III. The Postclassical Period, 500–1500 > F. Europe, 461–1500 > 5. Christian States in the Eastern Mediterranean, 1000–1300 > c. Latin and Greek States in the Middle East > 1214–30
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  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.
 
 
1214–30
 
Theodore Dukas Angelus, nephew of Michael, became despot of Epirus. He began the work of expansion at the expense of the Latins and Bulgars, taking Durazzo and Corfu from the Venetians (1214).  1
 
1219–28
 
Robert of Courtenay, Latin emperor. His domain was reduced to Constantinople, and he spent most of his time soliciting aid in the West.  2
 
1222
 
Theodore Dukas of Epirus captured Thessalonica and extinguished the kingdom. He then had himself proclaimed Emperor of the West, and before long extended his conquests to the vicinity of Philippopolis and Adrianople.  3
 
1222–54
 
JOHN III (Dukas Vatatzes), emperor at Nicaea. He proved himself a great ruler as well as an able general. During his reign agriculture was encouraged, trade and industry developed, and finances reformed. The Nicaean Empire enjoyed a period of real prosperity and power.  4
 
1224
 
John Vatatzes defeated the Franks at Poimanenon. In succession he took the islands near the Anatolian coast (Samos, Chios, Lemnos) and subjected Rhodes. An army was even sent across the straits to capture Adrianople.  5
 
1224
 
Theodore of Epirus defeated an army of the Latin emperor at Serres and then drove the invading Nicaean army away from Adrianople.  6
 
1228
 
On the death of Robert of Courtenay, it was proposed that a regency be established under the Bulgarian ruler, John Asen II (1218–41), but this suggestion was frustrated by the Latin clergy.  7
 
1228–61
 
BALDWIN II, Latin emperor. He was the eleven-year-old nephew of Robert of Courtenay. The reign was a helpless one, during which the emperor was reduced to peddling the Constantinople relics through Europe.  8
 
1229–37
 
Regency of John of Brienne, former king of Jerusalem, for the boy-emperor. John became co-emperor in 1231.  9
 
1230
 
Theodore of Epirus was defeated and captured by the Bulgarian Tsar John Asen, eldest son of Asen I at battle of Klokotnica. He then expanded his territories from Adrianople in the east to Dyrrachion in the west, and styled himself tsar of the Bulgarians and the Greeks. Thessalonica and Thessaly passed to  10
 
Manuel
 
(1230–36), the brother of Theodore, and  11
 
John
 
(1236–44), the son of Theodore Dukas of Epirus, who became despot of Thessaly and Emperor of the West.  12
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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