Theophilos III Enáretos
Autokrator of Komneia Theophilos Aurean (a.k.a. Enáretos (The Righteous)
The holy warrior of Komneia, a rigorous and morally upright man whose ambition was to gather the arms necessary to reconquer the former provinces of the Rasennan Empire and form a "New Kingdom for God and Man". He would be the final Prince of the successful Aurean dynasty and was succeeded by his brother-in-law Victor Therasius the Elder who would continue the military revival of the state via his diligent campaigning.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Tan in appearance and of marital stock, Theophilos differed from his more studious and erudite father in his athletic and military vigor.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Born the son of the reigning Prince of Komneia Theophobos of Aurean and the Zhor princess Tamira. The boy Theophilos was named in honor of his grandfather of the same name, the first Prince of the family to don the regal robes and crown of Komneia. The Aurean family, already renown for their piety and fervent faith, reached a new level of zealotry upon the ascension of Theophilos III to the throne of Komenia. Theophilos himself was a man of unshakable moral uprightness as he abstained from alcohol, donated much of his own income to numerous poor houses and orphanages he founded, rose early in the morning for hours of prayer, and remained utterly chaste and dedicated to his wife, Princess Verina Therasius, the older sister of Victor Therasius the Elder who was a noted ward of the Prince during his formative years. Theophilos' rule as Prince was categorized by his call for the first Komneian Holy War. The concept was one likely born out of a frustration with the current state of the Principality both spiritually and in reality, as centuries of being raided and marauded through had bred a zealous, defensive, and distrustful populace banded together through a stirring revanchist idea of restoring a new age of imperial might.
In 621 A.E, with Ecclesial approval, Theophilos called believers to rally to arms, assemble under the authority of the Prince and march to retake the eastern reaches of Mykra from the Zhors who occupied it. By the fall of 622, Theophilos' army gathered and with zealous belief in victory, set off east during the winter. Despite the appearance of the army as a mere rabble, the force was highly organized via the planning and leadership of the Komneian aristocrats who led it, namely Ardanes Therasius, father of Victor Therasius, Tzatios the Zirassian, and the Prince himself. Nicknamed by contemporary sources as "The Winter Army" this force rampaged east where they met a responding Zhor army led by the Malik Kuraman and a number of his aristocratic horsebound archers and Savaran riders.
Outnumbered and with troops of lesser quality, the Winter Army faced a dreadful challenge and a quick defeat would have smashed the notion of "Díkaios Pólemos". However, using their experience in fighting Zhor horseriders, Theophilos and Therasius arranged a plan of attack centered on feint attacks and a clever disguising of the Winter Army's true numbers. The Battle of Sulacharon was turned from an impending defeat into a stunning triumph as the Zhor army was routed and the faith of the Winter Army was reaffirmed via Theophilos' public appraisal of the Blessed Sestaia in the aftermath of the battle. The Winter Army moved on to the destination of the campaign, the town of Karacene along the banks of the Aulon delta where the Winter Army blessed and dipped their weaponry and armor in the waters of the river, as a sign of their devotion.
With an early victory achieved, the prospect of the progress of the Winter Army being lost by a Zhor counterattack was on the mind of the commanders of the army and so the wounded and sick were sent back west to Mykra, and new recruits, conscripts, and volunteers were pulled into the regrouping force, a force dubbed in chronicles as The Summer Army. The Summer Army was much better equipped and a more veteran force compared to the Winter Army but lacked the numbers the Winter Army had and as such fought a more defensive campaign against the coming Zhors. When Kuraman returned, he outnumbered the army 3:1 but had not come with more cavalry and so the army now possessed an advantage in mounted warriors. When the aggressive Kuraman attacked brazenly, the force was driven off mainly by the mounted Komneian heavy Buchelarroi and Kataphraktoi which drove the Zhors off and granted the Summer Army a quick victory.
This opening led to Theophilos leading the Summer Army south toward Mykra where they were tailed by Zhor scouts before making camp near the town of Pezikon, the subsequent Battle of Pezikon won the Komneians wide renown even in the west as a significant victory against the Zhors. At Pezikon, the Zhors were utterly defeated or routed with Kuraman being captured and forced into signing a peace treaty with the Principality forgoing all Zhor holdings in Mykra and retreating beyond the river Aulon. The victory at Pezikon finalized the reconquest of Mykra and formalized the creation of the Exarchate of Mykra, a controlled territory of Komneia ruled by an appointed Exarch. Theophilos' call of "Díkaios Pólemos" had been a major success and soon, militant holy orders were founded as religious mercenary corps to be raised if another Holy War was called. Among the most organized and well-equipped of these orders was the Order of Sestaia, full name "The Holy Brotherly Order of the Blessed Sestaia and of the Imperial Renovation".
