Giphardos

Alexios Giphardos (fl. 1148–1160), known simply as Giphardos, was a Byzantine commander that served emperor Manuel I Komnenos (r. 1143–1180). His name implies Norman origin, however, he was not regarded barbarian and it might have been a distant ancestry.^[1] Giphardos was experienced, having fought many battles, and commanded Byzantine troops against the Cumans in 1148 and the Serbian-Hungarian force at Tara in 1150.^[1][2] At Tara, he and Michael Branas and other commanders were caught in danger, but were saved by Manuel I.^[2] He served as the envoy to the sultan of Ikonion in c. 1158.^[1] He was appointed the doux of Thrakesion, and bishop Georgios Tornikes of Ephesos claimed he had taken his office only due to Giphardos' administrative and military skills.^[1]