| Emperor of the Byzantine Empire | |
|---|---|
| Former Monarchy | |
| Imperial | |
| Emblem of the Palaiologos Dynasty | |
| Constantine XI | |
| First monarch | Constantine I |
| Last monarch | Constantine XI |
| Style | Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans |
| Official residence | Constantinople |
| Monarchy started | AD 330 |
| Monarchy ended | AD 1453 |
This is a list of the Emperors of the East Roman or Byzantine Empire. This list does not include numerous co-emperors who never attained sole or senior status as rulers, nor the various usurpers or rebels who claimed the imperial title (on whom see List of Byzantine usurpers).
This list begins with Constantine the Great, the first Christian Roman Emperor, who founded Constantinople, and who was regarded by the later Byzantine Emperors as the model ruler. Diocletian before him is sometimes considered the first "Byzantine" Emperor in a political sense, as he replaced the republican trappings of the office with a straightforward autocracy, marking the transition from the Principate to the absolutist Dominate, a more typically oriental and Hellenistic form of monarchy that would characterize the Empire. It was under Constantine however that the major characteristics of the Byzantine state emerged: a Roman polity centered at Constantinople and culturally dominated by the Greek East, with Christianity as the state religion.
All Byzantine Emperors regarded themselves as Roman Emperors,[1] the term "Byzantine" being coined firstly by Western historiography much later, in the 16th century. Although the Pope of Rome and the Germanic rulers of the West recognized the Eastern Empire's claim to the Roman legacy after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, on 25 December 800, Pope Leo III crowned King of Franks Charlemagne as the Roman Emperor (which eventually led to the formation of the Holy Roman Empire) due to uneasy relations with the Orthodox East, an act which was much resented by the Byzantines. This happened after the coronation of Empress Irene, who, as a woman, was not recognized by the Pope to have a right to the throne.
The title of all Emperors listed preceding Heraclius was officially Augustus, although various other titles such as Dominus were used as well. For official purposes, their names were preceded by Imperator Caesar and followed by Augustus. Following Heraclius, the title commonly became the Greek Basileus (Gr. Βασιλεύς), which had formerly meant generally "king", "sovereign" but now was used in place of 'Imperator. Following the establishment of a rival Empire in Western Europe (the Holy Roman Empire), the title Autokrator (Gr. Αυτοκράτωρ) was also increasingly used. In the later centuries of the Empire, the emperor could be often referred to by Western Christians as the "Emperor of the Greeks," though they still considered themselves "Roman" Emperors. Towards the end of the Empire, they referred to themselves as "[Emperor's name] in Christ, Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans."
| Name | Reign | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constantine "the Great" (Greek: Κωνσταντίνος Α' ο Μέγας, Latin: Gaius Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus) |
19 September 324 – 22 May 337 |
Born on 27 February c. 280 as the son of the Augustus Constantius Chlorus. Proclaimed Augustus of the western empire upon the death of his father on 25 July 306 and later united the whole empire | |
| Constantius [II] (Κωνστάντιος [Β'], Flavius Iulius Constantius) |
22 May 337 – 5 October 361 |
Born on 7 August 317, the second son of Constantine I. Inherited Eastern third of Roman Empire upon his father's death, sole Roman Emperor from 351. Died of illness on campaign | |
| Constans I (Κώνστας Α', Flavius Iulius Constans) |
22 May 337 – 350 |
Born c. 323, the third son of Constantine I. Inherited central third of Roman Empire upon his father's death, acquired the Balkans in 338. Assassinated during the revolt of Magnentius | |
