Δεσποτάτο του Μυστρά Despotate of Morea ← 1308 – 1460 → The Despotate of Morea in 1450, showing Mystras. Capital Mystras Language(s) Greek Religion Eastern Orthodox Church Government Principality Despot  - 1308 – 1316 Michael  - 1449 – 1460 Thomas Palaiologos Historical era Late Medieval  - Established 1308  - Disestablished 1460

The Despotate of Morea (Greek: Δεσποτάτο του Μυστρά) was a province of the Byzantine Empire which existed between the mid-14th and mid-15th centuries. Its territory varied in size during its 100 years of existence but eventually grew to take in almost all the southern Greek Peloponnese peninsula, which at this time was called the Morea. It was usually ruled by the current Byzantine emperor's heir, who was given the title of despot or despoinis (in this context it should not be confused with despotism). Its capital was the fortified city of Mystras, near ancient Sparta, which became an important centre of Byzantine culture and power. Byzantine Empire at its greatest extent c. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Events Henry VII is elected as king of the Holy Roman Empire. ... Events The first Portuguese navigators reach the coast of modern Sierra Leone. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... For other uses, see Ottoman (disambiguation). ... Image File history File links Despotate_of_Morea_1450. ... Throughout the world there are many cities that were once national capitals but no longer have that status because the country ceased to exist, the capital was moved, or the capital city was renamed. ... Mystras (also Mistra, Mystra and Mistras Greek: Μυστράς, Μυζηθράς Mizithras or Myzithras in the chronicle of Morea ) was a fortified town in Morea (the Peloponnesus), on Mt. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Coptic Orthodox Pope · Roman Catholic Pope Archbishop of Canterbury · Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      Faith... A principality is a monarchical feudatory or sovereign state, ruled or reigned over by a Monarch with the title of prince or princess (a synonym is princedom) or (in the widest sense) a Monarch with another title within the generic use of the term prince. ... Despotism is government by a singular authority, either a single person or tightly knit group, which rules with absolute power. ... After the fall of Constantinople to Mehmed II, the only free province of the Byzantine Empire was the Despotate of Morea, ruled by two brothers of the dead emperor Constantine XI Palaeologus, Thomas and Demetrius Palaeologus. ... Dante by Michelino The Late Middle Ages is a term used by historians to describe European history in the period of the 14th and 15th centuries (1300–1500 CE). ... Byzantine Empire at its greatest extent c. ... This 14th-century statue from south India depicts the gods Shiva (on the left) and Uma (on the right). ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... Greece and the Peloponnese The Peloponnese or Peloponnesus (Greek: Πελοπόννησος Peloponnesos; see also List of Greek place names) is a large peninsula in southern Greece, forming the part of the country south of the Gulf of Corinth. ... The Morea and surrounding states carved from the Byzantine Empire, as they were in 1265 (William R. Shepherd, Historical Atlas, 1911) The name Morea (Μωρέας) for Peloponnesos first appears in the 10th century in Byzantine chronicles. ... This is a list of Byzantine Emperors. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... Mystras (also Mistra, Mystra and Mistras Greek: Μυστράς, Μυζηθράς Mizithras or Myzithras in the chronicle of Morea ) was a fortified town in Morea (the Peloponnesus), on Mt. ... Sparta (Doric: Spártā, Attic: SpártÄ“) is a city in southern Greece. ...

The Byzantine Despotate of Morea was carved out of territory seized from the Frankish Principality of Achaea. This itself had been carved out of former Byzantine territory following the Fourth Crusade (1204). In 1259, the Principality's ruler Guillaume II de Villehardouin lost the Battle of Pelagonia against the Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaeologus. Guillaume was forced to ransom himself by giving up most of the eastern part of Morea and his newly built strongholds. The surrendered territory became the nucleus of the Despotate of Morea. The Byzantine Empire is the term conventionally used to describe the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages, centered at its capital in Constantinople. ... This article is about the Frankish people and society. ... The Principality of Achaea was one of the three vassal states of the Latin Empire which replaced the Byzantine Empire after the capture of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade. ... The Entry of the Crusaders into Constantinople (Eugène Delacroix, 1840). ... [Neilhughandafriendlypeasant. ... For broader historical context, see 1250s and 13th century. ... William II Villehardouin (died May 1, 1278) was the last Villehardouin prince of Achaea (=Morea) and ruled the principality at the height of its power and influence. ... Combatants Principality of Achaea Empire of Nicaea Commanders William II Villehardouin John Palaiologos Theodore Dukas Strength Unknown Unknown Casualties Unknown Unknown The Battle of Pelagonia took place in September of 1259, between the Empire of Nicaea and the Principality of Achaea. ... The Byzantine Empire in 1265 (William R. Shepherd, Historical Atlas, 1911) Michael VIII (1225 – December 11, 1282) was the founder of the Palaeologos dynasty that would rule the Byzantine Empire to the Fall of Constantinople in 1453. ...

