Michel VIII Paleologist - SpeedyLook encyclopedia

Michel VIII Paleologist (Greek: Μιχαήλ Η ΄ Παλαιολόγος ) (v. 1224 - December 11th 1282) is a Byzantine emperor 13th century which reigns between 1261 and 1282.

Michel VIII, is emperor of Nicée of 1258 with 1261, then Byzantine Empereur of 1261 with 1282. He usurps the throne of Nicée to the sovereign legitimates Jean IV Lascaris. Its passage to the capacity is often regarded as the large last reigns of the Byzantine empire. It takes again Constantinople and renovates the Imperial City. Then, thanks to a skilful diplomacy, it avoids a crusade against Romanie (another name of the Byzantine Empire of then). Besides it uses much more the diplomacy to settle its disagreements that the strong manner with the image of the sicilian Vêpres of which it is important factor starting but in which it does not take part directly.

However Michel VIII makes several errors, for example by removing the colonists on the Turkish border to already well badly save Byzantine finances in point an additional expenditure. Inside the Empire, it renovates certainly Constantinople but contributes by the reference of the Arsène patriarch to create a religious serious attack which perdure well after the death of the two protagonists. Moreover, its alliance with Genoa which yields to the Italian city great commercial privileges in the empire, prevents the economic raising and thus takes part in the future fall of the Byzantine empire.

Before the beginning of its reign

Michel VIII is the son of the general Andronic Paléologue and his Théodora wife. Resulting from a famous family, downward of the Comnène S (Angel and Doukas), Michel belongs to the Byzantine aristocracy and receives his education at the court of Jean III Doukas Vatatzès. Shining general, he is however imprisoned in 1253 in a prison of Nicée by the Byzantine emperor Jean III who shows it conspiracy. Nevertheless this charge is based on a misunderstanding and the following year, Jean releases it and names it Grand Constable (it is subordinating it of all the Italian merchants present on the territory of the empire). The same year, Michel becomes governor of Thessalonique then strategist of Bithynie. On this occasion it Marie with Théodora Doukas the small niece of the emperor. The death of Jean III and the advent of his/her son Theodore II the November 3rd 1254 mark a change in the life of Michel: the new emperor relies on him little. In 1256, it is Michel VIII Paleologist who leads the war vis-a-vis to Michel II of Epire. Nevertheless, he is again shown of conspiracy by the emperor and he flees at the sultan Seldjoukide of Roum which puts it at the head its soldiers Mongolian combatant the . Nevertheless nine days later, whereas with Magnésie are celebrated the funeral of the late emperor, of the frank mercenaries enter the church and kill Georges Muzalon and his brothers. Georges Acropolite considers that the noble ones fallen in disgrace at the time of the preceding reign are guilty. But it appears much more probable than the true instigator of this operation is Michel Paléologue. Indeed, it seems that he is the chief of the mercenaries and it appears clearly that it is shortly after the death of the regent who it starts to become an important character in the policy of the empire of Nicée. Shortly after the murder of the regent, Michel VIII is released and the dignitaries of the State see themselves in the obligation to name a new regent. It is Michel who gains the vote with moreover title of mégaduc. The new regent obtains in addition to the assembly the possibility of picking with his own way in the cases of the Empire. Continuing his rise, Michel Paléologue finds himself with the title of Despote, highest of the Byzantine hierarchy. Having as many being able that an emperor it however makes a point of taking the attributes of them and manages to convince the patriarch Arsène Autoriannos (tutor of the young person Jean IV) to crown it emperor with the young person basileus to preserve the throne of the son of Theodore II.

February 1st 1258, Michel becomes officially the new emperor of Nicée under the name of Michel VIII and on January 1st of the following year is made jointly crown emperor with his wife and Jean IV in the cathedral of Nicée by the Arsène patriarch. However, Jean IV Lascaris is relegated in a castle of the the Bosphorus. The patriarch, understanding that it was misled, decides to withdraw himself in a monastery. He is replaced against the opinion of the ecclesiastical dignitaries by the métropolite of Éphèse, Nicéphore.