| Julian "the Apostate" (Ιουλιανός "ο Παραβάτης", Flavius Claudius Iulianus) |
5 October 361 – 28 June 363 |
Born in May 332, grandson of Constantius Chlorus and cousin of Constantius II. Proclaimed by his army in Gaul, became legitimate Emperor upon the death of Constantius. Killed on campaign against Sassanid Persia | |
| Name | Reign | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jovian (Ιοβιανός, Flavius Claudius Iovianus) |
28 June 363 – 17 February 364 |
Born c. 332. Captain of the guards under Julian, elected by the army upon Julian's death. Died on journey back to Constantinople | |
| Name | Reign | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valentinian I (Ουαλεντιανός, Flavius Valentinianus) |
26 February 364 – 17 November 375 |
Born in 321. An officer under Julian and Jovian, he was elected by the army upon Jovian's death. He soon appointed his younger brother Valens as Emperor of the East. Died of cerebral haemorrhage | |
| Valens (Ουάλης, Flavius Iulius Valens) |
28 March 364 – 9 August 378 |
Born in 328. A soldier of the Roman army, he was appointed Emperor of the East by his elder brother Valentinian I. Killed at the Battle of Adrianople | |
| Gratian (Γρατιανός, Flavius Gratianus) |
9 August 378 – 19 January 379 |
Born on 18 April/23 May 359, the son of Valentinian I. Emperor of the West, he inherited rule of the East upon the death of Valens and appointed Theodosius I as Emperor of the East. Assassinated on 25 August 383 during the rebellion of Magnus Maximus | |
| Name | Reign | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theodosius I "the Great" (Θεοδόσιος Α' ο Μέγας, Flavius Theodosius) |
19 January 379 – 17 January 395 |
Born on 11 January 347. Aristocrat and military leader, brother-in-law of Gratian, who appointed him as emperor of the East. From 392 until his death sole Roman Emperor. | |
| Arcadius (Αρκάδιος, Flavius Arcadius) |
17 January 395 – 1 May 408 |
Born in 377/378, the eldest son of Theodosius I. Succeeded upon the death of his father. | |
| Theodosius II (Θεοδόσιος Β', Flavius Theodosius) |
1 May 408 – 28 July 450 |
Born on 10 April 401, the only son of Arcadius. Succeeded upon the death of his father. As a minor, the praetorian prefect Anthemius was regent in 408–414. He died in a riding accident. | |
| Marcian (Μαρκιανός, Flavius Valerius Marcianus) |
450 – January 457 | Born in 396. A soldier and politician, he became emperor after being wed by the Augusta Pulcheria, sister of Theodosius II, following the latter's death. Died of gangrene. | |
| Name | Reign | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leo I "the Thracian" (Λέων Α' ο Θράξ, Flavius Valerius Leo) |
7 February 457 – 18 January 474 |
Born in Dacia in 401. A common soldier, he was chosen by Aspar, commander-in-chief of the army. Died of dysentery. | |
| Leo II (Λέων Β', Flavius Leo) |
18 January – 17 November 474 |
Born in 467, the grandson of Leo I. Succeeded upon the death of Leo I. Died of an unknown disease, possibly poisoned. | |
| Zeno (Ζήνων, Flavius Zeno) |
17 November 474 – 9 April 491 |
Born c.425 at Zenonopolis, Isauria, originally named Tarasicodissa. Son-in-law of Leo I, he was bypassed in the succession because of his barbarian origin. Named co-emperor by his son on 9 February 474, he succeeded upon the death of Leo II. Deposed by Basiliscus, brother-in-law of Leo, he fled to his native country and regained the throne in August 476. | |
| Basiliscus (Βασιλίσκος, Flavius Basiliscus) |
9 January 475 – August 476 |
General and brother-in-law of Leo I, he seized power from Zeno but was again deposed by him. Died in 476/477 | |
| Anastasius I (Αναστάσιος Α', Flavius Anastasius) |
11 April 491 – 9 July 518 |
Born c. 430 at Dyrrhachium, Epirus nova. A palace official (silentiarius) and son-in-law of Leo I, he was chosen as Emperor by Empress-dowager Ariadne | |
| Name | Reign | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justin I (Ιουστίνος Α', Flavius Iustinus) |
July 518 – 1 August 527 |