A later Byzantine emperor, John VI Cantacuzenus, reorganized the territory in the mid-14th century to establish it as an appanage for his son Manuel Cantacuzenus. The rival Palaeologus dynasty seized the Morea after Manuel's death in 1380, with Theodore I Palaeologus becoming the new despot of Morea in 1383. Theodore ruled it until 1407, consolidating Byzantine rule and coming to terms with his more powerful neighbours – particularly the expansionist Ottoman Empire, whose suzerainty he recognised. He also sought to reinvigorate the local economy by inviting Albanians to settle in the territory. John VI Cantacuzenus (c. ... This 14th-century statue from south India depicts the gods Shiva (on the left) and Uma (on the right). ... The system of appanage has greatly influenced the territorial construction of France and explains the flag of many provinces of France. ... Manuel Kantakouzenos or Cantacuzenus (Greek: Μανουήλ Καντακουζηνός, ManouÄ“l KantakouzÄ“nos), (c. ... The Double-headed eagle, emblem of the Paleologus dynasty and the Byzantine Empire. ... September 8 - Battle of Kulikovo - Russian forces under Grand Prince Dmitri Donskoi of Moscow resist a large invasion by the Blue Horde, Lithuania and Ryazan, stopping their advance at Kulikovo. ... Theodore I Palaeologus ( around 1355 - 1407 ) has been despot of Morea 1383 - 1407. ... Year 1383 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. ... Year 1407 was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. ... For other uses, see Ottoman (disambiguation). ... Suzerainty refers to a situation in which a region or people is a tributary to a more powerful entity which allows the tributary some limited domestic autonomy but controls its foreign affairs. ...

As Latin power on the Peloponnese waned during the 15th century, the Despotate of Morea expanded to incorporate the entire peninsula. However, in 1446 the Ottoman Sultan Murad II destroyed the Byzantine defences on the Isthmus of Corinth. His attack opened the peninsula to invasion, though Murad died before he could exploit this. His successor Mehmed II "the Conqueror" captured the Byzantine capital Constantinople in 1453 and seven years later overran the Despotate of Morea, destroying the last European fragment of the Byzantine Empire. (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... Events Mehmed II Sultan of the Ottoman Empire is forced to abdicate in favor of his father Murad II by the Janissaries. ... Murad II (June 1404, Amasya – February 3, 1451, Edirne) (Ottoman Turkish: مراد ثانى Murād-ı sānī, Turkish:) was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1421 to 1451 (except for a period from 1444 to 1446). ... The Isthmus of Corinth is the narrow landbridge which connects the Peloponnesos peninsula with the mainland of Greece, near the city of Corinth. ... Mehmed II (Ottoman Turkish: محمد ثانى , Turkish: ), (also known as el-Fatih (الفاتح), the Conqueror, in Ottoman Turkish, or, in modern Turkish, Fatih Sultan Mehmet) (March 30, 1432 – May 3, 1481) was Sultan of the Ottoman Empire for a short time from 1444 to 1446, and later from 1451 to 1481. ... Map of Constantinople. ... April 2 - Mehmed II begins his siege of Constantinople (İstanbul). ...

Byzantine despots of Morea at Mystras

The Despotate of Morea and surrounding states carved from the Byzantine Empire, as they were in 1265.
(William R. Shepherd, Historical Atlas, 1911).