Theophilos returned to Komneia a secular and religious hero, his march to the Purple Palace was a joyous affair as was his acclaim by the Patriarch who granted him the name "Enáretos", The Righteous as well as a lengthy sobriquet,
With a brief respite in the capital to reside over the finances and administration of the state, Theophilos once more set out on campaign, this time a largely secular war against the coastal Agrihenian statelets which remained only nominally beneath the crown of Komneia. Theophilos' largely successful campaign of 643 would also be his last as, during the first battle of the campaign, at Darza, Theophilos was gravely wounded via a rock thrown at his head by the defenders of the city. Despite being pulled from the fighting by his men, the Prince suffered greatly from an internal wound and many feared he would die then and there. Nevertheless, the Prince suffered through his injury and began to be able to walk again but peculiarly he quickly lost his vision as his eyes became cloudy and milky white. Nevertheless, the pious Prince continued to lead his men into the fight, dressing his eyes with a white ribbon and now refusing to cut his already long hair and beard. The campaign was still a success, regardless of the Prince's vision but this injury would have an impact on the Prince's sudden death months later as he apparently fell from his horse while entering the town of Mosata in Mykra. The Prince's head injury returned and this time, a delirious Theophilos finally died from his injury in the night.
Theophilos III was a largely singular and successful ruler who reignited Komneian military prowess and fervent religious devotion in a time when these were both in danger. The pious, directed and largely diligent ruler of the Komneians was, while domestically and militarily successful, derided in the west as a zealous fanatic which furthered the rift between the Mundana and Pankomisa Ecclesial branches, a rift growing further and further as a result of his western antagonism.
In 621 A.E, with Ecclesial approval, Theophilos called believers to rally to arms, assemble under the authority of the Prince and march to retake the eastern reaches of Mykra from the Zhors who occupied it. By the fall of 622, Theophilos' army gathered and with zealous belief in victory, set off east during the winter. Despite the appearance of the army as a mere rabble, the force was highly organized via the planning and leadership of the Komneian aristocrats who led it, namely Ardanes Therasius, father of Victor Therasius, Tzatios the Zirassian, and the Prince himself. Nicknamed by contemporary sources as "The Winter Army" this force rampaged east where they met a responding Zhor army led by the Malik Kuraman and a number of his aristocratic horsebound archers and Savaran riders.
Outnumbered and with troops of lesser quality, the Winter Army faced a dreadful challenge and a quick defeat would have smashed the notion of "Díkaios Pólemos". However, using their experience in fighting Zhor horseriders, Theophilos and Therasius arranged a plan of attack centered on feint attacks and a clever disguising of the Winter Army's true numbers. The Battle of Sulacharon was turned from an impending defeat into a stunning triumph as the Zhor army was routed and the faith of the Winter Army was reaffirmed via Theophilos' public appraisal of the Blessed Sestaia in the aftermath of the battle. The Winter Army moved on to the destination of the campaign, the town of Karacene along the banks of the Aulon delta where the Winter Army blessed and dipped their weaponry and armor in the waters of the river, as a sign of their devotion.
With an early victory achieved, the prospect of the progress of the Winter Army being lost by a Zhor counterattack was on the mind of the commanders of the army and so the wounded and sick were sent back west to Mykra, and new recruits, conscripts, and volunteers were pulled into the regrouping force, a force dubbed in chronicles as The Summer Army. The Summer Army was much better equipped and a more veteran force compared to the Winter Army but lacked the numbers the Winter Army had and as such fought a more defensive campaign against the coming Zhors. When Kuraman returned, he outnumbered the army 3:1 but had not come with more cavalry and so the army now possessed an advantage in mounted warriors. When the aggressive Kuraman attacked brazenly, the force was driven off mainly by the mounted Komneian heavy Buchelarroi and Kataphraktoi which drove the Zhors off and granted the Summer Army a quick victory.
This opening led to Theophilos leading the Summer Army south toward Mykra where they were tailed by Zhor scouts before making camp near the town of Pezikon, the subsequent Battle of Pezikon won the Komneians wide renown even in the west as a significant victory against the Zhors. At Pezikon, the Zhors were utterly defeated or routed with Kuraman being captured and forced into signing a peace treaty with the Principality forgoing all Zhor holdings in Mykra and retreating beyond the river Aulon. The victory at Pezikon finalized the reconquest of Mykra and formalized the creation of the Exarchate of Mykra, a controlled territory of Komneia ruled by an appointed Exarch. Theophilos' call of "Díkaios Pólemos" had been a major success and soon, militant holy orders were founded as religious mercenary corps to be raised if another Holy War was called. Among the most organized and well-equipped of these orders was the Order of Sestaia, full name "The Holy Brotherly Order of the Blessed Sestaia and of the Imperial Renovation".
Theophilos returned to Komneia a secular and religious hero, his march to the Purple Palace was a joyous affair as was his acclaim by the Patriarch who granted him the name "Enáretos", The Righteous as well as a lengthy sobriquet,
"The Pious and Faithful Emperor under God, his right hand and the right hand of the world, so righteous and just in conduct and temperament, the slayer of the heathens and unjust and restorer of arms".
