The following is alist of usurpers in the Eastern Roman Empire orByzantine Empire, from the start of the reign ofArcadius in 395 to the fall ofConstantinople in 1453.
The following is a listing ofByzantine emperors who rose to the throne due to their own initiative through a revolt or coup d'état.
Unsuccessful usurpers in the 5th and 6th centuries
[edit]List of would-be emperors eventually defeated by the ruling sovereign, listed by reign. The noted date is the attempted usurpation.
- Marcian (479) –Leo I's son–in–law, who resented the accession of Zeno. Captured the imperial palace but was in turn captured. Spent the rest of his life imprisoned in a fortress inIsauria.
- Leontius (484–488) – An Isaurian commander who was called on to put down the rebelIllus but declared himself emperor instead. He died after a four-year siege of the fortress of Papurius.
- Julianus ben Sabar (529–531) – Leader of a Samaritan revolt, proclaimed "King of Israel". Managed to control the entireSamaria before being defeated.
- Hypatius (532) – A nephew ofAnastasius I who was acclaimed emperor during theNika riots.
- Stotzas (536–545) – AByzantine soldier who was elected the leader of rebel troops in the recently conquered Vandal Kingdom of Africa. Aiming to establish a new kingdom, he was defeated on a number of occasions before finally being defeated and mortally wounded in 545.
- John Cottistis (537) – Usurper inMesopotamia, he was an infantry soldier who was acclaimed emperor by his troops, but was killed after four days by imperial forces atDara.
Unsuccessful usurpers in the 7th century
[edit]- Comentiolus (610–611) – the brother ofPhocas, he refused to acknowledge Heraclius' accession and planned to enforce his claim to the throne. He was eventually assassinated.
- John of Conza (617) – described as atyrannus (a term meaning usurper), he capturedNaples but was defeated and killed byEleutherius, theExarch of Ravenna.
- Eleutherius (619) – the Exarch of Ravenna, he was aeunuch who set up his capital atRome, but was murdered by his own troops.
- John Athalarichos (635) – The illegitimate son ofHeraclius, he plotted to overthrow his father, but the scheme was uncovered prior to execution. He wasmutilated and exiled.
- Mizizios (668–669) – Commander of theOpsikion, he was chosen by the court atSicily to replace the murderedConstans II. He was eventually executed by forces loyal to Constantine IV.
Unsuccessful usurpers in the 8th century
[edit]- Artabasdos and Nikephoros (742–743) – count of theOpsikion theme and the brother–in–law of Constantine V, Artabasdos usurped the throne while Constantine was inAsia Minor. His son Nikephoros was made co–emperor with him at the same time. He reversed Constantine'siconoclast policies, but his armies were defeated. He was blinded and banished to a monastery.
- Nikephoros (776) – Leo IV's half–brother, he attempted to usurp the throne, but was stripped of his rank when it was uncovered.
- Nikephoros (780 and 792) – The eldest of Constantine V's surviving sons, Nikephoros was the focus of several pro-iconoclastic plots: in 780 he attempted to mount the throne after the death of Leo IV, but was prevented byIrene, and he wasordained a priest. Then in 792, some of the imperialtagmata proclaimed Nikephoros as emperor. He was captured by Constantine VI and blinded before being imprisoned in a monastery.
- Elpidios (782) – appointedstrategos inSicily, he was accused of disloyalty and refused to return to the capital, holding out against imperial forces sent to bring him back.
- Nikephoros (797 and 799) – Although blinded, Nikephoros was still involved in imperial conspiracies. In 797, he materialized inHagia Sophia, hoping to inspire the populace to support his bid for the throne. It failed and he was banished toAthens. Then in 799, local troops planned to proclaim him emperor, but again it failed.
- Staurakios (799–800) – aeunuch who served Irene, he planned to usurp the throne after falling from favor, launching a revolt inCappadocia. He died before the revolt was suppressed.
Unsuccessful usurpers in the 9th century
[edit]- Bardanes Tourkos (803) – themonostrategos inAnatolia, he used the army's discontent over Nikephoros' financial policies to declare himself emperor. Deserted by his commanders, and unable to obtain support inConstantinople he surrendered and was blinded.
