Individual Details
Michael VIII Dukas Komnenos Palaiologos, Emperor of Nicaea and Byzantium
(Est 1224 - 1282)
Michael was born in Nicea about 1224, the son of Andronikos Dukas Komnenos Palaiologos, governor of Thessalonika, and Theodora Palaiologina. He and his wife Theodora Dulaina Komnene Palaiologina Batatzina had two sons and two daughters who would have progeny. He had two illegitimate daughters who would have progeny.
Michael became a successful general in the Nicaean empire, and in 1258 he became regent for and soon co-ruler with the eight-year-old Emperor Johannes IV Lascaris. Later he had Johannes IV blinded and imprisoned, so becoming sole ruler of Nicaea. In 1261 he became emperor of Byzantium, in the process becoming embroiled with the papacy and Louis IX's brother Charles I Etienne of Anjou, who aimed to re-establish the Latin empire with himself as emperor.
The forced reunion of the Orthodox Church with Rome aroused great discontent among Michael's subjects but warded off attacks until 1281. The very hostile Pope Martin IV (1281-1285) proclaimed a crusade against him, but Michael incited discontent in Sicily, which was invaded by his allies the Aragónese, thereby ending Charles of Anjou's threatening ambitions.
Michael died on 11 December 1282. His son Andronikos II would also become emperor of Byzantium.
Source: Leo van de Pas
Michael became a successful general in the Nicaean empire, and in 1258 he became regent for and soon co-ruler with the eight-year-old Emperor Johannes IV Lascaris. Later he had Johannes IV blinded and imprisoned, so becoming sole ruler of Nicaea. In 1261 he became emperor of Byzantium, in the process becoming embroiled with the papacy and Louis IX's brother Charles I Etienne of Anjou, who aimed to re-establish the Latin empire with himself as emperor.
The forced reunion of the Orthodox Church with Rome aroused great discontent among Michael's subjects but warded off attacks until 1281. The very hostile Pope Martin IV (1281-1285) proclaimed a crusade against him, but Michael incited discontent in Sicily, which was invaded by his allies the Aragónese, thereby ending Charles of Anjou's threatening ambitions.
Michael died on 11 December 1282. His son Andronikos II would also become emperor of Byzantium.
Source: Leo van de Pas
Events
| Birth | Est 1224 | ||||
| Death | 1282 | ||||
| Marriage | Theodora Dukaina Batatzaina |
Families
| Spouse | Theodora Dukaina Batatzaina (1240 - 1303) |
| Child | Andronikos II, Palaiologos, Emperor of Constantinople (1259 - 1332) |