Philippus IX & VIII

### Issue

(1) Carolus Constantinopolitanus, Despote de Rome & Porphyrogenitus (1660- Present)
(1) Gulielmus Constantinopolitanus, Prince de Thrace & Porphyrogenitus (1662-1663)

(1) Maria Olympia Caecilia Constantinopolitana, Porphyrogenita (1665- Present)

(1) Maria Victoria Felicitas Constantinopolitana, Porphyrogenita (1668- Present)

(3) Henricus Ludovici de Anjou-Neapoli-Niceae, Princeps Nicaeae (illeg. 1662- Present)

### Mother

Anna Catharina Constantia Polonia (Vasa) † (1619-1651)

### Siblings

Magdalena Constantinopolitani, Duchesse de Savoie (1641- Present)

### Religion

Roman Catholic

'*Philippus IX & VIII **(20th April 1636-Present),** often known by his sobriquet "The Silver" for his personal magnanimity and grandeur, is current* Emperor of Constantinople & Autocrat Romanorum *since the death of Emperor Gulielmus II in 1669. The period over which Philippus has overseen is often referred to as Anni Phoenicis*' or *Years of the Phoenix,* as to mark a time of stability and expansion.

## Biography

### **Birth**

April of 1636 was remarked as a particularly warm spring, born in the days after the Pascha, the event of the birth was accompanied with jubilance and widespread public celebration. After immense prayer and public worship on the 15th led by Her Imperial Majesty Anna. The latent phase of labour began on the evening of Easter and lasted for 5 days, with the 5th being the final. Immediately upon birth, the newborn Despot was placed into the care of wet-nurse, Claude de Pelops, a woman detested by many in the court for her small eyes.

### **Early Childhood**

#### First Governance

At the age of 1, the young despot was placed under the care of Theresa Caterina de Prespa (1589-1646), Comitissa Prespa. Theresa lacked children of her own and therefore, remained a trusted advisor and confidante to the Empress. It was assumed she lacked the ambition many courtiers had to enrich their own children's stations. Under her supervision, the Despot learned all necessary infantile skills: reading, writing and speech. Furthermore, her clever and witty nature imprinted upon the young Prince and more positively, her progressive and tolerant nature regarding social affairs.

#### Second Governance

In 1643 the Despot was placed in the care of Julius de Montferrat, Princeps Palatinus Thessalonicae as Gouverneur impérial. Raised alongside his cousin, Ludovicus (later II) and Richards Julius, Dux Adrianople, the three boys became close in friendship. Philippus' first court hunt was attended in 1650, the 121st Great Hunt of Thrace (held north of Constantinople), at this event the three young adolescents personally hunted a 7 hand large boar under the auspices of the Prince Palatinate. Philippus personally chose to be educated in the specialities of Chinese calligraphy, geometry and architecture, as opposed to more traditional subjects. Though he was given the necessary oversight in statesmanship and huntsman ship, the latter was a skill he did not excel at.

#### Death of the Empress

On the 15th of November, 1651, the Empress collapsed in the gardens of the Palais de Blachernae and suffered 6 successive seizures which rendered her comatose, whilst alive in this state, many from the immediate vicinity visited in the days after, praying outside the walls of Constantinople. 2 days later the condition of the Empress remained unchanged and it is documented she passed away at 2:23p.m. Aged 15, Philippus was noted as being unbothered by the event, preferring to spend time with the young Princess Henrietta de Villehardouin, who had taken the Despots eye as a first romantic partner.