Reign 1060–1078 Name Konstantios Doukas Grandparents Maria of Alania Father Constantine X Siblings Nikephoros Diogenes | Dynasty Doukid dynasty House Doukas Predecessor Michael VII Died 1082 | |
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Successor Nikephoros III Botaneiates Mother Eudokia Makrembolitissa Parents Constantine X Doukas, Eudokia Makrembolitissa Great-grandparents Bagrat IV of Georgia, Borena of Alania | ||
Konstantios Doukas | Wikipedia audio article
Konstantios Doukas (Greek: Κωνστάντιος Δούκας, 1060–1082), Latinized as Constantius Ducas, was the son of Byzantine Emperor Constantine X Doukas and younger brother of Byzantine Emperor Michael VII Doukas. He reigned as junior co-emperor from his birth, but was unable to establish himself as sole emperor against Nikephoros III when Michael VII abdicated in 1078.
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Career
Konstantios was the youngest son of Constantine X Doukas and was born a porphyrogennetos. Upon his birth he was made co-emperor, alongside his brother Michael VII Doukas. His other brother, Andronikos Doukas, was also elevated some eight years later. He retained the imperial title during the reigns of Romanos IV Diogenes and his elder brother, Michael VII, as senior emperors. In 1078, when Michael's reign came to an end by an insurrection at Constantinople, he abdicated in favour of Konstantios, as Andronikos had apparently died a year or two before. His only rival was Nikephoros III, who was on his way to Constantinople when news arrived of Michael's overthrow.
It was soon manifestly evident that Konstantios was completely incapable of leading the empire. Although the troops in Asia Minor also proclaimed him emperor, his incapacity was soon so evident that his own supporters swiftly delivered him to Nikephoros III, who forced him to become a monk, taking up his residence on one of the Princes Islands in the Propontis.
By 1081, he was recalled into active service by Alexios I Komnenos, who had married into the Doukas family. Sent to the war against the Normans, he perished while fighting them at Dyrrhachium in 1082.