Born c. 450 at Bederiana (Justiniana Prima), Dardania. Officer and commander of the Excubitors bodyguard under Anastasius I, he was elected by army and people upon the death of Anastasius I. | |
| Justinian I "the Great" (Ιουστινιανός Α' ο Μέγας, Flavius Petrus Sabbatius Iustinianus) |
1 August 527 – 13/14 November 565 |
Born in 482/483 at Tauresium (Taor), Macedonia. Nephew of Justin I, possibly raised to co-emperor on 1 April 527. Succeeded on Justin I's death. | |
| Justin II (Ιουστίνος Β', Flavius Iustinus Iunior) |
14 November 565 – 5 October 578 |
Born c. 520. Nephew of Justinian I, he seized the throne on the death of Justinian I with support of army and Senate. Became insane, hence in 573–574 under the regency of his wife Sophia, and in 574–578 under the regency of Tiberius Constantine. | |
| Tiberius II Constantine (Τιβέριος Β', Flavius Tiberius Constantinus) |
5 October 578 – 14 August 582 |
Born c. 520, commander of the Excubitors, friend and adoptive son of Justin. Was named Caesar and regent in 574. Succeeded on Justin II's death. | |
| Maurice (Μαυρίκιος, Flavius Mauricius Tiberius) |
14 August 582 – 22 November 602 |
Born in 539 at Arabissus, Cappadocia. Became an official and later a general. Married the daughter of Tiberius II and succeeded him upon his death. Named his son Theodosius as co-emperor in 600. Deposed by Phocas and executed on 27 November 602 at Chalcedon. | |
| Name | Reign | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phocas (Φωκάς, Flavius Phocas) |
23 November 602 – 4 October 610 |
Subaltern in the Balkan army, he led a rebellion that deposed Maurice. Increasingly unpopular and tyrannical, he was deposed and executed by Heraclius. | |
| Name | Reign | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heraclius (Ηράκλειος, Flavius Heraclius) |
5 October 610 – 11 February 641 |
Born c. 575 as the eldest son of the Exarch of Africa, Heraclius the Elder. Began a revolt against Phocas in 609 and deposed him in October 610. Brought the Byzantine-Sassanid War of 602–628 to successful conclusion but was unable to stop the Muslim conquest of Syria. | |
| Constantine III formally Heraclius New Constantine (Ηράκλειος νέος Κωνσταντίνος, Heraclius Novus Constantinus) |
11 February – 24/26 May 641 |
Born on 3 May 612 as the eldest son of Heraclius by his first wife Fabia Eudokia. Named co-emperor in 613, he succeeded to throne with his younger brother Heraklonas following the death of Heraclius. Died of tuberculosis, allegedly poisoned by Empress-dowager Martina. | |
| Heraklonas (Ηρακλωνάς, Heraclianus) formally Constantine Heraclius (Κωνσταντίνος Ηράκλειος, Constantinus Heraclius) |
11 February 641 – September 641 |
Born in 626 to Heraclius' second wife Martina, named co-emperor in 638. Succeeded to throne with Constantine III following the death of Heraclius. Sole emperor after the death of Constantine III, under the regency of Martina, but was forced to name Constans II co-emperor by the army, and was deposed by the Senate in September 641. | |
| Constans II (Κώνστας Β', Constantus II) formally Constantine "the Bearded", (Κωνσταντίνος ο Πωγωνάτος) |
September 641 – 15 September 668 |
Born on 7 November 630, the son of Constantine III. Raised to co-emperor in summer 641 after his father's death due to army pressure, he became sole emperor after the forced abdication of his uncle Heraklonas. Baptized Heraclius, he reigned as Constantine. "Constans" is his nickname. Moved his seat to Syracuse, where he was assassinated, possibly on the orders of Mezezius. | |
| Constantine IV "the Bearded" (Κωνσταντίνος Δ' ο Πωγωνάτος) |
15 September 668 – September 685 |
Born in 652, he succeeded following the murder of his father Constans II. Erroneously called "Constantine the Bearded" by historians through confusion with his father. He repelled the First Arab Siege of Constantinople, and died of dysentery. | |
| Justinian II "the Slit-nosed" (Ιουστινιανός Β' ο Ρινότμητος) |
September 685 – 695 |
