Maria Komnene

Maria Komnene (; 19 September 1085 – after 1136) was the second daughter of the Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos. She was initially betrothed to Gregory Gabras, but married to Nikephoros Katakalon. Life Maria Komnene was born on Friday, 19 September 1085, as the second daughter and second child of the Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos and Empress Irene Doukaina. As the daughter of a reigning emperor, she bore the title of porphyrogennete ("purpleborn"). In 1094 she was betrothed to Gregory Gabras, the son of the doux of Chaldia Theodore Gabras. After Gregory tried to escape the palace and flee to his father, he was placed under arrest, and the betrothal was annulled. Eventually, in Maria married Nikephoros Katakalon, the son of Constantine Euphorbenos Katakalon, one of Alexios' most prominent and trusted generals. On the occasion, Nikephoros Katakalon was given the title of panhypersebastos. Along with her mother and her sisters, Maria attended her dying father in 1118.