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Byzantine imperial nicknames
May. 31st, 2012 12:07 amAs noted frequently in my As The Komnenoi World Turns episodes, the Byzantine imperial family only had about five names in use at any given time for its LEGIONS of scions. The male names were, in no particular order, Alexios, Isaakios, Ioannes, Andronikos, and Theodoros. Once in a while a Manuel or David would be thrown in to liven things up. The females were stuck with Theodora, Maria, Anna, Euphrosyne, Irene, and Eudokia.
Basically, this meant everyone was surrounded by relatives sharing the same names. I suspect they used nicknames to tell each other apart in casual conversation, and I've found a handful of primary sources that suggest my theory is right.
Choniates tells us that a "Ioannes Komnenos, called Crassus" rebelled against Alexios III.
Choniates also tells us that Emperor Henry I of Constantinople was called "Ares" by his Greek subjects. Ares is an approximation of Henry (which is Greek is Errikos) and also has a double meaning, lauding him as a great warrior like the ancient god.
Theodora Komnene, a niece of Manuel I, married Bohemond II of Antioch, and the Lignages d'Outremer in various manuscripts refers to her as "Lathoumena" and "Latomena". This is clearly the Greek name Laodameia, the legendarily faithful wife of the hero Protesilaus.
Alberic de Trois-Fontaines tells us that Pierre de Courtenay was captured by "Michaelis" as he journeyed to Constantinople. This is clearly a reference to Mikhael of Epiros, but Michalis is also a legitimate Greek nickname for Mikhael. It seems likely to me that Alberic's sources were probably soldiers or pilgrims who carried the information from the Byzantine empire to Alberic's monastery in Châlons-sur-Marne, and when relating the story to him they used the colloquial form of Mikhael's name.
I imagine this is only scraping the surface!
Basically, this meant everyone was surrounded by relatives sharing the same names. I suspect they used nicknames to tell each other apart in casual conversation, and I've found a handful of primary sources that suggest my theory is right.
Choniates tells us that a "Ioannes Komnenos, called Crassus" rebelled against Alexios III.
Choniates also tells us that Emperor Henry I of Constantinople was called "Ares" by his Greek subjects. Ares is an approximation of Henry (which is Greek is Errikos) and also has a double meaning, lauding him as a great warrior like the ancient god.
Theodora Komnene, a niece of Manuel I, married Bohemond II of Antioch, and the Lignages d'Outremer in various manuscripts refers to her as "Lathoumena" and "Latomena". This is clearly the Greek name Laodameia, the legendarily faithful wife of the hero Protesilaus.
Alberic de Trois-Fontaines tells us that Pierre de Courtenay was captured by "Michaelis" as he journeyed to Constantinople. This is clearly a reference to Mikhael of Epiros, but Michalis is also a legitimate Greek nickname for Mikhael. It seems likely to me that Alberic's sources were probably soldiers or pilgrims who carried the information from the Byzantine empire to Alberic's monastery in Châlons-sur-Marne, and when relating the story to him they used the colloquial form of Mikhael's name.
I imagine this is only scraping the surface!