- Arsaber (808) – a group of secular and ecclesiastic officials, who were dissatisfied with Nikephoros formed a conspiracy and acclaimed Arsaber, a nobleman holding the rank ofpatrikios, as emperor. The plot was discovered and Arsaber wastonsured and exiled to a monastery inBithynia.
- Nikephoros (812) – for the sixth time, Nikephoros was involved in a plot for the imperial throne, this time with a group of disgruntled soldiers who tried to proclaim him emperor. The soldiers were disbanded and Nikephoros was moved to the island of Aphousia.
- Thomas the Slav (821–823) – a bitter rival of Michael II, Thomas assumed the identity ofConstantine VI and gathered an army. He besiegedConstantinople, but was forced to retreat toArkadiopolis where he surrendered. He was later executed.
- Euphemius (826–827) – aByzantine admiral who killed the governor inSicily and proclaimed himself emperor, forming an alliance with theArabs. He died after a skirmish with imperial troops.
Unsuccessful usurpers in the 10th century
[edit]- Basil Peteinos (961) – a senior official under Constantine VII, whom he had helped to secure his throne against the Lekapenoi, Peteinos led a conspiracy involving several high-ranking members of the court, aiming to kill Romanos II and usurp the throne.
- Kalokyros (968–971) – apatrician who was dispatched to the court ofSviatoslav I of Kiev in order to persuade him to launch an invasion of theFirst Bulgarian Empire, with which Byzantium was at war. Sviatoslav agreed to support Kalokyros in his ambition of gaining the imperial throne, but Kalokyros was captured and executed.
- Bardas Phokas the Younger (971 and 987–989) – Son ofLeo Phokas the Younger, he launched a rebellion in 971 but was captured byBardas Skleros. He was released from captivity to deal with Skleros, who had also rebelled, whom he defeated in 979. Returned to imperial favor, he was madedoux ofAntioch, but rebelled against Basil II after the emperor's defeat at theBattle of the Gates of Trajan. He died while charging at Basil in battle.
- Bardas Skleros (976–979 and 987–990) – theDomestic of the Schools in the East, he rebelled after the death ofJohn I Tzimiskes, but was defeated in 979 byBardas Phokas the Younger. He fled toBaghdad and returned after Basil's humiliation atTrajan's Gate. Seeking an accommodation with Bardas Phokas, he was captured but then released after Phokas' death. He surrendered himself to Basil II.
- Nikephoros Phokas Barytrachelos (1022) – the son ofBardas Phokas the Younger, rose in revolt with the support ofNikephoros Xiphias. The two men had a strained relationship, however, and the revolt quickly collapsed after Xiphias murdered Phokas.
Unsuccessful usurpers in the 11th century
[edit]- Constantine Diogenes (1029 and 1032) – thedoux ofThessalonica,Bulgaria andSerbia, he was accused of conspiring against Romanos III, imprisoned and blinded. Then in 1032 he planned to take advantage of Romanos' absence on campaign in the East to escape to the Balkans and make a new bid to topple Romanos. The plot was discovered and Constantine committed suicide.
- Basil Skleros (1033) – Brother-in-law ofRomanos III Argyros, he plotted against him and was exiled with his wife.
- Elpidios Brachamios (1034) – led a popular revolt atAntioch, which led to the arrest ofConstantine Dalassenos
- Constantine Monomachos (1034 and 1038) – was twice accused of conspiracy against Michael IV, resulting in his exile toLesbos.
- Vojislav of Duklja (1034 and 1040–1052) – organized a rebellion against Byzantine rule in 1034, but was captured and imprisoned inConstantinople. Upon his release he rebelled again, defeating a number of Byzantine armies and overthrowing imperial rule around the city ofDioklea.
- Basil Synadenos (1040) – thestrategos ofDyrrhachium, he attempted to crush the rebellion ofPeter Delyan but was accused by one of his army commanders of conspiracy against Michael IV and was arrested.
- Michael Keroularios (1040) – led an insurrection against Michael IV, but the plot was uncovered, and Michael became a monk to save his life.
- Gregory Taronites (1040) – apatrikios, he instigated a revolt inPhrygia, but was captured.
- Atenulf (1040–1042) – led aLombard rebellion against Byzantine authority insouthern Italy. Was bribed by the Byzantines and replaced as leader of the rebellion byArgyrus.
