In a power shift that would redefine the Byzantine Empire, Alexios I Komnenos orchestrated a coup against the reigning emperor, Nikephoros III Botaneiates. Having amassed a strong following, Alexios marched into Constantinople, taking advantage of the political instability and discontent among the populace towards Botaneiates’ rule. Upon his successful seizure of power, Alexios’s troops engaged in extensive looting across the city for three days. This chaotic period not only caused havoc among the local populace but also highlighted the urgent need for political reform within the empire. On April 4, shortly after the looting began, Alexios was officially crowned as emperor, cementing his control over the Byzantine state.

The events leading to this coup were steeped in political intrigue, with factions within the Byzantine army and court shifting allegiances. Alexios’s rise to power was also fueled by external threats, notably the ongoing incursions of the Seljuk Turks. By aggressively asserting himself against both internal and external challenges, Alexios aimed to rejuvenate the Byzantine military and restore the empire’s former glory. The looting phase, despite its detrimental effect on the city’s populace, served as a grim marker of Alexios's boldness in asserting his authority and military command.

Following his coronation, Alexios I would implement a series of reforms aimed at stabilizing and revitalizing the Byzantine Empire. His reign would witness numerous military campaigns against the Turks, marked by a significant shift in Byzantine tactical thinking and the methodology of warfare. Alexios's administration set the stage for the Komnenian dynasty, eventually leading to the empire's resurgence in the subsequent decades, as well as the eventual crusades that would follow.