The administration and the army

n the field of domestic affairs, Theodore II followed the policies of his predecessors. The lands he annexed were incorporated into the administrative system of the Empire; he set himself to strengthening the native militia in Asia Minor and, to prevent the big landowners and nobles from becoming too powerful, he appointed to various offices men of abilitiy and skill who were not, however, members of the higher classes. An outstanding example is that of George Mouzalon who, although not of noble birth, was made megas domestikos, commander-in-chief, that is, of the Byzantine army. What is more, for his sake, Theodore II created in 1255 a new combination of titles. Thus George Mouzalon became protovestiarios, protosebastos, and finally megas stratopedarches, which brought him to the summit of the court hierarchy. It is probably for the same reason that Theodore instituted reforms in the army, aimed towards the creation of a Greek corps, thus reducing the power of the foreign, mostly Latin, mercenaries, who collaborated with the aristocrats.

This policy of Theodore's naturally incurred the nobility's displeasure, which was translated into action when their main representative, Michael Palaiologos, turned to the sultan of Ikonion to ask for his help in overthrowing Theodore II. The Mongol invasion thwarted his plans, however, and he was forced to return to the Empire of Nicaea, after having first sworn fealty and devotion to Laskaris. After Michael's return to Nicaea, the presence of Turkish mercenaries among the Byzantine troops became markedly noticeable. Towards the end of his reign, the attitude of Theodore with regard to the nobility became even harsher. This may have been justified, up to a certain point, by the bad state of his health, but it led to the mobilisation of the aristocracy against him and eventually to the overthrow of the Laskaris dynasty.