Relationship with Byzantine Empire

Question 1

Who died 1118 and what was happened?

Answer 1

Alexios I, succeeded by John who had to deal with internal threat from his sister Anna
- Also has to fight against Normans in Sicily, Seljuks in Anatolia and Pechenegs in the north

Question 2

How was 1137 a high point for byzantine power?

Answer 2

• John had retaken Cilicia and Armenia
• used threat of siege engines to force Raymond into recognising Byzantine suzerainty
• rulers of Edessa and Tripoli had acknowledged themselves as Vassals of the emperor

Question 3

What had failed?

Answer 3

Joint attack of Aleppo failed, possibly due to reluctance of Raymond to get involved
–> John still dealing with internal problems had to withdraw to Constantinople

1142 - John attempted another attack on Antioch to assert his control over the region - Antiochene nobility refused him entry and he was forced to withdraw