Despotes
Encyclopedia
Despot was a senior Byzantine
court title
that was bestowed on the sons or sons-in-law of reigning emperors, and initially denoted the heir-apparent. From Byzantium it spread throughout the late medieval Balkans
, and was also granted in the states under Byzantine influence, such as the Latin Empire
, Bulgaria
, Serbia, and the Empire of Trebizond
. It gave rise to several principalities termed "despotates" which were ruled either as independent states or as appanage
s by princes bearing the title of despot. The most prominent of these were Epirus
, the Morea and Serbia
. In English, the feminine form of the title is despotess (Greek δεσπότισσα, despotissa; Serbian and Bulgarian деспотица, despotitsa), but the transliterated Greek form despoina (δέσποινα) is also commonly used.
The term must not be confused with its modern usage, which refers to despotism
, a form of government in which a single entity rules with absolute power. The semantic shift undergone by the term is mirrored by tyrant
, an ancient Greek word that originally bore no negative connotation, and the Latin dictator
.
The original Greek
term δεσπότης (despotēs) meant simply "lord" and was synonymous with κύριος (kyrios). As the Greek equivalent to the Latin dominus
, despotēs was initially used as a form of address indicating respect. As such it was applied to any person of rank, but in a more specific sense to God, bishops and the patriarchs, and primarily the Roman
and Byzantine Emperors, occasionally used in formal settings, for example on coins (since Leo III the Isaurian
) or formal documents.
Although it was used for high-ranking nobles from the early 12th century, the title of despot began being used as a specific court title by Manuel I Komnenos
, who conferred it in 1163 to the future King Béla III of Hungary
, the Emperor's son-in-law and, until the birth of Alexios II
in 1169, heir-apparent. According to historian Gyula Moravcsik this title was a simple translation of Béla's Hungarian title úr, but other historians believe it comes from the old Roman title dominus.
The title of despot was the highest title in the Byzantine Empire during the last two centuries of its existence, being awarded to the younger sons of emperors (the eldest sons were usually crowned as co-emperors, symbasileis
) as well as to the emperor's sons-in-law (gambroi). The title entailed extensive honours and privileges, including the control of large estates – the domains of Michael VIII's brother John Palaiologos included the islands of Lesbos and Rhodes
– to finance their extensive households. Like the junior titles of sebastokrator
and Caesar
however, the title of despot was strictly a courtly dignity, without specific military or administrative functions or powers.
s, some of which have become widely known as "despotates" (sing. δεσποτάτον in Greek); chiefly the Despotate of Epirus
and the Despotate of the Morea. It is important to stress that the term "despotate" is technically inaccurate: the title of despot, like every other Byzantine dignity, was not hereditary nor intrinsic to a specific territory. Even in the so-called "despotates", a son of a despot could not hold the title unless it was conferred anew by the emperor. In normal Byzantine usage, a clear distinction was drawn between the personal dignity of despot and any other offices or attributes of its holder. Thus John II Orsini
is qualified as "the ruler of Acarnania
, the despot John" rather than "the despot of Acarnania" by John VI Kantakouzenos
. Nevertheless, the close association of title and territory began already from the late 13th century and became widespread from the mid-14th century, as a steady succession of despots began to rule over the same territory.
The use of the title spread also to the other countries of the Balkans. The Latin Empire
used it to honour Alexius Slav, and it was introduced in Bulgaria
to placate the powerful magnate (and later Tsar) George Terter
in 1279/80. During the Serbian Empire
it was widely awarded among the various Serbian magnates, with Jovan Oliver
being the first holder, and it was held by lesser principalities as well, including the self-proclaimed Albanian despots of Arta
. In the 15th century, the Venetian governors of Corfu
were also styled as despots.
With the death of the last Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI
on May 29, 1453, the creation of a despot became irregular. The title was granted by Pope Paul II
to Andreas Palaiologos
, heir to the Byzantine throne in 1465, and by the king of Hungary to the heirs of the Serbian Despotate
.
Although the term originally had no negative or pejorative overtones, by the time of the Christian Reformation
it began to take on authoritarian attributes and in that sense was synonymous with tyranny. It was used this way by the American Colonies against the British Parliament during the American Revolutionary War
. Thomas Jefferson
is noted for using despot exactly in that fashion.
, the despot's insignia were characterised by the colours purple and white and the rich decoration in pearls. In detail, the insignia were:
The despot also had the right to sign his letters with an ink of a dark red colour (the emperor's was bright red).
The insignia was modified in Bulgaria and Serbia according to local preferences.
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
court title
Byzantine aristocracy and bureaucracy
The Byzantine Empire had a complex system of aristocracy and bureaucracy, which was inherited from the Roman Empire. At the apex of the pyramid stood the Emperor, sole ruler and divinely ordained, but beneath him a multitude of officials and court functionaries operated the administrative...
that was bestowed on the sons or sons-in-law of reigning emperors, and initially denoted the heir-apparent. From Byzantium it spread throughout the late medieval Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
, and was also granted in the states under Byzantine influence, such as the Latin Empire
Latin Empire
The Latin Empire or Latin Empire of Constantinople is the name given by historians to the feudal Crusader state founded by the leaders of the Fourth Crusade on lands captured from the Byzantine Empire. It was established after the capture of Constantinople in 1204 and lasted until 1261...
, Bulgaria
Second Bulgarian Empire
The Second Bulgarian Empire was a medieval Bulgarian state which existed between 1185 and 1396 . A successor of the First Bulgarian Empire, it reached the peak of its power under Kaloyan and Ivan Asen II before gradually being conquered by the Ottomans in the late 14th-early 15th century...
, Serbia, and the Empire of Trebizond
Empire of Trebizond
The Empire of Trebizond, founded in April 1204, was one of three Byzantine successor states of the Byzantine Empire. However, the creation of the Empire of Trebizond was not directly related to the capture of Constantinople by the Fourth Crusade, rather it had broken away from the Byzantine Empire...
. It gave rise to several principalities termed "despotates" which were ruled either as independent states or as appanage
Appanage
An apanage or appanage or is the grant of an estate, titles, offices, or other things of value to the younger male children of a sovereign, who would otherwise have no inheritance under the system of primogeniture...
s by princes bearing the title of despot. The most prominent of these were Epirus
Despotate of Epirus
The Despotate or Principality of Epirus was one of the Byzantine Greek successor states of the Byzantine Empire that emerged in the aftermath of the Fourth Crusade in 1204. It claimed to be the legitimate successor of the Byzantine Empire, along with the Empire of Nicaea, and the Empire of Trebizond...
, the Morea and Serbia
Serbian Despotate
The Serbian Despotate was a Serbian state, the last to be conquered by the Ottoman Empire. Although the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 is generally considered the end of the medieval Serbian state, the Despotate, a successor of the Serbian Empire and Moravian Serbia survived for 70 more years,...
. In English, the feminine form of the title is despotess (Greek δεσπότισσα, despotissa; Serbian and Bulgarian деспотица, despotitsa), but the transliterated Greek form despoina (δέσποινα) is also commonly used.
The term must not be confused with its modern usage, which refers to despotism
Despotism
Despotism is a form of government in which a single entity rules with absolute power. That entity may be an individual, as in an autocracy, or it may be a group, as in an oligarchy...
, a form of government in which a single entity rules with absolute power. The semantic shift undergone by the term is mirrored by tyrant
Tyrant
A tyrant was originally one who illegally seized and controlled a governmental power in a polis. Tyrants were a group of individuals who took over many Greek poleis during the uprising of the middle classes in the sixth and seventh centuries BC, ousting the aristocratic governments.Plato and...
, an ancient Greek word that originally bore no negative connotation, and the Latin dictator
Dictator
A dictator is a ruler who assumes sole and absolute power but without hereditary ascension such as an absolute monarch. When other states call the head of state of a particular state a dictator, that state is called a dictatorship...
.
Origin and distribution
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
term δεσπότης (despotēs) meant simply "lord" and was synonymous with κύριος (kyrios). As the Greek equivalent to the Latin dominus
Dominus (title)
Dominus is the Latin word for master or owner. As a title of sovereignty the term under the Roman Republic had all the associations of the Greek Tyrannos; refused during the early principate, it finally became an official title of the Roman Emperors under Diocletian...
, despotēs was initially used as a form of address indicating respect. As such it was applied to any person of rank, but in a more specific sense to God, bishops and the patriarchs, and primarily the Roman
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
and Byzantine Emperors, occasionally used in formal settings, for example on coins (since Leo III the Isaurian
Leo III the Isaurian
Leo III the Isaurian or the Syrian , was Byzantine emperor from 717 until his death in 741...
