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Portrait of Manuel II Palaiologos

Manuel II Palaiologos

Reign: 1391 – 1425
Life: 1350–1425

Shortly before his death he was tonsured a monk and received the name Matthaios (Ματθαίος). Manuel was a vassal of the Ottoman Empire, which sometimes threatened to capture his territory outright. Accordingly he continued his father's practice of soliciting Western European aid against the Ottomans, and personally visited several foreign courts to plead his cause. These efforts failed, although an Ottoman civil war and Byzantine victories against Latin neighbors helped Manuel's government survive and slightly expand its influence.

During Manuel II Palaiologos' reign, John I of Portugal ruled Portugal, Ashikaga Yoshimochi ruled Japan (Shogunate), and Charles VI of France ruled France.

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SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard

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Cover of SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome

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SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome

Mary Beard

Beard's acclaimed introduction to Roman politics and emperors, readable and wide-ranging.

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