List of Byzantine emperors
List of Emperors
Name Reign Notes

List of Byzantine emperors

Section Title: List of Emperors
Table Section Text: Name Reign Notes

Name	Reign	Notes

Constantinian dynasty (306–363)[edit] See also: Constantinian dynasty

-	Constantine I "the Great" (Greek: Κωνσταντῖνος Αʹ ὁ Μέγας, Latin: Gaius Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus)	19 September 324 – 22 May 337	Born at Naissus ca. 272 as the son of the Augustus Constantius Chlorus and Helena.

-	Constantius II (Κωνστάντιος [Βʹ], Flavius Iulius Constantius)	22 May 337 – 5 October 361	Born on 7 August 317, as the second surviving son of Constantine I, he inherited the eastern third of Roman Empire upon his father's death, sole Roman Emperor from 353, after the overthrow of the western usurper Magnentius.

-	Constans I (Κῶνστας Αʹ, Flavius Iulius Constans)	22 May 337 – January 350	Born c. 323, the third surviving son of Constantine I.

-	Julian "the Apostate" (Ἰουλιανὸς "ὁ Παραβάτης", Flavius Claudius Iulianus)	5 October 361 – 28 June 363	Born in May 332, grandson of Constantius Chlorus and cousin of Constantius II. Proclaimed by his army in Gaul, became legitimate Emperor upon the death of Constantius.

Non-dynastic (363–364)[edit]

-	Jovian (Ἰοβιανός, Flavius Iovianus)	28 June 363 – 17 February 364	Born c. 332.

Valentinian dynasty (364–379)[edit] See also: Valentinian dynasty

-	Valentinian I (Οὐαλεντιανός, Flavius Valentinianus)	26 February 364 – 17 November 375	Born in 321. An officer under Julian and Jovian, he was elected by the army upon Jovian's death.

-	Valens (Οὐάλης, Flavius Iulius Valens)	28 March 364 – 9 August 378	Born in 328. A soldier of the Roman army, he was appointed Emperor of the East by his elder brother Valentinian I.

-	Gratian (Γρατιανός, Flavius Gratianus)	9 August 378 – 19 January 379	Born on 18 April/23 May 359, the son of Valentinian I. Emperor of the West, he inherited rule of the East upon the death of Valens and appointed Theodosius I as Emperor of the East.

Theodosian dynasty (379–457)[edit] See also: Theodosian dynasty

-	Theodosius I "the Great" (Θεοδόσιος Αʹ ὁ Μέγας, Flavius Theodosius)	19 January 379 – 17 January 395	Born on 11 January 347. Aristocrat and military leader, brother-in-law of Gratian, who appointed him as emperor of the East.

Arcadius Istanbul Museum.PNG	Arcadius (Ἀρκάδιος, Flavius Arcadius)	17 January 395 – 1 May 408	Born in 377/378, the eldest son of Theodosius I. On the death of Theodosius I in 395, the Roman Empire was permanently divided between the East Roman Empire, later known as the Byzantine Empire, and the West Roman Empire.

-	Theodosius II (Θεοδόσιος Βʹ, Flavius Theodosius)	1 May 408 – 28 July 450	Born on 10 April 401, the only son of Arcadius. Succeeded upon the death of his father.

Pulcheria Coin.JPG	Pulcheria (Πουλχερία, Aelia Pulcheria)	28 July 450 – July 453	Born on 19 January 398 or 399. One of the daughters of Arcadius. She reigned with her husband Marcian.

-	Marcian (Μαρκιανός, Flavius Marcianus Augustus)	450 – January 457	Born in 396. A soldier and politician, he became emperor after being wed by the Augusta Pulcheria, sister of Theodosius II, following the latter's death.

Leonid dynasty (457–518)[edit] See also: Leonid dynasty

-	Leo I "the Thracian" (Λέων Αʹ ὁ Θρᾷξ, ὁ Μακέλλης, ὁ Μέγας, Flavius Valerius Leo)	7 February 457 – 18 January 474	Born in Dacia ca. 400, and of Bessian origin, Leo became a low-ranking officer and served as an attendant of the Gothic commander-in-chief of the army, Aspar, who chose him as emperor on Marcian's death.