- Peter Delyan (1040–1041) – the leader of a localBulgarian uprising against Byzantine rule, he was blinded by his cousin before being defeated by the Byzantines. He was taken toConstantinople and executed.
- Argyrus (1042) – led the continuingLombard revolt in southern Italy, but he too defected to the Byzantines, after being offered the position ofCatepan of Italy.
- Theophilos Erotikos (1042) – the governor ofCyprus, he took advantage of the fall ofMichael V to launch a rebellion. He was arrested and had his goods confiscated before being released.
- George Maniakes (1042–1043) – theCatepan of Italy, he was systematically reclaiming territory in SouthernItaly when he was recalled toConstantinople. Furious, he rebelled, and although he destroyed an army sent to capture him, he was wounded during the battle and died.
- Stephanos Pergamenos (1043) – thesebastophoros, he rebelled inByzantine Armenia.
- Leo Tornikios (1047) – Constantine IX's nephew and thestrategos ofIberia, he proclaimed himself emperor atAdrianople and almost took the city ofConstantinople. Forced to retreat, he was captured and blinded.
- Nikephoros Kampanares (1050) – a thematic judge andeparchos, he was banished by the emperor on suspicion of plotting to overthrow him, but was later recalled.
- Romanos Boilas (1051) – a senator and commander of the imperial bodyguard, he was a favourite of the emperor. He attempted to assassinate Constantine IX because he was in love with Constantine's mistress. The emperor pardoned him.
- Constantine Barys (1052) – He was exiled by Constantine IX for suspicion of plotting to take the throne. Whilst in exile he prepared to rebel against the emperor, and sought the advice of Saint Lazaros. The plot was discovered and he ended up losing his tongue.
- Philaretos Brachamios (1071–1078) – On the death ofRomanos IV Diogenes, he was acclaimed emperor by his troops and established an independent realm inGermanicia. He abandoned his imperial claims in 1078 in exchange for the title ofdoux ofAntioch.
- Constantine Bodin (1072) – Leader of a revolt inBulgaria, he was crownedEmperor of the Bulgarians under the name Peter III. He was captured and taken prisoner toConstantinople before being moved toAntioch.
- Roussel de Bailleul (1073 –1074) – Frankish or Norman mercenary who was given command of 3,000 Frankish and Norman heavy cavalry. He used his cavalry to capture territory inGalatia, declared independence in 1073, sackedChrysopolis, and defeated and army underJohn Doukas, before being defeated byAlexios Komnenos.
- John Doukas (1074) – Michael VII's uncle, he was sent to deal with the rebellion of someNorman mercenaries, but was defeated and captured. The Normans convinced him to become emperor, forcing Michael VII to appeal to theSeljuk Turks for aid. They defeated John Doukas and captured him.
- Nestor (1076–1078) – A former slave ofConstantine X, he had been promoted to become thedux ofParistrion, on the region bordering the Danube. Having had much of his property and wealth confiscated by the ministerNikephoritzes, he rebelled in around 1076, placing himself at the head of the garrisons under his command, which were already in a state of mutiny due to arrears in their pay. The troops were eager to plunder the Bulgarians, and he obtained the assistance of one of the chiefs of the Patzinaks before marching ontoConstantinople. The rebels demanded the dismissal ofNikephoritzes, but discovering that he did not have the numbers to attack the capital, his troops separated into smaller parties, and proceeded to plunder Thrace. Defeated byAlexios Komnenos in 1078, Nestor remained with the Patzinaks, and retreated with them back toParistrion.
- Levon Davatanos (1077–1078) – thedoux ofEdessa, he launched an unsuccessful rebellion in the city.
- Nikephoros Bryennios (1077–1078) – a Byzantine general. News that Michael's chief minister,Nikephoritzes, had listed him for assassination, encouraged him to make his bid for the throne. He was beaten to the throne byNikephoros III Botaneiates and defeated atKalavrye byAlexios Komnenos.
- Raiktor (1081) – anEastern Orthodox monk who assumed the identity ofMichael VII, and was used by theNormanRobert Guiscard to justify an attack on theByzantine Empire.
- Constantine Humbertopoulos (1091) – ofNorman descent, he was a mercenary captain whose decision to support Alexios, secured him the throne. He was promoted before conspiring against Alexios with anArmenian called Ariebes and was banished.
