Alexius Comnenus
one of the ablest rulers of the Byzantine empire, was born at Constantinople in 1048.
He was the nephew of the Emperor Isaac.
Comnenus, on whose abdication, in 1059, his own father refused the purple; and Alexius was, in 1081, elevated by his soldiers to the throne. Everywhere he was encompassed with foes. The Scythians and Turks were pouring down from the N. and N. E.; the fierce Normans, who had effected a lodgment in Sicily and Italy, were menacing his western provinces; and, in 1096, the myriad warriors of the first crusade burst into his empire on their way to Palestine, and encamped around the gates of his capital. Yet he contrived to avoid all perils by the wisdom of his policy, the mingled patience and promptitude of his character, his discipline in the camp, and his humanity on the throne. He died in 1118.