Michael Doukas

Michael Doukas (1050-1124) was a Roman aristocrat, who served as Domestikos tēs Dyseōs under three successive Emperors: Alexios I, Isaac II, and (briefly) Manuel I.

Michael was the elder son of the courtier Constantine Doukas, and was named for Constantine's close friend and ally Michael Psellos. He grew up alongside the future Emperor Alexios, and participated in Alexios' campaign against the Normans in 1078, commanding the infantry at the Battle of Pelagonia. Though not a general of genius, Doukas was a competent commander, and earned the trust of the Emperor. He was, however, seen as an enemy by Alexios' influential mother Anna Dalassēnē, who had led the coup that toppled Psellos. Furthermore, Doukas was married to one Zoe Sklerina, whose twin sister Eudocia was married to Anna's hated elder son Isaac. For much of the period of Dalassēnē's ascendency, Doukas kept a low profile, governing the Aegean Isles and then Pamphylia. When Doukas' brother-in-law Isaac Komnenos toppled his own mother in the coup of 1092, Doukas regained prominence, and was eventually named Domestikos in 1103, taking on the office his father had held. He remained in position for the rest of his life, save for a brief gap in the reign of Isaac II, who granted the position to his son Manuel. In the civil war of 1117-19 Doukas remained a staunch loyalist, and held Constantinople. As reward for his service he was granted lands, and restored to the position of Domestikos upon the accession of Manuel II, although he never again left Constantinople.