The Comnennians and Their Clients

Constantinople was a vast city whose wealth and population had actually increased since the Battle of Manzakurd. As power and money became more centralized, these local bigwigs had begun to wield real power. Their ability to mobilize hundreds of ordinary citizens at a moment's notice was a real threat to those at the top. In order to avoid being stoned or impaled, many Comnennian men fled the empire, seeking refuge at the courts of Byzantium's enemies.