Michael IX Palaiologos

Michael IX Palaiologos (1277–1320), eldest son of Andronikos II, was crowned his father's co-emperor in 1294. That year he married Rita of Armenia, who bore him Andronikos III and Manuel. A brave soldier who spent his own money to encourage his troops, he nevertheless suffered repeated defeats.

He failed to stem the Turkish advance in Asia Minor in 1302, lost Skafida to the Bulgarians in 1304 and was routed by the Catalans at Apros in 1305. He died in 1320, aged 43, grieving for his son Manuel, accidentally killed by retainers of Andronikos III.