George Maniakes was a prominent general of the Byzantine Empire during the 11th century. He was the catepan of Italy in 1042. He is known as Gyrgir in Scandinavian sagas. He is popularly said to have been extremely tall and well built, almost a giant.
George Maniakes
General Georgios Maniakes defeats the Arabs in battle.
Maniakes defending Edessa.
Georgios Maniakes reproaches admiral Stephanos.
Edessa was an ancient city (polis) in Upper Mesopotamia, in what is now Urfa or Şanlıurfa, Turkey. It was founded during the Hellenistic period by King Seleucus I Nicator, founder of the Seleucid Empire. It later became capital of the Kingdom of Osroene, and continued as capital of the Roman province of Osroene. In Late Antiquity, it became a prominent center of Christian learning and seat of the Catechetical School of Edessa. During the Crusades, it was the capital of the County of Edessa.
The heritage of Roman Edessa survives today in these columns at the site of Urfa Castle, dominating the skyline of the modern city of Urfa.
Silver tetradrachm struck in Edessa by Macrinus 217-218 AD
King Abgar holding the Image of Edessa.
The seizure of Edessa in Syria by the Byzantine army and the Arabic counterattack (Maniakes) from the Chronicle of John Skylitzes.jpg