Anna Komnene's Account Of The First Crusade
During the twelfth century, Anna Komnene, the daughter of king Alexius of Byzantine wrote The Alexiad in which she gives us an account of the First Crusade (1095), the rising conflict between the Byzantines and the Western Europeans, and the pressing problems faced by the Byzantine Empire during king Alexius’s reign. By 1056, the Byzantine Empire had become a powerful nation with its territory expansions, but during the late eleventh century it was on the brink of collapse as the Seljuk Turks rose to power and posed a serious threat to the Byzantine provinces in the East. Discerning the approaching chaos, king Alexius Komnenuns (r.1081-1118) quickly established reforms. He built a new army based on feudal ties, increased taxes and sought
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But before the Franks executed their plan, they spread violence in the west: “they terrorized local people, looting for food and supplies to take on their way.” Then, after being victorious in battle, the crusaders army refused to return lands gained in the conquest to the control of the Byzantine Empire. Instead, they built their own “crusader kingdoms” where they established settlements. Finally, these soldiers of the holy war, driven by their religious fervor, brutally killed the Jews and compelled many to convert to Christianity. Also, during the Fourth Crusade (1204), the Western Christians (Franks) sacked the city of Constantinople which was the capital of the Christian Byzantine Empire. As it can be perceived, throughout the series of these events which plagued Europe, the Franks exhibited the characteristics of acquisitiveness, ruthlessness and treachery. Moreover, these events tell us that the Franks violated the oath to restore the holy land of Jerusalem to the Byzantine Empire. Instead, they continued their war in the name of religion to acquire land and wealth. Furthermore, they ruthlessly persecuted the Jews under the pretext of fulfilling their “high purpose.” In reality, however, they conducted the Crusades to fulfill their ulterior
But before the Franks executed their plan, they spread violence in the west: “they terrorized local people, looting for food and supplies to take on their way.” Then, after being victorious in battle, the crusaders army refused to return lands gained in the conquest to the control of the Byzantine Empire. Instead, they built their own “crusader kingdoms” where they established settlements. Finally, these soldiers of the holy war, driven by their religious fervor, brutally killed the Jews and compelled many to convert to Christianity. Also, during the Fourth Crusade (1204), the Western Christians (Franks) sacked the city of Constantinople which was the capital of the Christian Byzantine Empire. As it can be perceived, throughout the series of these events which plagued Europe, the Franks exhibited the characteristics of acquisitiveness, ruthlessness and treachery. Moreover, these events tell us that the Franks violated the oath to restore the holy land of Jerusalem to the Byzantine Empire. Instead, they continued their war in the name of religion to acquire land and wealth. Furthermore, they ruthlessly persecuted the Jews under the pretext of fulfilling their “high purpose.” In reality, however, they conducted the Crusades to fulfill their ulterior