John Kourkouas or Curcuas ( Greek: Ἰωάννης Κουρκούας) was the Byzantine catepan of Italy from 1008 to 1010.
John belonging to the Kourkouas family of Armenian descent. [1] According to a deed of grant to the monastery of San Giovanni in Lamis, he bore the titles of anthypatos and patrikios. [2] Kourkouas arrived at Bari in May 1008, [2] as a replacement for Alexios Xiphias, [1] who had died sometime between April and August of the previous year. [3] He served as catepan of Italy until some time before March 1010, when his successor, Basil Mesardonites, is attested in office. [1] [2] According to the Italian chronicles of Lupus Protospatharius and Anonymus Barensis, he died in office in 1010. [1] [2]
Nothing is known of his tenure, as the only information about him comes from deeds confirmed by his successors, and brief references in Italian sources. [1] [2] John's government coincided with the first revolt of the Lombards in Greek Apulia, under Melus of Bari. [1]
A possible descendant or relative, the notary John Kourkouas, is attested in southern Italy some time before 1054. [4]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Andriollo 2012, p. 77.
- ^ a b c d e PmbZ, Ioannes Kurkuas (#23352).
- ^ PmbZ, Alexios Xiphias (#20246).
- ^ Andriollo 2012, p. 78.
Sources
- Andriollo, Lisa (2012), "Les Kourkouas (IXe-XIe siècle)", in Cheynet, Jean-Claude; Sode, Claudia (eds.), Studies in Byzantine Sigillography (in French), vol. 11, Berlin: De Gruyter, pp. 57–88, ISBN 978-3-11-026668-9
- Lilie, Ralph-Johannes; Ludwig, Claudia; Pratsch, Thomas; Zielke, Beate (2013). Prosopographie der mittelbyzantinischen Zeit Online. Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften. Nach Vorarbeiten F. Winkelmanns erstellt (in German). Berlin and Boston: De Gruyter.