Emperors of Rome

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Alexius V.JPG
Alexios V, from an illuminated manuscript (c. 14th century) of Niketas Choniates' history
Name
Alexios V Doukas
Dynasty
Angelos
Born
c. 1140
Unknown
Died
December 1204
Unknown
Reign
5 February 1204 to 13 April 1204
(2 months and 7 days)
Links

Alexios V Doukas (Greek: Ἀλέξιος Δούκας; d. December 1204), in Latinised spelling Alexius V Ducas, was Byzantine emperor from 5 February to 12 April 1204, during the second and final siege of Constantinople by the participants of the Fourth Crusade. His family name was Doukas, but he was also known by the nickname Mourtzouphlos or Murtzuphlus (Μούρτζουφλος), referring to either bushy, overhanging eyebrows or a sullen, gloomy character.[1] He achieved power through a palace coup, killing his predecessors in the process. Though he made vigorous attempts to defend Constantinople from the crusader army, his military efforts proved ineffective. His actions won the support of the mass of the populace, but he alienated the elite of the city. Following the fall, sack, and occupation of the city, Alexios V was blinded by another ex-emperor and later executed by the new Latin regime. He was the last Byzantine emperor to rule in Constantinople until the Byzantine recapture of Constantinople in 1261.