- Anna Dalassena
Anna Dalassena (1025-1102) was an important Byzantine noblewoman who rose to the position of an Empress-Mother during the reign of her son
Alexios I Komnenos .Anna was the daughter of Alexius Charon, the Imperial lieutenant in Italy, and the daughter of Adriana Dalassena. As her mother's family was more illustrious then her father's, Anna retained her mother's family name throughout her life, even after she had married.
Anna married
Johannes Komnenos , whose brother Isaac became Emperor in 1057.Her younger son
Alexios I Komnenos rose to the throne after vicissitudes of politics. Alexius was for many years under the strong influence of heréminence grise . She is described as a wise and immensely able politician and acted as regent during the absences of her son.After acceeding to the throne, Alexios crowned his mother "Empress Augusta", an honour commonly given to the Emperor's wife,
Irene Doukaina in this case.Anna was the effective administrator of the Empire during the long absences of Alexios in war campaigns: she was constantly at odds with her daughter-in-law Irene and had assumed total responsibility for the upbringing and education of her granddaughter
Anna Komnene .External links
* [http://www.roman-emperors.org/annadal.htm Anna Dalassena biography] by Lynda Garland
* [http://turdan.w.interia.pl/kaw/kk-p09.html Anna Dalassena Poem] byConstantine P. Cavafy
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