John VIII Palaiologos

John VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus (Greek: Ἰωάννης Παλαιολόγος, romanized: Iōánnēs Palaiológos; 18 December 1392  31 October 1448) was the penultimate Byzantine emperor. Ruling from 1425 to 1448, he attempted, and failed, the reunification of the Orthodox and Catholic churches and prioritized the protection of Constantinople against the Ottoman Empire. He was succeeded by his brother, Constantine XI.

John VIII Palaiologos
Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans
Detail from The Middle King by Benozzo Gozzoli, in the Magi Chapel of Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, Florence, 1459–1461. It is widely believed to represent John VIII.
Byzantine emperor
Reign21 July 1425 –
31 October 1448
Coronation19 January 1421
PredecessorManuel II Palaiologos
SuccessorConstantine XI Palaiologos
Proclamationc. 1407 as co-emperor
Born18 December 1392
Died31 October 1448(1448-10-31) (aged 55)
Spouse
(m. 1414; died 1417)
    Sophia of Montferrat
    (14211426)
      Maria of Trebizond
      (m. 1427; died 1439)
      DynastyPalaiologos
      FatherManuel II Palaiologos
      MotherHelena Dragaš
      ReligionEastern Catholic
      Previously Eastern Orthodox
      This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.