The reconquest

Fight against the Francs and the despotat of Épire

As of its advent Michel VIII must fight against the frank States, however the Latin Empire of Constantinople is not most dangerous. Indeed, after having begun again the Thrace, most of Macedonia and Thessalonique, it signs peace with Baudouin II of Courtenay. On the other hand, it must very quickly fight against an enemy more coriace: the despotic of Épire Michel II Doukas which takes again Macedonia until the Vardar and forms a coalition made up of Manfred {{Ier}} of Sicily as well as Guillaume II of Villehardouin. Michel VIII acts promptly and sends his brother, the Sébastokrator Jean Paléologue, in Greece with an army. From there, this last succeeds in overcoming the army of the despot of Morée with Edessa. Continuing his progression, the brother of the emperor takes Ohrid. Eager to take his revenge, Michel II gathers his army with that of Guillaume de Villehardouin and the sicilian knights of Manfred. However the latter are beaten once again with the Bataille of Pélagonie and prince de Morée is captured. Following that, Jean Paléologue occupies Arta, the capital of the despot, and carries out forwarding in Greece until Thèbes. The son of the despot, Theodore, recovers nevertheless most of the lost territory and captive fact the Byzantine general Alexis Strategopoulos. This last is however delivered at the end of an agreement between Michel VIII and Michel II.

These events make it possible Michel Paléologue to pacify his possessions in Europe. However if he wants to take again Constantinople it needs sure positions in Asia. It arrives there while signing a treaty with the Mongolian , giving up in fact its old ally, the sultan of Iconium. The basileus of the same sign a treaty with the emperor of Trébizonde Manual Comnène to make sure the support of the majority of the Hellenic forces.

Constantinople: the dream of the emperors of Nicée

Since the catch of Constantinople by the crusaders and more particularly the Francs and Latin and the creation of the empire of Nicée in 1204, the goal of the Byzantine emperors is clearly to give the hand on the old capital. Indeed, Nicée constitutes only one refuge, a slackening for the Byzantine empire wounded but not dead. All the predecessors of Michel tried to recover Constantinople or at least to approach some little by little. The beginning, the Latin emperors resisted, the latter wanting to make use of Constantinople like advanced station for a future crusade against the Turks and with more large scales against the Moslems like approaching practitioners of the Greek rite for little by little, of liking or force, to make them admit the Latin rite. On their side, the Venetian ones want to acquire grounds to enrich their trade. But the Latin Empire of Constantinople can never fulfill its mission of the fact in particular of the absence of reinforcements, of divisions of the frank main leaders as well as hostility of the inhabitants. The touched first was the Latin empire, which, the day before the Byzantine conquest is ruined, stripped of troops, is dispossessed of the grounds of 1204 and is given up its allies excluded Venice.

The resumption of Constantinople

Michel is conscious that it is necessary for him to be careful. This is why it makes safe the borders of the empire before setting up the plan which must restore the Byzantine empire. Michel VIII leaves to shift first once in 1260 where it stops in front of Selymbria which it cannot take because Anseau de Toucy, captured at the time of the battle of Pélagonia and given in freedom in exchange of the opening of one of the doors of the city, does not hold his promise. The countryside of Michel Paléologue thus stops there and it sets out again in Nicée. However, Génois are informed of the countryside of the emperor and they send an embassy to Nymphée. Indeed Génois, since the fall of Constantinople in 1204, are private their advantages and their grounds with the detriment of the Venetian ones; Genoa can then launch only raids of piracy against the Venetian possessions. Michel, who knows the potential of the navy génoise (itself almost does not have navy) accepts all the requests of Génois and a synallagmatic treaty is signed in Nymphée the March 13rd 1261 by which the two signatories commit themselves forming an alliance against Baudouin II and Venice. In addition to the principal clause, Génois must place at the disposal of the Byzantines their fleet. On their side, the Byzantines, following the catch of Constantinople, commit themselves giving to Genoa the advantages from which the Venetian ones profit, Constantinople should contain a district génois and the latter could trade freely on the Byzantine territory. The economic monopoly of Venice would be thus replaced by that of Genoa.