- Emir Tzachas of Smyrna (1092) – aSeljuk Turkish emir based inSmyrna who claimed the imperial title.
- John Komnenos (1092) – thedoux ofDyrrhachium, he was accused byTheophylact of Bulgaria of plotting against the Emperor.
- Karykes (1093) – the governor ofCrete, he launched a simultaneous revolt withRhapsomates against Alexios. News of the imperial fleet's approach caused a counter-coup that overthrew him, during which he was murdered.
- Rhapsomates (1093) – the governor ofCyprus, he also rebelled against Alexios I. He defended Cyprus, but desertions in his ranks saw him attempt to flee, whereupon he was captured after seeking refuge in a church.
- Michael Taronites (1094) – Alexios' brother-in-law, he was convicted of conspiring against Alexios and banished.
- Pseudo-Constantine Diogenes (1094) – A pretender who claimed to be the dead son ofRomanos IV Diogenes, Constantine led theCumans who crossed the Balkan mountains and raided into easternThrace. He was killed atAdrianople.
- Nikephoros Diogenes (1094) – the son ofRomanos IV Diogenes and a former co-emperor, he had been made governor ofCrete by Alexios I. He attempted to murder Alexios twice, but both times he failed, the second time he was caught red-handed with the sword. He was blinded.
- Theodore Gabras (1096–1098) – thedoux ofChaldia, achieved a level of semi-autonomy before Alexios I managed to reclaim some imperial control.
- Gregory Taronites (1104) – thedoux ofChaldia, he tried to take advantage of his province's relative isolation by trying to make himself an independent ruler. Was defeated and captured.
- Michael Anemas (1105) – Along with his brothers and a senator named Salomon, he plotted against Alexios I, but the conspiracy was uncovered, resulting in Michael's imprisonment.
- Aron (1107) – The illegitimate descendant of a Bulgarian prince, he formed a plot to murder Alexios as he was encamped nearThessalonica, but the presence of the empressIrene and her attendants made this difficult. In an attempt to have her return toConstantinople, the conspirators produced pamphlets that mocked and slandered the empress, and left them in her tent. A search for the author of the publications uncovered the whole plot, resulting in Aron's banishment.
- Pseudo-Leo Diogenes (1116) – Another pretender claiming to be a son of Romanos IV Diogenes, he was the son-in-law ofVladimir II Monomakh, and attempted to overthrow Byzantine authority inBulgaria.
Unsuccessful usurpers in the 12th century
[edit]- Thoros (1145–1169) – a usurper inCilicia, he escaped from imprisonment inConstantinople and re-established an independentArmenian Kingdom of Cilicia, which had been brought back under imperial control byJohn II Komnenos. He successfully repulsed a number of military expeditions launched by Manuel I.
- Andronikos Komnenos (1154) – a cousin of Manuel I, he plotted to overthrow Manuel with the support of KingGéza II of Hungary who invaded the empire. Andonikos was arrested and confined by the emperor.
- Alexios Axouch (1167) – the grand-nephew of Manuel I and governor ofCilicia, he was accused of conspiring against the emperor and was confined to a monastery for the rest of his life.
- Andronikos Kontostephanos (1182) – themegas doux and commander-in-chief of the Byzantine navy, he was a key supporter ofAndronikos Komnenos, but began plotting against him once his tyrannical nature became apparent. He was captured and blinded.
- Andronikos Doukas Angelos (1183) – the father ofIsaac II Angelos, he was a Byzantine general who had been sent to quell the rebellion of Andronikos I, but ended up joining the rebellion after being defeated in battle. Once Andronikos I became regent however, Andronikos Angelos entered into a conspiracy with the megas douxAndronikos Kontostephanos, thepostal logothete and a number of other officials. He fled to theKingdom of Jerusalem when Andronikos I uncovered the plot.
- John Komnenos Vatatzes (1183) – governor of theThracesian theme, he objected to the rise ofAndronikos Komnenos. He rebelled atPhiladelphia and defeated the forces of Andronikos and Alexios II led byAndronikos Lampardas but died a few days later of natural causes.
- Theodore Angelos (1183–1184) - the son ofAndronikos Doukas Angelos, he and his brotherIsaac Angelos returned fromPalestine and launched a rebellion atNicaea against the regent Andronikos, prompting him to become co-emperor alongside Alexios II. In early 1184, Andronikos I captured Nicaea after Isaac surrendered the city to him. Andronikos then captured Theodore inPrusa, and had him blinded.