-	Leo II (Λέων Βʹ, Flavius Leo)	19 January – 10 November 474	Born 468, he was the grandson of Leo I by Leo's daughter Ariadne and her Isaurian husband, Zeno. He was raised to Caesar on 18 November 473.

-	Zeno (Ζήνων, Flavius Zeno)	10 November 474 – 9 April 491	Born ca. 425 in Isauria, originally named Tarasicodissa.

-	Basiliscus (Βασιλίσκος, Flavius Basiliscus)	9 January 475 – August 476	General and brother-in-law of Leo I, he seized power from Zeno but was again deposed by him. Died in 476/477

-	Anastasius I Dicorus (Ἀναστάσιος Αʹ ὁ Δίκορος, Flavius Anastasius)	11 April 491 – 9 July 518	Born ca. 430 at Dyrrhachium, he was a palace official (silentiarius) when he was chosen as her husband and Emperor by Empress-dowager Ariadne.

Justinian dynasty (518–602)[edit] See also: Byzantine Empire under the Justinian dynasty

-	Justin I (Ἰουστῖνος Αʹ, Flavius Iustinus)	July 518 – 1 August 527	Born c. 450 at Bederiana (Justiniana Prima), Dardania.

-	Justinian I "the Great" (Ἰουστινιανὸς Αʹ ὁ Μέγας, Flavius Petrus Sabbatius Iustinianus)	1 August 527 – 13/14 November 565	Born in 482/483 at Tauresium (Taor), Macedonia. Nephew of Justin I, possibly raised to co-emperor on 1 April 527.

-	Justin II (Ἰουστῖνος Βʹ, Flavius Iustinus Iunior)	14 November 565 – 5 October 578	Born c. 520.

-	Tiberius II Constantine (Τιβέριος Βʹ, Flavius Tiberius Constantinus)	5 October 578 – 14 August 582	Born c. 535, commander of the Excubitors, friend and adoptive son of Justin.

-	Maurice (Μαυρίκιος, Flavius Mauricius Tiberius)	14 August 582 – 22 November 602	Born in 539 at Arabissus, Cappadocia. Became an official and later a general.

Non-dynastic (602–610)[edit]

-	Phocas (Φωκᾶς, Flavius Phocas)	23 November 602 – 4 October 610	Subaltern in the Balkan army, he led a rebellion that deposed Maurice. Increasingly unpopular and tyrannical, he was deposed and executed by Heraclius.

Heraclian dynasty (610–695)[edit] See also: Byzantine Empire under the Heraclian dynasty

-	Heraclius (Ἡράκλειος, Flavius Heraclius)	5 October 610 – 11 February 641	Born c. 575 as the eldest son of the Exarch of Africa, Heraclius the Elder.

-	Constantine III formally Heraclius New Constantine (Ἡράκλειος νέος Κωνσταντῖνος, Heraclius Novus Constantinus)	11 February – 24/26 May 641	Born on 3 May 612 as the eldest son of Heraclius by his first wife Fabia Eudokia. Named co-emperor in 613, he succeeded to throne with his younger brother Heraklonas following the death of Heraclius.

-	Heraklonas (Ἡρακλωνᾶς, Heraclianus) formally Constantine Heraclius (Κωνσταντῖνος Ἡράκλειος, Constantinus Heraclius)	11 February 641 – September 641	Born in 626 to Heraclius' second wife Martina, named co-emperor in 638. Succeeded to throne with Constantine III following the death of Heraclius.

-	Constans II (Κῶνστας Βʹ) formally Constantine "the Bearded", (Κωνσταντῖνος ὁ Πωγωνάτος)	September 641 – 15 September 668	Born on 7 November 630, the son of Constantine III. Raised to co-emperor in summer 641 after his father's death due to army pressure, he became sole emperor after the forced abdication of his uncle Heraklonas.

-	Constantine IV "the Bearded" (Κωνσταντῖνος Δʹ ὁ Πωγωνάτος)	15 September 668 – September 685	Born in 652, he succeeded following the murder of his father Constans II. Erroneously called "Constantine the Bearded" by historians through confusion with his father.

