to the court. Factions were formed, and faction fights in the streets of the city brought with them their usual train of plunder and outrage. Looking about for a strong man, the Greeks could find no one but Andronicus, whom they invited to become prime minister, and who speedily made himself emperor.
The life of Andronicus has been drawn by every writer who has treated of the Eastern empire. In the whole of history there is no more romantic story of adventure, daring, danger, ambition, and strength. No Norman conqueror, no crusading hero, no Spanish invader, can show a more astonishing record. It may be found detailed at length in Finlay, Gibbon, and Le Beau. An abridgment of his story may be given here. He was the son of Isaac Comnenus, and the grandson of Alexius I. Like most of his race, he was tall, strong, and athletic; his personal habits were temperate; he was dexterous in arms; he was persuasive and eloquent; he owned no restraint of principle, though he was ready with quotations on occasion from St. Paul; his bravery and skill recommended him to Manuel, his cousin, whose vices as well as his courage Andronicus shared. While the emperor scandalised the Church by his connection with Theodora, his niece, Andronicus openly carried about with him Eudocia, her sister. She shared his campaigns, and the hard fighting of the day was followed by feasting and singing at night. Early In Manuel's reign Andronicus was taken prisoner by the Turks, and taken to the court of Sultan Massoud, where he learned the Turkish language, and showed no un-