) or formal documents.
Although it was used for high-ranking nobles from the early 12th century, the title of despot began being used as a specific court title by Manuel I Komnenos
Manuel I Komnenos
Manuel I Komnenos was a Byzantine Emperor of the 12th century who reigned over a crucial turning point in the history of Byzantium and the Mediterranean....
, who conferred it in 1163 to the future King Béla III of Hungary
Béla III of Hungary
Béla III was King of Hungary and Croatia . He was educated in the court of the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I who was planning to ensure his succession in the Byzantine Empire till the birth of his own son...
, the Emperor's son-in-law and, until the birth of Alexios II
Alexios II Komnenos
Alexios II Komnenos or Alexius II Comnenus , Byzantine emperor , was the son of Emperor Manuel I Komnenos and Maria, daughter of Raymond, prince of Antioch...
in 1169, heir-apparent. According to historian Gyula Moravcsik this title was a simple translation of Béla's Hungarian title úr, but other historians believe it comes from the old Roman title dominus.
The title of despot was the highest title in the Byzantine Empire during the last two centuries of its existence, being awarded to the younger sons of emperors (the eldest sons were usually crowned as co-emperors, symbasileis
Basileus
Basileus is a Greek term and title that has signified various types of monarchs in history. It is perhaps best known in English as a title used by the Byzantine Emperors, but also has a longer history of use for persons of authority and sovereigns in ancient Greece, as well as for the kings of...
) as well as to the emperor's sons-in-law (gambroi). The title entailed extensive honours and privileges, including the control of large estates – the domains of Michael VIII's brother John Palaiologos included the islands of Lesbos and Rhodes
Rhodes
Rhodes is an island in Greece, located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of both land area and population, with a population of 117,007, and also the island group's historical capital. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within...
– to finance their extensive households. Like the junior titles of sebastokrator
Sebastokrator
Sebastokratōr was a senior court title in the late Byzantine Empire. It was also used by other rulers whose states bordered the Empire or were within its sphere of influence. The word is a compound of "sebastos" Sebastokratōr was a senior court title in the late Byzantine Empire. It was also used...
and Caesar
Caesar (title)
Caesar is a title of imperial character. It derives from the cognomen of Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator...
however, the title of despot was strictly a courtly dignity, without specific military or administrative functions or powers.
Despotates
From the mid-14th century on, various territories were given to imperial princes with the rank of despot to rule as semi-autonomous appanageAppanage
An apanage or appanage or is the grant of an estate, titles, offices, or other things of value to the younger male children of a sovereign, who would otherwise have no inheritance under the system of primogeniture...
s, some of which have become widely known as "despotates" (sing. δεσποτάτον in Greek); chiefly the Despotate of Epirus
Despotate of Epirus
The Despotate or Principality of Epirus was one of the Byzantine Greek successor states of the Byzantine Empire that emerged in the aftermath of the Fourth Crusade in 1204. It claimed to be the legitimate successor of the Byzantine Empire, along with the Empire of Nicaea, and the Empire of Trebizond...
and the Despotate of the Morea. It is important to stress that the term "despotate" is technically inaccurate: the title of despot, like every other Byzantine dignity, was not hereditary nor intrinsic to a specific territory. Even in the so-called "despotates", a son of a despot could not hold the title unless it was conferred anew by the emperor. In normal Byzantine usage, a clear distinction was drawn between the personal dignity of despot and any other offices or attributes of its holder. Thus John II Orsini
John II Orsini
John II Orsini, also John Komnenos Doukas or Comnenus Ducas , was count palatine of Cephalonia from 1323 to 1324 and Despot of Epirus from 1323 to 1335....
is qualified as "the ruler of Acarnania
Acarnania
Acarnania is a region of west-central Greece that lies along the Ionian Sea, west of Aetolia, with the Achelous River for a boundary, and north of the gulf of Calydon, which is the entrance to the Gulf of Corinth. Today it forms the western part of the prefecture of Aetolia-Acarnania. The capital...
, the despot John" rather than "the despot of Acarnania" by John VI Kantakouzenos
John VI Kantakouzenos
John VI Kantakouzenos or Cantacuzenus was the Byzantine emperor from 1347 to 1354.-Early life:Born in Constantinople, John Kantakouzenos was the son of a Michael Kantakouzenos, governor of the Morea. Through his mother Theodora Palaiologina Angelina, he was a descendant of the reigning house of...
. Nevertheless, the close association of title and territory began already from the late 13th century and became widespread from the mid-14th century, as a steady succession of despots began to rule over the same territory.
The use of the title spread also to the other countries of the Balkans. The Latin Empire
Latin Empire
The Latin Empire or Latin Empire of Constantinople is the name given by historians to the feudal Crusader state founded by the leaders of the Fourth Crusade on lands captured from the Byzantine Empire. It was established after the capture of Constantinople in 1204 and lasted until 1261...
used it to honour Alexius Slav, and it was introduced in Bulgaria
Second Bulgarian Empire
The Second Bulgarian Empire was a medieval Bulgarian state which existed between 1185 and 1396 . A successor of the First Bulgarian Empire, it reached the peak of its power under Kaloyan and Ivan Asen II before gradually being conquered by the Ottomans in the late 14th-early 15th century...
to placate the powerful magnate (and later Tsar) George Terter
George I of Bulgaria
George Terter I ruled as emperor of Bulgaria 1280-1292. The date of his birth is unknown, and he died in 1308/1309.The reign of George Terter I represents a continuation of Bulgaria's precipitous decline during the second half of the 13th century...
in 1279/80. During the Serbian Empire
Serbian Empire
The Serbian Empire was a short-lived medieval empire in the Balkans that emerged from the Serbian Kingdom. Stephen Uroš IV Dušan was crowned Emperor of Serbs and Greeks on 16 April, 1346, a title signifying a successorship to the Eastern Roman Empire...
it was widely awarded among the various Serbian magnates, with Jovan Oliver
Jovan Oliver
Jovan Oliver Grčinić, known as Despot Jovan Oliver was a magnate of the Serbian Emperor Dušan the Mighty , holding the titles of sebastokrator and despotes, and the great voivode-military rank, showing his prominence and status as one of the most important nobles of Dušan...
being the first holder, and it was held by lesser principalities as well, including the self-proclaimed Albanian despots of Arta
Despotate of Arta
The Despotate of Arta was a despotate established by Albanian rulers during the 14th century, when Albanian tribes moved into Epirus and founded two short-lived principalities there...
. In the 15th century, the Venetian governors of Corfu
Corfu
Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The...
were also styled as despots.
With the death of the last Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI
Constantine XI
Constantine XI Palaiologos, latinized as Palaeologus , Kōnstantinos XI Dragasēs Palaiologos; February 8, 1404 – May 29, 1453) was the last reigning Byzantine Emperor from 1449 to his death as member of the Palaiologos dynasty...
on May 29, 1453, the creation of a despot became irregular. The title was granted by Pope Paul II
Pope Paul II
Pope Paul II , born Pietro Barbo, was pope from 1464 until his death in 1471.- Early life :He was born in Venice, and was a nephew of Pope Eugene IV , through his mother. His adoption of the spiritual career, after having been trained as a merchant, was prompted by his uncle's election as pope...
to Andreas Palaiologos
Andreas Palaiologos
Andreas Palaiologos titular Byzantine emperor and Despot of Morea from 1465 until his death in 1502.-Biography:He was the nephew of Constantine XI Palaiologos, the last Byzantine Emperor of Constantinople...
, heir to the Byzantine throne in 1465, and by the king of Hungary to the heirs of the Serbian Despotate
Serbian Despotate
The Serbian Despotate was a Serbian state, the last to be conquered by the Ottoman Empire. Although the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 is generally considered the end of the medieval Serbian state, the Despotate, a successor of the Serbian Empire and Moravian Serbia survived for 70 more years,...
.
Although the term originally had no negative or pejorative overtones, by the time of the Christian Reformation
Reformation
- Movements :* Protestant Reformation, an attempt by Martin Luther to reform the Roman Catholic Church that resulted in a schism, and grew into a wider movement...
it began to take on authoritarian attributes and in that sense was synonymous with tyranny. It was used this way by the American Colonies against the British Parliament during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
is noted for using despot exactly in that fashion.
