Theodore II Laskaris
Theodore II Doukas Laskaris (1221/1222–1258) ruled the Empire of Nicaea from 1254. The only son of John III Vatatzes and Irene Laskarina, he married Elena Asenina, daughter of Bulgarian ruler Ivan Asen II, in 1235.
From 1241 he governed in Asia Minor during his father's Balkan campaigns. As emperor he repelled a Bulgarian invasion in 1256, forced Michael II of Epirus to cede Dyrrachium, and reformed the army around Anatolian recruits.
He died in August 1258, leaving George Mouzalon as regent for his young son John IV. Within days Mouzalon was murdered and Michael Palaiologos seized the throne.