The exact date of his birth is unknown, but was likely around 1050. According to his niece, the historian-princess Anna Komnene (Alexiad, 77–78), he was physically similar to his younger brother, the future emperor Alexios, though he was paler and his beard was less bushy.
The exact date of birth is unknown, but it's believed to have been around 1050. His niece, historian-princess Anna Komnene (Alexiad, 77–78), described him as physically similar to his younger brother, the future emperor Alexios, though he was paler and had a less bushy beard.