Talk:Alexios III Angelos

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The article is perhaps excessively unfavourable to Alexius (not that he was much of a hero). Some additions regarding his life before 1195 may help ... Andrew Dalby 10:53, 22 April 2006 (UTC)

Is it true that Alexios 'had been redeemed by [Isaac] from captivity at Antioch', as the article currently says? I don't remember any captivity. Andrew Dalby 12:48, 29 April 2006 (UTC)


 * I was merely updating the article on the basis of the pre-existing entry, based (I think) on the 11th edition of Encyclopaedia Britannica, but I could be wrong. Yes, it sounded less than completely objective, but was reluctant to change too much.  As for Alexios in captivity at Antioch, the situation is as follows: following his participation in the failed conspiracy against Andronikos I, Alexios Angelos fled abroad, seeking asylum in various Muslim states, and eventually Egypt.  When Isaac II sent envoys to announce his accession to Saladin, the envoys met Alexios Angelos there, and made a treaty with Saladin.  Alexios Angelos set out for home, but was apprehended and detained by Count Raymond III of Tripoli because of the treaty.  How he found his way to Antioch (and whether this particular detail is accurate), I do not recall--perhaps there is confusion due to the later association of the Principality of Antioch and the County of Tripoli.  Eventually Isaac II ransomed him from the Latins in Outremer (or perhaps more accurately bribed Pisan merchants in Tripoli) and brought him home. Imladjov 19:10, 29 April 2006 (UTC)


 * Thanks very much, Imladjov. I had forgotten, or never learned, all that. And, yes, I realised the original phrasing of that sentence had been taken over from an earlier version of the article. Andrew Dalby 20:54, 29 April 2006 (UTC)