I would prefer to first discuss the Alexiad, as it is unique from other historical documents I’ve read in the sense that it is a biography written by a princess about her father. Anna Comnena, the author of the Alexiad, was the daughter of Emperor Alexius and Empress Irene. Anna Comnena considered herself to be a rightful princess, and a well-educated woman. She was educated particularly well in Greek literature, the philosophy of Aristotle and Plato, as well as what were then considered to be the Quadrivium of sciences, which included music, geometry, arithmetic and music. She states this herself “I Anna…born and bred in the Purple – having devoted the most earnest study to the Greek language…and having read thoroughly the treatises of Aristotle and the dialogues of Plato, and having …show more content…
In order to repay Tutush for the capture of Rousell, he had to convince the people of Amaseia, a region in what today is Northern Turkey, to donate him money. In order to garner support and receive this required funding, Alexius pretended to publicly blind Rousell. However, this was just a hoax, as Alexius had a kind heart. In fact, upon learning about his noble treatment of Rousell many high imperial officials, including Alexius’s cousin and the emperor were overjoyed. This shows in Doceianus, Alexius’s cousins reaction: “When he did learn of Alexius’s humane treatment of the man and with his humanity, his artifice, he was overcome with joy.” (37) This demonstrates two traits of Alexus’s imperial character. One was that he was highly intelligent and ingenious, and the other was that two he was humane and merciful. This shows in Doceianus, Alexius’s cousins reaction: “When he did learn of Alexius’s humane treatment of the man with his humanity, and his artifice, he [Doceianus] was overcome with joy.”