Solidus-Justinian II-reverse.JPG	Justinian II "the Slit-nosed" (Ἰουστινιανὸς Βʹ ὁ Ῥινότμητος)	September 685 – 695	Born in 669, son of Constantine IV, he was named co-emperor in 681 and became sole emperor upon Constantine IV's death.

Twenty Years' Anarchy (695–717)[edit] Main article: Twenty Years' Anarchy

-	Leontios (Λεόντιος)	695–698	General from Isauria, he deposed Justinian II and was overthrown in another revolt in 698. He was executed in February 706.

-	Tiberius III Apsimar (Τιβέριος Γʹ Ἀψίμαρος)	698–705	Admiral of Germanic origin, originally named Apsimar. He rebelled against Leontios after a failed expedition.

Solidus-Justinian II-reverse.JPG	Justinian II "the Slit-nosed" (Ἰουστινιανὸς Βʹ ὁ Ῥινότμητος)	August 705 – December 711	Returned on the throne with Bulgar support. Named son Tiberius as co-emperor in 706. Deposed and killed by military revolt.

-	Philippikos Bardanes (Φιλιππικὸς Βαρδάνης)	December 711 – 3 June 713	A general of Armenian origin, he deposed Justinian II and was in turn overthrown by a revolt of the Opsician troops.

-	Anastasios II (Ἀναστάσιος Βʹ)	June 713 – November 715	Originally named Artemios. A bureaucrat and secretary under Philippikos, he was raised to the purple by the soldiers who overthrew Philippikos.

-	Theodosios III (Θεοδόσιος Γʹ)	May 715 – 25 March 717	A fiscal official, he was proclaimed emperor by the rebellious Opsician troops. Entered Constantinople in November 715.

Isaurian dynasty (717–802)[edit] See also: Byzantine Empire under the Isaurian dynasty

-	Leo III "the Isaurian" (Λέων Γʹ ὁ Ἴσαυρος)	25 March 717 – 18 June 741	Born c. 685 in Germanikeia, Commagene, he became a general.

-	Constantine V "the Dung-named" (Κωνσταντῖνος Εʹ ὁ Κοπρώνυμος)	18 June 741 – 14 September 775	Born in July 718, the only son of Leo III. Co-emperor since 720, he succeeded upon his father's death.

-	Artabasdos (Ἀρτάβασδος)	June 741/742 – 2 November 743	General and son-in-law of Leo III, Count of the Opsician Theme. Led a revolt that secured Constantinople, but was defeated and deposed by Constantine V, who blinded and tonsured him.

-	Leo IV "the Khazar" (Λέων Δʹ ὁ Χάζαρος)	14 September 775 – 8 September 780	Born on 25 January 750 as the eldest son of Constantine V. Co-emperor since 751, he succeeded upon his father's death.

-	Constantine VI (Κωνσταντῖνος ΣΤʹ)	8 September 780 – April 797	Born in 771, the only child of Leo IV. Co-emperor in 776, sole emperor upon Leo's death in 780, until 790 under the regency of his mother, Irene of Athens.

-	Irene of Athens (Εἰρήνη ἡ Ἀθηναία)	April 797 – 31 October 802	Born c. 752 in Athens, she married Leo IV.

Nikephorian dynasty (802–813)[edit] Main article: Byzantine Empire under the Nikephorian dynasty

-	Nikephoros I "Genikos" or "the Logothete" (Νικηφόρος Αʹ ὁ Γενικός/ὁ Λογοθέτης)	31 October 802 – 26 July 811	Logothetes tou genikou (general finance minister) under Irene, led initially successful campaigns against the Bulgars but was killed at the Battle of Pliska.

-	Staurakios (Σταυράκιος)	26 July 811 – 2 October 811	Only son of Nikephoros I, crowned co-emperor in December 803. Succeeded on his father's death; however, he had been heavily wounded at Pliska and left paralyzed.

-	Michael I Rangabe (Μιχαὴλ Αʹ Ῥαγγαβέ)	2 October 811 – 22 June 813	Son-in-law of Nikephoros I, he succeeded Staurakios on his abdication. Resigned after the revolt under Leo the Armenian and retired to a monastery, where he died on 11 January 844.

