Map of the Byzantine Empire 1143 AD

This map depicts the Empire at the close of the reign of John II Komnenos, son of Alexios. Through a combination of determination, skill and opportunism, Alexios and John revived the Empire. After defeating Norman attempts at conquest from the west, Alexios was able to exploit the effects of the 1st Crusade to reassert Byzantine control over the more fertile and populated regions of coastal Asia Minor.

At the accession of John's son, Manuel I Komnenos, Byzantium appeared stronger and wealthier than it had done for generations.