Born in 669, he was named co-emperor in 681 and became sole emperor upon Constantine IV's death. Deposed by military revolt in 695, mutilated (hence his surname) and exiled to Cherson, whence he recovered his throne in 705. | |
| Leontios (Λεόντιος) |
695–698 | General from Isauria, he deposed Justinian II and was overthrown in another revolt in 698. He was executed in February 706. | |
| Tiberius III (II) Apsimar (Τιβέριος Γ' Αψίμαρος) |
698–705 | Admiral of Germanic origin, originally named Apsimar. He rebelled against Leontios after a failed expedition. Reigned under the name of Tiberius until deposed by Justinian II in 705. Executed in February 706. | |
| Justinian II "the Slit-nosed" (Ιουστινιανός Β' ο Ρινότμητος) |
August 705 – December 711 |
Returned on the throne with Bulgar support. Named son Tiberius as co-emperor in 706. Deposed and killed by military revolt. | |
| Name | Reign | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philippikos Bardanes (Φιλιππικός Βαρδάνης) |
December 711 – 3 June 713 |
A general of Armenian origin, he deposed Justinian II and was in turn overthrown by a revolt of the Opsician troops. | |
| Anastasios II (Αναστάσιος Β') |
June 713 – November 715 |
Originally named Artemios. A bureaucrat and secretary under Philippikos, he was raised to the purple by the soldiers who overthrew Philippikos. Deposed by another military revolt, he led an abortive attempt to regain the throne in 718 and was killed. | |
| Theodosios III (Θεοδόσιος Γ') |
May 715 – 25 March 717 |
A fiscal official, he was proclaimed emperor by the rebellious Opsician troops. Entered Constantinople in November 715. Abdicated following the revolt of Leo the Isaurian and became a monk. | |
| Name | Reign | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leo III "the Isaurian" (Λέων Γ΄ ο Ίσαυρος) |
25 March 717 – 18 June 741 |
Born c. 685 in Germanikeia, Commagene, he became a general. Rose in rebellion and secured the throne in spring 717. Repelled the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople and initiated the Byzantine Iconoclasm. | |
| Constantine V "the Dung-named" (Κωνσταντίνος Ε΄ ο Κοπρώνυμος) |
18 June 741 – 14 September 775 |
Born in July 718, the only son of Leo III. Co-emperor since 720, he succeeded upon his father's death. After overcoming the usurpation of Artabasdos, he continued his father's iconoclastic policies (which earned him the surname "the Dung-named" by hostile later chroniclers) and won several victories against the Arabs and the Bulgars. | |
| Artabasdos (Αρτάβασδος) |
June 741/742 – 2 November 743 |
General and son-in-law of Leo III, Count of the Opsician Theme. Led a revolt that secured Constantinople, but was defeated and deposed by Constantine V, who blinded and tonsured him. | |
| Leo IV "the Khazar" (Λέων Δ΄ ο Χάζαρος) |
14 September 775 – 8 September 780 |
Born on 25 January 750 as the eldest son of Constantine V. Co-emperor since 751, he succeeded upon his father's death. | |
| Constantine VI (Κωνσταντίνος ΣΤ΄) |
8 September 780 – August 797 |
Born in 771, the only child of Leo IV. Co-emperor in 776, sole emperor upon Leo's death in 780, until 790 under the regency of his mother, Irene of Athens. He was overthrown on Irene's orders, blinded and imprisoned, probably dying of his wounds shortly after. | |
| Irene of Athens (Ειρήνη η Αθηναία) |
August 797 – 31 October 802 |
Born c. 752 in Athens, she married Leo IV. Regent for her son Constantine VI in 780–790, she overthrew him in 797 and became empress-regnant. Deposed in a palace coup in 802, she was exiled and died on 9 August 803. | |
| Name | Reign | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nikephoros I "the Logothete" (Νικηφόρος Α΄ ο Λογοθέτης) |
31 October 802 – 26 July 811 |
General Logothete (finance minister) under Irene, led initially successful campaigns against the Bulgars but was killed at the Battle of Pliska. | |
| Staurakios (Σταυράκιος) |
2 October 811 – 11 January 812 |
Only son of Nikephoros I, crowned co-emperor in December 803. Succeeded on his father's death; however, he had been heavily wounded at Pliska and left paralyzed. He was forced to resign, and retired to a monastery where he died soon after. | |
