Matthew Kantakouzenos facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Matthew Asen Kantakouzenos
Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans
Coin of Matthew Kantakouzenos as emperor
Byzantine emperor
Reign	April 1353 – December 1357
Predecessor	John V Palaiologos and John VI Kantakouzenos
Successor	John V Palaiologos
Despot of the Morea
Reign	1380–1381
Predecessor	Manuel Kantakouzenos
Successor	Demetrios I Kantakouzenos
Born	c. 1325
Died	June 1383
Spouse	Irene Palaiologina
Issue	John Kantakouzenos Demetrios I Kantakouzenos Theodora Kantakouzene Helena Kantakouzene Maria Kantakouzene Theodore Kantakouzenos (?)
House	Kantakouzenos
Father	John VI Kantakouzenos
Mother	Irene Asanina

Matthew Asen Kantakouzenos (born around 1325, died June 1383) was an important figure in the Byzantine Empire. He was a Byzantine Emperor from 1353 to 1357. Later, he became the ruler of a region called the Morea (in Greece) from 1380 to 1381.

Matthew's Early Life and Rise to Power

Matthew Asen Kantakouzenos was the son of Emperor John VI Kantakouzenos and Irene Asanina. His father, John VI, was involved in a big struggle for power against another ruler, John V Palaiologos.

Becoming a Co-Emperor

Matthew strongly supported his father during this conflict. As a reward for his help, he was given control over a part of Thrace in 1347. This area was like his own special territory. In 1353, when another civil war started with John V, Matthew was made a joint emperor alongside his father.

Wars and Capture

From his base in Thrace, Matthew led several battles against the Serbs. He tried to take back lands along the border between Serbia and the Byzantine Empire.

Battles with the Serbs

In 1350, Matthew planned an attack, but his Turkish helpers left him, so the plan failed. Later, with 5,000 Turkish soldiers, he tried again to reclaim his lands. He attacked the region but could not capture the city of Serres.

Matthew's Defeat and Imprisonment

In late 1356 or early 1357, Matthew was defeated in battle by a Serb army. This army was led by a general named Vojihna, who controlled a strong fortress nearby called Drama. The Serbs captured Matthew. They wanted a large payment to let him go. However, John V, who had quickly taken over Matthew's lands, offered Vojihna even more money to hand Matthew over to him instead.

End of His Reign and Later Life

After John V got hold of Matthew, he first put him in prison on the island of Tenedos. Then, Matthew was moved to Lesbos island, where he was watched by Francesco I Gattilusio.

Giving Up the Imperial Title

John V forced Matthew to give up his title as emperor. After this, Matthew was released and allowed to go to the Morea. This was a region in southern Greece where his brother, Manuel, was ruling.

Ruling the Morea

When his brother Manuel died in 1380, Matthew Asen Kantakouzenos took over as ruler of the Morea. He governed this area until a new governor, Theodore I Palaiologos, was appointed in 1381 and arrived in 1382. Before the power fully shifted from the Kantakouzenos family to the Palaiologos family, Matthew gave his power in the Morea to his son, Demetrios I Kantakouzenos.

Matthew's Family

Matthew Asen Kantakouzenos married Irene Palaiologina in 1341 in Thessalonika. They had five known children:

• John Kantakouzenos
• Demetrios Kantakouzenos
• Theodora Kantakouzene
• Helena Kantakouzene, who married Louis Fadrique, the Count of Salona
• Maria Kantakouzene, who married John Laskaris Kalopheros
• It is also possible they had another son, Theodore Kantakouzenos, who was an ambassador to France and Venice.

Images for kids

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  Coin of Matthew Kantakouzenos as emperor