Insignia
According to the mid-14th century Book of Offices of Pseudo-Kodinos and the descriptions given by the historian George PachymeresGeorge Pachymeres
Georgius Pachymeres , a Byzantine Greek historian and miscellaneous writer, was born at Nicaea, in Bithynia, where his father had taken refuge after the capture of Constantinople by the Latins in 1204...
, the despot's insignia were characterised by the colours purple and white and the rich decoration in pearls. In detail, the insignia were:
- A brimmed hat called skiadion studded with pearls, with a neck-cover with the owner's name embroidered in gold and pendants "similar to those of the emperor". The skiadion was an everyday headgear, but it was forbidden to despots who had not reached adolescenceAdolescenceAdolescence is a transitional stage of physical and mental human development generally occurring between puberty and legal adulthood , but largely characterized as beginning and ending with the teenage stage...
to wear it indoors. For ceremonies and festivities, the despot bore the domed skaranikon, decorated with gold metalword, precious stones and pearls. - A red tunic similar to the emperor's, with gold embroideries of the rizai style but without military insignia, and a red cloak (tamparion) with broad stripes. For festive occasions, the long kaftanKaftanA kaftan is a man's coat usually reaching to the ankles with long sleeves, and which buttons down the front. It can be made of wool, cashmere, silk, or cotton. It is often worn with a sash....
-like kabbadion was worn, of red or purple colour and decorated with pearls. - A pair of purple and white soft boots, decorated with imperial eagles made of pearls on the instep. The spurs were also bi-coloured, purple and white. In a few cases were emperors wished to show special favour to a son (Constantine Palaiologos under Michael VIII PalaiologosMichael VIII PalaiologosMichael VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus reigned as Byzantine Emperor 1259–1282. Michael VIII was the founder of the Palaiologan dynasty that would rule the Byzantine Empire until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453...
and Matthew KantakouzenosMatthew KantakouzenosMatthew Kantakouzenos or Cantacuzenus was Byzantine Emperor from 1353 to 1357.-Life:...
under John VI KantakouzenosJohn VI KantakouzenosJohn VI Kantakouzenos or Cantacuzenus was the Byzantine emperor from 1347 to 1354.-Early life:Born in Constantinople, John Kantakouzenos was the son of a Michael Kantakouzenos, governor of the Morea. Through his mother Theodora Palaiologina Angelina, he was a descendant of the reigning house of...
), red boots like the emperor's were substituted, elevating its holder to an undefined quasi-imperial rank "above the despots" . - The despot's saddle and horse furniture were similar to that of the emperor, likewise in purple and white, decorated with pearl eagles. The coating of the saddle and the despot's tent were white with small red eagles.
The despot also had the right to sign his letters with an ink of a dark red colour (the emperor's was bright red).
The insignia was modified in Bulgaria and Serbia according to local preferences.
List of known holders
| Despots of non-Byzantine states | ||
|---|---|---|
| Latin Empire Latin Empire The Latin Empire or Latin Empire of Constantinople is the name given by historians to the feudal Crusader state founded by the leaders of the Fourth Crusade on lands captured from the Byzantine Empire. It was established after the capture of Constantinople in 1204 and lasted until 1261... /Papacy |
Bulgaria Second Bulgarian Empire The Second Bulgarian Empire was a medieval Bulgarian state which existed between 1185 and 1396 . A successor of the First Bulgarian Empire, it reached the peak of its power under Kaloyan and Ivan Asen II before gradually being conquered by the Ottomans in the late 14th-early 15th century... |
Serbian Empire Serbian Empire The Serbian Empire was a short-lived medieval empire in the Balkans that emerged from the Serbian Kingdom. Stephen Uroš IV Dušan was crowned Emperor of Serbs and Greeks on 16 April, 1346, a title signifying a successorship to the Eastern Roman Empire... and successor states |
| Name | Tenure | Conferred by | Notes | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Béla III of Hungary Béla III of Hungary Béla III was King of Hungary and Croatia . He was educated in the court of the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I who was planning to ensure his succession in the Byzantine Empire till the birth of his own son... |
1163–1169 | Manuel I Komnenos Manuel I Komnenos Manuel I Komnenos was a Byzantine Emperor of the 12th century who reigned over a crucial turning point in the history of Byzantium and the Mediterranean.... |
Son-in-law and heir-apparent until 1169, thereafter demoted to Caesar Caesar (title) Caesar is a title of imperial character. It derives from the cognomen of Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator... |
|
| Theodore Vatatzes | unknown | Manuel I Komnenos Manuel I Komnenos Manuel I Komnenos was a Byzantine Emperor of the 12th century who reigned over a crucial turning point in the history of Byzantium and the Mediterranean.... |
Married to Manuel I's sister Eudokia. His holding of the title is attested only in the seal of his son. | |
| Alexios Palaiologos Alexios Palaiologos (despot) Alexios Palaiologos was a Byzantine nobleman, son-in-law of Emperor Alexios III Angelos and his heir-apparent from 1199 to his death. Throughout this time, he was actively involved in the suppression of several revolts and riots against the emperor... |
1200–1203 | Alexios III Angelos Alexios III Angelos Alexios III Angelos was Byzantine Emperor from 1195 to 1203.- Early life:Alexios III Angelos was the second son of Andronikos Angelos and Euphrosyne Kastamonitissa. Andronicus was himself a son of Theodora Komnene, the youngest daughter of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos and Irene Doukaina. Thus... |
Son-in-law and heir-apparent of Alexios III, second husband of Irene Angelina. Maternal grandfather of Michael VIII | |
| Theodore I Laskaris Theodore I Laskaris Theodoros I Komnenos Laskaris was emperor of Nicaea .-Family:Theodore Laskaris was born to the Laskaris, a noble but not particularly renowned Byzantine family of Constantinople. He was the son of Manuel Laskaris and wife Ioanna Karatzaina . He had four older brothers: Manuel Laskaris Theodoros... |
1203–1208 | Alexios III Angelos Alexios III Angelos Alexios III Angelos was Byzantine Emperor from 1195 to 1203.- Early life:Alexios III Angelos was the second son of Andronikos Angelos and Euphrosyne Kastamonitissa. Andronicus was himself a son of Theodora Komnene, the youngest daughter of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos and Irene Doukaina. Thus... |
Son-in-law of Alexios III, he was probably granted the title of despot after the death of Alexios Palaiologos. He founded the Empire of Nicaea Empire of Nicaea The Empire of Nicaea was the largest of the three Byzantine Greek successor states founded by the aristocracy of the Byzantine Empire that fled after Constantinople was occupied by Western European and Venetian forces during the Fourth Crusade... and was proclaimed emperor in 1205, although he was not crowned until 1208 and was still formally despot until then. |
|
| Leo Sgouros Leo Sgouros Leo Sgouros was a Greek independent lord in the northeastern Peloponnese in the early 13th century. The scion of the magnate Sgouros family, he succeeded his father as hereditary lord in the region of Nauplia... |
1203/1204–1208 | Alexios III Angelos Alexios III Angelos Alexios III Angelos was Byzantine Emperor from 1195 to 1203.- Early life:Alexios III Angelos was the second son of Andronikos Angelos and Euphrosyne Kastamonitissa. Andronicus was himself a son of Theodora Komnene, the youngest daughter of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos and Irene Doukaina. Thus... |
Lord of southern Greece, after Alexios III was evicted from Constantinople by the Fourth Crusade Fourth Crusade The Fourth Crusade was originally intended to conquer Muslim-controlled Jerusalem by means of an invasion through Egypt. Instead, in April 1204, the Crusaders of Western Europe invaded and conquered the Christian city of Constantinople, capital of the Eastern Roman Empire... he married Eudokia Angelina Eudokia Angelina Eudokia Angelina was the queen consort of Stephen II Nemanjić of Serbia from 1196 to 1198. She later became the mistress of Alexios V Doukas, the future Emperor... at Corinth Corinth Corinth is a city and former municipality in Corinthia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Corinth, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit... and was named despot and heir-apparent by the exiled emperor |
