Constantine Palaiologos (half-brother of Michael VIII)
Encyclopedia
Constantine Palaiologos (or Palaeologus) (died 1271) was a son of Andronikos Palaiologos, Grand Domestic of the Empire of Nicaea
and an unknown second wife. As such, he was a younger half-brother of the Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos
.
by his elder half-brother, Michael VIII. The following year, he was also created a sebastokrator
. He commanded the Byzantine forces on an unsuccessful campaign against the Latin Principality of Achaea
, where his army was routed at the Battle of Prinitza
. However, Constantine had already left the region by the time of the major Byzantine defeat at the Battle of Makryplagi
in 1263/1264.
Sometime after returning from the campaign against the Principality of Achaea
, Constantine became a monk under the name Kallinikos. He died in 1271.
Empire of Nicaea
The Empire of Nicaea was the largest of the three Byzantine Greek successor states founded by the aristocracy of the Byzantine Empire that fled after Constantinople was occupied by Western European and Venetian forces during the Fourth Crusade...
and an unknown second wife. As such, he was a younger half-brother of the Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos
Michael VIII Palaiologos
Michael VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus reigned as Byzantine Emperor 1259–1282. Michael VIII was the founder of the Palaiologan dynasty that would rule the Byzantine Empire until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453...
.
Life and career
The life of Constantine is unknown until 1259, when he was appointed CaesarCaesar (title)
Caesar is a title of imperial character. It derives from the cognomen of Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator...
by his elder half-brother, Michael VIII. The following year, he was also created a sebastokrator
Sebastokrator
Sebastokratōr was a senior court title in the late Byzantine Empire. It was also used by other rulers whose states bordered the Empire or were within its sphere of influence. The word is a compound of "sebastos" Sebastokratōr was a senior court title in the late Byzantine Empire. It was also used...
. He commanded the Byzantine forces on an unsuccessful campaign against the Latin Principality of Achaea
Principality of Achaea
The Principality of Achaea or of the Morea was one of the three vassal states of the Latin Empire which replaced the Byzantine Empire after the capture of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade. It became a vassal of the Kingdom of Thessalonica, along with the Duchy of Athens, until Thessalonica...
, where his army was routed at the Battle of Prinitza
Battle of Prinitza
The Battle of Prinitza was fought in 1263 between the forces of the Byzantine Empire, marching to capture Andravida, the capital of the Latin Principality of Achaea, and a small Achaean force...
. However, Constantine had already left the region by the time of the major Byzantine defeat at the Battle of Makryplagi
Battle of Makryplagi
The Battle of Makryplagi or Makry Plagi was fought between the forces of the Byzantine Empire, and the Latin Principality of Achaea. The Byzantines had been weakened and demoralized by the defection of their numerous Turkish mercenaries to the Achaeans...
in 1263/1264.
Sometime after returning from the campaign against the Principality of Achaea
Principality of Achaea
The Principality of Achaea or of the Morea was one of the three vassal states of the Latin Empire which replaced the Byzantine Empire after the capture of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade. It became a vassal of the Kingdom of Thessalonica, along with the Duchy of Athens, until Thessalonica...
, Constantine became a monk under the name Kallinikos. He died in 1271.
Marriage and family
Constantine was married c. 1259/60 to a woman named Eirene Komnene Laskarina Branaina, by whom he seems to have had five children"- Michael Komnenos Branas Palaiologos
- Andronikos Branas Doukas Angelos Palaiologos
- Maria Komnene Branaina Laskarina Doukaina Tornikina Palaiologina. Married Isaac Komnenos Doukas Tornikios.
- Theodora. Married John Komnenos Doukas Angelos SynadenosJohn Synadenos (megas stratopedarches)John Komnenos Angelos Doukas Synadenos was a Byzantine noble and military leader with the rank of megas stratopedarches during the reigns of Michael VIII Palaiologos and Andronikos II Palaiologos John Komnenos Angelos Doukas Synadenos was a Byzantine noble and military leader with the rank of...
and had three children. Later became a nun under the name Theodoule. - DaughterSmiltsena PalaiologinaSmiltsena was а Byzantine princess, niece of Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos, and empress-consort of Tsar Smilets of Bulgaria.-Family:...
(name unknown). Married Smilets of BulgariaSmilets of BulgariaSmilets reigned as emperor of Bulgaria from 1292 to 1298. The date of his birth is unknown.Although Smilec is credited with being descended "from the noblest family of the Bulgarians", his antecedents are completely unknown...
.