John II Komnenos

John II Komnenos (lived 1087—1143, reigned 1118—1143) was a pious and dedicated emperor who was determined to undo the damage done to the Byzantine Empire by the Muslim Seljuk Empire’s victory over the Byzantines at the Battle of Manzikert some 50 years earlier. John made alliances with the Holy Roman Empire in the West, won military victories in the Balkans, and personally led numerous campaigns against the Turks in Asia Minor. He forced the Turks onto the defensive and recaptured many towns, fortresses, and cities from the Turks in Asia Minor and temporarily changed the balance of power.