|
| John Chamaretos | 1208 – unknown | Alexios III Angelos Alexios III Angelos Alexios III Angelos was Byzantine Emperor from 1195 to 1203.- Early life:Alexios III Angelos was the second son of Andronikos Angelos and Euphrosyne Kastamonitissa. Andronicus was himself a son of Theodora Komnene, the youngest daughter of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos and Irene Doukaina. Thus... |
Lord of Laconia Laconia Laconia , also known as Lacedaemonia, is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the region of Peloponnese. It is situated in the southeastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. Its administrative capital is Sparti... , mentioned as despot in a latter from 1222. He was possibly awarded the title by Alexios III after Leo Sgouros' death |
|
| Alexius Slav | 1208 – after 1222 | Henry of Flanders Henry of Flanders Henry was the second emperor of the Latin Empire of Constantinople. He was a younger son of Baldwin V, Count of Hainaut , and Margaret I of Flanders, sister of Philip of Alsace, count of Flanders.... (Latin Emperor Latin Empire The Latin Empire or Latin Empire of Constantinople is the name given by historians to the feudal Crusader state founded by the leaders of the Fourth Crusade on lands captured from the Byzantine Empire. It was established after the capture of Constantinople in 1204 and lasted until 1261... ) |
Bulgarian ruler of the Rhodopes | |
| Andronikos Palaiologos | 1216 – unknown | Theodore I Laskaris Theodore I Laskaris Theodoros I Komnenos Laskaris was emperor of Nicaea .-Family:Theodore Laskaris was born to the Laskaris, a noble but not particularly renowned Byzantine family of Constantinople. He was the son of Manuel Laskaris and wife Ioanna Karatzaina . He had four older brothers: Manuel Laskaris Theodoros... |
Son-in-law and heir-apparent of Theodore I. Very little is known about him with certainty. He married Irene Laskarina and was raised to despot, but died soon after. | |
| Manuel Komnenos Doukas Manuel Komnenos Doukas Manuel Komnenos Doukas , often inaccurately called Manuel Angelos , was ruler of Thessalonica from 1230 to 1237 and of Thessaly from 1239 until his death in c. 1241.-Life:Manuel was a legitimate son of the sebastokratōr John Doukas... |
1225/1227–1230 | Theodore Komnenos Doukas Theodore Komnenos Doukas Theodore Komnenos Doukas was ruler of Epirus from 1215 to 1230 and of Thessalonica from 1224 to 1230.-Life:... |
Brother of Theodore, he was raised to the rank of despot after Theodore crowned himself emperor. As heir to Theodore and ruler of Thessalonica, Manuel held the title of emperor (basileus Basileus Basileus is a Greek term and title that has signified various types of monarchs in history. It is perhaps best known in English as a title used by the Byzantine Emperors, but also has a longer history of use for persons of authority and sovereigns in ancient Greece, as well as for the kings of... ) after 1230 |
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| Constantine Komnenos Doukas | 1225/1227 – unknown | Theodore Komnenos Doukas Theodore Komnenos Doukas Theodore Komnenos Doukas was ruler of Epirus from 1215 to 1230 and of Thessalonica from 1224 to 1230.-Life:... |
Brother of Theodore, he was raised to the rank of despot after Theodore crowned himself emperor. | |
| John Komnenos Doukas John Komnenos Doukas John Komnenos Doukas was ruler of Thessalonica from 1237 until his death in 1244.... |
1242–1244 | John III Vatatzes | Ruler of Thessalonica, he abandoned the imperial title and acknowledged the suzerainty of Nicaea in 1242, being rewarded with the title of despot. | |
| Demetrios Komnenos Doukas | 1244–1246 | John III Vatatzes | Inherited rule of Thessalonica from his brother John and was conferred like him with the title of despot. Deposed by John III in 1246. | |
| Michael II Komnenos Doukas Michael II Komnenos Doukas Michael II Komnenos Doukas or Comnenus Ducas , often called Michael Angelos in narrative sources, was the ruler of Epirus from 1230 until his death in 1266/68.-Life:... |
before 1246–1267/1268 | John III Vatatzes | Nephew of Manuel, ruler of Epirus Despotate of Epirus The Despotate or Principality of Epirus was one of the Byzantine Greek successor states of the Byzantine Empire that emerged in the aftermath of the Fourth Crusade in 1204. It claimed to be the legitimate successor of the Byzantine Empire, along with the Empire of Nicaea, and the Empire of Trebizond... |
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| Nikephoros I Komnenos Doukas Nikephoros I Komnenos Doukas Nikephoros I Komnenos Doukas, Latinized as Nicephorus I Comnenus Ducas , was ruler of Epirus from 1267/8 to c. 1297.-Life:Nikephoros was the eldest son of Michael II Komnenos Doukas and Theodora Petraliphaina... |
before 1248/1250–1297 | John III Vatatzes | Son and heir of Michael II of Epirus Despotate of Epirus The Despotate or Principality of Epirus was one of the Byzantine Greek successor states of the Byzantine Empire that emerged in the aftermath of the Fourth Crusade in 1204. It claimed to be the legitimate successor of the Byzantine Empire, along with the Empire of Nicaea, and the Empire of Trebizond... , he was awarded the title on his betrothal to Maria, the daughter of John III. He ruled Epirus from his father's death in 1267/1268. |
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| Michael VIII Palaiologos Michael VIII Palaiologos Michael VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus reigned as Byzantine Emperor 1259–1282. Michael VIII was the founder of the Palaiologan dynasty that would rule the Byzantine Empire until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453... |
1258–1259 | John IV Laskaris John IV Laskaris John IV Doukas Laskaris was emperor of Nicaea from August 18, 1258 to December 25, 1261... |
Leader of the nobles, he was declared regent after the murder of George Mouzalon George Mouzalon George Mouzalon was a high official of the Empire of Nicaea under Theodore II Laskaris . Of humble origin, he became Theodore's companion in childhood and was raised to high state office upon the latter's assumption of power. This caused great resentment from the aristocracy, which had monopolized... and raised first to megas doux Megas Doux The megas doux was one of the highest positions in the hierarchy of the later Byzantine Empire, denoting the commander-in-chief of the Byzantine navy. It is sometimes also given by the half-Latinizations megaduke or megadux... and then, within weeks, to despot. He was crowned emperor on 1 January 1259. |
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| Jacob Svetoslav Jacob Svetoslav Jacob Svetoslav was a prominent 13th-century Bulgarian noble of princely Russian origin. Bestowed the title of despot, Yakov Svetoslav was the ruler of a widely autonomous domain of the Second Bulgarian Empire most likely located around Sofia... |
before 1261–1275/1277 | possibly Constantine Tikh Constantine Tikh of Bulgaria Constantine I , which includes the shortened form of the name of his father as a patronymic), ruled as emperor of Bulgaria from 1257 to 1277.... (Bulgarian Emperor Second Bulgarian Empire The Second Bulgarian Empire was a medieval Bulgarian state which existed between 1185 and 1396 . A successor of the First Bulgarian Empire, it reached the peak of its power under Kaloyan and Ivan Asen II before gradually being conquered by the Ottomans in the late 14th-early 15th century... ) |
Powerful magnate and autonomous lord of Sofia Sofia Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated... , he was probably named despot by a Bulgarian ruler rather than a Nicaean emperor |
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| John Palaiologos | 1259 – ca. 1273/1275 | Michael VIII Palaiologos Michael VIII Palaiologos Michael VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus reigned as Byzantine Emperor 1259–1282. Michael VIII was the founder of the Palaiologan dynasty that would rule the Byzantine Empire until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453... |
Brother of Michael VIII, he was elevated to the rank of despot following his victory at the Battle of Pelagonia Battle of Pelagonia The Battle of Pelagonia took place in September of 1259, between the Empire of Nicaea and the Despotate of Epirus, Sicily and the Principality of Achaea... . He renounced the insignia and privileges of a despot, but not the title itself, after his defeat at the Battle of Neopatras Battle of Neopatras The Battle of Neopatras was fought in the early 1270s between a Byzantine army besieging the city of Neopatras and the forces of John I Doukas, ruler of Thessaly. The battle was a rout for the Byzantine army, which was caught by surprise and defeated by a much smaller but more disciplined... in 1273/1275, and died shortly after. |