Non-dynastic (813–820)[edit]

-	Leo V "the Armenian" (Λέων Εʹ ὁ Ἀρμένιος)	11 July 813 – 25 December 820	General of Armenian origin, born c. 775.

Amorian dynasty (820–867)[edit] See also: Byzantine Empire under the Amorian dynasty

-	Michael II "the Amorian" (Μιχαὴλ Βʹ ὁ ἐξ Ἀμορίου)	25 December 820 – 2 October 829	Born in 770 at Amorium, he became an army officer. A friend of Leo V, he was raised to high office but led the conspiracy that murdered him.

-	Theophilos (Θεόφιλος)	2 October 829 – 20 January 842	Born in 813, as the only son of Michael II. Co-emperor since 821, he succeeded on his father's death.

-	Michael III "the Drunkard" (Μιχαὴλ Γʹ ὁ Μέθυσος)	20 January 842 – 23 September 867	Born on 19 January 840, son of Theophilos, he succeeded on Theophilos' death. Under the regency of his mother Theodora until 856, and under the effective control of his uncle Bardas in 862–866.

Macedonian dynasty (867–1056)[edit] See also: Macedonian dynasty and Byzantine Empire under the Macedonian dynasty

-	Basil I "the Macedonian" (Βασίλειος Αʹ ὁ Μακεδών)	867 – 2 August 886	Born in the Theme of Macedonia ca. 811, he rose in prominence through palace service, becoming a favourite of Michael III.

-	Leo VI "the Wise" (Λέων ΣΤʹ ὁ Σοφός)	886 – 11 May 912	Born on 19 September 866, likely either son of Basil I or Michael III, Leo was known for his erudition. His reign saw a height in Saracen (Muslim) naval raids, culminating in the Sack of Thessalonica, and was marked by unsuccessful wars against the Bulgarians under Simeon I.

-	Alexander (Ἀλέξανδρος)	11 May 912 – 6 June 913	Son of Basil I, Alexander was born in 870 and raised to co-emperor in 879. Sidelined by Leo VI, Alexander dismissed his brother's principal aides on his accession.

-	Constantine VII "the Purple-born" (Κωνσταντῖνος Ζʹ ὁ Πορφυρογέννητος)	6 June 913 – 9 November 959	The son of Leo VI, he was born on 17/18 May 905 and raised to co-emperor on 15 May 908. His early reign was dominated by successive regencies, first by his mother, Zoe Karbonopsina, and Patriarch Nicholas Mystikos, and from 919 by the admiral Romanos Lekapenos, who wedded his daughter to Constantine and was crowned senior emperor in 920.

-	Romanos I Lekapenos (Ῥωμανὸς Αʹ Λεκαπηνός)	17 December 920 – 16 December 944	An admiral of lowly origin, Romanos rose to power as a protector of the young Constantine VII against the general Leo Phokas the Elder.

-	Romanos II "the Purple-born" (Ῥωμανὸς Βʹ ὁ Πορφυρογέννητος)	9 November 959 – 15 March 963	The only surviving son of Constantine VII, he was born on 15 March 938 and succeeded his father on the latter's death.

-	Nikephoros II Phokas (Νικηφόρος Βʹ Φωκᾶς)	16 August 963 – 11 December 969	The most successful general of his generation, Nikephoros II was born ca. 912 to the powerful Phokas clan.

-	John I Tzimiskes (Ἰωάννης Αʹ Κουρκούας ὁ Τσιμισκὴς)	11 December 969 – 10 January 976	Nephew of Nikephoros Phokas, Tzimiskes was born ca. 925.

-	Basil II "the Bulgar-Slayer" (Βασίλειος Βʹ ὁ Βουλγαροκτόνος)	10 January 976 – 15 December 1025	Eldest son of Romanos II, Basil was born in 958. The first decade of his reign was marked by rivalry with the powerful Basil Lekapenos, an unsuccessful war against Bulgaria, and rebellions by generals in Asia Minor.

