Despotate of the Morea

Also known as Despotate of Mystras

Province of the Byzantine Empire

Key facts

Status: Semi-autonomous appanage of the Byzantine Empire
Capital: Mystras (main capital, 1349–1460), Glarentza ( Constantine , 1428–1432) Kalavryta ( Thomas , 1428–1432, Constantine, 1432–1443) Elis (Thomas, 1432–1449) Patras and Leontari (Thomas, 1449–1460)
Common languages: Medieval Greek
Religion: Eastern Orthodox Church
Government: Feudal monarchy
1349 1380: Manuel Kantakouzenos
1449 1460: Thomas Palaiologos and Demetrios Palaiologos
Historical era: Late Medieval
1450s peasant revolt: 1453–1454
Ottoman conquest: 29 May 1460

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Show 4 more facts

~7 min read

Article

Today part ofGreece Peloponnese

The Despotate of the Morea or Despotate of Mystras was a province of the Byzantine Empire 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 or brothers 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.