The Historians' History of the World 07

1258 Death of Theodore. Succeeded by his young son Joannes (IV) Lascaris. The prime minister Muzalon and the patriarch Arsenius are regents.

1259 Michael (VIII) Palæologus proclaimed emperor as the result of a successful conspiracy. Muzalon murdered. The emperor goes to war with Michael of Epirus and puts him to flight. Battle of Pelagonia. Capture of William Villehardouin, prince of Achaia.

1261 The general Strategopulus captures Constantinople. Fall of the Latin Empire. Michael removes the seat of empire thither.

THE PALÆOLOGUS DYNASTY AT CONSTANTINOPLE (1261-1453 A.D.)

1261 Michael imprisons Joannes IV and has his eyes put out. For this Arsenius excommunicates Michael. Important commercial treaty with the Genoese renewed after hostilities in 1275. Pope Urban IV frees Villehardouin from his promises to Michael on his release. Warfare results.

1263 Urban IV mediates between Michael and Villehardouin.

1264 Peace between the emperor and Michael of Epirus.

1265 Deposition of Arsenius causing the Arsenite schism.

1269 Charles of Anjou, aided by Joannes of Thessaly and Michael of Epirus, takes up arms against the emperor to restore Baldwin II.

1271 Great defeat of the imperial forces at Demetriades (Volo). Constantinople in danger. Michael proposes union of Greek and Latin churches as a means of saving his throne.

1274 Union of churches effected at council of Lyons. It is opposed by a large faction in the Greek church. It was never really completed, and falls to pieces at Michael’s death.

1280 The Seljuk Turks take Nyssa.

1281 Treaty of Orvietto between the pope, Naples, and Venice to conquer the Greek Empire for Philip, son of Baldwin II. The plan is frustrated by the Sicilian Vespers.

1282 Death of Michael in an expedition against Joannes Ducas of Thessaly. He is a conspicuous example of the misuse of despotic power. His son Andronicus (II) Palæologus succeeds. Ecclesiastical troubles compel the emperor to neglect military matters for a time.

1290 Unsuccessful attack upon Nicephorus of Epirus.

1295 Michael IX, son of Andronicus, receives the imperial title from his father.

1301 Foundation of Ottoman Empire by Osman, who attacks the Greek Empire. Disgraceful defeat of Greeks commanded by Michael, near Nicomedia. The command given to a Tatar chief. The Ottomans gradually conquer all the Byzantine possessions in Asia.

1303 The Catalan Grand Company, engaged by Michael to help fight the Turks, and headed by Roger de Flor, lands in Constantinople.

1304 Relief of Philadelphia by Roger. He conceives the idea of forming a principality in the East.

1305 Roger de Flor visits Constantinople to demand pay for his men.

1306 Turks retake Philadelphia. Plan of Ferdinand of Majorca to conquer a kingdom in the Greek Empire.

1307 Roger de Flor created cæsar. He sets out for Asia but is assassinated. The company breaks its ties with Michael, and sets out to conquer territory for itself. Battle of Apros. The company takes possession of several districts. Excommunication of Andronicus by Clement V.

1310 The company and their Turkish auxiliaries enter service of the duke of Athens. Conquest of Rhodes by knights of St. John.

1311 Battle of the Cephisus and victory of the Catalan Grand Company over the duke of Athens pave way for the conquest of Attica. The Turkish auxiliaries return home.

1315 Victory of Philes Palæologus over Turks at Bizya.

1320 The emperor Michael dies.

1321 Beginning of civil war by partisans of the emperor’s grandson Andronicus led by Cantacuzenus and Synadenus.

1322 Peace of Epibates concludes civil war.

1325 Andronicus compelled to bestow imperial crown on his grandson Andronicus (III) Palæologus; the two reign together.

1327 Andronicus II brings charges against Andronicus III. Civil war breaks out again.

1328 Synadenus overcomes garrison of Constantinople. Abdication of Andronicus II puts an end to civil war, but the court remains full of intrigue.

1329 Imperial defeat at Pelekanon by the Ottoman Orkhan.

1330 Surrender of Nicæa to Orkhan.

1330-1337 Ottoman invasions of the European provinces.

1334-1337 Expedition of Andronicus into Epirus.

1337 The Mongols cross the Danube and ravage northern district. Anne regent for Nicephorus II, despot of Epirus, turns the despotat over to Andronicus.

1338 Surrender of Nicomedia to Orkhan.

1339 Revolt in the despotat of Epirus put down.

1341 Death of Andronicus. His young son Joannes (V) Palæologus succeeds with Empress Anne of Savoy as regent. Rebellion of the prime minister Joannes (VI) Cantacuzenus, who is proclaimed emperor and guardian of Joannes. He often calls himself Joannes V. Apocauchus and Joannes Apri intrigue against Cantacuzenus. A long civil struggle commences.

1342 Stephen Dushan of Servia allies himself with rebels and invades empire.