Theodore II Palaiologos or Palaeologus was Despot in the Morea from 1407 to 1443 and in Selymbria from then until his death.
Background
Theodore II Palaiologos was a son of the Eastern Roman Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos and his wife Helena Dragaš. When Theodore was a little over ten years old, his father proclaimed him a despot (despotēs) and appointed him to govern Morea after the death of his uncle Theodore I Palaiologos in 1407.
Career
The nobleman Nicholas Eudaimonoioannes was appointed as his tutor and regent until he came of age. The first period of his rule was a time of war against the Latin states in Greece for the unification of Morea. Theodore II"s enemies in that period included the Republic of Venice, which sent troops to impede his attempt to conquer Patras.
During Theodore"s minority, his father Emperor Manuel II stayed in Morea and supervised its administration and defense, rebuilding the Hexamilion wall across the Isthmus of Corinth.
The united efforts of the brothers contributed to the naval victory at the Echinades in 1427 and the conquest of Patras in 1430. On the other hand, Emperor John VIII declared Theodore"s younger brother Constantine regent of the empire during his voyage to Florence in 1438, which emphasized his selection of Constantine as his intended heir.
The next several years were marred by disputes with Constantine over the succession to the childless John VIII.
Helena Palaiologina.