Manuel the Armenian

Manuel
Մանվել
BornLate 8th century
Died27 July 838 / c. 860
Buried
AllegianceByzantine Empire, Abbasid Caliphate
Rankprotostrator, strategos of the Anatolics, Domestic of the Schools
Battles / warsBattle of Anzen
RelationsEmpress Theodora

Manuel the Armenian (‹See Tfd›Greek: Μανουήλ ὁ Ἀρμένιος, Armenian: Մանվել Հայ), was a prominent Byzantine general of Armenian origin, active from c. 810 until his death. After reaching the highest military ranks, a palace conspiracy forced him to seek refuge in the Abbasid court in 829. He returned to Byzantine service the next year, receiving the position of Domestic of the Schools from Emperor Theophilos, who had married his niece Theodora. Manuel remained in the post throughout Theophilos's reign, and reportedly saved the emperor's life in the Battle of Anzen in 838. According to one report, he died on 27 July 838 of wounds received during the battle, but other sources record his survival past this date, ascribing him a major role in the regency that governed the empire after Theophilos's death, and report that he died some time around 860.