All is thus ready for the reconquest of Constantinople, but it is not done as the two allied ones envisaged it. Indeed, it is the general Alexis Stratégopoulos, who conquers the city. Sent in Europe with 800 men on the Bulgarian border, it goes to the front of Constantinople to observe it without having nevertheless like drank to take it. It is however what arrives: a patrol is sent to the neighborhood of the imperial city and this one getting along with the inhabitants is made open the doors. Alexis Strategopoulos has thus the immense privilege to return the first to Constantinople the July 25th 1261. In front of the speed of the events, Baudouin II flees in the boat, while a few days later, a Venetian fleet coming from the Black Sea can only remain without anything to make in front of the accomplished fact. Constantinople is finally taken again, the emperors after 57 years of exile in Nicée again sit in the imperial Cité.

Interior measurements

Restoration of Constantinople

As of his arrival in Constantinople, Michel VIII is made crown emperor with Holy-Sophie by Arsène whom he recalled of his exile. The basileus transports the court of the Palais of Blachernes towards the Palais crowned, old residence of the Byzantine emperors. Shortly after Michel VIII becomes aware that should be taken emergency measures. Indeed, the Byzantine empire and Constantinople in particular are in a state of advanced ruin. The imperial City was abandoned with its fate lasting nearly 60 years and the city is very deteriorated. The emperor rebuilds the burnt districts or strongly dilapidated, it cleans the streets full with rubbish, gives in state the walls of the city and built a fleet of war. As promised in the agreement of Nymphée, it builds a district génois and fills thanks to the inhabitants of the suburbs with Constantinople the abandoned Venetian district. It also provides for the restoration with the churches and the orthodoxe monasteries, in order to revive the religious conscience of its people and ressusciter the feeling of patriotism. Michel also attacks himself to promote art with the creation of frescos, of icons which for certain were destroyed during the Latin occupation. Moreover, the emperor while trying to create an alliance with Manfred of Sicily asks for to him the hand of his daughter Constance, widow of Jean III Vatatzès. During its patriarchate, it cancels the excommunication of the emperor logically. However Arsène preserves many partisans. Moreover Génois profit from the monopoly of the trade through the Empire and deprive it of the main resources which could have restored its size. One can quote like example Manuel Zacaria, commercial génois which obtains the monopoly of the trade of the Alun.

Attempts at Union enters the two Churches

As of the reconquest of Constantinople, Michel VIII tries to restore positive ratios with papacy to avoid any risk of a new crusade against the Empire. Thus it tries to sign the Union of the two Churches to save Constantinople as do it the majority of its successors. Moreover, it has to fight against Charles of Anjou king de Sicile which had like project to take again Constantinople and from which all these actions are closely dependant with its relations with the pope.

Fluctuating relations with the pope and the frank States of Greece

With his come to power, Michel VIII had like drank to prevent a crusade against the Empire and to reestablish in the majority of the areas of the Balkans like in Greece. To recover this area, it is necessary for him to fight against prince de Morée. It is what it makes kind Guillaume II of Villehardouin, which had been made prisoner with the battle of Pélagonia, sign a treaty (1262). Guillaume becomes vassal Empire and must return to this last the fortresses of Mistra, Geraki and Monemvasia. Michel gives the administration of his three fortified towns to his Constantin brother. The emperor regains thus little by little a footing in Greece. However Guillaume de Villehardouin is not long in fomenting an alliance against the Byzantine empire. In reaction, the emperor plunders the Latin islands and sends Constantin to take the town of Sparte. The basileus, to avoid the danger, approaches Manfred, but this last pushes back the requests of Michel. Also, this last decides to be addressed to the pope to reconcile Greek and Latin. Urbain IV accepts. Indeed it pushed back the requests of Baudouin II who wants to reconcile himself with Manfred. However, the participation in the crusade of the former Latin emperor appears essential. The pope thus finds an area of agreement with Michel. Thus the attempt at union of the two Churches starts.

While waiting for the arrival of the papal legates, Michel VIII sends the Constantin general again in shift against Andravida, the capital of the Principauté of Achaïe. However in Sergiana, the Byzantine army is again beaten and the mercenaries Turkish desert This truce can leave room to the talks having to found the Union but Urbain IV dies the October 2nd 1264.

