George Maniaces

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George Maniakes (Greek: Γεώργιος Μανιάκης - Georgios Maniaces, Maniakis, or Maniaches, Italian: Giorgio Maniace) (d.1043) was a prominent Byzantine Greek general during the 11th century.

He first became prominent during a campaign in 1031, when the Byzantine Empire was defeated at Aleppo but went on to capture Edessa from the Seljuk Turks. His greatest achievement was the partial reconquest of Sicily from the Arabs beginning in 1038. Here, he was assisted by the Varangian Guard, which was at that time led by Harald Hardrada, who later became king of Norway. There were also Norman mercenaries with him, under William de Hauteville, who won his nickname Iron Arm by defeating the emir of Syracuse in single combat. However, he soon ostracised his admiral, Stephen, whose wife was the sister of John the Eunuch, the highest ranking man at court, and, by publicly humiliating the leader of the Lombard contingent, Arduin, he caused them to desert him, with the Normans and Norsemen. In response, he was recalled by the emperor Michael IV, also brother-in-law of Stephen. Although the Arabs soon took the island back, Maniakes' successes there later inspired the Normans to invade Sicily themselves.

Maniakes' accomplishments in Sicily were largely ignored by the Emperor, and he revolted against Constantine IX in 1042, though he had been appointed catepan of Italy. Maniakes was proclaimed emperor by his troops (including the Varangians), and marched towards Constantinople, but he was killed in 1043 when troops loyal to Constantine met him near Thessalonika.

In Sicily, the town of Maniace and the Syracusan fortress of Castello Maniace are both named after him.

Preceded by Synodianos

Catepan of Italy 1042

Succeeded by Pardos