Hello everyone and welcome to the history of Byzantium, Episode 268, the collapse of the

Comdenion system.

Last time we talked to Nathan Webstale about some of the theories around why Byzantine

provinces were breaking away from the Empire just before the arrival of the Fourth Crusade.

Today we're going to talk about that process in more detail and answer your questions

on why the state seemed to be collapsing as the Latins arrived.

Why don't we start by talking about the pros and cons of the Comdenion system of government?

I think that will remind you of the context in which this all took place and point us

towards why things fell apart.

As you know, Alexius Comdenos came to power with the Empire at its lowest ebb.

Almost all of Anatolia was lost and the state had gone bankrupt.

Worst of all anyone with troops left on the Asian shore kept trying to capture Constantinople.

One Selexius was in power, his most pressing concern, was to put a stop to these damaging

civil wars.

And as you know, he decided to simply cut provincial notables out of the process.

If they no longer held important posts, then they wouldn't be able to make a bid for

the throne.

Instead he gave every top job to people related to him, either by blood or by marriage.

This was a handy solution since it both concentrated power in his family's hands and removed

the need to pay large salaries to provincial commanders.

To solve the cash flow problem, Alexius began assigning lands to those holding high

office.

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