Empire of Nicaea
Videos
The Empire of Nicaea, also known as the Nicene Empire, was the largest of the three Greek rump states founded by the aristocracy of the Byzantine Empire that fled when Constantinople was occupied by W
Nicaea city wall, Lefke gate; Iznik, Turkey
Coin issued by Michael VIII Palaiologos to celebrate the liberation of Constantinople from the Latin army, and the restoration of the Byzantine Empire.
Michael VIII Palaiologos
Videos
Michael VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus reigned as Byzantine emperor from 1261 until his death in 1282, and previously as the co-emperor of the Empire of Nicaea from 1259 to 1261. Michael VIII was the
Empire of Nicaea
…succeeded him, but since he was still a child he was put under the regency of the general Michael Palaiologos. Michael proclaimed himself co-emperor (as Michael VIII) in 1259, and soon defeated a combined invasion by Manfred, the Despot of Epirus, and the Latin Prince of Achaea at the Battle of Pelagonia. In 1260…
15th-century miniature of Michael VIII, National Library of Russia.
Imperial eagle in Mystras. In 1263 the Latins ceded Mystras as ransom for William II of Villehardouin, and Michael VIII Palaeologus made the city the seat of the new Despotate of Morea, ruled by his relatives.
The restored Byzantine Empire in 1265 (William R. Shepherd, Historical Atlas, 1911)
Coin of Michael VIII, depicting the Virgin Mary rising over the walls of Constantinople, in commemoration of the capture of the city over the Latins.