- Andronikos Lampardas (1183) – a Byzantine general, he rebelled when he heard news of Andronikos I's usurpation and murder ofAlexios II Komnenos. Attempting to raise forces inAsia Minor, he was captured by officials loyal to Andronikos I and was blinded and soon afterwards killed.
- Theodore Kantakouzenos (1184) – the governor ofPrussa, he attempted to assassinate Andronikos, but his horse stumbled during the attempt, throwing Theodore to the ground. He was beheaded by Andronikos' guard.
- Isaac Komnenos of Cyprus (1184–1191) – a minor member of the Komnenos family, he hired a troop of mercenaries and sailed toCyprus with falsified letters commanding Byzantine officials to obey him. He was crowned emperor and brutally terrorised the island. He was eventually overthrown byRichard I of England, who captured Cyprus on his way to theHoly Land during theThird Crusade.
- Alexios Komnenos (1185) – the grandnephew ofManuel I Komnenos and his cup-bearer, he was banished by Andronikos Komnenos, but fled to the court ofWilliam II of Sicily. There, he obtained William's support for his claim to the throne, and William used this to launch aNorman invasion of the empire, culminating in the capture ofThessalonica.
- Alexios Komnenos (1185) – the illegitimate son ofManuel I Komnenos (as well as being Andronikos' son-in-law), he was promoted as emperor by the Sebastianus brothers, but Alexios was taken and blinded. He was later accused of conspiring withAndronikos Komnenos and forced to takeHoly Orders.
- Andronikos Bryennios (1186) – the governor ofThessalonica, he was accused of conspiring withAlexios Komnenos to usurp the throne. He demanded the opportunity to refute the charges, but was blinded without a trial.
- Alexios Branas (1187) – aByzantine general raised to the rank ofprotosebastos, he had defeated theNormans and had been sent to deal with theVlach-Bulgarian Rebellion when he rebelled. He was defeated in battle byConrad of Montferrat, Isaac II's brother-in-law and beheaded.
- Theodore Mangaphas (1188–1189 and 1204–1206) – the governor ofPhiladelphia, he declared himself emperor in 1188, forcing Isaac II to march out against him. Theodore agreed to relinquish the imperial title in exchange for retaining his position at Philadelphia. After the fall ofConstantinople in 1204, he again claimed the imperial title, only to be overthrown byTheodore I Laskaris.
- Constantine Tatikios (1190) – achieved the support of 500 influential people to overthrow Isaac II, but was discovered, arrested and blinded.
- Basil Chotzas (1190–1204) – launched a rebellion and established a semi-autonomous state centred at Tarsia in north-westernAnatolia.
- Constantine Aspietes (1190/91) – aByzantine general, he objected to the way the war against theVlach was proceeding and attempted to obtain support from the army. He was removed from command and blinded.
- Isaac Komnenos (1191) – incarcerated when his uncleAndronikos I Komnenos was overthrown, he escaped from prison and made a bid for the throne atHagia Sophia. He was captured and tortured, dying the next day.
- Pseudo-Alexios II (1192) – a pretender claiming to be the dead son ofManuel I Komnenos, he obtained support from SultanKilij Arslan II and attackedPhrygia. He was assassinated by a priest.
- Pseudo-Alexios II (1192) – another royal pretender, he arose inPaphlagonia, but was defeated in battle byTheodore Choumnos, thechartularius, who captured and then put him to death.
- Constantine Angelos Doukas (1193) – Isaac II's cousin, success in the Bulgarian War saw him declare himself emperor. He was handed over to Isaac by his fellow officers and was blinded.
- Alexios Kontostephanos (1195 and 1200) – the former governor ofCrete, after Isaac II's overthrow he was acclaimed emperor by the mob who declared their desire never to be ruled by theKomnenoi again. He was captured and imprisoned. He tried again in 1200, but was again unsuccessful.
- Pseudo-Alexios II (1196) – another pretender claiming to be the son ofManuel I Komnenos, he rose up atNicomedia but was captured and blinded.
- Ivanko (1198–1200) – after marryingTheodora Angelina and thus entering the imperial family, Ivanko rebelled inThrace, capturing the generalManuel Kamytzes in 1198. He was taken prisoner during a meeting with the emperor's representative,Alexios Palaiologos.
