Nicholas Kanabos

Nicholas Kanabus
Νικόλαος Καναβός
Emperor-elect of the Byzantine Empire
Reign 1204
Born Uncertain, 12th century
Died 8 February 1204 (1204-02-09)
Predecessor Isaac II Angelos and Alexios IV Angelos
Successor Alexios V Doukas

Nicholas Kanabus or Canabus was elected Byzantine emperor on 25 or 27 January 1204 by an assembly of the Byzantine Senate, priests, and the mob of Constantinople in opposition against co-emperors Isaac II and Alexius IV.[1] Nicolas was a young noble (probably a relative of Angelid emperors[2]) who was chosen after three days of sorting through numerous unwilling candidates, and he refused to accept the election. Though popularly chosen, he never wielded significant imperial power, and refused to leave the Hagia Sophia. Alexios V "Mourztouphlos", who had deposed Emperors Isaac II and Alexios IV, offered him a prominent position in his own administration, but Nicholas refused to accept his terms. On 5 February, Mourztouphlos imprisoned him and had him strangled (or possibly decapitated) on the same day as Alexios IV.[3]

The historian Niketas Choniates described Nicolas as a gentle and intelligent man.

References

  1. ^ Chambers's Encyclopaedia, vol. II, London, 1868, p. 471 ; Busk, William, Mediaeval Popes, Emperors, Kings, and Crusaders, Or, Germany, Italy, and Palestine, From A.D. 1125 to A.D. 1268, vol. III, London, 1856, p. 35.
  2. ^ Cheynet, Jean-Claude, Pouvoir et contestations à Byzance (963–1210), Paris, 1990, p. 142.
  3. ^ Phillips, Jonathan. The Fourth Crusade and the Siege of Constantinople. 2004. pp. 222–226.