Michel VIII worried by the Sicilians

The death of Urbain IV obstructs considerably Michel VIII in his projects. Indeed it was then ready to conclude the Union from the two Churches with the pope. The emperor must await the February 5th 1265 to know the new pope: Clement IV. This last supports as of its advent Charles of Anjou in his project of invasion of Sicily against Manfred. After his victory at the time of the Battle of Bénévent where Manfred finds death, Michel VIII starts to worry. Indeed, Charles of Anjou has like project the conquest of Constantinople. The basileus tries to be reconciled with the pope but this last does not accept. On its side Charles of Anjou, after his victory vis-a-vis the successor of Manfred, Conradin to the battle of Tagliacozzo, sets up a fleet for its future countryside against the Byzantine empire. Moreover it signs a treaty with Viterbe with Baudouin II by whom it is committed returning his throne to him to Constantinople. The pope who is also signatory of the treaty is not less anxious projects of Charles of Anjou. Clement IV thus continues his exchange of letters with Michel Paléologue. The pope is ready to accept the Union but contrary to its predecessor, it agrees to recognize Michel VIII emperor only if the Greek clergy as a whole is submitted to the pope. But the pope dies a little later leaving the vacant Holy See during two years.

This event is used particularly the interests as Charles of Anjou which then is not subjected any more to a pontifical pressure for its invasion of the Byzantine empire. It signs even a treaty with prince de Morée. Michel VIII, not despairing, sends messages to Saint Louis which he now regards as the chief of Christendom. The emperor sends to the king France two embassies asking him to divert his brother of his attempt conquest of the Empire. Louis IX delegates the religious question to the council of the cardinals which formulates the same requests as Clément IV for the union, but Louis XI succeeds in involving Charles in his project of crusade in Tunisia and the king Louis IX is on the point of receiving the second Byzantine embassy carried out by Jean Teccos when he dies in Tunis of the plague. Charles of Anjou can again devote himself entirely to his project of invasion but on the way of the return in Sicily, a violent storm runs 18 of its ships and most of its army. This event involves a deferment with Michel VIII who can prepare with a new offensive of Charles of Anjou.

Union

The new pope, Gregoire X, is elected on September 1st 1271. As of its election and whereas it is still with Saint-Jean-D' Acre, it sends a letter of support for Michel VIII and asks Charles of Anjou to stop his quarrelsome projects against the Empire. However, the king of Sicily continues his action and ties bonds with the Albanians who appoint it king and sign an alliance with the prince d' Achaïe like with the Bulgaria and the Serbia (1272 - 1273). To counter this threat, Michel Paléologue is combined with the king de Castille Alphonse X Wise the, which is a savage enemy of Charles of Anjou. But it is the pope who is of a great help for the Empire: this last, whereas it was still in Saint-Jean-D' Acre, announces in Michel that it is completely of agreement for a project of Union between the two Churches in three conditions: acceptance by the whole of the Greek clergy of the primacy of the pope, the ultimate call in the religious affairs in Rome and the homage to the pope in the public prayers. Consequently, Michel VIII launches out in a vast campaign to persuade the high authorities of the Byzantine Church to accept the proposals of the pope. He shows that the three conditions would have never to be respected: the pope would never come to Constantinople, it would not have there thus to make it pass before the orthodoxe ecclesiastics; no one would not have the idea to undertake a long voyage to carry its call to Rome; to pay homage to the pope in the public prayers would not change anything with the purity orthodoxe doctrines. But to arrive to Rome then to Lyon, the Byzantine embassy must pass by the territory of Charles of Anjou which is of course not agreement to let it make. But it ends however up yielding under the pressure of the pope and the embassy arrives at Lyon. After informbeing informed by the three Byzantine ambassadors of acceptance by the unit of the Greek clergy of the pontifical condition, the Union is officially declared at the time of the fourth section of the council, the July 6th 1274.

