| Michael IX Palaiologos | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans | |||||
.png) 15th-century portrait from a 15th-century codex containing a copy of the Extracts of History by Joannes Zonaras | |||||
| Byzantine emperor | |||||
| Reign | 21 May 1294 – 12 October 1320 | ||||
| Coronation | 21 May 1294, Hagia Sophia | ||||
| Predecessor | Andronikos II (alone) | ||||
| Successor | Andronikos II (alone) Andronikos III (in Macedonia) | ||||
| Co-emperor | Andronikos II | ||||
| Proclamation | 1281 (as co-emperor) | ||||
| Born | 17 April 1277 Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey) | ||||
| Died | 12 October 1320 (aged 43) Thessaloniki, Greece | ||||
| Spouse | |||||
| Issue | |||||
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| Dynasty | Palaiologos | ||||
| Father | Andronikos II Palaiologos | ||||
| Mother | Anna of Hungary | ||||
Michael IX Palaiologos or Palaeologus (Greek: Μιχαήλ Δούκας Ἄγγελος Κομνηνός Παλαιολόγος, Mikhaēl Doukas Angelos Komnēnos Palaiologos;[1] 17 April 1277 – 12 October 1320) was Byzantine emperor together with his father, Andronikos II Palaiologos, from 1294 until his death. Andronikos II and Michael IX ruled as equal co-rulers, both using the title autokrator.[2]
A man of impeccable morals and a good helper to his father, he was also known as a brave and energetic soldier, willing to make personal sacrifices to pay or encourage his troops; the Catalan military chronicler Ramon Muntaner said about him: "Emperor Michael was one of the bravest knights in the world".[3] Despite his military prestige, he suffered several defeats, for unclear reasons: his inability as a commander, the deplorable state of the Byzantine army or just simply bad luck.
His premature death at age 43 was attributed in part to grief over the accidental murder of his younger son Manuel Palaiologos by retainers of his older son and later co-emperor Andronikos III Palaiologos.[4]
In the memory of the Byzantines, Michael IX remained "the most pious lord"[5] and "a true emperor in name and deeds".[6]
- ^ PLP, 21436. Παλαιολόγος, Ἀνδρόνικος II. Δούκας Ἄγγελος Κομνηνός
- ^ Grierson, Philip (1999). Catalogue of the Byzantine Coins in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection and in the Whittemore Collection: Michael VIII to Constantine XI, 1258-1453. Dumbarton Oaks. p. 95. ISBN 978-0-88402-261-9.
- ^ F. Uspensky. "История Византийской империи в 5 томах. Гл. 6. Андроник II Старший [History of the Byzantine Empire in 5 volumes — Ch. 6. Andronicus II the Elder]" (in Russian).
- ^ Nicol 1993, p. 153.
- ^ "Малые византийские хроники. Хроника № 8 (9, 10, 11c) [Small Byzantine Chronicles. Chronicle number 8 (9, 10, 11c)]" (in Russian).
- ^ "Малые византийские хроники. Хроника № 14 (99) [Small Byzantine Chronicles. Chronicle № 14 (99)]" (in Russian).