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| Demetrios/Michael Komnenos Doukas | unknown | Michael VIII Palaiologos Michael VIII Palaiologos Michael VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus reigned as Byzantine Emperor 1259–1282. Michael VIII was the founder of the Palaiologan dynasty that would rule the Byzantine Empire until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453... |
Third son of Michael II of Epirus, he married Anna, one of the daughters of Michael VIII, and was named Despot. | |
| Constantine Doukas Palaiologos | unknown | Michael VIII Palaiologos Michael VIII Palaiologos Michael VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus reigned as Byzantine Emperor 1259–1282. Michael VIII was the founder of the Palaiologan dynasty that would rule the Byzantine Empire until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453... |
Third son of Michael VIII, he is attested as a Despot in seals. | |
| George I of Bulgaria George I of Bulgaria George Terter I ruled as emperor of Bulgaria 1280-1292. The date of his birth is unknown, and he died in 1308/1309.The reign of George Terter I represents a continuation of Bulgaria's precipitous decline during the second half of the 13th century... |
1278/1279–1292 | Michael VIII Palaiologos Michael VIII Palaiologos Michael VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus reigned as Byzantine Emperor 1259–1282. Michael VIII was the founder of the Palaiologan dynasty that would rule the Byzantine Empire until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453... |
Powerful magnate, he was given the title of despot along with the hand of the sister of Tsar Ivan Asen III to win him over in the face of the uprising of Ivaylo Ivaylo of Bulgaria Ivaylo, also spelled Ivailo, , nicknamed Bardokva or Lakhanas in Greek, was a rebel leader and emperor of Bulgaria. In 1277, he spearheaded a peasant uprising, and forced the nobles to accept him as emperor... . George later deposed Ivan Asen and became Tsar himself. |
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| John II of Trebizond John II of Trebizond John II Megas Komnenos was Emperor of Trebizond from 1280 to 1297. He was the youngest son of Emperor Manuel I and his third wife, Irene Syrikaina, a Trapezuntine noblewoman... |
1282–1297 | Michael VIII Palaiologos Michael VIII Palaiologos Michael VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus reigned as Byzantine Emperor 1259–1282. Michael VIII was the founder of the Palaiologan dynasty that would rule the Byzantine Empire until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453... |
Emperor of Trebizond, he was persuaded to renounce his own claim to be "Emperor of the Romans" and accept the title of despot and the hand of Michael VIII's daughter Eudokia. John visited Constantinople in 1282, when the title was conferred and the marriage with Eudokia took place. He nevertheless retained the imperial title in an altered form. | |
| Thomas I Komnenos Doukas Thomas I Komnenos Doukas Thomas I Komnenos Doukas ruler of Epirus from c. 1297 until his death in 1318.Thomas was the son of Nikephoros I Komnenos Doukas and Anna Kantakouzene, a niece of Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos. In 1290 he was conferred the court dignity of despotes by his mother's cousin, Emperor Andronikos... |
1290–1318 | Andronikos II Palaiologos Andronikos II Palaiologos Andronikos II Palaiologos , Latinized as Andronicus II Palaeologus, was Byzantine emperor from 1282 to 1328. He was the eldest surviving son of Michael VIII Palaiologos and Theodora Doukaina Vatatzina, grandniece of John III Doukas Vatatzes... |
Only son and heir of Nikephoros I of Epirus Despotate of Epirus The Despotate or Principality of Epirus was one of the Byzantine Greek successor states of the Byzantine Empire that emerged in the aftermath of the Fourth Crusade in 1204. It claimed to be the legitimate successor of the Byzantine Empire, along with the Empire of Nicaea, and the Empire of Trebizond... |
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| Philip I, Prince of Taranto | 1297–1313, 1330–1332 | Self-awarded (Titular Latin Emperor, Prince of Achaea, etc) | Husband of Thamar, the sister of Thomas I of Epirus. On Thomas's death he claimed the title "Despot of Romania" on behalf of his wife. Ceded his claim to his sons Charles (died 1315) and Philip (died 1330). | |
| Constantine Palaiologos | 1292–1320s | Andronikos II Palaiologos Andronikos II Palaiologos Andronikos II Palaiologos , Latinized as Andronicus II Palaeologus, was Byzantine emperor from 1282 to 1328. He was the eldest surviving son of Michael VIII Palaiologos and Theodora Doukaina Vatatzina, grandniece of John III Doukas Vatatzes... |
Second son of Andronikos II, he was named despot on his marriage to the daughter of Theodore Mouzalon | |
| John Palaiologos | 1294 – unknown | Andronikos II Palaiologos Andronikos II Palaiologos Andronikos II Palaiologos , Latinized as Andronicus II Palaeologus, was Byzantine emperor from 1282 to 1328. He was the eldest surviving son of Michael VIII Palaiologos and Theodora Doukaina Vatatzina, grandniece of John III Doukas Vatatzes... |
Third son of Andronikos II, he was named despot on 22 May 1294 | |
| Alexios II of Trebizond Alexios II of Trebizond Alexios II Megas Komnenos or Alexius II , was Emperor of Trebizond from 1297 to 1330. He was the elder son of John II and Eudokia Palaiologina, and also used the name Palaiologos.- Life :... |
ca. 1297–1330 | Andronikos II Palaiologos Andronikos II Palaiologos Andronikos II Palaiologos , Latinized as Andronicus II Palaeologus, was Byzantine emperor from 1282 to 1328. He was the eldest surviving son of Michael VIII Palaiologos and Theodora Doukaina Vatatzina, grandniece of John III Doukas Vatatzes... |
Son and successor of John II of Trebizond, he was persuaded to renounce his own claim to be "Emperor of the Romans" and accept the title of despot and the hand of Michael VIII's daughter Eudokia. John visited Constantinople in 1282, when the title was conferred and the marriage with Eudokia took place. | |
| Theodore Palaiologos Theodore I, Marquess of Montferrat Theodore I Palaiologos or Palaeologus was Marquess of Montferrat from 1306 until his death.He was a son of Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos and Irene of Montferrat... |
unknown | Andronikos II Palaiologos Andronikos II Palaiologos Andronikos II Palaiologos , Latinized as Andronicus II Palaeologus, was Byzantine emperor from 1282 to 1328. He was the eldest surviving son of Michael VIII Palaiologos and Theodora Doukaina Vatatzina, grandniece of John III Doukas Vatatzes... |
Fourth son of Andronikos II, named despot at an unknown date, from 1305 Marquess of Montferrat | |
| Demetrios Palaiologos | unknown | Andronikos II Palaiologos Andronikos II Palaiologos Andronikos II Palaiologos , Latinized as Andronicus II Palaeologus, was Byzantine emperor from 1282 to 1328. He was the eldest surviving son of Michael VIII Palaiologos and Theodora Doukaina Vatatzina, grandniece of John III Doukas Vatatzes... |
Fifth son of Andronikos II, named despot at an unknown date | |
| Manuel Palaiologos | unknown – 1320 | Andronikos II Palaiologos Andronikos II Palaiologos Andronikos II Palaiologos , Latinized as Andronicus II Palaeologus, was Byzantine emperor from 1282 to 1328. He was the eldest surviving son of Michael VIII Palaiologos and Theodora Doukaina Vatatzina, grandniece of John III Doukas Vatatzes... |
Second son of Michael IX Palaiologos Michael IX Palaiologos Michael IX Palaiologos or Palaeologus , , reigned as Byzantine co-emperor with full imperial style 1294/1295–1320... , named despot at an unknown date, killed by mistake by his brother Andronikos III Palaiologos Andronikos III Palaiologos Andronikos III Palaiologos, Latinized as Andronicus III Palaeologus was Byzantine emperor from 1328 to 1341, after being rival emperor since 1321. Andronikos III was the son of Michael IX Palaiologos and Rita of Armenia... |
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| Michael Shishman of Bulgaria Michael Shishman of Bulgaria Michael Asen III ), ruled as emperor of Bulgaria from 1323 to 1330. The exact year of his birth is unknown but it was between 1280 and 1292. He was the founder of the last ruling dynasty of the Second Bulgarian Empire, the Shishman dynasty... |
before 1313–1322/1323 | Theodore Svetoslav Theodore Svetoslav of Bulgaria Theodore Svetoslav ruled as emperor of Bulgaria from 1300 to 1322. The date of his birth is unknown. He was a wise and capable ruler who brought stability and relative prosperity to the Bulgarian Empire after two decades of constant Mongol intervention in the internal issues of the Empire... (Bulgarian Emperor Second Bulgarian Empire The Second Bulgarian Empire was a medieval Bulgarian state which existed between 1185 and 1396 . A successor of the First Bulgarian Empire, it reached the peak of its power under Kaloyan and Ivan Asen II before gradually being conquered by the Ottomans in the late 14th-early 15th century... ) |
