George Palaiologos (megas hetaireiarches)
George Palaiologos Doukas Komnenos (Greek: Γεώργιος Παλαιολόγος Δούκας Κομνηνός; c. 1125–1167/68) was a high-ranking Byzantine aristocrat and diplomat of the 12th century. A kinsman of the ruling Komnenos dynasty, George Palaiologos held the rank of sebastos and the office of megas hetaireiarches. His son Alexios was briefly heir-apparent to Emperor Alexios III Angelos, and his great-grandson Michael VIII Palaiologos founded the Palaiologan dynasty of Byzantine emperors.
George Palaiologos Doukas Komnenos | |
|---|---|
| sebastos megas hetaireiarches | |
Seal of George Palaiologos, featuring Saint George on the obverse | |
| Native name | Γεώργιος Παλαιολόγος Δούκας Κομνηνός |
| Born | c. 1125 |
| Died | 1167 or 1168 |
| Noble family | Palaiologos |
| Issue | Alexios Palaiologos |
| Father | Alexios Palaiologos |
| Mother | (Anna?) Komnene |
| Occupation | Diplomat |
He led a number of diplomatic missions for Emperor Manuel I Komnenos, both within the Empire and abroad. Only his missions to Jerusalem and Hungary, as part of the emperor's marriage alliances with foreign rulers, are well attested. Apart from his diplomatic activities, George Palaiologos also founded a church and a monastery, which were lavishly decorated.