A fragile Union

The Union of the two Churches concretizes the dream of the two century old popes since the schism of 1054; for Gregoire X it is a great victory which makes grow its prestige. But, for the Byzantine empire, the situation is in any point different, the Byzantine dignitaries are savagely against the Union, but that does not prevent Michel VIII from crowning the union of the two Churches the January 16th 1276 with the vault of the palate. The May 26th of the same year, it relieves the Joseph patriarch, anti-unionistic, to replace it by Jean Vekkos, pro-unionistic. This last after a fashion tries to convince the Byzantine high authorities but it arrives there only partially and the opposition grows, carried out in particular by Gregoire of Cyprus like several people of the family of Michel, of which his/her Théophanie sister that Michel VIII does not hesitate to imprison. Nevertheless the positive point of the Union is the truce signed between the emperor and Charles of Anjou (October 1274).

In spite of its problems, Michel Paleologist continuous to correspond with the pope and tries to set up with him a supposed project of crusade to drive out the Turks of Asia Mineure and to recreate a Christian State in Holy Land. But this project cannot lead because of dead of Gregoire X the January 10th 1276.

Union, an impossible goal?

The death of Gregoire X carries an hard blow to the subsistence of the Union and the succession of the pope is complex - three popes in two years of January 1276 in May 1278, all elected under the influence of Charles of Anjou and thus more or less hostile to the Byzantine empire. Nicolas III, elected in May 1278, is, him, hostile with the quarrelsome projects of the king de Sicile. However he asks Michel VIII the tender of all the Greek clergy without exception and especially the integration of the “ Filioque ” in the orthodoxe creed. Like the majority of his successors, Michel Paléologue tried to link the two Churches for, according to him, to prevent the formation of a crusade against the Empire and in a broader measurement to cause some against the Turks. But the resentment between Greeks and Latin is well too strong to make accept with the whole of the population of the Empire the founded good of the Union. It is impossible to make change opinion a population by the force and that the Paléologue include/understand it rather quickly. Moreover Michel VIII has to be opposed to popes - except Gregoire X - who ask for too strong concessions for the Empire. Never thus the Union at the time of the dynasty of the Paleologist in general and here at the time of the reign of Michel VIII in particular could not be established in a durable way.

The policy of Michel VIII in Balkans

In its Balkan policy , Michel VIII, in spite of his desire for regaining a footing in the peninsula, does not have any overall picture and by soldiers lack of means, it spends most clearly its time on the defensive. The basileus proceeds by minor attacks as against prince de Morée. On the other hand, vis-a-vis the despotat of Épire, the situation is different. With died of Michel II, Michel VIII tries to stick the services of Jean the Angel which received the Thessalie in heritage, via present, by inviting it to Constantinople in large pump. In spite of that prince de Thessalie remains against the Byzantine empire. But while accommodating theunionistic ones, Jean the Angel goes too much far and Michel Paléologue launches an operation at the time which it invades Thessalie and captures several cities of which Bérat.

With the Bulgarian tsar Constantin Ier Asên married to a girl of Theodore II, the relations are bad. After having tried without success to prevent Michel VIII from taking again Constantinople, Constantin Ier Asên undergoes the reprisals of the basileus which advances to the plain of Sofia (1264). But Michel must beat a retreat when it arrives for the Hungarian army of Etienne V. Following that Michel Paléologue takes Philippopoli as several cities of the east of the Bulgarian State. Constantin reacts nevertheless and asks his ally tatar Nogaï Khan of the Kiptchak to attack the Byzantine emperor. The Khan inflicts a heavy defeat with Michel VIII before plundering Thrace (1265). To leave itself this bad step, Michel Marie Paleologist her daughter with Constantin Asên widowed. In addition to that the basileus must return to the tsar the towns of Black Sea that it had taken to him, but Michel obtempère not what causes a new war. Constantin tries to call his Tatars allies, but Nogaï changed camp and became the ally of the emperor because this one gave him one of its bastard in marriage. Thus it is the khan of Kiptchak which protects the Thrace from the attack of the Bulgarian ones.