Autonomous lord of Vidin Vidin Vidin is a port town on the southern bank of the Danube in northwestern Bulgaria. It is close to the borders with Serbia and Romania, and is also the administrative centre of Vidin Province, as well as of the Metropolitan of Vidin... , named despot at or soon after his father Shishman of Vidin Shishman of Vidin Shishman, Despot of Vidin was a Bulgarian noble who ruled a semi-independent realm based out of the Danubian fortress of Vidin in the late 13th and early 14th century... 's death. Became Tsar of Bulgaria in 1322/1333. |
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| Belaur Belaur Belaur was a Bulgarian noble and despot of Vidin and brother of the Bulgarian Emperor Michael Shishman . The son of Shishman of Vidin, he was among the most elaborate Balkan diplomats of his time... |
1323 – ca. 1331 | Michael Shishman Michael Shishman of Bulgaria Michael Asen III ), ruled as emperor of Bulgaria from 1323 to 1330. The exact year of his birth is unknown but it was between 1280 and 1292. He was the founder of the last ruling dynasty of the Second Bulgarian Empire, the Shishman dynasty... (Bulgarian Emperor Second Bulgarian Empire The Second Bulgarian Empire was a medieval Bulgarian state which existed between 1185 and 1396 . A successor of the First Bulgarian Empire, it reached the peak of its power under Kaloyan and Ivan Asen II before gradually being conquered by the Ottomans in the late 14th-early 15th century... ) |
Half-brother of Michael Shishman, he succeeded him as autonomous lord of Vidin Vidin Vidin is a port town on the southern bank of the Danube in northwestern Bulgaria. It is close to the borders with Serbia and Romania, and is also the administrative centre of Vidin Province, as well as of the Metropolitan of Vidin... with the rank of despot. He resisted the rule of Ivan Alexander Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria Ivan Alexander , also known as John Alexander, ruled as Emperor of Bulgaria from 1331 to 1371, during the Second Bulgarian Empire. The date of his birth is unknown. He died on February 17, 1371. The long reign of Ivan Alexander is considered a transitional period in Bulgarian medieval history... and was forced to flee into exile |
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| Michael Shishman Vidinski | unknown | Ivan Alexander Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria Ivan Alexander , also known as John Alexander, ruled as Emperor of Bulgaria from 1331 to 1371, during the Second Bulgarian Empire. The date of his birth is unknown. He died on February 17, 1371. The long reign of Ivan Alexander is considered a transitional period in Bulgarian medieval history... (Bulgarian Emperor Second Bulgarian Empire The Second Bulgarian Empire was a medieval Bulgarian state which existed between 1185 and 1396 . A successor of the First Bulgarian Empire, it reached the peak of its power under Kaloyan and Ivan Asen II before gradually being conquered by the Ottomans in the late 14th-early 15th century... ) |
Younger son of Tsar Michael Shishman of Michael Shishman, he probably succeeded Belaur as autonomous lord of Vidin Vidin Vidin is a port town on the southern bank of the Danube in northwestern Bulgaria. It is close to the borders with Serbia and Romania, and is also the administrative centre of Vidin Province, as well as of the Metropolitan of Vidin... with the rank of despot. |
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| Jovan Oliver Jovan Oliver Jovan Oliver Grčinić, known as Despot Jovan Oliver was a magnate of the Serbian Emperor Dušan the Mighty , holding the titles of sebastokrator and despotes, and the great voivode-military rank, showing his prominence and status as one of the most important nobles of Dušan... |
1334–1356 | Andronikos III Palaiologos Andronikos III Palaiologos Andronikos III Palaiologos, Latinized as Andronicus III Palaeologus was Byzantine emperor from 1328 to 1341, after being rival emperor since 1321. Andronikos III was the son of Michael IX Palaiologos and Rita of Armenia... |
Autonomous Serbian magnate, named despot by Andronikos III after the Byzantine-Serbian peace agreement of 1334 | |
| Michael Palaiologos | before 1341 – unknown | Andronikos III Palaiologos Andronikos III Palaiologos Andronikos III Palaiologos, Latinized as Andronicus III Palaeologus was Byzantine emperor from 1328 to 1341, after being rival emperor since 1321. Andronikos III was the son of Michael IX Palaiologos and Rita of Armenia... |
Second son of Andronikos III, named despot at a very young age date | |
| Momchil Momchil Momchil was a 14th-century Bulgarian brigand and local ruler. Initially a member of a bandit gang in the borderlands of Bulgaria, Byzantium and Serbia, Momchil was recruited by the Byzantines as a mercenary... |
1343/44–1345 | Anna of Savoy Anna of Savoy Anna of Savoy, born Giovanna, was a Byzantine Empress consort, as the second wife of Andronikos III Palaiologos.-Family:She was a daughter of Amadeus V, Count of Savoy and his second wife Maria of Brabant. Her maternal grandparents were John I, Duke of Brabant and Margaret of Flanders... |
Bulgarian ruler of the Rhodopes, awarded the title by the Empress-regent during the Byzantine civil war of 1341–1347 Byzantine civil war of 1341–1347 The Byzantine civil war of 1341–1347 was a conflict between supporters of designated regent John VI Kantakouzenos and guardians acting for John V Palaiologos, Emperor Andronikos III's nine-year-old son, in the persons of the Empress-dowager Anna of Savoy, the Patriarch of Constantinople John XIV... , in order to detach him from John VI Kantakouzenos John VI Kantakouzenos John VI Kantakouzenos or Cantacuzenus was the Byzantine emperor from 1347 to 1354.-Early life:Born in Constantinople, John Kantakouzenos was the son of a Michael Kantakouzenos, governor of the Morea. Through his mother Theodora Palaiologina Angelina, he was a descendant of the reigning house of... , who titled him sebastokrator Sebastokrator Sebastokratōr was a senior court title in the late Byzantine Empire. It was also used by other rulers whose states bordered the Empire or were within its sphere of influence. The word is a compound of "sebastos" Sebastokratōr was a senior court title in the late Byzantine Empire. It was also used... . Effectively independent until defeated and killed by Kantakouzenos' army. |
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| Simeon Uroš Simeon Uroš Simeon Uroš Nemanjić, nicknamed Siniša , also known in Greek as Symeōn Ouresēs Palaiologos , was the Despot of Epirus from 1359 to 1366, and of Thessaly from 1359 until his death in 1370. He governed Epirus and Acarnania under his half-brother Emperor Dušan the Mighty Simeon Uroš Nemanjić,... |
1345/1346–1363 | Stephen Uroš IV Dušan (Serbian Emperor) | Half-brother of Stephen Dušan, he was named despot probably after Dušan's coronation as emperor. Governor of Epirus Epirus The name Epirus, from the Greek "Ήπειρος" meaning continent may refer to:-Geographical:* Epirus - a historical and geographical region of the southwestern Balkans, straddling modern Greece and Albania... , he proclaimed himself Tsar in 1356 and tried to seize control of Serbia but failed. Ruler of Thessaly Thessaly Thessaly is a traditional geographical region and an administrative region of Greece, comprising most of the ancient region of the same name. Before the Greek Dark Ages, Thessaly was known as Aeolia, and appears thus in Homer's Odyssey.... and most of Epirus from 1359 until his death ca. 1370 |
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| John Komnenos Asen John Komnenos Asen John Komnenos Asen was the ruler of the Principality of Valona from circa 1345 to 1363, initially as a Serbian vassal and after 1355 as a largely independent lord. Descended from high-ranking Bulgarian nobility, John was a brother of both Tsar Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria and Helena of Bulgaria, the... |
1345/1346–1363 | Stephen Uroš IV Dušan (Serbian Emperor) | Brother-in-law of Stephen Dušan, he was named despot probably after Dušan's coronation as emperor. Ruler of the Principality of Valona Principality of Valona The Principality of Valona was a medieval principality in Albania, roughly encompassing the territories of the modern counties of Vlorë , Fier, and Berat... until his death |