-	Constantine VIII "the Purple-born" (Κωνσταντῖνος Ηʹ ὁ Πορφυρογέννητος)	15 December 1025 – 15 November 1028	The second son of Romanos II, Constantine was born in 960 and raised to co-emperor in March 962. During the rule of Basil II, he spent his time in idle pleasure.

-	Zoe "the Purple-born" (Ζωὴ ἡ Πορφυρογέννητος)	15 November 1028 – June 1050	The daughter of Constantine VIII, she succeeded on her father's death, as the only surviving member of the Macedonian dynasty, along with her sister Theodora.

-	Romanos III Argyros (Ῥωμανὸς Γʹ Ἀργυρός)	15 November 1028 – 11 April 1034	Born in 968, the elderly aristocrat Romanos was chosen by Constantine VIII on his deathbed as Zoe's husband and succeeded on the throne after Constantine's death a few days later.

-	Michael IV "the Paphlagonian" (Μιχαὴλ Δʹ ὁ Παφλαγών)	11 April 1034 – 10 December 1041	Born in 1010, he became a lover of Zoe even while Romanos III was alive, and succeeded him upon his death as her husband and emperor.

-	Michael V "the Caulker" (Μιχαὴλ Εʹ ὁ Καλαφάτης)	10 December 1041 – 20 April 1042	Born in 1015, he was the nephew and adopted son of Michael IV. During his reign he tried to sideline Zoe, but a popular revolt forced him to restore her as empress on 19 April 1042, along with her sister Theodora.

-	Theodora "the Purple-born" (Θεοδώρα ἡ Πορφυρογέννητος)	19 April 1042 – after 31 August 1056	The younger sister of Zoe, born in 984, she was raised as co-ruler on 19 April 1042. After Zoe married her third husband, Constantine IX, in June 1042, Theodora was again sidelined.

-	Constantine IX Monomachos (Κωνσταντῖνος Θʹ Μονομάχος)	11 June 1042 – 7/8 or 11 January 1055	Born ca. 1000 of noble origin, he had an undistinguished life but was exiled to Lesbos by Michael IV, returning when he was chosen as Zoe's third husband.

Non-dynastic (1056–1057)[edit]

-	Michael VI Bringas "Stratiotikos" or "the Old" (Μιχαὴλ ΣΤʹ Βρίγγας ὁ Στρατιωτικός/ὁ Γέρων)	September 1056 – 31 August 1057	A court bureaucrat and stratiotikos logothetes (hence his first sobriquet). Deposed by military revolt under Isaac Komnenos, he retired to a monastery where he died in 1059.

Komnenid dynasty (1057–1059)[edit] See also: Komnenos and Byzantine Empire under the Komnenos dynasty

-	Isaac I Komnenos (Ἰσαάκιος Αʹ Κομνηνός)	5 June 1057 – 22 November 1059	Born c. 1005.

Doukid dynasty (1059–1081)[edit] See also: Doukas and Byzantine Empire under the Doukas dynasty

-	Constantine X Doukas (Κωνσταντῖνος Ιʹ Δούκας)	24 November 1059 – 22 May 1067	Born in 1006, he became a general and close ally of Isaac Komnenos, and succeeded him as emperor on his abdication.

-	Michael VII Doukas (Μιχαὴλ Ζʹ Δούκας)	22 May 1067 – 24 March 1078	Born in 1050 as the eldest son of Constantine X. Co-emperor since 1059, he succeeded on his father's death.

Romanos et Eudoxie.JPG	Romanos IV Diogenes (Ῥωμανὸς Δʹ Διογένης)	1 January 1068 – 24 October 1071	Born in 1032, a successful general he married empress-dowager Eudokia Makrembolitissa and became senior emperor as guardian of her sons by Constantine X.

-	Nikephoros III Botaneiates (Νικηφόρος Γʹ Βοτανειάτης)	31 March 1078 – 4 April 1081	Born in 1001, he was the strategos of the Anatolic Theme. He rebelled against Michael VII and was welcomed into the capital.

