Michael IX Palaeologus

Michael IX Palaeologus (born c. 1277—died Oct. 12, 1320, Thessalonica, Byzantine Empire) was a Byzantine co-emperor with his father, Andronicus II, from 1295 who, despite his efforts in fighting the Turks and in resisting the encroachments of the Catalan mercenaries, was unable to reverse the decline of the empire. In 1303, Byzantium employed as mercenaries the Catalan Company, led by Roger de Flor, which soon began attacking and robbing Byzantines and Turks alike. Hoping to...