- Dobromir Chrysos (1198–1202) – emerging inMacedonia andThessaly, he also was offered marriage toTheodora Angelina to gain his allegiance. He fought against the emperor with the help ofManuel Camytzes, but was at last conquered by the Bulgarian emperorKaloyan.
- Michael Kantakouzenos (1199) – arrested by Alexios III in 1195, he unsuccessfully declared himself emperor in 1199.
- John Komnenos the Fat (1201) – a relatively unimportant Byzantine noble, he had himself crowned emperor by a monk inHagia Sophia and took control of theGreat Palace. Alexios III struck back during the night, his forces recapturing the palace and beheading John Komnenos.
- Leo Chamaretos (1200–1206) – Theproedros ofLacedaemonia, he established a breakaway regime inLaconia. He was eventually thrown out by theVenetians.
- Michael Komnenos Doukas (1200–1201) – The governor of theTheme ofMylasa and Melanoudion in Asia Minor, he rebelled but was defeated by Alexios III and forced to flee to the Seljuks. He eventually became the founder and first ruler of theDespotate of Epirus from 1205 until his death in 1215.
- Leo Sgouros (1201–1208) – governor of the area ofNauplia and theArgolid, he rebelled against Alexios III and established himself as an independent ruler. He expanded his territory throughout central Greece until confronted by the armies of the Franks. After a siege of five years he apparently committed suicide.
- John Spyridonakes (1201) – revolted against Alexios in southernThrace.
Unsuccessful usurpers in the 13th century
[edit]- Manuel Maurozomes (1204–1206) – the illegitimate grandson ofManuel I Komnenos, he tried to establish a separate principality inPhrygia with the support of SultanKaykhusraw I.
- Sabas Asidenos (1204–1206) – a powerful local magnate who seized control ofSampson and the lower valley of theMaeander River. He eventually acknowledged the authority of Theodore Laskaris and theEmpire of Nicaea.
- Theodore Gabras (1204–1208) – the independentarchon ofAmisos and thePontus, his territory was soon incorporated into theEmpire of Trebizond underAlexios I, who appointed him as governor of the region.
- David Komnenos (1204–1207) – the brother ofAlexios I of Trebizond, he took possession of territory inPaphlagonia and thePontus, but was under pressure from Theodore I Laskaris, forcing him in 1207 to acknowledge theLatin Empire's authority over his territory.
- John Kantakouzenos (1205–1209) – thearchon ofMethone, he established a breakaway regime atMessenia.
- Alexios Aspietes (1205) – the ruler (dynastes) ofPhilippopolis, he was proclaimed the leader of the town after thedefeat of the Latin armies in the summer of 1205, and given the task of organizing the defences of the city against the advancing forces ofKaloyan of Bulgaria, who took the town.
- Theodore Branas (1205–1206) – the Lord ofAdrianople, he established a breakaway state but was forced to accept the overlordship of theLatin Empire to protect the city from the ambitions of the Bulgarian emperor,Kaloyan.
- Theodore Komnenos Doukas (1215–1230) – the son of thesebastokratorJohn Doukas and of Zoe Doukaina, he was the half-brother ofMichael I Komnenos Doukas and succeeded him inEpirus on his death. After his conquest ofThessalonica in 1224, hedeclared himselfByzantine Emperor. He was defeated and captured byIvan Asen II of Bulgaria who blinded him.
- Isaac Laskaris andAlexios Laskaris (1224) – the younger brothers ofTheodore Laskaris, they resented the accession of John III and offered their services to theLatin Emperor. With the help of the Latins, they attempted to overthrow John III but weredefeated in battle, taken captive and blinded.
- Andronikos Nestongos andIsaac Nestongos (1224) – the cousins of John III, they attempted to overthrow the emperor and place Andronikos as emperor with the support of a significant number of Byzantine nobles. The plot was uncovered, but Andronikos managed to escape to theSeljuk Turks.
- Manuel Komnenos Doukas (1230–1237) – the brother ofTheodore Komnenos Doukas, he took over the rule of theEmpire of Thessalonica after the capture of his brother, althoughde facto a powerless Bulgarian vassal. He was overthrown when his brother returned from captivity and fled to the east. He returned in 1239 and set himself up as the ruler ofThessaly until his death.
