Matthew Kantakouzenos
1325 – 1383 · Generation XXXVIII · Co-emperor (r. 1353–1357) · Kantakouzenos
Matthew (AD 1325 – 1383). Co-emperor (r. 1353–1357). Son of John VI. Rewarded for backing his father with an appanage in Thrace, he was raised to joint emperor when war with John V reopened. From his Thracian base he fought the Serbs, but an attack on Serres failed and he was defeated and captured by an army under the voivode Vojihna — whereupon John V simply outbid the Serbs’ ransom demand and bought the prisoner for himself. Held on Tenedos and then Lesbos, he was forced to renounce the imperial title and released to the Morea, where he joined his brother Manuel and, after Manuel’s death, governed the despotate until a Palaiologos successor arrived. He was also a writer, leaving commentaries on the Song of Songs and the Book of Wisdom and philosophical essays addressed to his daughter Theodora.
Place in the family
- Matthew Kantakouzenos was a 8× great-grandson of Alexios I Komnenos.
- Matthew Kantakouzenos was the elder of 2 children of John VI Kantakouzenos and Irene Asanina recorded in this archive.
One of 3 people of Kantakouzenos (from 1001) in this archive. A rival house raised by civil war, which ruled beside the Palaiologoi.
Line of descent: Manuel Komnenos → John Komnenos → Alexios I Komnenos → Theodora Komnene → Andronikos Angelos Doukas → Alexios III Angelos → Irene Angelina → Theodora Palaiologina → Michael VIII Palaiologos → Irene Palaiologina → Andronikos Asen → Irene Asanina → Matthew Kantakouzenos.
Parents
- John VI Kantakouzenos (1292 – 1383)
- Irene Asanina (1297 – ?)
Siblings
- Helena Kantakouzene (1333 – 1396)