THE PALÆOLOGUS DYNASTY AT CONSTANTINOPLE (1261-1453 A.D.) 1261 Michael imprisons Joannes IV and has his eyes put out. For this Arsenius excommunicates Michael. Important commercial treaty with the Genoese renewed after hostilities in 1275. Pope Urban IV frees Villehardouin from his promises to Michael on his release. Warfare results. 1263 Urban IV mediates between Michael and Villehardouin. 1264 Peace between the emperor and Michael of Epirus. 1265 Deposition of Arsenius causing the Arsenite schism. 1269 Charles of Anjou, aided by Joannes of Thessaly and Michael of Epirus, takes up arms against the emperor to restore Baldwin II. 1271 Great defeat of the imperial forces at Demetriades (Volo). Constantinople in danger. Michael proposes union of Greek and Latin churches as a means of saving his throne. 1274 Union of churches effected at council of Lyons. It is opposed by a large faction in the Greek church. It was never really completed, and falls to pieces at Michael’s death. 1280 The Seljuk Turks take Nyssa. 1281 Treaty of Orvietto between the pope, Naples, and Venice to conquer the Greek Empire for Philip, son of Baldwin II. The plan is frustrated by the Sicilian Vespers. 1282 Death of Michael in an expedition against Joannes Ducas of Thessaly. He is a conspicuous example of the misuse of despotic power. His son =Andronicus (II) Palæologus= succeeds. Ecclesiastical troubles compel the emperor to neglect military matters for a time. 1290 Unsuccessful attack upon Nicephorus of Epirus. 1295 =Michael IX=, son of Andronicus, receives the imperial title from his father. 1301 Foundation of Ottoman Empire by Osman, who attacks the Greek Empire. Disgraceful defeat of Greeks commanded by Michael, near Nicomedia. The command given to a Tatar chief. The Ottomans gradually conquer all the Byzantine possessions in Asia. 1303 The Catalan Grand Company, engaged by Michael to help fight the Turks, and headed by Roger de Flor, lands in Constantinople. 1304 Relief of Philadelphia by Roger. He conceives the idea of forming a principality in the East. 1305 Roger de Flor visits Constantinople to demand pay for his men. 1306 Turks retake Philadelphia. Plan of Ferdinand of Majorca to conquer a kingdom in the Greek Empire. 1307 Roger de Flor created cæsar. He sets out for Asia but is assassinated. The company breaks its ties with Michael, and sets out to conquer territory for itself. Battle of Apros. The company takes possession of several districts. Excommunication of Andronicus by Clement V. 1310 The company and their Turkish auxiliaries enter service of the duke of Athens. Conquest of Rhodes by knights of St. John.