Book contents
- Rural Communities in Late Byzantium
- Rural Communities in Late Byzantium
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- 1 In Search of Late Byzantine Rural Island Communities
- 2 Who’s Who in the Rural Landscape
- 3 Pathways of Resilience
- 4 Defending the Realm
- 5 Community-Building in the Face of Crisis
- 6 The Return of the People
- Book part
- References
- Index
4 - Defending the Realm
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 February 2022
- Rural Communities in Late Byzantium
- Rural Communities in Late Byzantium
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- 1 In Search of Late Byzantine Rural Island Communities
- 2 Who’s Who in the Rural Landscape
- 3 Pathways of Resilience
- 4 Defending the Realm
- 5 Community-Building in the Face of Crisis
- 6 The Return of the People
- Book part
- References
- Index
Summary
The story of Alexios and John is that of imperial officials, rulers of Thasos and founders of Pantokrator Monastery at Mount Athos, as well as that of self-made men, adventurers, seasoned in warfare.1 They originated from Bithynia in Asia Minor and, leading a band of armed men and a small fleet across the Aegean, fought against Serbian and Turkish armies and managed to bring under their control territories in Eastern Macedonia and Thasos, thus creating a mini-state under their rule. For a moment in the midst of the fourteenth century, it seemed like they were living their wildest dream.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Rural Communities in Late ByzantiumResilience and Vulnerability in the Northern Aegean, pp. 133 - 194Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2022