Anna Comnena’s Account of Bohemund the Mighty “Such a man had never been seen before in the lands of the Romans, for he was marvelous to the sight. Tall he was, over-topping the tallest by a cubit-slender in the waist and loins, with wide shoulders and a deep chest and powerful arms. It might be said of him that he measured to the standard of Polyclitus. He had strong hands, and a full muscular throat and he stood firmly poised on his feet, stooping a little. His hair looked yellow-red and did not hand down upon his shoulders like that of the other barbarians, for the man was not too vain of his hair to cut it short above the ears. His face likewise was smooth-shaven. His clear blue eyes betokened both spirit and dignity, as did his nostrils. A peculiar charm hung about this man, and yet there was something horrible in him. For in the size of his body and the glance of his eye, methinks, he revealed power and savagery. Even his laughter sounded like snorting. His wit served to show him a way out of every crisis. In talk he was well informed, and the answers he gave were decisive.” Source: Anna Comnena, The History of the Reign of Alexis [Alexiad]. Translated into English by Elizabeth A.S. Dawes, London, 1928

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