Constantine X (Konstantinos Dukas)

Emperor in the East

Real Emperor: 1059-67; Game Emperor 1059-71

Real story: Constantine X Ducas was the emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 1059 to 1067. He came to power on the advice of Michael Psellus the Younger when Isaac I retired.

Constantine was married to Eudocia Macrembolitissa, the niece of Michael Cerularius. Eudocia dominated her husband's reign, as did Michael Psellus the Younger. He was unpopular with supporters of Isaac, who attempted to assassinate him in 1060; he was also unpopular with the general population, after he raised taxes to try to pay the army.

Constantine lost most of Byzantine Italy to the Normans, except for the territory around Bari, and also suffered invasions from Alp Arslan (the second sultan of the dynasty of Seljuk Turks), in Asia Minor in 1064 and the Uzes in the Balkans in 1065. Already old and unhealthy when he came to power, he died in 1067 and was succeeded by his young son Michael VII.

Game story: Up until December 1066, we can only presume the above story is correct. In Italy at least it looks correct as only one small county is left. But otherwise the Empire looks in great shape and the exploits of Prince Georgios against the Pecheneg will soon expand the Empire, making the Emperor actually look good.

Constantine X is the father of Prince Michael as noted above. His son should have inherited as Michael VII, but instead the next Emperor is probably Caesar Michael (Prince Mihajlo Vujoslav). He will probably take the name Michael VII as well - which will be a tad confusing…

Emperor Constantine X banished our hero, Prince Georgios Palaeologus to his principality (Peloponnesos) in January 1067 and two years later ordered him to attack the Pechenegs hoping they would either destroy him or at least weakening him to the point where he could be replaced.

Unfortunately for Constantine X, Prince Georgios perseveres and takes Birlad from the Pechenegs. Constantine X dies peacefully shortly thereafter, without seeing the end of the war, and Caesar Michael is elected Emperor.

 

The Empire 1067 AD