Licario

Licario (called polytonic|Ἰκάριος by the Greek chroniclers) was a Byzantine admiral of Italian origin in the 13th century, who reconquered many of the Aegean islands for emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos and rose to the rank of "megas doux".

Early life

He was born in Karystos in Latin-held Euboea, from a Vicentian father and a local woman. He was poor but able and ambitious, and managed to win the heart of Felisa, a widowed sister of the Latin lord of Negroponte, Guglielmo II dalle Carceri. They secretly married, but the marriage was canceled by her relatives, and Licario banished to the fort of Anemopylae near Cavo D'Oro, where he, along with some followers, resorted to raiding.Setton (1976), p. 425]

In Byzantine service

Desiring vengeance, and eager for glory and wealth, he offered his services to the resurgent Byzantine Empire. Aided by the admiral Alexios Doukas Philanthropenos, he surrendered his fort to the Byzantines, and initiated the reconquest of Euboea. Between ca. 1272 and 1275, he served in the Byzantine army in Asia, where, according to Sanuto, he scored a victory against the Turks. Then in 1276, he returned to Euboea as "megas doux" with 24 galleys, and initiated the conquest of the island. He besieged and took the fortresses of Oreoi and Karystos in 1276-77, and effectively controlling the entire island, with the exception of the capital, Chalkis, and a few isolated forts. As a reward, he was given the island as a personal fief by Michael VIII, and given a wealthy Greek noblewoman in marriage. [Setton (1976), p. 426]

From Euboea, Licario attacked and took the island of Skopelos, capturing its lord Filippo Ghisi, and successfully campaigned throughout the Aegean, capturing Lemnos. Finally, in 1280, he marched against the city of Negroponte itself, the last remaining Venetian stronghold in Euboea. He inflicted a severe defeat on the Latin forces under John I de la Roche, Duke of Athens, and Giberto II dalle Carceri in the Battle of Vatonda, capturing the two Latin lords.Setton (1976), p. 427] Nevertheless, the siege of Negroponte had to be abandoned in the face of reinforcements from Athens, led by Jacques de la Roche, and the defensive measures undertaken by the energetic Venetian "bailo", Niccolo Morosini Rosso. Licario then sailed for Constantinople, carrying the two captives with him to present to the Emperor. There, the sight of the hated renegade in triumph among the assembled Byzantine court, is said by Nicephorus Gregoras to have caused Giberto II to collapse, dead.

Licario subsequently returned to Euboea, from where he continued raiding Latin strongholds in the mainland and the islands. After 1280 however, he disappears from the scene, and nothing is known of his later life. [Setton (1976), p. 428]

References

Sources

Primary sources

* Nicephorus Gregoras, "Historia Romana"
* George Pachymeres, History, "Michael Palaeologus"
* Marino Sanuto the Elder, "Regno di Romania"

Secondary sources

*
* [http://gutenberg.spiegel.de/gregorov/athen/athen.htm Ferdinand Gregorovius, "Geschichte der Stadt Athen im Mittelalter", Book II, Ch. 6]