Editing Andronikos I Komnenos (section)

== Downfall and death ==
[[File:Death of andronic I.png|thumb|15th-century depiction of the death of Andronikos. Original in the [[Bibliothèque nationale de France|Bibliothèque Nationale]], France.]]
In 1185, the ''[[Pinkernes|pinkernēs]]'' [[Alexios Komnenos (pinkernēs)|Alexios Komnenos]], a great-nephew of Manuel, approached [[William II of Sicily]] with a request for aid against Andronikos. William invaded the Byzantine Empire and successfully captured both [[Dyrrhachium]] and [[Thessaloniki]] in the name of a young man pretending to be Alexios II.{{Sfn|Magdalino|2008|p=660}} The capture of Thessaloniki in August 1185{{Sfn|Kislinger|2019|p=77}} was followed by a [[Sack of Thessalonica (1185)|brutal sack]] of the city, portrayed by the chronicler [[William of Tyre]] as if the Sicilians were "making war on God himself", and as revenge for the Massacre of the Latins.{{Sfn|Siecienski|2023|p=59}} With Thessaloniki captured, the Sicilians turned their eyes towards Constantinople.{{Sfn|Treadgold|1997|p=654}} The war, however, slowly shifted in Andronikos's favor. The Byzantines successfully split up the invaders into several smaller forces and were slowing down their advance eastwards.{{Sfn|Kislinger|2019|p=77}} Despite beginning to turn the tide, the atmosphere in Constantinople was tense and fearful{{Sfn|Kislinger|2019|p=77}} and the fall of Thessaloniki had turned the common people of the city, previously strong supporters of Andronikos, against the emperor.{{Sfn|Gregory|2010|p=309}}

During this time, Andronikos sent Stephen Hagiochristophorites to arrest the earlier rebel Isaac Angelos,{{sfn|Savvides|1994|pp=351–352}} who was a [[Matrilineality|matrilineal]] relative of the Komnenos dynasty.{{Sfn|Gregory|2010|p=310}} Isaac panicked, killed Hagiochristophorites, and sought refuge in the Hagia Sophia.{{Sfn|Kislinger|2019|p=77}} Finding himself at the center of popular demonstrations against Andronikos,{{Sfn|Harris|2020|loc=12.1}} Isaac unwittingly became the champion of an uprising and was proclaimed emperor.{{Sfn|Kislinger|2019|p=77}} Andronikos tried to flee Constantinople in a boat but was captured and brought to Isaac.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=975}}{{Sfn|Harris|2020|loc=12.1}}

Isaac handed Andronikos over to the incensed people of Constantinople. Andronikos was tied to a post and brutally beaten for three days. Alongside numerous other punishments, his right hand was cut off, his teeth and hair were pulled out, one of his eyes was gouged out, and boiling water was thrown in his face.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=975}} Andronikos was then taken to the [[Hippodrome of Constantinople|Hippodrome]], where he was hung by his feet between two pillars. Two Latin soldiers competed over whose sword could penetrate his body more deeply, and Andronikos's body was eventually torn apart.{{sfn|Choniates|1984|p=193}} According to Niketas Choniates, Andronikos endured the brutality bravely, and retained his senses throughout the ordeal.{{Sfn|Kaldellis|2009|p=96}} He died on 12 September 1185,{{sfn|Choniates|1984|pp=188–189}} and his remains were left unburied and visible for several years afterwards.{{sfn|Choniates|1984|p=193}} At the news of Andronikos's death, his son and co-emperor John was murdered by his own troops in Thrace.{{sfn|Choniates|1984|p=193}}