Anna Comnena, a Greek princess and scholar, is renowned as the world’s first female historian. Her notable work, the ‘Alexiad’, provides a detailed account of her father’s life and reign as Emperor Alexios I Komnenos of Byzantium. Through her writings, she offers valuable insights into the early Crusaders, daily life at court, her family dynamics, and the political and military history of the Byzantine Empire. Raised with love and discipline as the eldest child, Anna received an exceptional education encompassing literature, philosophy, medicine, astronomy, and history. Her intelligence and ambition led her to manage a large hospital and orphanage, where she also taught medicine and gained recognition for her medical expertise. Despite her initial aspiration to succeed the throne, she faced opposition from her husband and ultimately retired from court life to pursue her passion for philosophy and history in a monastery.
Quick Facts
- Died At Age: 69
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Nikephoros Bryennios (m. 1097)
- Father: Alexios I Komnenos
- Mother: Irene Doukaina
- Siblings: Andronikos Komnenos, Eudokia Komnene, Isaac Komnenos, John II Komnenos, Maria Komnene, Theodora Komnene
- Children: Alexios Komnenos, Irene Doukaina, John Doukas, Maria Bryennaina Komnene
- Historians
- Physicians
- Died on: 1153
- Place of death: Monastery of Kecharitomene, Constantinople, Byzantine Empire
Childhood & Early Life
Anna Komnene was born on 1 December 1083 as the eldest daughter of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos of Byzantium and Irene Doukaina. Her father ruled from 1081 to 1118, and her mother was the daughter of Andronikos Doukas and Maria of Bulgaria. Anna had several younger siblings, including Maria, John II, Andronikos, Isaac, Eudokia, and Theodora. During her time, royal women often received a good education, and Anna was no exception. Her parents arranged for her to receive lessons in subjects like astronomy, medicine, mathematics, history, and literature. She showed particular skill in studying medicine. As an infant, she was betrothed to Constantine Doukas, but he died before the wedding could take place.
Later Years
Anna grew up to be a well-educated, intelligent, and ambitious woman. She had a deep interest in philosophy and loved reading the works of ancient poets. Recognizing her intellectual capabilities, her father built a large hospital and orphanage and placed her in charge. The hospital had beds and facilities for 10,000 patients and orphans. Anna studied medicine and became known as an expert in treating gout. She also taught medicine at various hospitals. From a young age, she dreamed of ascending the throne as her father’s successor. However, her brother John II Komnenos was proclaimed the heir in 1092, which infuriated Anna. Her mother Irene favored Anna and tried to persuade Emperor Alexios to designate Anna’s husband, Nikephoros Bryennios, as the future emperor, but her father preferred John. After Alexios fell ill, Irene took over the civil government and designated the administration to Nikephoros Bryennios. Anna helped care for her ill father with her medical expertise. After Alexios’ death in 1118, John became the emperor. Anna and her mother conspired to depose him, but her husband did not support the conspiracy.
Retirement and Writing
Anna and her husband retired from the court after their conspiracy was discovered. Her husband died in 1137, and Anna, along with her mother, retired to a monastery founded by her mother. In the monastery, Anna dedicated her time to studying philosophy and history and began writing the ‘Alexiad’. This work detailed the political relations and wars between Alexios I and the West, providing vivid descriptions of weaponry, tactics, and battles.
Major Works
Anna Komnene is best known for writing the ‘Alexiad’, which details the history of the Byzantine Empire under the reign of her father. The text is divided into fifteen books and a prologue and is composed in a literary style inspired by Thucydides, Polybius, and Xenophon.
Personal Life & Legacy
Anna was betrothed to Constantine Doukas in infancy, but he died before they could marry. She married Caesar Nikephoros Bryennios the Younger, an accomplished nobleman, in 1097. Her marriage lasted for 40 years and produced four children: Alexios Komnenos, John Doukas, Irene Doukaina, and Maria Bryennaina Komnene. The exact date of Anna Komnene’s death is not known, but she was alive in 1148 according to the ‘Alexiad’. She is believed to have died sometime in 1153 in the Monastery of Kecharitomene in Constantinople, Byzantine Empire.