• Michael (1308-1316)
• Andronikos Palaiologos (1316-1322)
• Manuel Kantakouzenos (1348-?)
• Michael Asan ?
  • Andrew Asan (?-1354)
• Manuel Kantakouzenos (restored) (1354-1380)
• Matthew Kantakouzenos (1380-1383)
• Demetrius I Kantakouzenos(1383)
• Theodore I Palaiologos (1383-1407)
• Theodore II Palaiologos (1407-1443)
• Constantine XI Palaiologos (1428-1449)
  • Demetrios II Palaiologos (1428-1460)
  • Thomas Palaiologos (1449-1460)

Download high resolution version (1144x900, 272 KB)Map, The Byzantine Empire, 1265. ... Download high resolution version (1144x900, 272 KB)Map, The Byzantine Empire, 1265. ... Events Henry VII is elected as king of the Holy Roman Empire. ... Events Pope John XXII elected to the papacy. ... Events Pope John XXII elected to the papacy. ... Events September 27/September 28 - Battle of Ampfing, often called the last battle of knights, in which Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor defeats Frederick I of Austria Births January 11 - Emperor Komyo of Japan (died 1380) Deaths January 3 - King Philip V of France (born 1293) March 16 - Humphrey de... Manuel Kantakouzenos or Cantacuzenus (Greek: Μανουήλ Καντακουζηνός, Manouēl Kantakouzēnos), (c. ... April 7 - Charles University is founded in Prague. ... Events End of reign of John VI Cantacuzenus, as Byzantine emperor. ... Manuel Kantakouzenos or Cantacuzenus (Greek: Μανουήλ Καντακουζηνός, Manouēl Kantakouzēnos), (c. ... Events End of reign of John VI Cantacuzenus, as Byzantine emperor. ... September 8 - Battle of Kulikovo - Russian forces under Grand Prince Dmitri Donskoi of Moscow resist a large invasion by the Blue Horde, Lithuania and Ryazan, stopping their advance at Kulikovo. ... Matthew Kantakouzenos or Cantacuzenus (Greek: Ματθαίος Ασάνης Καντακουζηνός, Matthaios Asanēs Kantakouzēnos) (c. ... September 8 - Battle of Kulikovo - Russian forces under Grand Prince Dmitri Donskoi of Moscow resist a large invasion by the Blue Horde, Lithuania and Ryazan, stopping their advance at Kulikovo. ... Year 1383 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. ... Demetrius I Kantakouzenos was transitional governor of Morea in 1383. ... Year 1383 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. ... Theodore I Palaiologos or Palaeologus (Greek: Θεόδωρος Α΄ Παλαιολόγος, Theodōros I Palaiologos) (c. ... Year 1383 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. ... Year 1407 was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. ... Theodore II Palaiologos or Palaeologus (Greek: Θεόδωρος Β΄ Παλαιολόγος, Theodōros II Palaiologos) (c. ... Year 1407 was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. ... Events Albanians, under Skanderbeg, defeat the Turks John Hunyadi defeats Turks at the Battle of Nis Vlad II Dracul begins his second term as ruler of Wallachia, succeeding Basarab II. Births January 27 - Albert, Duke of Saxony (died 1500) February 23 - Matthias Corvinus of Hungary (died 1490) May 17 - Edmund... Constantine XI: The last Byzantine emperor is considered a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church. ... Events October 12 - English forces under Thomas Montacute, 4th Earl of Salisbury besiege Orléans. ... Events January 6 - Constantine XI is crowned Byzantine Emperor. ... Demetrios Palaiologos or Demetrius Palaeologus (Greek: Δημήτριος Παλαιολόγος, Dēmētrios Palaiologos) (1407–1470), Despot (despotēs) in Morea de facto 1436–1438 and 1451–1460 and de jure 1438–1451, previously governor of Lemnos 1422–1440, and of Mesembria 1440–1451. ... Events October 12 - English forces under Thomas Montacute, 4th Earl of Salisbury besiege Orléans. ... Events The first Portuguese navigators reach the coast of modern Sierra Leone. ... After the fall of Constantinople to Mehmed II, the only free province of the Byzantine Empire was the Despotate of Morea, ruled by two brothers of the dead emperor Constantine XI Palaeologus, Thomas and Demetrius Palaeologus. ... Events January 6 - Constantine XI is crowned Byzantine Emperor. ... Events The first Portuguese navigators reach the coast of modern Sierra Leone. ...

See also

• Roman and Byzantine Greece