| Michael I Rangabe (Μιχαήλ Α΄ Ραγκαβέ) |
11 January 812 – 11 July 813 |
Son-in-law of Nikephoros I, he succeeded Staurakios on his abdication. Resigned after the revolt under Leo the Armenian and retired to a monastery, where he died on 11 January 844. | |
| Name | Reign | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leo V "the Armenian" (Λέων Ε' ο Αρμένιος) |
11 July 813 – 25 December 820 |
General of Armenian origin, born c. 775. He rebelled against Michael I and became emperor. Appointed his son Symbatios co-emperor under the name of Constantine on Christmas 813. Revived Byzantine Iconoclasm. Murdered by a conspiracy led by Michael the Amorian. | |
| Name | Reign | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael II "the Stammerer" or "the Amorian" (Μιχαήλ Β΄ ο Τραυλός/Ψελλός, ο εξ Αμορίου) |
25 December 820 – 2 October 829 |
Born in 770 at Amorium, he became an army officer. A friend of Leo V, he was raised to high office but led the conspiracy that murdered him. Survived the rebellion of Thomas the Slav, lost Crete to the Arabs and faced the beginning of the Muslim conquest of Sicily, reinforced iconoclasm. | |
| Theophilos (Θεόφιλος) |
2 October 829 – 20 January 842 |
Born in 813, as the only son of Michael II. Co-emperor since 821, he succeeded on his father's death. | |
| Michael III "the Drunkard" (Μιχαήλ Γ΄ ο Μέθυσος) |
20 January 842 – 23 September 867 |
Born on 19 January 840, he succeeded on Theophilos' death. Under the regency of his mother Theodora until 856, and of his uncle Bardas in 862–866. Ended iconoclasm. Murdered by Basil the Macedonian. A pleasure-loving ruler, he was nicknamed "the Drunkard" by later, pro-Basil chroniclers . | |
| Picture | Name | Status | Birth | Emperor from | Emperor until | Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil I the Macedonian Βασίλειος Α΄ ο Μακεδών |
Imperial officer of Armenian origin, born in the Theme of Macedonia | c. 811 | 867 |
2 August 886 | ||
| Leo VI the Wise Λέων ΣΤ΄ ο Σοφός |
likely either son of Basil I or Michael III | 19 September 866 | 886 |
11 May 912 | ||
| Alexander (III) Αλέξανδρος Γ΄ |
son of Basil I | 870 | 912 |
913 | ||
| Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos Κωνσταντίνος Ζ΄ ο Πορφυρογέννητος |
son of Leo VI, until 945 he reigned under regents or senior co-emperors | 9 September 905 | 15 May 908 |
9 November 959 | ||
| Romanos I Lekapenos Ρωμανός Α΄ Λεκαπηνός |
Admiral and father-in-law of Constantine VII, became senior emperor in 920 until his abdication in 944 | c. 870 | 17 December 920 |
16 December 944 | 15 June 948 | |
| Romanos II Porphyrogennetos Ρωμανός Β΄ ο Πορφυρογέννητος |
son of Constantine VII | 15 March 938 | November 959 |
15 March 963 | ||
| Nikephoros II Phokas Νικηφόρος Β΄ Φωκάς |
married Theophano, Romanos II's widow, regent for Basil II | c. 912 | 16 August 963 |
969 | ||
| John I Tzimiskes Iωάννης Α΄ Κουρκούας ο Τσιμισκής |
brother-in-law of Romanus II | c. 925 | 11 December 969 |
10 January 976 | ||
| Basil II the Bulgar-Slayer Βασίλειος Β΄ ο Βουλγαροκτόνος |
son of Romanos II | 958 | 10 January 976 |
15 December 1025 | ||
| Constantine VIII Κωνσταντίνος Η΄ ο Πορφυρογέννητος |
son of Romanos II | 960 | 15 December 1025 |
15 November 1028 | ||
| Zoe Ζωή η Πορφυρογέννητη |
daughter of Constantine VIII | c. 978 | 15 November 1028 |
June 1050 | ||
| Romanos III Argyros Ρωμανός Γ΄ Αργυρός |
Zoe's first husband | 968 | 15 November 1028 |
11 April 1034 | ||
| Michael IV the Paphlagonian Μιχαήλ Δ΄ ο Παφλαγών |
Zoe's second husband | 1010 | 11 April 1034 |
10 December 1041 | ||
| Michael V the Caulker Μιχαήλ Ε΄ ο Καλαφάτης |
Michael IV's nephew | 1015 | 10 December 1041 |
20 April 1042 | 24 August 1042 | |
| Theodora Θεοδώρα |
daughter of Constantine VIII | 984 | 20 April 1042 |
1042 | after 31 August 1056 | |
| Constantine IX Monomachos Κωνσταντίνος Θ΄ Μονομάχος |
Zoe's third husband | c. 1000 | 11 June 1042 |
11 January 1055 | ||
| Theodora Θεοδώρα |