- John Komnenos Doukas (1237–1242) – son of Theodore Komnenos Doukas, installed by him asEmperor of Thessalonica after he overthrew his brother Manuel in 1237. In 1242 he was forced to renounce the title of Emperor for that ofDespot by Vatatzes.
- John Gabalas (1239–1250) – the brother ofLeo Gabalas, he took over rule of the island ofRhodes on his brother's death, but by 1250 had submitted to the authority of the emperor atNicaea.
- Pseudo-John IV Laskaris (1262) – the treatment ofJohn IV Laskaris by Michael VIII saw an uprising occur atNicaea under a pretender who claimed he was the boy, forcing Michael to drag out the real John IV to disprove the pretender's claims.
- John Doukas (1280) – theRuler of Thessaly, he was appointedsebastokrator by Michael VIII, but the alliance between the two was always uneasy. He became the champion of the anti-union forces, and in 1280 he nominated himself as the Orthodox emperor of the empire, but Michael was able to hold on to power.
Unsuccessful usurpers in the 14th and 15th centuries
[edit]- Syrgiannes Palaiologos (1333–1334) – the governor ofThessalonica, he was suspected of plotting for the throne when he was adopted byMaria, the mother of Andronikos III in 1333. He fled to the court of the Serbian king,Stephen Dušan, who gave him a large Serbian army. He invaded the empire but was eventually murdered.
- Nikephoros II Orsini (1339–1340 and 1356–1359) – refused the position of aByzantine vassal inEpirus, Nikephoros attempted to rule in Epirus with the help ofCatherine of Valois, the titularLatin Empress ofConstantinople. He was defeated and persuaded to surrender byJohn Kantakouzenos. After the fall of John Kantakouzenos, with whom he was allied, he set himself up inThessaly, taking advantage of the death ofStephen Uroš IV Dušan of Serbia. He died while fighting the Albanians.
- Michael Gabrielopoulos (1342) – related to the formersebastokratorStephen Gabrielopoulos, he claimed to be the hereditary lord of the area aroundTrikala inThessaly, but was ousted by a governor sent byJohn VI Kantakouzenos.
- Stephen Uroš IV (1346–1355) – the ruler ofSerbia, he claimed the title ofEmperor (Tsar) of the Serbs and Romans in 1346 until his death.
- Matthew Kantakouzenos (1354–1357) – the son ofJohn VI Kantakouzenos, based inThrace, he fought with John V after the abdication of his father for the throne. He was eventually captured and was forced to move to theMorea.
- Stephen Uroš V (1355–1371) – the son ofStephen Uroš IV, he too claimed the title of Emperor, although much of his territory was lost to various nobles and the Turks.
- John Limpidarios (1356) – the captain ofNikephoros Orsini's fleet, he took advantage of Nikephoros' absence to attackAinos, and gained control of the city. He was eventually thrown out of the city.
- Simeon Uroš (1356–1370) – appointed governor ofEpirus andThessaly byStephen Uroš IV Dušan of Serbia, he was thrown out byNikephoros II Orsini, after which he declared himselfEmperor of the Serbs and Romans in 1356. He established himself inThessaly which he controlled till his death.
- Thomas Preljubović (1366–1382) – he attempted to usurp authority inEpirus, forcingSimeon Uroš to recognise him as the ruler in exchange for Thomas recognising Simeon as his suzerain. He was recognised in 1382 by John V with the title ofdespotes.
- Andronikos Palaiologos (1373 and 1384) – the son of John V, he plotted to murder his father in 1373, but it was uncovered, resulting in Andronikos losing one of his eyes. He again rebelled in 1384, and was driven into exile atSelymbria.
- Theodosios Kyprios (fl. c. 1414) – alleged to harbor imperial ambitions by the writer Mazaris ("even in his dreams he wears the white imperial robes").
- Demetrios Palaiologos (1442 and 1448) – the brother of John VIII, he claimed the throne in 1442 based on his status as aporphyrogennetos. Although he attempted to harness the anti-Catholic opposition to John, he was abandoned by his army and exiled atSelymbria. He again attempted to usurp the throne in 1448 once John VIII died, but was opposed by his mother, who supported the claim ofConstantine XI Palaiologos.
