Michael Kantakouzenos
Encyclopedia
Michael Kantakouzenos was the first epitropos ("steward, overseer") of the Byzantine
province of the Morea
, a position he held from 1308 till his death in 1316.
passed a decree, which stopped the appointment of new governors of the Morea
every year and that this position be given to one person until his death. After the decree was passed, the first epitropos ("steward") the emperor appointed was Michael Kantakouzenos. His coming to the Morea
was a blessing for the local population in the poor province because he stopped the practice of corrupt governors who tried to pull off a "get rich quick" scheme in their 12 month term. He enabled economic stabilization within the province in his short 8 year term, giving his successor, Andronikos Asen
, the possibility of starting a war of conquest.
Michael Kantakouzenos died in 1316. He was survived by his son, John
, who became emperor in 1347.
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
province of the Morea
Morea
The Morea was the name of the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece during the Middle Ages and the early modern period. It also referred to a Byzantine province in the region, known as the Despotate of Morea.-Origins of the name:...
, a position he held from 1308 till his death in 1316.
Despot
In 1308, Byzantine emperor Andronikos II PalaiologosAndronikos II Palaiologos
Andronikos II Palaiologos , Latinized as Andronicus II Palaeologus, was Byzantine emperor from 1282 to 1328. He was the eldest surviving son of Michael VIII Palaiologos and Theodora Doukaina Vatatzina, grandniece of John III Doukas Vatatzes...
passed a decree, which stopped the appointment of new governors of the Morea
Morea
The Morea was the name of the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece during the Middle Ages and the early modern period. It also referred to a Byzantine province in the region, known as the Despotate of Morea.-Origins of the name:...
every year and that this position be given to one person until his death. After the decree was passed, the first epitropos ("steward") the emperor appointed was Michael Kantakouzenos. His coming to the Morea
Morea
The Morea was the name of the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece during the Middle Ages and the early modern period. It also referred to a Byzantine province in the region, known as the Despotate of Morea.-Origins of the name:...
was a blessing for the local population in the poor province because he stopped the practice of corrupt governors who tried to pull off a "get rich quick" scheme in their 12 month term. He enabled economic stabilization within the province in his short 8 year term, giving his successor, Andronikos Asen
Andronikos Asen
Andronikos Asen was the epitropos of the Byzantine province of the Morea between 1316 and 1322.-Life:Andronikos Asen was the son of Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Asen III and Irene, who was the sister of Byzantine emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos. His father and mother escaped to Byzantine territory...
, the possibility of starting a war of conquest.
Michael Kantakouzenos died in 1316. He was survived by his son, John
John VI Kantakouzenos
John VI Kantakouzenos or Cantacuzenus was the Byzantine emperor from 1347 to 1354.-Early life:Born in Constantinople, John Kantakouzenos was the son of a Michael Kantakouzenos, governor of the Morea. Through his mother Theodora Palaiologina Angelina, he was a descendant of the reigning house of...
, who became emperor in 1347.