daughter of Constantine VIII | 984 | 11 January 1055 |
after 31 August 1056 | ||
| Name | Reign | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael VI Bringas, "Stratiotikos" or "the Old" (Μιχαήλ ΣΤ΄ Βρίγγας, ο Στρατιωτικός, ο Γέρων) |
September 1056 – 31 August 1057 |
A court bureaucrat and military logothete (hence his first sobriquet). Deposed by military revolt under Isaac Komnenos, he retired to a monastery where he died in 1059. | |
| Name | Reign | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isaac I Komnenos (Ισαάκιος Α΄ Κομνηνός) |
5 June 1057 – 22 November 1059 |
Born c. 1005, a successful general; he rose in revolt leading the eastern armies and was declared Emperor; he was recognized after Michael VI's abdication on 31 August 1057. He resigned in 1059 and died c. 1061. | |
| Name | Reign | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constantine X Doukas (Κωνσταντίνος Ι΄ Δούκας) |
24 November 1059 – 22 May 1067 |
Born in 1006, he became a general and close ally of Isaac Komnenos, and succeeded him as emperor on his abdication. Named his sons Michael, Andronikos and Konstantios as co-emperors | |
| Michael VII Doukas (Μιχαήλ Ζ΄ Δούκας) |
22 May 1067 – 24 March 1078 |
Born in 1050 as the eldest son of Constantine X. Co-emperor since 1059, he succeeded on his father's death. Due to his minority he was under the regency of his mother, Eudokia Makrembolitissa, in 1067–1068, and relegated to junior emperor under her second husband Romanos IV Diogenes in 1068–1071. Senior emperor in 1071–1078, he named his son Constantine co-emperor alongside his brothers. He abdicated before the revolt of Nikephoros Botaneiates, retired to a monastery and died c. 1090. | |
| Romanos IV Diogenes (Ρωμανός Δ΄ Διογένης) |
1 January 1068 – 24 October 1071 |
Born in 1032, a successful general he married empress-dowager Eudokia Makrembolitissa and became senior emperor as guardian of her sons by Constantine X. Deposed by the Doukas partisans after the Battle of Manzikert, blinded in June 1072 and exiled. He died soon after. | |
| Nikephoros III Botaneiates (Νικηφόρος Γ΄ Βοτανειάτης) |
31 March 1078 – 4 April 1081 |
Born in 1001, he was the strategos of the Anatolic Theme. He rebelled against Michael VII and was welcomed into the capital. He weathered several revolts, but was overthrown by the Komnenos clan. He retired to a monastery where he died on 10 December of the same year (1081). | |
| Name | Reign | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexios I Komnenos (Αλέξιος Α' Κομνηνός) |
4 April 1081 – 15 August 1118 |
Born in 1048, a nephew of Isaac I Komnenos. A distinguished general, he overthrew Nikephoros III. His reign was dominated by wars against the Normans and the Seljuk Turks, as well as the arrival of the First Crusade and the establishment of independent Crusader states. He retained Constantine Doukas as co-emperor until 1087 and named his eldest son John co-emperor in 1092. | |
| John II Komnenos (Ιωάννης Β' Κομνηνός) |
15 August 1118 – 8 April 1143 |
Born on 13 September 1087 as the eldest son of Alexios I. Co-emperor since 1092, he succeeded upon his father's death. His reign was focused on wars with the Turks. A popular and frugal ruler, he was known as "John the Good". Named his eldest son Alexios co-emperor in 1122, but he died before him. | |
| Manuel I Komnenos (Μανουήλ Α' Κομνηνός) |
1143 – 24 September 1180 |
Born on 28 November 1118 as the third and youngest son of John II, he was chosen as emperor over his elder brother Isaac by his father on his deathbed. An energetic ruler, he launched campaigns against the Turks, humbled Hungary, achieved supremacy over the Crusader states and tried unsuccessfully to recover Italy. His extravagance and constant campaigning however depleted the Empire's resources. | |
| Alexios II Komnenos (Αλέξιος B' Κομνηνός) |
24 September 1180 – October 1183 |
Born on 14 September 1169 as the only son of Manuel I. In 1180–1182 under the regency of his mother, Maria of Antioch. She was overthrown by Andronikos I Komnenos, who became co-emperor and finally had Alexios II deposed and killed. | |
