John III Ducas Vatatzes

John III Ducas Vatatzes
born с 1193
died Nov. 3, 1254, Nymphaion

Emperor of Nicaea (1222–54).

He succeeded Theodore I Lascaris and defeated rivals for the imperial throne in 1223. Two years later he triumphed over Latin forces loyal to his rivals and gained control of Asia Minor. He allied with Ivan Asen II against Epirus (1230) and besieged Constantinople (1235), prompting Asen to go to war with him (1235–37). He acquired territory in Bulgaria (1241) and Epirus (1242) and supported a cultural revival from his capital at Nicaea, paving the way for the eventual reestablishment of the Byzantine Empire. Venerated by his people, he was canonized in the Eastern church.

* * *

▪ emperor of Nicaea
born c. 1193, Byzantine Empire
died November 3, 1254, Nymphaion [modern Kemalpaşa, Turkey]

      emperor of Nicaea (1222–54) who, by acquiring territory, encouraging economic growth, and supporting a cultural revival from his capital at Nicaea (modern İznik, Turkey), paved the way for the recovery of Constantinople from the Latin emperors and the reestablishment of the Byzantine Empire.

      Born to an aristocratic Byzantine family, he married Irene, daughter of Theodore I Lascaris, emperor of Nicaea, becoming emperor on Theodore's death. Civil war broke out when Theodore's brothers, Alexius and Isaac, protested the succession, but John defeated them in battle and imprisoned and blinded them (1223). Two years later he also defeated the Latin forces supporting his rivals and made himself master of Asia Minor. He later clashed with Theodore Ducas, despot of Epirus, after the latter took Thessalonica (modern Thessaloníki, Greece) and proclaimed himself Byzantine emperor (1225). John's forces were routed by Theodore when they attempted to take Adrianople later that year. Allied with the Bulgarian tsar John Asen II (Ivan Asen II), John III defeated Theodore in battle (1230) and besieged Constantinople in 1235. Realizing the potential threat from Nicaea, however, Asen declared war on his ally. A peace was arranged in 1237, and, when Asen died in 1241, John III annexed territory in Bulgaria and attacked the despotate of Epirus. By 1242 he had reduced Epirus's territory and forced it to recognize Nicaean suzerainty.

      John III also promoted the isolation of Latin Constantinople by making pacts with Western leaders. About 1250 he promised to become the vassal of Frederick II, Holy Roman emperor, in return for aid in reconquering Constantinople. Though the pact was sealed by John's marriage to the emperor's daughter, Constance, little came of their agreement. He also negotiated unsuccessfully with the papacy, promising to end the schism between the Eastern and Western churches if the Latins returned Constantinople.

      In domestic policy John III made the Nicaean empire economically self-supporting, improved agriculture and stockbreeding, built hospitals and poorhouses, and encouraged the development of Nicaea's cultural life. His popularity among his subjects and his reputation for goodness caused him to be canonized a saint of the Eastern church a half century after his death.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • John III Doukas Vatatzes — or Ducas Vatatzes (Greek: Ιωάννης Γ΄ Δούκας Βατάτζης, Iōannēs III Doukas Batatzēs ) (c. 1192, Didymoteicho ndash; November 3, 1254, Nymphaeum) was emperor of Nicaea 1221 1254.LifeJohn Doukas Vatatzes was probably the son of the general Basil… …   Wikipedia

  • john — /jon/, n. Slang. 1. a toilet or bathroom. 2. (sometimes cap.) a fellow; guy. 3. (sometimes cap.) a prostitute s customer. [generic use of the proper name] * * * I known as John Lackland born Dec. 24, 1167, Oxford, Eng. died Oct. 18/19, 1216,… …   Universalium

  • John — /jon/, n. 1. the apostle John, believed to be the author of the fourth Gospel, three Epistles, and the book of Revelation. 2. See John the Baptist. 3. (John Lackland) 1167? 1216, king of England 1199 1216; signer of the Magna Carta 1215 (son of… …   Universalium

  • III — (as used in expressions) Abd al Rahman III Afonso III Alexander III Amenhotep III Andronicus III Palaeologus Antiochus III Augustus III Cabell Calloway III Casimir III Charles III Christian III …   Universalium

  • John of Brienne — born с 1170 died March 1237, Constantinople Count of Brienne (in northeastern France) and later titular king of Jerusalem (1210–25) and Latin emperor of Constantinople (1231–37). The penniless younger son of a French count, he married the queen… …   Universalium

  • John Komnenos Doukas — or Comnenus Ducas (Greek: Ιωάννης Κομνηνός Δούκας, Iōannēs Komnēnos Doukas ), was ruler of Thessalonica from 1237 until his death in 1244.John was the eldest son of Theodore Komnenos Doukas and Maria Petraliphaina. In 1230 his father was captured …   Wikipedia

  • John IV Laskaris — John IV Doukas Laskaris or Ducas Lascaris (Greek: Ιωάννης Δ΄ Δούκας Λάσκαρις, Iōannēs IV Doukas Laskaris ), December 25 1250 ndash; c. 1305) was emperor of Nicaea from August 18, 1258 to December 25, 1261. This small empire was one of the Greek… …   Wikipedia

  • Johannes III. (Byzanz) — Johannes III., Gold Hyperpyron Johannes III. Dukas Vatatzes (griechisch Ἰωάννης Γ Δούκας Βατάτζης, * 1193 in Didymoticho; † 3. November 1254 in Nymphaion bei Smyrna) war byzantinisc …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Johannes III. Dukas Batatzes — Johnnes III., Gold Hyperpyron Johannes III. Dukas Batatzes (griechisch Ἰωάννης Γ Δούκας Βατάτζης, * 1193 in Didymoticho; † 3. November 1254 in Nymphaion bei …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Miguel II Comneno Ducas — Moneda de Miguel II Comneno Ducas. Miguel II Comneno Ducas (en griego: Μιχαήλ Β΄ Κομνηνός Δούκας, Mikhaēl II Komnēnos Doukas), a menudo llamado Miguel Ángelo en fuentes narrativas, fue el gobernante de Epiro desde 1230 hasta su muerte en… …   Wikipedia Español

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”