Disintegration proceeds with the collapse of what…
September 1185 CE
Disintegration proceeds with the collapse of what remains of the centralized machinery of imperial government and defense.
Andronikos’ short reign is characterized by strong and harsh measures.
He had resolved to suppress many abuses, but above all things, to check feudalism and limit the power of the nobles, who are rivals for his throne.
The people, who feel the severity of his laws, at the same time acknowledge their justice and find themselves protected from the rapacity of their superiors who had grown corrupt under the safety and opulence of Manuel’s rule.
However, as Andronikos' rule continues, the Emperor has became increasingly paranoid and violent —in September 1185, Andronikos orders the execution of all prisoners, exiles and their families for collusion with the invaders—and the Empire descends into a terror state.
The aristocrats in turn are infuriated against him.
There are several revolts, the stories of chaos leading to an invasion by King William II of the Norman Sicilians.
Andronikos hastily assembles five different armies to stop the Sicilian army from reaching Constantinople, but these five smaller armies retreat to the outlying hills.
Andronikos also assembles a fleet of one hundred ships to stop the Norman fleet from entering the Sea of Marmara.
At the news of the approaching Normans, a counterrevolution breaks out in the capital.
The Angelos family had been of no particular significance until Theodora, youngest daughter of the emperor Alexios I Komnenos, had married Constantine Angelos of Philadelphia (in Anatolia).
Numerous members of the family had then held high positions under Manuel Komnenus and are now involved in this aristocratic revolt.
Andronikos seems then to have resolved to exterminate the aristocracy, and his plans are nearly successful.
On September 11, 1185, during Andronikos’ absence from the capital, Stephen Hagiochristophorites moves to arrest the slain emperor's cousin, Isaac Angelos, whose loyalty is suspect.
Isaac kills Hagiochristophorites and takes refuge in the church of Hagia Sophia.
He appeals to the populace, and a tumult arises that spreads rapidly over the whole city.
When Andronikos arrives, he finds that his authority has been overthrown: Isaac has unexpectedly been proclaimed Emperor.
The deposed Emperor attempts to escape in a boat with his wife Agnes and his mistress, but is captured.
Isaac hands him over to the city mob and for three days he is exposed to their fury and resentment, remaining for that period tied to a post and beaten.
His right hand is cut off, his teeth and hair are pulled out, one of his eyes is gouged out, and, among many other sufferings, boiling water is thrown in his face, punishment probably associated with his handsomeness and life of licentiousness.
At last, led to the Hippodrome of Constantinople, he is hung up by the feet between two pillars, and two Latin soldiers compete as to whose sword will penetrate his body more deeply, and finally his body, according to the representation of his death, is torn apart.
He dies on September 12, 1185.
At the news of the emperor's death, his son and co-emperor John is murdered by his own troops in Thrace.
Andronikos I is the last of the Komnenoi to rule Constantinople, although his grandsons Alexios and David will found the Empire of Trebizond in 1204.