| Andronikos I Komnenos (Ανδρόνικος Α' Κομνηνός) |
1183 – 11 September 1185 |
Born c. 1118, a nephew of John II by his brother Isaac. A general, he was imprisoned for conspiring against John II, but escaped and spent 15 years in exile in various courts in eastern Europe and the Middle East. He seized the regency from Maria of Antioch in 1182 and subsequently throne from his nephew Alexios II. An unpopular ruler, he was overthrown and lynched in a popular uprising. | |
| Name | Reign | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isaac II Angelos (Ισαάκιος Β' Άγγελος) |
1185–1195 | Born in September 1156, Isaac came to the throne at the head of a popular revolt against Andronikos I. His reign was marked by revolts and wars in the Balkans, especially against a resurgent Bulgaria. He was deposed, blinded and imprisoned by his elder brother, Alexios III. | |
| Alexios III Angelos (Αλέξιος Γ' Άγγελος) |
1195 – 17/18 July 1203 |
Born in 1153, Alexios was the elder brother of Isaac II. His reign was marked by misgovernment and the increasing autonomy of provincial magnates. He was deposed by the Fourth Crusade and fled Constantinople, roaming Greece and Asia Minor, searching for support to regain his throne. He died in Nicaean captivity in 1211. | |
| Isaac II Angelos (Ισαάκιος Β' Άγγελος) |
18 July 1203 – 27/28 January 1204 |
Restored to his throne by the Crusaders, actual rule fell to his son Alexios IV. Due to their failure to deal with the Crusaders' demands, he was deposed by Alexios V Doukas in January 1204 and died on 28 January 1204, perhaps of poison. | |
| Alexios IV Angelos (Αλέξιος Δ' Άγγελος) |
1 August 1203 – 27/28 January 1204 |
Born in 1182, the son of Isaac II. He enlisted the Fourth Crusade to return his father to the throne, and reigned alongside his restored father. Due to their failure to deal with the Crusaders' demands, he was deposed by Alexios V Doukas in January 1204, and was strangled on 8 February. | |
| Alexios V Doukas "Mourtzouphlos" (Αλέξιος Ε' Δούκας ο Μούρτζουφλος) |
5 February 1204 – 13 April 1204 |
Born in 1140, the son-in-law of Alexios III and a prominent aristocrat, he deposed Isaac II and Alexios IV in a palace coup. He tried to repel the Crusaders, but they captured Constantinople forcing Mourtzouphlos to flee. He joined the exiled Alexios III, but was later blinded by the latter. Captured by the Crusaders, he was executed in December 1205. | |
| Name | Reign | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theodore I Laskaris (Θεόδωρος Α΄ Λάσκαρις) |
1205– December 1221/1222 |
Born c. 1174, he rose to prominence as a son-in-law of Alexios III. His brother Constantine Laskaris was elected emperor by the citizens of Constantinople on the day the city fell to the Crusaders; he later fled to Nicaea, where Theodore organized the Greek resistance to the Latins. Proclaimed emperor after Constantine's death in 1205, Theodore was crowned only in 1208. He managed to stop the Latin advance in Asia and to repel Seljuk attacks, establishing the Empire of Nicaea as the strongest of the Greek successor states. | |
| John III Doukas Vatatzes (Ιωάννης Γ' Δούκας Βατάτζης) |
15 December 1221/1222– 3 November 1254 |
Born c. 1192, he became the son-in-law and successor of Theodore I in 1212. A capable ruler and soldier, he expanded his state in Bithynia, Thrace and Macedonia at the expense of the Latin Empire, Bulgaria and the rival Greek state of Epirus. | |
| Theodore II Laskaris (Θεόδωρος Β' Λάσκαρις) |
3 November 1254– 18 August 1258 |
Born in 1221/1222 as the only son of John III, he succeeded on his father's death. His reign was marked by his hostility towards the major houses of the aristocracy, and by his victory against Bulgaria and the subsequent expansion into and Albania. | |
| John IV Laskaris (Ιωάννης Δ' Λάσκαρις) |
18 August 1258– 25 December 1261 |
