Origins
Manuel Erotikos Komnenos is the first member of the family to achieve public prominence. He was the strategos autokrator of the East under Emperor Basil II Manuel originated in Thrace and was possibly of Vlach ancestry, though other ethnic origins have been suggested. It is said that the family name was derived from the city of Komne, near Philippopolis in Thrace, where they were landowners, and that they were of Armenian ancestry, which is possibly supported by the use of the name Manuel instead of Emmanouel. Manuel came to the notice of Basil II because of his defence, in 978, of Nicaea against the rebel Bardas Skleros. In recognition of Manuel's loyalty Basil gave him lands near Kastamuni in Paphlagonia. Manuel was the father of Isaac I Komnenos and grandfather of Alexios I Komnenos.
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