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| Manuel Kantakouzenos Manuel Kantakouzenos Manuel Kantakouzenos , . Despotēs in the Despotate of Morea or the Peloponnese from October 25, 1349 to his death and a contender to the Principality of Achaia.Kantakouzenos was the second son of Emperor John VI Kantakouzenos and Irene Asanina... |
1347–1380 | John VI Kantakouzenos John VI Kantakouzenos John VI Kantakouzenos or Cantacuzenus was the Byzantine emperor from 1347 to 1354.-Early life:Born in Constantinople, John Kantakouzenos was the son of a Michael Kantakouzenos, governor of the Morea. Through his mother Theodora Palaiologina Angelina, he was a descendant of the reigning house of... |
Second son of John VI, named despot after the Byzantine civil war of 1341–1347 Byzantine civil war of 1341–1347 The Byzantine civil war of 1341–1347 was a conflict between supporters of designated regent John VI Kantakouzenos and guardians acting for John V Palaiologos, Emperor Andronikos III's nine-year-old son, in the persons of the Empress-dowager Anna of Savoy, the Patriarch of Constantinople John XIV... , first "Despot of the Morea" from 1349 until his death |
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| Nikephoros II Orsini Nikephoros II Orsini Nikephoros II Orsini - Doukas , was the ruler of Epirus from 1335 to 1338 and from 1356 until his death in 1359.-Life:... |
1347–1359 | John VI Kantakouzenos John VI Kantakouzenos John VI Kantakouzenos or Cantacuzenus was the Byzantine emperor from 1347 to 1354.-Early life:Born in Constantinople, John Kantakouzenos was the son of a Michael Kantakouzenos, governor of the Morea. Through his mother Theodora Palaiologina Angelina, he was a descendant of the reigning house of... |
Son-in-law of John VI, named despot after the Byzantine civil war of 1341–1347 Byzantine civil war of 1341–1347 The Byzantine civil war of 1341–1347 was a conflict between supporters of designated regent John VI Kantakouzenos and guardians acting for John V Palaiologos, Emperor Andronikos III's nine-year-old son, in the persons of the Empress-dowager Anna of Savoy, the Patriarch of Constantinople John XIV... , ruler of Epirus in 1335–1338 and 1356–1359 |
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| Manuel Komnenos Raoul Asanes | before 1358 – unknown | John VI Kantakouzenos John VI Kantakouzenos John VI Kantakouzenos or Cantacuzenus was the Byzantine emperor from 1347 to 1354.-Early life:Born in Constantinople, John Kantakouzenos was the son of a Michael Kantakouzenos, governor of the Morea. Through his mother Theodora Palaiologina Angelina, he was a descendant of the reigning house of... |
Brother-in-law of John VI Kantakouzenos, named first sebastokrator by him and despot at an unknown date | |
| John Kantakouzenos | 1357 – unknown | John V Palaiologos John V Palaiologos John V Palaiologos was a Byzantine emperor, who succeeded his father in 1341, at age nine.-Biography:... |
Eldest son of Matthew Kantakouzenos, named despot on his father's abdication of his imperial title | |
| Gjin Bua Shpata Gjin Bua Shpata Gjin Bua Shpata , also known as John Bua Spata, was an Albanian ruler of the Despotate of Arta. He was part of the noble Shpata family... |
ca. 1360/1365–1399/1400 | Simeon Uroš Palaiologos Simeon Uroš Simeon Uroš Nemanjić, nicknamed Siniša , also known in Greek as Symeōn Ouresēs Palaiologos , was the Despot of Epirus from 1359 to 1366, and of Thessaly from 1359 until his death in 1370. He governed Epirus and Acarnania under his half-brother Emperor Dušan the Mighty Simeon Uroš Nemanjić,... (Titular Serbian Emperor) |
Albanian clan leader, in the early 1360s he was recognized as Despot and ruler of Aetolia Aetolia Aetolia is a mountainous region of Greece on the north coast of the Gulf of Corinth, forming the eastern part of the modern prefecture of Aetolia-Acarnania.-Geography:... (the "Despotate of Angelokastron Despotate of Angelokastron and Lepanto The Despotate of Angelokastron and Lepanto was a short-lived despotate ruled by the Albanian chieftain Gjin Bua Shpata, in the late medieval period including parts of Western Greece. It was created after the defeat of Nikephoros II Orsini, Despot of Epirus in the Battle of Achelous, in 1359 and... ") by the titular Serbian Emperor and ruler of Thessaly Simeon Uroš. He was de facto independent, and in 1374 annexed the Despotate of Arta and launched repeated unsuccessful attacks against Ioannina. |
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| Pjeter Losha | ca. 1360/1365–1374 | Simeon Uroš Palaiologos Simeon Uroš Simeon Uroš Nemanjić, nicknamed Siniša , also known in Greek as Symeōn Ouresēs Palaiologos , was the Despot of Epirus from 1359 to 1366, and of Thessaly from 1359 until his death in 1370. He governed Epirus and Acarnania under his half-brother Emperor Dušan the Mighty Simeon Uroš Nemanjić,... (Titular Serbian Emperor) |
Albanian clan leader, in the early 1360s he was recognized as Despot and ruler of Acarnania Acarnania Acarnania is a region of west-central Greece that lies along the Ionian Sea, west of Aetolia, with the Achelous River for a boundary, and north of the gulf of Calydon, which is the entrance to the Gulf of Corinth. Today it forms the western part of the prefecture of Aetolia-Acarnania. The capital... (the "Despotate of Arta Despotate of Arta The Despotate of Arta was a despotate established by Albanian rulers during the 14th century, when Albanian tribes moved into Epirus and founded two short-lived principalities there... ") by the titular Serbian Emperor and ruler of Thessaly Simeon Uroš. He was de facto independent however, and attacked Thomas Preljubović at Ioannina, before coming to terms with him. He died of the plague in 1373/1374. |
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| Vukašin Mrnjavčević Vukašin Mrnjavcevic Vukašin Mrnjavčević was a Serbian ruler in modern-day central and northwestern Macedonia, who ruled from 1365 to 1371. According to 17th-century Ragusan historian Mavro Orbin, his father was a minor noble named Mrnjava from Zachlumia, whose sons Vukašin and Uglješa were born in Livno in western... |
1364–1365 | Stephen Uroš V (Serbian Emperor) | One of the most powerful Serian magnates under Stephen Dušan, he was named despot in 1364 and then king and co-ruler by the emperor Stephen Uroš V. He became de facto independent by 1368, and was killed by the Ottomans in the Battle of Maritsa Battle of Maritsa The Battle of Maritsa, or Battle of Chernomen, took place at the Maritsa River near the village of Chernomen on September 26, 1371 between the forces of the Ottoman sultan Murad I's lieutenant Lala Şâhin Paşa and the... in 1371. |
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| Jovan Uglješa Jovan Ugljesa Jovan Uglješa Mrnjavčević was a 14th-century Serbian noble and brother of Serbian ruler Vukašin Mrnjavčević.-Life:Uglješa was the son of Mrnjava, a treasurer of Helen of Anjou, the queen consort of Stephen Uroš I of Serbia.... |
1365–1371 | Stephen Uroš V (Serbian Emperor) | Brother of Vukašin Mrnjavčević, he was named despot in succession to his brother and became ruler of Serres Serres Serres is a city in Greece, seat of the Serres prefecture.Serres may also refer to:Places:* Serres, Germany, a part of Wiernsheim in Baden-WürttembergIn France:* Serres, Aude in the Aude département... alongside Dušan's widow Helena Helena of Bulgaria Jelena or Helena of Bulgaria was the daughter of Sratsimir of Kran and Keratsa Petritsa and the sister of Tsar Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria.... . From ca. 1368 he was a de facto independent ruler until his death in the Battle of Maritsa. |
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| Jovan Dragaš Jovan Dragaš Jovan Dragaš was a 14th-century Serbian noble that held the title of Despot of Kumanovo, Kocani and Strumica under his uncle Stephen Uroš V of Serbia; he later became an Ottoman vassal after the Battle of Maritsa in 1371.... |
1365 – ca. 1378 | Stephen Uroš V (Serbian Emperor) | Cousin of Stephen Uroš V and nephew of Stephen IV Dušan, with his brother Constantine Dragaš Constantine Dragas Constantine Dragaš Dejanović was a Serbian magnate that ruled the area around Kyustendil from 1378, during the fall of the Serbian Empire, until his death on May 17, 1395 at the battle of Rovine... he governed northeastern Macedonia (the "Despotate of Velbazhd"). From the Battle of Maritsa on he was an Ottoman vassal. |
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| Theodore Palaiologos Theodore I Palaiologos, Lord of Morea Theodore I Palaiologos was despot in the Morea from 1383 until his death on June 24, 1407. He was the youngest surviving son of the Byzantine Emperor John V Palaiologos and his wife Helena Kantakouzene. His maternal grandfather was former Emperor John VI Kantakouzenos... |
before 1376–1407 | John V Palaiologos John V Palaiologos John V Palaiologos was a Byzantine emperor, who succeeded his father in 1341, at age nine.-Biography:... |
