Despotate of Morea

The Despotate of Morea was a semi-autonomous region in the Peloponnese (Morea) during the late Byzantine period, roughly from the mid-14th century until 1460. It was established after the fall of Constantinople, as a buffer state against the advancing Ottoman Empire. The region was ruled by a despot, a Byzantine noble, who held considerable power. The Despotate flourished culturally and economically, preserving Byzantine traditions. However, it eventually fell to the Ottomans, marking a significant shift in power and contributing to the broader decline of Byzantine influence in Greece.