The first civil war (1321-28)

he Byzantine state had hardly begun to enjoy a period of stability after the restoration of Orthodoxy and the economic reforms of Andronikos II, when it was rocked anew by two civil wars. These began in 1321 and lasted, with a few intervals in between, until 1354. They were essentially inter-dynastic conflicts, but the intervention of foreign powers and of various political and social groups lent them a political or social character, while their severity hastened the internal collapse of the Empire.

The first civil war began in the form of a personal conflict between Andronikos II and his grandson, Andronikos III. Young Andronikos had been the favourite grandson of Andronikos II, who had made the youth co-Emperor at a very early age. However, the irresponsible and profligate life of his grandson greatly displeased the elderly Emperor. And when, as a result of a love affair of the young Andronikos, his brother, Manuel, was accidentally killed, and their father, Michael IX, had died of grief, Andronikos II excluded his grandson from any right of succession. In response to this decision, Andronikos III, together with his friends, John Kantakouzenos, Syrgiannes, Theodore Synadenos and Alexios Apokaukos, formed a powerful opposition. The new generation of Byzantine nobles rose up and, in 1321, forced Andronikos II to recognise Andronikos III as Emperor and to hand over to him Thrace and parts of Macedonia. This agreement was followed by new disputes and new agreements.

All this unrest aggravated the state's financial situation. Moreover, it offered the Turks the opportunity to seize Prousa in 1326, and gave the Serbs and Bulgars a chance to intervene in the internal disputes of Byzantium. Finally, the one who managed to prevail was young Andronikos, who forced his grandfather to resign in 1328, thus remaining the sole occupant of the throne as Andronikos III. As for Andronikos II, he was forced to become a monk. He died four years later, in 1332, as monk Anthony.