Despotate of the Morea

Despotate of the Morea
Δεσποτᾶτον τοῦ Μορέως
1349–1460
The Despotate of the Morea in 1450, divided between the two brothers, Thomas and Demetrios Palaiologos
The Despotate of the Morea in 1450, divided between the two brothers, Thomas and Demetrios Palaiologos
StatusSemi-autonomous appanage of the Byzantine Empire
CapitalMystras (main capital, 1349–1460)
Common languagesMedieval Greek
Religion
Eastern Orthodox Church[1]
GovernmentFeudal monarchy
Despot of Morea 
• 1349–1380
Manuel Kantakouzenos
• 1449–1460
Thomas Palaiologos and Demetrios Palaiologos
Historical eraLate Medieval
• Established
1349
1453–1454
29 May 1460
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Byzantine Empire under the Palaiologos dynasty
Rumelia Eyalet
Today part ofGreece

The Despotate of the Morea (Greek: Δεσποτᾶτον τοῦ Μορέως) or Despotate of Mystras (Greek: Δεσποτᾶτον τοῦ Μυστρᾶ) was a province of the Byzantine Empire which existed between the mid-14th and mid-15th centuries. Its territory varied in size during its existence but eventually grew to include almost all the southern Greek peninsula now known as the Peloponnese, which was known as the Morea during the medieval and early modern periods. The territory was usually ruled by one or more sons of the current Byzantine emperor, who were given the title of despotes (in this context it should not be confused with despotism). Its capital was the fortified city of Mystras, near ancient Sparta, which became an important centre of the Palaiologan Renaissance.

  1. ^ Melton, J. Gordon (2014). Faiths Across Time: 5,000 Years of Religious History [4 Volumes]: 5,000 Years of Religious History. ABC-CLIO. p. 800. ISBN 9781610690263.