European Kingdoms

Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire
Rival Eastern Emperors in Epirus (Thessalonica) (AD 1204-1340)

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In AD 395, the Roman empire finally split permanently, creating formal Eastern Roman and Western Roman empires, acknowledging what had existed in practise for many years.

With the conquest of Constantinople by the Fourth Crusade in 1204, Latin rulers govern the city and much of the former empire, backed by Venice and France. The leader of the Fourth Crusade also sets up other minor Crusader states in Greece, but other territories were lost, including the Albanian principality of Arbanon.

Claimants to the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) throne set up rival powerbases, including this one in the territory of the former Greek kingdom of Epirus. Its territory also eventually included the principality of Arbanon, centred on Croia (Kruja) in the central northern section of modern Albania.

The reigning Eastern Romans withdrew to Nicæa in Anatolia, but rival claimants also established holdings in Trebizond, Epirus, and Thessalonica so that, at one point, there were four claimants to the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) throne, as well as the Bulgar and Serb states which also claimed dominance over it.

For members of the Jewish Diaspora who were citizens of the fractured empire, especially the long-term resident Romaniote Jews, conditions abruptly worsened. Anti-Semitic legislation was now more easy to pass in smaller states, and the Jews seemed to bear the brunt of it. Theodore Ducas especially targeted them, but only after his declaration of imperial status in 1227. The suspicion is that he needed to confiscate Jewish property in order to meet a desperate shortfall in his funds.

(Information by Peter Kessler, with additional information from The History of the Medieval World: From the Conversion of Constantine to the First Crusade, Susan Wise Bauer (2010), from The Despotate of Epiros, Donald McGillivray Nicol (Blackwell & Mott, 1957), and from External Links: Encyclopædia Britannica, and Jewish Encyclopaedia, and History of the Byzantine Empire (Live Science).)

1204 - 1215

Descendant of the Ducas dynasty emperors. Assassinated.

1215 - 1230

Emperor in Thessalonica 1227-30. Captured by Ivan II Asen.

c.1216

Theodore Komnenos Ducas begins a northwards advance which enters Krujë and terminates the independence of the principality of Arbanon as well as invading Macedonia. From now on the princes of Arbanon will be dominated by outside powers, starting with Theodore Ducas.

1224

The Crusader kingdom of Thessalonica is gained, and the Epirians move their court there. From 1231, Michael II rules Epirus as a subsidiary state.

1230

Ivan II Asen wins the Battle of Klokotnitsa, crushing the forces of Theodore Komnenos Doukas (Ducas) of the empire of Thessalonica. Theodore's empire soon collapses, allowing Ivan Asen to take possession of great swathes of Macedonia, Thessaly, and Thrace, plus Arbanon. Theodore himself is captured and held for the next seven years while his brother, Michael, takes command of his remaining territories.

1230 - 1237

Emperor in Thessalonica.

1237 - 1242

Emperor in Thessalonica.

1242

John is defeated by John III Ducas Vatatzes of Nicæa, and is reduced to a despot.

1242 - 1244

Despot.

1244 - 1246

Despot.

1246

Thessalonica falls to John III Ducas Vatatze of Nicæa. Epirus is isolated.

An icon showing four episodes from the life of Christ which was probably painted in Thessalonica, the most important artistic centre in the crumbling Eastern Roman empire after Constantinople itself

1231 - 1271

Granted title of despot of Epirus by John III in 1249.

1252

Golem of Arbanon submits in 1252 to Emperor John III Ducas Vatatzes of Nicæa. But the principality suffers a revolt against imposed Nicaean rule. That is put down but the principality is then annexed by the individual who becomes responsible for writing down much of the short history of Arbanon - Grand Logothete George Akropolites of Constantinople.

1257

Grand Logothete George Akropolites of Constantinople serves Theodorus II Lascaris of Nicæa as a military commander in the field of battle against Epirus, but his role is short-lived as it happens. He is now captured in 1257 and is imprisoned for two years.

1271 - 1296

1296 - 1318

1213 - 1323

1323 - 1335

1335 - 1337

Re-established his claim in 1340.

1337 & 1340

Epirus absorbed by Byzantine Emperor Andronicus III.