Anna Komnene

Anna Komnene (Greek: Ἄννα Κομνηνή, romanized: Ánna Komnēnḗ; 1 December 1083 – 1153^[1]), commonly Latinized as Anna Comnena,^[2] was a Byzantine Greek princess and historian. She is the author of the Alexiad, an account of the reign of her father, Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos. Her work constitutes the most important primary source of Byzantine history of the late 11th and early 12th centuries, as well as of the early Crusades. Although she is best known as the author of the Alexiad, Anna played an important part in the politics of the time and attempted to depose her brother, John II Komnenos, as emperor in favour of her husband, Nikephoros.^[3][4]

At birth, Anna was betrothed to Constantine Doukas,^[3] and she grew up in his mother's household.^[5] She was well-educated in "Greek literature and history, philosophy, theology, mathematics, and medicine."^[3] Anna and Constantine were next in the line to throne^[6] until Anna's younger brother, John II Komnenos, became the heir in 1092.^[7] Constantine died around 1094,^[7] and Anna married Nikephoros Bryennios in 1097.^[8] The two had several children before Nikephoros' death around 1136.^[7]

Following her father's death in 1118, Anna and her mother attempted to usurp John II Komnenos.^[9] Her husband refused to cooperate with them, and the usurpation failed.^[3] As a result, John exiled Anna to the Kecharitomene Monastery, where she spent the rest of her life.^[10] In confinement there, she wrote the Alexiad.^[11]