Son-in-law of Alexius III and described by Brownworth as perhaps the only effective player on the Byzantine stage during the Fourth Crusade crisis. He was sent by Alexius IV to beg the crusaders for help, but instead seized the moment—bursting into the emperor's bedroom, feigning urgency, and leading him to conspirators who imprisoned him alongside his father. Murtzuphlus then had himself crowned Alexius V, repaired the walls, and stiffened resistance to the crusaders, but ultimately fled when the city was breached. He was later captured and flung from the top of the Theodosian column in the Hippodrome.
Also known as: Alexius V Doukas · Alexius V · Merzouflus · Alexios Doukas
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Episode 15 (6 mentions)
Son-in-law of Alexius III and described by Brownworth as perhaps the only effective player on the Byzantine stage during the Fourth Crusade crisis. He was sent by Alexius IV to beg the crusaders for help, but instead seized the moment—bursting into the emperor's bedroom, feigning urgency, and leading him to conspirators who imprisoned him alongside his father. Murtzuphlus then had himself crowned Alexius V, repaired the walls, and stiffened resistance to the crusaders, but ultimately fled when the city was breached. He was later captured and flung from the top of the Theodosian column in the Hippodrome.
“Merzouflus, perhaps the only effective player on the Byzantine stage at this point,”
“Merzouflus had himself crowned as Alexius V,”
“Merzouflus galloped through the city rallying troops to stop the flood,”
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