ABSTRACT
The relations between Byzantium and the West were characterized by a network of marriage alliances, which in the Komnenian age became a valuable instrument of Byzantine diplomacy in search of broad and influential family connections. 1 During the last centuries, the fact that the empire’s survival was closely linked to the Mediterranean interests of the Westerners affected the dynasty’s matrimonial choices, leading the emperors to take an increasing number of Latin wives, who as time went on originated mainly from Italy. The facts are well known; nevertheless, the aim of this contribution is to point out the role played by the Italian cities, and especially by Genoa.
