Michael VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus reigned as Byzantine emperor from 1261 until his death in 1282, and previously as the co-emperor of the Empire of Nicaea from 1259 to 1261. Michael VIII was the founder of the Palaiologan dynasty that would rule the Byzantine Empire until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453. He recovered Constantinople from the Latin Empire in 1261 and transformed the Empire of Nicaea into a restored Byzantine Empire. His reign saw considerable recovery of Byzantine power, including the enlargement of the Byzantine army and navy. It also included the reconstruction of the city of Constantinople, and the increase of its population.
Michael VIII Palaiologos is formally proclaimed Emperor of Nicaea in Nymphaion
Michael VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus reigned as Byzantine emperor from 1261 until his death in 1282, and previously as the co-emperor of the Empire of Nicaea from 1259 to 1261.
Historical Significance
Michael VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus reigned as Byzantine emperor from 1261 until his death in 1282, and previously as the co-emperor of the Empire of Nicaea from 1259 to 1261.
Events Before
Kraków, Poland, receives city rights
Kraków, Poland, receives city rights
Baghdad, then a city of 1 million, falls to the Mongols as the Abbasid Caliphate is destroyed, with tens of thousands sl
Baghdad, then a city of 1 million, falls to the Mongols as the Abbasid Caliphate is destroyed, with tens of thousands slaughtered, ending the Islamic Golden Age
Mongol army of 150,000, led by Hulagu, grandson of Genghis Khan, arrives at the walls of Baghdad (city falls Feb 13)
Mongol army of 150,000, led by Hulagu, grandson of Genghis Khan, arrives at the walls of Baghdad (city falls Feb 13)
Mongols defeated by Dai Viet at the battle of Dong Bo Dau
Mongols defeated by Dai Viet at the battle of Dong Bo Dau
Salisbury Cathedral in south west England inaugurated
Salisbury Cathedral in south west England inaugurated
Events After
Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, becomes ruler of the Mongol Empire
The Mongol Empire was the largest contiguous empire in history. Originating in present-day Mongolia in East Asia, the empire at its height stretched from the Sea of Japan to Eastern Europe, extending…
Qutuz, Mamluk Sultan of Egypt (1259-60), is assassinated by Baibars, a fellow Mamluk leader, who seizes power for himsel
Qutuz, Mamluk Sultan of Egypt (1259-60), is assassinated by Baibars, a fellow Mamluk leader, who seizes power for himself
Hulagu Khan, grandson of Genghis, conquers Damascus
Hulagu Khan, grandson of Genghis, conquers Damascus
Battle of Ain Jalut: Mamluks of Egypt defeat the Mongol army led by Kitbuqa in the Levant, often labeled a turning point
Battle of Ain Jalut: Mamluks of Egypt defeat the Mongol army led by Kitbuqa in the Levant, often labeled a turning point in world history, saving the Arabic-Islamic civilization from destruction
Battle at Montaperti, Tuscany, between rival factions the Guelphs and Ghibellines
The Guelphs and Ghibellines were factions supporting the pope (Guelphs) and the Holy Roman emperor (Ghibellines) in the Italian city-states of Central and Northern Italy during the Middle Ages.
More from the 1250s
Baghdad, then a city of 1 million, falls to the Mongols as the Abbasid Caliphate is destroyed, with tens of thousands sl
Baghdad, then a city of 1 million, falls to the Mongols as the Abbasid Caliphate is destroyed, with tens of thousands slaughtered, ending the Islamic Golden Age
The Seventh Crusade is defeated in Egypt, and Louis IX of France is captured
The Seventh Crusade (1248–1254) was the first of the two Crusades led by Louis IX of France.
Pope Innocent IV issues the papal bull Ad Extirpanda, which authorizes but also limits the torture of heretics in the Me
Pope Innocent IV issues the papal bull Ad Extirpanda, which authorizes but also limits the torture of heretics in the Medieval Inquisition
Hulagu Khan captures and destroys the Hashshashin stronghold at Alamut in present-day Iran as part of the Mongol offensi
Hulagu Khan captures and destroys the Hashshashin stronghold at Alamut in present-day Iran as part of the Mongol offensive in Southwest Asia
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on January 1, 1259?
- Michael VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus reigned as Byzantine emperor from 1261 until his death in 1282, and previously as the co-emperor of the Empire of Nicaea from 1259 to 1261. Michael VIII was the founder of the Palaiologan dynasty that would rule the Byzantine Empire until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453. He recovered Constantinople from the Latin Empire in 1261 and transformed the Empire of Nicaea into a restored Byzantine Empire.
- Why is Michael VIII Palaiologos is formally proclaimed Emperor of Nicaea in Nymphaion significant?
- Michael VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus reigned as Byzantine emperor from 1261 until his death in 1282, and previously as the co-emperor of the Empire of Nicaea from 1259 to 1261.