Alexios II Komnenos vs Lothair I

Alexios II was crowned co-emperor alongside his father Manuel I Komnenos at the age of two. This was a dynastic move to secure the succession, but left the empire in the hands of regents after Manuel's death in 1180.

Alexios II was strangled to death in Constantinople on the orders of his cousin Andronikos I Komnenos. Andronikos had seized power as regent and then co-emperor, and eliminated the 14-year-old Alexios to secure his own rule, ending the direct Komnenian line.

Lothair I was crowned co-emperor by Pope Paschal I in Rome, receiving the imperial title from his father Louis the Pious. This coronation affirmed Lothair's status as the senior heir and future ruler of the Carolingian Empire, though it later led to conflict with his brothers.

Lothair I led a rebellion of nobles against his father, Emperor Louis the Pious, resulting in Louis's temporary deposition. Lothair seized power but was later forced to restore his father after the intervention of his brothers. This event deepened family divisions.

Lothair I's forces were defeated by the combined armies of his brothers Louis the German and Charles the Bald at Fontenoy-en-Puisaye. The battle was a bloody civil war that weakened the Carolingian dynasty and led directly to the negotiations for the Treaty of Verdun.

Lothair I, along with his brothers Louis the German and Charles the Bald, signed the Treaty of Verdun, dividing the Carolingian Empire into three kingdoms. Lothair received Middle Francia, including the imperial title and the cities of Aachen and Rome.

Lothair I abdicated the throne and divided Middle Francia among his three sons: Louis II (Italy and imperial title), Lothair II (Lotharingia), and Charles (Provence). He then retired to Pr