Third son of John V, from 1383 until his death "Despot of Lacedaemon" | |
| Thomas II Preljubović Thomas II Preljubovic Thomas II Preljubović or Komnenos Palaiologos , was ruler of Epirus in Ioannina from 1366 to his death on December 23, 1384. He also held the title of Albanian-slayer .-Family:... |
1382–1384 | John V Palaiologos John V Palaiologos John V Palaiologos was a Byzantine emperor, who succeeded his father in 1341, at age nine.-Biography:... |
Son of Gregory Preljub, he was given the rule of Ioannina Ioannina Ioannina , often called Jannena within Greece, is the largest city of Epirus, north-western Greece, with a population of 70,203 . It lies at an elevation of approximately 500 meters above sea level, on the western shore of lake Pamvotis . It is located within the Ioannina municipality, and is the... and its region by his father-in-law Simeon Uroš Simeon Uroš Simeon Uroš Nemanjić, nicknamed Siniša , also known in Greek as Symeōn Ouresēs Palaiologos , was the Despot of Epirus from 1359 to 1366, and of Thessaly from 1359 until his death in 1370. He governed Epirus and Acarnania under his half-brother Emperor Dušan the Mighty Simeon Uroš Nemanjić,... in 1367. The title of Despot was not formally conferred by the Byzantine Emperor until 1382 however. |
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| Michael Palaiologos | unknown | John V Palaiologos John V Palaiologos John V Palaiologos was a Byzantine emperor, who succeeded his father in 1341, at age nine.-Biography:... |
Fourth son of John V, very little is known about his life | |
| Stefan Lazarević Stefan Lazarevic Stefan Lazarević known also as Stevan the Tall was a Serbian Despot, ruler of the Serbian Despotate between 1389 and 1427. He was the son and heir to Prince Lazar, who died at the Battle of Kosovo against the Turks in 1389, and Princess Milica from the subordinate branch of the Nemanjić dynasty... |
1402–1427 | Manuel II Palaiologos Manuel II Palaiologos Manuel II Palaiologos or Palaeologus was Byzantine Emperor from 1391 to 1425.-Life:... |
Ruler of Serbia Serbian Despotate The Serbian Despotate was a Serbian state, the last to be conquered by the Ottoman Empire. Although the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 is generally considered the end of the medieval Serbian state, the Despotate, a successor of the Serbian Empire and Moravian Serbia survived for 70 more years,... as an Ottoman vassal. He was awarded the title of despot during a visit to Constantinople Constantinople Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:... in 1402. Autonomus ruler of the "Serbian Despotate" until his death in 1427 |
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| Theodore Palaiologos Theodore II Palaiologos, Lord of Morea Theodore II Palaiologos or Palaeologus was Despot in Morea from 1407 to 1443.-Life:... |
1406/1407–1448 | Manuel II Palaiologos Manuel II Palaiologos Manuel II Palaiologos or Palaeologus was Byzantine Emperor from 1391 to 1425.-Life:... |
Second son of Manuel II, Despot in the Morea from 1407, and in Selymbria from 1443 to his death | |
| Andronikos Palaiologos | 1409 – ca. 1424 | Manuel II Palaiologos Manuel II Palaiologos Manuel II Palaiologos or Palaeologus was Byzantine Emperor from 1391 to 1425.-Life:... |
Third son of Manuel II, Despot in Thessalonica from 1409 until 1423 (styled "Despot of Thessaly" by Doukas), shortly thereafter he entered a monastery | |
| John Palaiologos | unknown | Manuel II Palaiologos Manuel II Palaiologos Manuel II Palaiologos or Palaeologus was Byzantine Emperor from 1391 to 1425.-Life:... |
Son of Andronikos, Despot of Thessalonica. He is mentioned as holding the title in 1419. | |
| Constantine XI Palaiologos | unknown – 1449 | Manuel II Palaiologos Manuel II Palaiologos Manuel II Palaiologos or Palaeologus was Byzantine Emperor from 1391 to 1425.-Life:... |
Fourth son of Manuel II and last Byzantine emperor. Despot in Selymbria until 1443, thereafter co-Despot in the Morea until 1449, when he succeeded to the Byzantine throne | |
| Demetrios Palaiologos Demetrios Palaiologos Demetrios Palaiologos or Demetrius Palaeologus , Despot in the Morea de facto 1436–1438 and 1451–1460 and de jure 1438–1451, previously governor of Lemnos 1422–1440, and of Mesembria 1440–1451... |
1425–1460 | Manuel II Palaiologos Manuel II Palaiologos Manuel II Palaiologos or Palaeologus was Byzantine Emperor from 1391 to 1425.-Life:... |
Fifth son of Manuel II, Despot in Lemnos Lemnos Lemnos is an island of Greece in the northern part of the Aegean Sea. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within the Lemnos peripheral unit, which is part of the North Aegean Periphery. The principal town of the island and seat of the municipality is Myrina... from 1425 to 1449, in Mesembria Mesembria Mesembria or Messembria or Mesambria may refer to:*Mesembria , modern Nesembar, an ancient Greek city on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria... from 1440, co-Despot in the Morea from 1449 until the Ottoman conquest in 1460 |
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| Thomas Palaiologos Thomas Palaiologos Thomas Palaiologos was Despot in Morea from 1428 until the Ottoman conquest in 1460. After the desertion of his older brother to the Turks in 1460, Thomas Palaiologos became the legitimate claimant to the Byzantine throne... |
1428–1460 | John VIII Palaiologos John VIII Palaiologos John VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus , was the penultimate reigning Byzantine Emperor, ruling from 1425 to 1448.-Life:John VIII Palaiologos was the eldest son of Manuel II Palaiologos and Helena Dragaš, the daughter of the Serbian prince Constantine Dragaš... |
Sixth son of Manuel II, co-Despot in the Morea from 1428 until the Ottoman conquest in 1460. According to Sphrantzes, however, he was not titled Despot until 1449, when his brother Constantine became emperor. | |
| Đurađ Branković | 1429–1456 | Manuel II Palaiologos Manuel II Palaiologos Manuel II Palaiologos or Palaeologus was Byzantine Emperor from 1391 to 1425.-Life:... |
Successor of Stefan Lazarević Stefan Lazarevic Stefan Lazarević known also as Stevan the Tall was a Serbian Despot, ruler of the Serbian Despotate between 1389 and 1427. He was the son and heir to Prince Lazar, who died at the Battle of Kosovo against the Turks in 1389, and Princess Milica from the subordinate branch of the Nemanjić dynasty... as ruler of Serbia from 1427, he received the title of despot in 1429. An Ottoman vassal from 1428. |
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| Lazar Branković | 1440s–1458 | Manuel II Palaiologos Manuel II Palaiologos Manuel II Palaiologos or Palaeologus was Byzantine Emperor from 1391 to 1425.-Life:... |
Son and successor of Đurađ Branković, he received the title of Despot during his father's reign. | |
| Manuel Kantakouzenos | 1453 | leader of popular revolt | Grandson of Demetrios I Kantakouzenos, he was acclaimed as leader and despot of the Morea by the local Albanian and Greek inhabitants during the failed Morea revolt of 1453–1454. He was soon eclipsed by Giovanni Asen Zaccaria. | |
| Stephen Tomašević | April–June 1459 | unknown | Prince of Bosnia, he became the last independent Serbian ruler after his marriage to Helena-Maria, the daughter of Lazar Branković. He assumed the title of despot (or perhaps was awarded it by Lazar's widow, the Byzantine princess Helena Palaiologina Helena Palaiologina of Morea Helena Palaiologina was a Byzantine despotess of Serbia as the wife of Despot Lazar Branković, who ruled from 1456 until his death in 1458. Together they had three daughters.... ). His capital Smederevo Smederevo Smederevo is a city and municipality in Serbia, on the right bank of the Danube, about 40 km downstream of the capital Belgrade. According to official results of the 2011 census, the city has a population of 107,528... was conquered by the Ottomans a few months later. |
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| Andreas Palaiologos Andreas Palaiologos Andreas Palaiologos titular Byzantine emperor and Despot of Morea from 1465 until his death in 1502.-Biography:He was the nephew of Constantine XI Palaiologos, the last Byzantine Emperor of Constantinople... |
unknown – 1465 | Pope Pius II Pope Pius II Pope Pius II, born Enea Silvio Piccolomini was Pope from August 19, 1458 until his death in 1464. Pius II was born at Corsignano in the Sienese territory of a noble but decayed family... (?) |
Eldest son of Thomas Palaiologos and heir of the Palaiologan line. According to Sphrantzes, he was awarded the title of Despot by the Pope, but R. Guilland suggested that he may have already received the title before 1460. Claimant to the Byzantine throne from 1465 to 1494. |