George Maniakes Turkish name means noble?

[TrueMacedonian]

The family of the Arabian Emir Anemas in Crete was in the service of John Tzimisces, while George Maniaces, who reconquered Sicily (1038), bears a Turkish name.

The world's history: a survey of man's record, Volume 6 By Viscount James Bryce Bryce, page 50

http://books.google.com/books?pg=PA5...age&q=&f=false

I also see that J.B. Bury and Gibbons state the same thing.

According to Vámbéry the name Maniakes is Turkish and means noble.

The history of the decline and fall of the Roman empire, Volume 6 By Edward Gibbon page 184
http://books.google.com/books?pg=PA1...age&q=&f=false

Could it be true? I looked up how you say noble in Turkish and it's Asil. Maybe back in the 11th century Maniakes was the Turkish word for noble? It would be interesting if George was a Turk.

[Risto the Great]

Onur, any suggestions?

[Onur]

"Asil" is derived from Persian and probably used in Turkish after 13th century as earliest. Turkish originated words for "Noble" are "Koklu, Soylu" but i didn't hear or know anything similar with "Maniakes" which means "Noble" in Turkish. I just know an old Turkish word like "Mank, Manik" which means "Staid, Graceful". I don't think anyone still uses "Mank" today in Turkey. It`s just a question for crossword puzzles anymore.


I heard this Byzantine general tough. Byzantines calls these people as "Tourkopouloi". They are Christians Turks converted from shamanism. George was a famous one among them. When Byzantines converted these Turks to Christianity, they usually took Greek first name but most was using their Turkish names too. Like the names of medieval Bulgarian kings, for example "Ivan shisman", Ivan is a slavic name but shisman is Turkish. So, it`s highly possible that "Maniakes" is derived from a Turkish word.

Byzantine army was mostly consisted of Turkish soldiers and generals since 11th century to 14th century. The ones who refuses to be christian was serving as regular mercenaries. The ones who accepts orthodoxy, could became Generals and enter the Byzantine court of the monarchy.



Check out this book;
The late Byzantine army: arms and society, 1204-1453
by Mark C. Bartusis

http://books.google.com.tr/books?id=...pouloi&f=false


Megas primikerios "Tatikios", megas domestikos "John Aksukhos Garzya", "George Maniakes", "Nicephorus Prosouchos", "Tziknoglos", "Ishak", "Pairames", "Sergios Tourkopoulos", "Ilhan", "Kutlumush", ...

[Risto the Great]

Thanks Onur!