Michael VIII Palaiologos

Michael VIII Palaiologos was a Byzantine emperor who reigned from 1259 to 1282. He is best known for restoring the Byzantine Empire after its collapse due to the Latin occupation following the Fourth Crusade. Michael's reign marked efforts to reclaim lost territories and to rebuild the empire's power, culture, and finances. He established the Palaiologos dynasty, promoting art and scholarship, and fortified Constantinople. His actions laid the groundwork for the last centuries of Byzantine history, but faced ongoing threats from neighboring states, ultimately leading to the empire's fall in 1453.