Komnenid dynasty (1081–1185)[edit] See also: Komnenos and Byzantine Empire under the Komnenos dynasty

-	Alexios I Komnenos (Ἀλέξιος Αʹ Κομνηνός)	4 April 1081 – 15 August 1118	Born in 1056, a nephew of Isaac I Komnenos. A distinguished general, he overthrew Nikephoros III.

-	John II Komnenos (Ἰωάννης Βʹ Κομνηνός)	15 August 1118 – 8 April 1143	Born on 13 September 1087 as the eldest son of Alexios I. Co-emperor since 1092, he succeeded upon his father's death.

-	Manuel I Komnenos "the Great" (Μανουὴλ Αʹ Κομνηνός)	8 April 1143 – 24 September 1180	Born on 28 November 1118 as the fourth and youngest son of John II, he was chosen as emperor over his elder brother Isaac by his father on his deathbed.

-	Alexios II Komnenos (Ἀλέξιος B' Κομνηνός)	24 September 1180 – October 1183	Born on 14 September 1169 as the only son of Manuel I. In 1180–1182 under the regency of his mother, Maria of Antioch.

-	Andronikos I Komnenos (Ἀνδρόνικος Αʹ Κομνηνός)	1183 – 11 September 1185	Born c. 1118, a nephew of John II by his brother Isaac.

Angelid dynasty (1185–1204)[edit] See also: Angelos and Byzantine Empire under the Angelos dynasty

-	Isaac II Angelos (Ἰσαάκιος Βʹ Ἄγγελος)	1185 – March 1195	Born in September 1156, Isaac came to the throne at the head of a popular revolt against Andronikos I. His reign was marked by revolts and wars in the Balkans, especially against a resurgent Bulgaria.

-	Alexios III Angelos (Ἀλέξιος Γʹ Ἄγγελος)	March 1195 – 17/18 July 1203	Born in 1153, Alexios was the elder brother of Isaac II. His reign was marked by misgovernment and the increasing autonomy of provincial magnates.

-	Isaac II Angelos (Ἰσαάκιος Βʹ Ἄγγελος)	18 July 1203 – 27/28 January 1204	Restored to his throne by the Crusaders, actual rule fell to his son Alexios IV. Due to their failure to deal with the Crusaders' demands, he was deposed by Alexios V Doukas in January 1204 and died on 28 January 1204, perhaps of poison.

-	Alexios IV Angelos (Ἀλέξιος Δʹ Ἄγγελος)	1 August 1203 – 27/28 January 1204	Born in 1182, the son of Isaac II. He enlisted the Fourth Crusade to return his father to the throne, and reigned alongside his restored father.

Alexius V.JPG	Alexios V Doukas "Mourtzouphlos" (Ἀλέξιος Εʹ Δούκας ὁ Μούρτζουφλος)	5 February 1204 – 13 April 1204	Born in 1140, the son-in-law of Alexios III and a prominent aristocrat, he deposed Isaac II and Alexios IV in a palace coup.

Laskarid dynasty (Empire of Nicaea, 1204–1261)[edit] See also: Laskaris and Empire of Nicaea

-	Theodore I Laskaris (Θεόδωρος Αʹ Λάσκαρις)	1205– December 1221/1222	Born c. 1174, he rose to prominence as a son-in-law of Alexios III.

-	John III Doukas Vatatzes (Ἰωάννης Γʹ Δούκας Βατάτζης)	15 December 1221/1222– 3 November 1254	Born c. 1192, he became the son-in-law and successor of Theodore I in 1212.

-	Theodore II Laskaris (Θεόδωρος Βʹ Λάσκαρις)	3 November 1254– 18 August 1258	Born in 1221/1222 as the only son of John III, he succeeded on his father's death. His reign was marked by his hostility towards the major houses of the aristocracy, and by his victory against Bulgaria and the subsequent expansion into and Albania.

-	John IV Laskaris (Ἰωάννης Δʹ Λάσκαρις)	18 August 1258– 25 December 1261	Born on 25 December 1250 as the only son of Theodore II, he succeeded on his father's death. Due to his minority, the regency was exercised at first by George Mouzalon until his assassination, and then by Michael Palaiologos, who within months was crowned senior emperor.