With a brief respite in the capital to reside over the finances and administration of the state, Theophilos once more set out on campaign, this time a largely secular war against the coastal Agrihenian statelets which remained only nominally beneath the crown of Komneia. Theophilos' largely successful campaign of 643 would also be his last as, during the first battle of the campaign, at Darza, Theophilos was gravely wounded via a rock thrown at his head by the defenders of the city. Despite being pulled from the fighting by his men, the Prince suffered greatly from an internal wound and many feared he would die then and there. Nevertheless, the Prince suffered through his injury and began to be able to walk again but peculiarly he quickly lost his vision as his eyes became cloudy and milky white. Nevertheless, the pious Prince continued to lead his men into the fight, dressing his eyes with a white ribbon and now refusing to cut his already long hair and beard. The campaign was still a success, regardless of the Prince's vision but this injury would have an impact on the Prince's sudden death months later as he apparently fell from his horse while entering the town of Mosata in Mykra. The Prince's head injury returned and this time, a delirious Theophilos finally died from his injury in the night.
Theophilos III was a largely singular and successful ruler who reignited Komneian military prowess and fervent religious devotion in a time when these were both in danger. The pious, directed and largely diligent ruler of the Komneians was, while domestically and militarily successful, derided in the west as a zealous fanatic which furthered the rift between the Mundana and Pankomisa Ecclesial branches, a rift growing further and further as a result of his western antagonism.
Education
Tutored and educated by religious and military advisors during his childhood
Employment
Komneian heir apparent
Komneian Prince and Autokrator
Komneian Prince and Autokrator
Accomplishments & Achievements
Military victories at Sulacharon, Mandilon, Pezikon, Darza, and Eranna
Restored confidence in Komenian military effectiveness and religious adherence
Formalization of the Mykran Exarchate
Restored confidence in Komenian military effectiveness and religious adherence
Formalization of the Mykran Exarchate
Failures & Embarrassments
Religious antagonism with the western Mundana
Largely antagonistic diplomacy with neighbors
Largely antagonistic diplomacy with neighbors
Morality & Philosophy
Restoration through divine inspiration
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Restore military confidence and religious authority to the Principality. Further the imperial dream of reconquest and restoration
Social
Family Ties
Son of Theophobos Aurean and the Zhor princess Tamira
Grandson of Theophilos II Aurean
Husband of Verina Therasius and brother-in-law of Victor Therasius the Elder
Uncle of Victor Therasius the Younger
Father of Styliana Aurean and grandfather of Marcella Lukarenos
Grandson of Theophilos II Aurean
Husband of Verina Therasius and brother-in-law of Victor Therasius the Elder
Uncle of Victor Therasius the Younger
Father of Styliana Aurean and grandfather of Marcella Lukarenos
Religious Views
Utterly devoted and a firebrand fanatic through and through, Theophilos lived and breathed ecclesial teachings and through his top-notch theological education by learned men like Donatius of Vironea, Theophilos was among the most well-read rulers Komneia has ever seen. Theophilos was personally devout and publicly the face of the Pankomisa as he had for a time even eclipsed the Patriarch in religious significance. Theophilos was personally beloved for his devotion in gatherings at the Agias Anáktisis where he led the "Thrinoi", the lamentation of the fall of Rasca, a role typically reserved for the Patriarch.
Social Aptitude
Theophilos was a man of mixed reception, personally, he could be an insufferable man filled to the brim with religious superiority and a general disdain for what he perceived as "lesser men". The Prince himself, however, conducted himself so diligently, so carefully and so particularly that he earned begrudging respect from his subordinates despite their contempt for him.
Speech
Theophilos was an astute speaker and a man well versed in Ecclesial text, he routinely quoted passages from the "Vivlío Dimitríou" or Book of Blessed Demetrios and the "Vivlío ton Patriarchón" or the Book of the Patriarchs. He routinely chastized many members of his court and clergy for their suspected wealth and privilege and sometimes commanded them to make donations to orphanages or sponsor reconstruction efforts as ways to give back to the downtrodden.
Relationships
(The rag-tag Winter Army, the first force called to restore the old imperial borders by the Princes of Komneia)
(The routing of the Zhors by the kataphrakts during the Battle of Mandilon)
Current Location
Ethnicity
Other Ethnicities/Cultures
Life
608 A.E
654 A.E
46 years old
Circumstances of Birth
Son of Prince Theophobos and the Zhor princess Tamira
Circumstances of Death
Succumbed to a head injury resulting in his blinding and death
Birthplace
Komneia, Agrihenia Prope
Place of Death
Mosata, Northwestern Mykra
Family
Spouses
Verina Therasius
(spouse)
Siblings
Children
Gender
Male
Eyes
Dark Brown (Pale Grey after Blinding)
Hair
Long, Finely groomed, Black Hair and Beard
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Tan
Height
5'9
Weight
200 lbs
Quotes & Catchphrases
"A crown was given to us, a crown to conquer for we shall go out to conquer, as we have for a thousand years and as we have done a thousand times over... in the name of all mighty God!!"
Belief/Deity
The Pankomisa Ecclesia
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
Agrihenian
Lakic
Comments