Draft:Axouchos family

The first member of the Axouchos family was Ioannes Axouchos who was taken captive by the Byzantines and grew up with the son of emperor Alexios I Komnenos, the future emperor Ioannes II Komnenos. Upon the accession of the latter, Ioannes Axouchos was appointed megas domestikos. Ioannes Axouchos remained in the service of Manuel I Komnenos until his death. His son, Alexios Axouchos, would likewise serve Manuel I until he was accused plotting against the emperor. Following the scandal, the family lost its status and economic privileges.

The family would come back into the Byzantine court as Ioannes Komnenos—one of the two sons of the infamous Alexios Axouchos who rather chose to identify with his mother Maria Komnenos, the niece of Manuel I—was attributed the name “the Fat” and was acclaimed emperor in an uprising in 1200, which would cost him his life.