Palaiologan dynasty (restored to Constantinople, 1261–1453)[edit] See also: Palaiologos and Byzantine Empire under the Palaiologos dynasty

-	Michael VIII Palaiologos (Μιχαὴλ Ηʹ Παλαιολόγος)	1 January 1259– 11 December 1282	Born in 1223, great-grandson of Alexios III, grandnephew of John III by marriage. Senior emperor alongside John IV in 1259, sole emperor since 25 December 1261.

-	Andronikos II Palaiologos (Ἀνδρόνικος Βʹ Παλαιολόγος)	11 December 1282– 24 May 1328	Son of Michael VIII, he was born on 25 March 1259. Named co-emperor in September 1261, crowned in 1272, he succeeded as sole emperor on Michael's death.

-	Andronikos III Palaiologos (Ἀνδρόνικος Γʹ Παλαιολόγος)	24 May 1328– 15 June 1341	Son of Michael IX, he was born on 25 March 1297 and named co-emperor in 1316. Rival emperor since July 1321, he deposed his grandfather Andronikos II in 1328 and ruled as sole emperor until his death.

-	John V Palaiologos (Ἰωάννης Εʹ Παλαιολόγος)	15 June 1341– 12 August 1376	Only son of Andronikos III, he had not been crowned co-emperor or declared heir at his father's death, a fact which led to the outbreak of a destructive civil war between his regents and his father's closest aide, John VI Kantakouzenos, who was crowned co-emperor.

-	John VI Kantakouzenos (Ἰωάννης ΣΤʹ Καντακουζηνός)	8 February 1347– 4 December 1354	A maternal relative of the Palaiologoi, he was declared co-emperor on 26 October 1341, and was recognized as senior emperor for ten years after the end of the civil war on 8 February 1347.

-	Andronikos IV Palaiologos (Ἀνδρόνικος Δʹ Παλαιολόγος)	12 August 1376– 1 July 1379	Son of John V and grandson of John VI, he was born on 2 April 1348 and raised to co-emperor c.

-	John V Palaiologos (Ἰωάννης Εʹ Παλαιολόγος)	1 July 1379– 14 April 1390	Restored to senior emperor, he was reconciled with Andronikos IV in 1381, re-appointing him co-emperor. He was overthrown again in 1390 by his grandson, John VII.

-	John VII Palaiologos (Ἰωάννης Ζʹ Παλαιολόγος)	14 April 1390– 17 September 1390	Son of Andronikos IV, he was born in 1370, and named co-emperor under his father in 1377–79. He usurped the throne from his grandfather John V for five months in 1390, but with Ottoman mediation he was reconciled with John V and his uncle, Manuel II.

-	John V Palaiologos (Ἰωάννης Εʹ Παλαιολόγος)	17 September 1390– 16 February 1391	Restored to senior emperor, he ruled until his death in February 1391.

-	Manuel II Palaiologos (Μανουὴλ Βʹ Παλαιολόγος)	16 February 1391– 21 July 1425	Second son of John V, he was born on 27 June 1350. Raised to co-emperor in 1373, he became senior emperor on John V's death and ruled until his death.

-	John VIII Palaiologos (Ἰωάννης Η' Παλαιολόγος)	21 July 1425– 31 October 1448	Eldest surviving son of Manuel II, he was born on 18 December 1392. Raised to co-emperor c.

-	Constantine XI Dragases Palaiologos (Κωνσταντῖνος ΙΑʹ Δραγάσης Παλαιολόγος)	6 January 1449– 29 May 1453	The fourth son of Manuel II and Serbian princess Helena Dragaš, he was born on 8 February 1405. As Despot of the Morea since 1428, he distinguished himself in campaigns that annexed the Principality of Achaea and brought the Duchy of Athens under temporary Byzantine suzerainty, but was unable to repel Turkish attacks under Turahan Bey.

Sentence(s)

Iōannēs Palaiologos (December 18, 1392 – October 31, 1448) was the Byzantine Emperor; ruled from 1425 to 1448.

final_sentence: Iōannēs Palaiologos (December 18, 1392 – October 31, 1448) was the Byzantine Emperor; ruled from 1425 to 1448.