Toghril Beg and Alp Arslan in the Historia of Michael Attaleiates

Abstract

The Byzantine writer Michael Attaleiates was born in Attaleia (Antalya) and, at a young age, left home to pursue his education in Constantinople where he stayed and made a career in the law. He is mostly known for his historical work that thoroughly describes the empire’s military operations in Anatolia. The purpose of this article is to discuss the reasons behind the notable antithesis in the way the Saldjuks in general and the sultans Toghril Beg and Alp Arslan in particular are depicted in the Historia. Undoubtedly, a point of comparison is discerned between the two sulṭans and the emperors who came in direct or indirect contact with them. On these grounds, Attaleiates appears to juxtapose Toghril Beg’s high respect for bold military men with Constantine IX Monomachos’ striking indifference to the army, and Romanos IV Diogenes’ conceit with Alp Arslan’s modesty. All this serves to demonstrate the quality of imperial virtues inculcated in Botaneiates, the model of governance in Attaleiates’ view.

Keywords

• Michael Attaleiates
• Toghril Beg
• Alp Arslan
• Nikephoros Botaneiates
• Romanos Diogenes
• Liparit (Liparites)

References

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