Epirote–Nicaean conflict explained

Conflict:Epirote–Nicaean conflict
Date:1257–1259
Place:Balkans
Result:Nicaean victory
  • Subsequent restoration of Byzantine Empire
Combatant1:Despotate of Epirus
Combatant2:Empire of Nicaea
Commander1:Michael II
Commander2:Theodore II Laskaris
Michael VIII Palaiologos
George Akropolites
John Doukas Palaiologos

In the period between 1257 and 1259 the Despotate of Epirus and Empire of Nicaea fought each other for Byzantine territories. Nicaea had by 1253 occupied Macedonia and Albania, and forced Despot Michael II of Epirus to submission. Michael II, fearing an Nicaean attack after Theodore II Laskaris' defeat of the Bulgarians (1255–56), allied himself with Serbian king Stefan Uroš I. The Epirotes involved chieftains in Albania in the springtime of 1257, and the Epirote and Serbian armies then coordinated their attacks. Michael regained most of Albania, then sent forces into Macedonia.

See also