1254 Death of Joannes Vatatzes. His son Theodore (II) Lascaris succeeds.
1255-1256 War with Bulgaria resulting in slight concessions to Theodore.
1257 War with Michael of Epirus conducted by Michael Palæologus, with unfavourable results.
1258 Death of Theodore. Succeeded by his young son Joannes (IV) Lascaris. The prime minister Muzalon and the patriarch Arsenius are regents.
1259 Michael (VIII) Palæologus proclaimed emperor as the result of a successful conspiracy. Muzalon murdered. The emperor goes to war with Michael of Epirus and puts him to flight. Battle of Pelagonia. Capture of William Villehardouin, prince of Achaia.
1261 The general Strategopulus captures Constantinople. Fall of the Latin Empire. Michael removes the seat of empire thither.
THE PALÆOLOGUS DYNASTY AT CONSTANTINOPLE (1261-1453 A.D.)
1261 Michael imprisons Joannes IV and has his eyes put out. For this Arsenius excommunicates Michael. Important commercial treaty with the Genoese renewed after hostilities in 1275. Pope Urban IV frees Villehardouin from his promises to Michael on his release. Warfare results.
1263 Urban IV mediates between Michael and Villehardouin.
1264 Peace between the emperor and Michael of Epirus.