The period between 1261 and 1453 saw the final decline and fall of the Byzantine Empire take place, under the Palailogois dynasty. From the start, the régime faced numerous problems. The Turks continued the expansion into Byzantine territory in Asia Minor, and Anatolia was systematically lost to numerous Turkic ghazis, whose raids evolved into conquering expeditions inspired by Islamic zeal.
With a decreasing source of food and manpower, the Empire was forced to fight on several fronts, often against Christian states: the Second Bulgarian Empire, the Serbian Empire, the remnants of the Latin Empire and even the Knights Hospitaller.
Add to this two disastrous civil wars, the Black Death, and the 1354 earthquake at Gallipoli, whose destruction and evacuation allowed the Turks to occupy it. By 1380, the Byzantine Empire consisted of the capital Constantinople and a few other isolated exclaves. And then in 1453 it was all over; Constantinople was conquered by the 21-year-old Ottoman Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, who defeated an army commanded by Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos.
With a decreasing source of food and manpower, the Empire was forced to fight on several fronts, often against Christian states: the Second Bulgarian Empire, the Serbian Empire, the remnants of the Latin Empire and even the Knights Hospitaller.
Add to this two disastrous civil wars, the Black Death, and the 1354 earthquake at Gallipoli, whose destruction and evacuation allowed the Turks to occupy it. By 1380, the Byzantine Empire consisted of the capital Constantinople and a few other isolated exclaves. And then in 1453 it was all over; Constantinople was conquered by the 21-year-old Ottoman Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, who defeated an army commanded by Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos.
Michael VIII reigned as Byzantine Emperor 1259–1282. He was the founder of the Palaiologan dynasty that would rule the Byzantine Empire until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453.
Michael came to power following a coup against the influential bureaucrat George Mouzalon, seizing from him the guardianship of the eight-year-old Emperor John IV. Michael was given the titles of megas doux and ...
Michael came to power following a coup against the influential bureaucrat George Mouzalon, seizing from him the guardianship of the eight-year-old Emperor John IV. Michael was given the titles of megas doux and ...
Andronikos II was Byzantine emperor from 11 December 1282 to 23 or 24 May 1328. He was the eldest surviving son of Michael VIII Palaiologos.
During his reign the value of the Byzantine hyperpyron depreciated precipitously, while the state treasury accumulated less than one seventh the revenue (in nominal coins) that it had previously. Seeking to increase revenue and reduce expenses, And...
During his reign the value of the Byzantine hyperpyron depreciated precipitously, while the state treasury accumulated less than one seventh the revenue (in nominal coins) that it had previously. Seeking to increase revenue and reduce expenses, And...
Andronikos III was Byzantine emperor from 1328 to 1341. He was proclaimed co-emperor in his youth and in 1321 he rebelled in opposition to his grandfather, Andronikos II. He was formally crowned co-emperor in February 1325, before ousting his grandfather outright and becoming sole emperor in 1328.
His reign included the last failed attempts to hold back the Ottoman Turks in Bithynia and...
His reign included the last failed attempts to hold back the Ottoman Turks in Bithynia and...
John V was a Byzantine emperor, who succeeded his father in 1341 at age of eight. His long reign was marked by the gradual dissolution of imperial power amid numerous civil wars and the continuing ascendancy of the Ottoman Turks.
He reigned three times - from 1341 to 1376, from 1379 to 1390, and finally from 1390 to 1391.
In 1390, John ordered the strengthening of the Golden...
He reigned three times - from 1341 to 1376, from 1379 to 1390, and finally from 1390 to 1391.
In 1390, John ordered the strengthening of the Golden...
John VI was a Greek nobleman, statesman, and general. He served as Grand Domestic under Andronikos III Palaiologos and regent for John V Palaiologos before reigning as Byzantine emperor in his own right from 1347 to 1354.
During John's reign, the empire—already fragmented, impoverished, and weakened—continued to be assailed on every side. The Genovese, disregarding the terms of the trea...
During John's reign, the empire—already fragmented, impoverished, and weakened—continued to be assailed on every side. The Genovese, disregarding the terms of the trea...
Andronikos IV was the eldest son of Emperor John V Palaiologos. Appointed co-emperor since 1352, he had a troubled relationship with his father: he launched a failed rebellion in 1373, usurped the throne in 1376–1379, and remained engaged in a bitter struggle with John V until his death in 1385. This civil war depleted Byzantium's scarce resources and greatly facilitated the Ottoman conquest of th...
John VII was Byzantine Emperor for five months in 1390. While he was Emperor, there is evidence showing he used the name Andronikos, after his father, although when he was regent during his brother's absence in the West, he governed in his birth name.
When his father Andronikos IV usurped the throne from his father John V in 1376, John VII was associated as co-emperor the following year...
When his father Andronikos IV usurped the throne from his father John V in 1376, John VII was associated as co-emperor the following year...
Manuel II was Byzantine Emperor from 1391 to 1425. Shortly before his death he was tonsured a monk and received the name Matthew. He was the second son of Emperor John V Palaiologos and his wife Helena.
Manuel II stood on friendly terms with the victor in the Ottoman civil war, Mehmed I (1402–1421), but his attempts to meddle in the next contested succession led to a new assault on Cons...
Manuel II stood on friendly terms with the victor in the Ottoman civil war, Mehmed I (1402–1421), but his attempts to meddle in the next contested succession led to a new assault on Cons...
John VIII was the penultimate reigning Byzantine Emperor, ruling from 1425 to 1448. He as the eldest son of Manuel II Palaiologos and Helena.
John VIII Palaiologos named his brother Constantine XI, who had served as regent in Constantinople in 1437–1439, as his successor. Despite the machinations of his younger brother Demetrios Palaiologos his mother Helena was able to secure Constanti...
John VIII Palaiologos named his brother Constantine XI, who had served as regent in Constantinople in 1437–1439, as his successor. Despite the machinations of his younger brother Demetrios Palaiologos his mother Helena was able to secure Constanti...
Constantine XI was the last reigning Byzantine Emperor, ruling as a member of the Palaiologos dynasty from 1449 to his death in battle at the fall of Constantinople in 1453.
Previously serving as regent for his brother John VIII 1437–1439, Constantine succeeded his brother, who died in Constantinople of natural causes in 1448, as Emperor following a short dispute with his younger brothe...
Previously serving as regent for his brother John VIII 1437–1439, Constantine succeeded his brother, who died in Constantinople of natural causes in 1448, as Emperor following a short dispute with his younger brothe...