Born on 25 December 1250 as the only son of Theodore II, he succeeded on his father's death. Due to his minority, the regency was exercised at first by George Mouzalon until is assassination, and then by Michael Palaiologos, who within months was crowned senior emperor. After the recovery of Constantinople in August 1261, Palaiologos sidelined John IV completely, had him blinded and imprisoned. John IV died c. 1305. | |
| Picture | Name | Status | Birth | Emperor from | Emperor until | Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael VIII Palaiologos Μιχαήλ Η' Παλαιολόγος | Great-grandson of Alexios III, grandnephew of John III by marriage | 1223 | 1 January 1259 as co-emperor, senior emperor since 25 December 1261 | 11 December 1282 | 11 December 1282 | |
| Andronikos II Palaiologos Ανδρόνικος Παλαιολόγος | Son of Michael VIII | 25 March 1259 | nominal co-emperor in September, 1261, crowned in 1272. Senior emperor on 11 December 1282 | 24 May 1328 | 13 February 1332 | |
| Michael IX Palaiologos Μιχαήλ Θ' Παλαιολόγος | Son of Andronikos II | 17 April 1277 | co-emperor in 1281, crowned in 1294/1295. | 12 October 1320 | 12 October 1320 | |
| Andronikos III Palaiologos Ανδρόνικος Γ' Παλαιολόγος | Son of Michael IX | 25 March 1297 | co-emperor in 1316, rival emperor since July, 1321. Senior emperor on 24 May 1328. | 15 June 1341 | 15 June 1341 | |
| John V Palaiologos Ιωάννης Ε' Παλαιολόγος | Son of Andronikos III | 18 June 1332 | Emperor in 15 June 1341 | 8 February 1347 | 16 February 1391 | |
| John VI Kantakouzenos Ιωάννης ΣΤ' Καντακουζηνός | A maternal relative of the Palaiologoi | c. 1292 | rival emperor on 26 October 1341, senior emperor on 8 February 1347. | 4 December 1354 | 15 June 1383 | |
| Matthew Kantakouzenos Ματθαίος Καντακουζηνός | Son of John VI, brother-in-law of John V | c. 1325 | co-emperor on 15 April 1353, rival emperor since 4 December 1354. | December, 1357 | between 1383 and 1391 | |
| John V Palaiologos Ιωάννης Ε' Παλαιολόγος | Son of Andronikos III, son-in-law of John VI | 18 June 1332 | co-emperor in 1347, rival emperor in 1352. Senior Emperor on 4 December 1354 | 12 August 1376 | 16 February 1391 | |
| Andronikos IV Palaiologos Ανδρόνικος Δ΄ Παλαιολόγος | Son of John V, grandson of John VI | 2 April 1348 | co-emperor c. 1352, Senior Emperor on 12 August 1376 | 1 July 1379 | 28 June 1385 | |
| John V Palaiologos Ιωάννης Ε' Παλαιολόγος | Son of Andronikos III, son-in-law of John VI | 18 June 1332 | Senior Emperor on 1 July 1379 | 14 April 1390 | 16 February 1391 | |
| John VII Palaiologos Ιωάννης Ζ' Παλαιολόγος | Son of Andronikos IV | 1370 | Co-emperor from 1376 to 1379, senior emperor on 14 April 1390. | 17 September 1390 | 22 September 1408 | |
| John V Palaiologos Ιωάννης Ε' Παλαιολόγος | Son of Andronikos III, son-in-law of John VI | 18 June 1332 | Senior Emperor on 17 September 1390 | 16 February 1391 | 16 February 1391 | |
| Manuel II Palaiologos Μανουήλ Β' Παλαιολόγος | Son of John V, grandson of John VI, brother of Andronikos IV | 27 June 1350 | Co-emperor in 1373, Senior Emperor on 16 February 1391 | 21 July 1425 | 21 July 1425 | |
| Andronikos V Palaiologos Ανδρόνικος Ε' Παλαιολόγος | Son of John VII | c. 1400 | co-emperor c. 1403 | c. 1407 | c. 1407 | |
| John VIII Palaiologos Ιωάννης Η' | Son of Manuel II | 18 December 1392 | Co-emperor c. 1416, sole emperor on 21 July 1425 | 31 October 1448 | 31 October 1448 | |
| Constantine XI Palaiologos Κωνσταντίνος ΙΑ' Παλαιολόγος | Son of Manuel II, brother of John VIII | 8 February 1405 | 6 January 1449 | 29 May 1453 | 29 May 1453 |
| Picture | Name | Status | Birth | Emperor from | Emperor until | Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demetrios Palaiologos Δημήτριος Παλαιολόγος | Son of Manuel II, brother of John VIII and Constantine XI | c. 1407 | 1453 | 1460 | 1470 | |
| Thomas Palaiologos Θωμάς Παλαιολόγος | Son of Manuel II, brother of John VIII and Constantine XI | c. 1409 | 1453 | 12 May 1465 | 12 May 1465 | |
| Andreas Palaiologos Ανδρέας Παλαιολόγος | Son of Thomas | c. 1453 | 12 May 1465 | 1502 | 1502 |
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