Explain why Emperor Comnenus appealed to the West for help in 1095. (12 marker - June 2014)

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  • Created by: LShan261
  • Created on: 27-04-15 18:25

The Byzantine Empire was v.weak by 1091

  • 1050 = army in serious decline bc. sold land to rich families
  • Army weakening when attack on 3 sides
  • North = Pagan tribes --> river Danube (1050s)
  • South = Seljuk Turks --> Anatolia = Sultanate of Rum (1077)
  • West = Normans --> Italy (1071) and Balkans (1081)
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Alexios I's tactics created closer links w/ W.Xian

  • Reinforce army w/ mercenaries
    • Vikings (Scandanavia)
    • Franks (N. France)
    • Anglo-Saxons (England)
    • Venice Navy --> given trading privileges @ Constantinople & Bosphorus
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It was time to drive the Seljuk Turks from Anatoli

  • Defeated all other enemies on other borders
  • 1092 power vacuum --> Malik Shah & others
    • "This year is called the year of death of caliphs and commanders" Ibn Taghribirdi (Hillenbrand)
  • Financially stable bc. melting gold for coins & increased taxes. 
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