Episode 290 - The Despot, Theodore Laskaris
The History of Byzantium
Robin Pierson
4.8 • 4.7K Ratings
🗓️ 17 April 2024
⏱️ 27 minutes
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Summary
We follow Theodore Laskaris as he escapes from Constantinople and establishes a new state at Nicaea. Crowned as the new Roman Emperor he must face down rivals on every side including the Turks.
Period: 1204-12
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | From Wundery, this is the Spy Who. |
| 0:05.0 | This month we opened the file on Oleg Lellen, |
| 0:08.0 | The Spy Who saved MI5. |
| 0:11.0 | His actions triggered the biggest removal of spies by any government in history. |
| 0:15.0 | It's the story of an overstretched security service needing a win, a covert plan to bring catastrophe to Britain's streets and a love affair that shook the world. Follow the spy who now, wherever you listen to podcasts. Hello everyone and welcome to the history of Byzantine episode 290 the despot Theodore Laskaris. Back in episode 258 I talked about the succession plans of the Emperor Alexius Anglos Kominos. |
| 1:00.3 | A.A.K. had blinded his brother Isaac Angolos and seized the throne in 1195. |
| 1:07.7 | He was backed by a large aristocratic coalition which gave his regime a broad base of support. But one of the reasons men threw in |
| 1:16.0 | their lot with A. A. K. was the hope that he would favor them in his new |
| 1:20.4 | administration. Alexius had no son of his own, and so the most tantalizing prospect on offer was that he might designate |
| 1:28.7 | you as his successor. |
| 1:32.0 | This gave the new Vasslevs several years grace, where the ruling |
| 1:35.8 | clan all smiled and bowed before him hoping that their polite acquiescence would lead |
| 1:41.7 | to promotion and favour. |
| 1:44.7 | As the months passed though, tension began to develop. |
| 1:48.2 | At some point the Emperor would have to make a decision about the future. |
| 1:52.3 | A lucky few would be thrilled with his choice but the rest would be angry. |
| 1:57.6 | In early 1199, Anglos Kominos made his choice. He announced that his two unattached daughters would be marrying |
| 2:06.6 | two prominent men of the court, Alexius Paljalochos and Theodore Laskaris. A double wedding followed at the Vlakeoni Palace. The two men were eventually given the title of Despotes, meaning Lord or Master, the highest rank short of Emperor itself. |
| 2:28.6 | One of these two men would most likely rule after the Emperor's death. |
| 2:35.0 | As expected, those not chosen began to talk conspiracy. |
| 2:40.0 | The following summer, John the Fat made his move, and despite seizing the palace, he was eventually cut down by the Varangian guard. |
| 2:48.0 | At some point in the next few years, Alexius Paliologos disappears from the record. This left Theodore Laskaris |
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