Giphardos
Giphardos | |
|---|---|
| Allegiance | Byzantine Empire |
Rank | doux of Thrakesion |
Alexios Giphardos (fl. 1148–1160), known simply as Giphardos, was a Byzantine commander that served emperor Manuel I Komnenos (r. 1143–1180). His name implies Norman origin, however, he was not regarded barbarian and it might have been a distant ancestry.[1] Giphardos was experienced, having fought many battles, and commanded Byzantine troops against the Cumans in 1148 and the Serbian-Hungarian force at Tara in 1150.[1][2] At Tara, he and Michael Branas and other commanders were caught in danger, but were saved by Manuel I.[2] He served as the envoy to the sultan of Ikonion in c. 1158.[1] He was appointed the doux of Thrakesion, and bishop Georgios Tornikes of Ephesos claimed he had taken his office only due to Giphardos' administrative and military skills.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 Müller 2021, p. 233.
- 1 2 Kalić 1971, p. 33.
Sources
[edit]- Kalić, Jovanka (1971). "Јован Кинам". Византијски извори за историју народа Југославије, том IV. IV. Византолошки институт: 1–106.
- Müller, Samuel Pablo (2021). Latins in Roman (Byzantine) Histories: Ambivalent Representations in the Long Twelfth Century. BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-49970-6.