacy resumed.
1095 – Alexius I at the Council of Piacenza
Important
Alexius appealed to the Pope but feared Western greed and violence. Limitation: Demonstrates willingness to cooperate in desperate times.
1096 – People’s Crusade attacks Byzantine lands
Important
Undisciplined crusaders caused chaos in Byzantine territory, confirming Alexius’s fears. Limitation: These were unofficial forces; main crusader leaders were more controlled.
1097 – Oath of Loyalty at Constantinople
Very Important
Crusaders resented being forced to swear loyalty, exposing deep mistrust. Limitation: Most leaders still took the oath and initially cooperated.
1097 – Capture of Nicaea
Very Important
Alexius negotiated Nicaea’s surrender secretly, angering the crusaders. Limitation: Aimed to protect a Christian city and uphold agreed terms.
1097 – Oath controversy at Constantinople
Very Important (Byzantine Actions)
Alexios I forces Crusader leaders to swear oaths to return captured land. This sparks deep Latin suspicion and tension over autonomy.
1098 – Abandonment at Antioch
Very Important
Tatikios and Alexius didn’t assist the besieged crusaders, seen as betrayal. Limitation: Alexius acted on false reports of crusader defeat.
1098 – Bohemond seizes Antioch
Very Important
Bohemond broke his oath and took Antioch for himself, destroying trust. Limitation: Some leaders, like Raymond of Toulouse, tried to honor Byzantine claims.
1098 – Byzantine failure to relieve Antioch
Very Important (Byzantine Actions)
Alexios retreats after hearing false reports of Crusader defeat. Bohemond feels betrayed and claims Antioch, damaging trust permanently.
1098 – Bohemond seizes Antioch for himself
Important (Frankish Actions)
Breaks oath to Alexios and claims Antioch. This begins the long-running Latin rejection of Byzantine authority in the region.
1099 – Latin Church imposed in Jerusalem
Important
Greek clergy were replaced, marginalizing Orthodox Christians. Limitation: Eastern Christians were still allowed to practice their faith.
1101 – Failure of the Crusade of 1101
Important
Byzantium offered little support as Latin armies were crushed in Anatolia. Limitation: Byzantium was overstretched and couldn’t spare forces.
1101–1110 – Tancred’s occupation of Byzantine cities
Very Important
Tancred seized key cities like Tarsus and Latakia, escalating tensions. Limitation: Other Latin leaders avoided open conflict with Byzantium.
1100s–1130s – Antioch refuses to recognise Byzantine claims
Important (Frankish Actions)
Tancred and successors deny imperial overlordship. Antioch operates independently, heightening political tensions.
1104 – Bohemond captured by Danishmends
Important
Upon release, he began plotting war against Byzantium rather than Muslims. Limitation: His anti-Byzantine campaign ultimately failed.
1104 – Byzantines retake Cilicia from Tancred
Important (Byzantine Actions)
Alexios reclaims Cilicia, undermining Latin territorial expansion. Latin leaders resent this reassertion of imperial power.
1107–1108 – Bohemond’s attack on Byzantium (Treaty of Devol)
Very Important
Bohemond led a crusade against Byzantium, not Muslims — major betrayal. Limitation: He was defeated, and Antioch was recognized (in theory) as a Byzantine vassal.
1111 – Death of Tancred
Important
His aggressive stance toward Byzantium ended; tensions reduced slightly. Limitation: Showed hostility was often leader-driven, not systemic.
1112–1118 – Disputes over Antioch under John II
Important (Byzantine Actions)
The Byzantines continue to press claims over Antioch, despite Latin occupation. Ongoing disputes fuel long-term diplomatic friction.
1119 – Battle of the Field of Blood
Important
Antioch suffered a major defeat, and Byzantium gave little support. Limitation: Alexius was old and focused on defending core Byzantine lands.
