George Mouzalon Assassinated in a Byzantine Coup
August 25, 1258. George Mouzalon had served as regent for the young Emperor John IV Laskaris of Nicaea — the Byzantine rump state established after Constantinople fell to the Fourth Crusade in 1204. The aristocratic faction, led by Michael Palaiologos, had been maneuvering against him. During a feast celebrating the emperor's birthday, Mouzalon and his brothers were dragged from a church and killed by soldiers. Michael Palaiologos became regent. Four years later, he had the emperor blinded and imprisoned to take the throne for himself. In 1261, his forces retook Constantinople from the Latins. The Byzantine Empire was restored. It started with a birthday party murder.
August 25, 1258
768 years ago
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