Michael VIII Palaiologos

Reign: 1261 – 1282
Life: 1224–1282

Michael VIII was the founder of the Palaiologan dynasty that would rule the Byzantine Empire until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453. He recovered Constantinople from the Latin Empire in 1261 and transformed the Empire of Nicaea into a restored Byzantine Empire. His reign saw considerable recovery of Byzantine power, including the enlargement of the Byzantine army and navy. His re-establishment of the University of Constantinople contributed to the Palaeologan Renaissance, a cultural flowering between the 13th and 15th centuries.

During Michael VIII Palaiologos' reign, Afonso III of Portugal ruled Portugal, James I of Aragon ruled Spain, and Kublai Khan ruled China.

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SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard

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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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