A little later following an incident, Bulgarian regency is allocated to the girl of Michel VIII. However, the Bulgarian dignitaries there are opposed and name Ivaïlo tsar (1277). The basileus supports Jean Asên, the opponent with Ivaïlo with the Bulgarian throne. The applicant of Michel succeeds in being established on the throne under the name of Jean Asen III but is reversed shortly after by Ivaïlo which is him even reversed in 1280 by George Terter which, as of its advent, signs a treaty with Charles of Anjou against Michel VIII. Thus, Bulgaria while falling into a crisis from succession is not any more one direct danger to the Empire. The situation is quite different of the Serbia, young State and in full expansion. The main leader of the Serb Etienne Uroš {{Ier}} Marie with Latin, Helene of Anjou. To avoid a war with the Serb ones, Michel Paléologue tries to marry one of his daughters to a Serb prince, Miloutine. But the project cannot succeed, the Byzantine embassy regarding the court of the prince as indecent for a Byzantine princess. This has fatal consequences for the Empire. Indeed, Miloutine is very irritated by the abandonment of the marriage and it Marie with a girl of Jean the Angel the large enemy of Michel VIII. A little later by capturing the cities of Skopje and Tight, Etienne Uros opens the way with his successors who become dangerous enemies for the Byzantine Empire.

Eastern policy

Michel VIII very occupied by his policy in Occident has relatively peaceful relationships to the Eastern powers. Very early, it signs a treaty with the Mongolian khan Houlagou Khan which reigns in minor Asia and which is pro-Christian. It ties relations with the Mamelouks and his chief Baybars with whom it shares a goal: to avoid a crusade of the Occident. Thus Baybars requires of Michel to leave him the unrestricted passage of the Straits so that it can communicate with his ally the khan Nogaï (pro-Moslem) of the khanat of Kiptchak. Hesitant Michel VIII ends up giving up his alliance with Houlagou hoping by this treaty with Baybars to dissuade Nogaï the ally from Bulgarian to tackle the empire what it makes a success of since triple alliance anti-occident was signed by Baybars, Nogaï and Michel Paléologue. But in 1272 with the Union of the two Churches, the Byzantine empire stops communicating with the Egypt before signing in 1277 a treaty with Kelaoun, the successor of Baybars, against Charles of Anjou.

Vis-a-vis the Turkish sultanate of Roum, Michel VIII does not act. Indeed this sultanate is not very dangerous and must concentrate the essence of these forces vis-a-vis the Mongols. The basileus by soldiers lack of means cannot recover territories. Moreover, the Hellenic culture completely disappeared from the territory of the sultanate, the Seldjoukides created a new civilization there and even if Michel had reconquered the sultanate, it would have had evil to restore Byzantine civilization on this territory. Thus Asia Mineure which during more than 1000 years had known the culture Roman and Hellenic (with the Romain Empire initially then with the Byzantine empire) is discovering a new civilization. Only the Greek empire of Trébizonde succeeds in saving the hellenism. On the grounds of Minor Asia, many Sultanate S Turkish emergent of which that of Karaman which seizes Iconium in 1278. Another tribe, the Kayi, driven out by the Mongols are established between Kütahya and Brousse and is put at the service of the Alaeddin sultan. This tribe ordered by Ertugrul inserts the Othomans in the history.

By lodging Azz ED DIN the sultan of Roum which had been driven out of its throne by the Mongols, it makes an error. Indeed, he promises in Houlagou to keep the sultan of Roum to Constantinople so that Ci does not come to take again its good. Furious Azz-ED-DIN is turned on the side of the Bulgarian tsar to whom it communicates information before leaving the Byzantine capital after the defeat of Michel VIII in 1265. Not being able to lead an offensive policy vis-a-vis to the various emirates Turkish, it could have reinforced defense at the borders but it makes the opposite. The emperors of Nicée to keep the Eastern border established colonists paid to protect defenses. Michel VIII gives up the too expensive system and thus the frontier cities and villages become the target many raids Turkish and Mongolian and very quickly the area is deserted. In reaction, Michel sends Andronic Paléologue his son against the Turks and the Mongols. He initially obtains successes with in particular the resumption of the town of Tralles which he re-elects Andrinocopolis. However it leaves it without walls and very quickly the Turks take again the city. Michel VIII is thus obliged to sign a treaty where he concedes many cities and villages with the emirates Turkish and Mongolian of which old Tralles which becomes thus a Turkish emirate more and more near to Constantinople.