Michael I Komnenos Doukas
Michael I Komnenos Doukas, Latinized as Comnenus Ducas, and in modern sources often recorded as Michael I Angelos, a name he never used, was the founder and first ruler of the Despotate of Epirus from c. 1205 until his assassination in 1214/15.
Monogram of Michael on the walls of Berat Castle, Albania
Early 14th-century miniature depicting the Crusader attack on Constantinople
The castle of Angelokastro in Corfu, whose construction is sometimes attributed to Michael
The despot of Epirus was the ruler of the Despotate of Epirus, one of the successor states of the Byzantine Empire in the aftermath of the Fourth Crusade. The name "Despotate of Epirus" and the title "despot of Epirus" are modern historiographical names, and were not in use by the despots themselves. In the Byzantine Empire, the title of despot was a prestigious court title and did not designate rule over some specific territory. Though several of the early Greek rulers of the Epirote realm did use the title of despot, it was never in reference to the lands they governed, but instead in reference to their position in the imperial hierarchy.
Image: Theodor I. Despot von Epirus
Image: Michael II Komnenos Doukas
Image: Loza Nemanjica Decani c 5 2
Image: Leonardo di tocco duke of zakynthos carlo sellitto