Byzantine Emperor (c.1193 – 1254)
John Vatatzes was Emperor of Nicaea from 1222 to 1254. Contemporary and modern accounts place him among the greatest and most glorious Byzantine Emperors in the empire’s 1100 years of history. With his actions, he began the restoration of the Byzantine Empire’s former glory and prepared the ground for the reclaiming of Constantinople from the Latin Empire.
When Vatatzes assumed the throne of the Empire of Nicaea, the greater part of the Byzantine Empire, including Constantinople had fallen to the Latin Empire. Thus, the Emperor’s primary goal was to rid the Byzantine Empire of the Latins, reclaim Constantinople and re-establish the Byzantine Empire. He formed an alliance with Tsar Asen of Bulgaria in an effort to reclaim Constantinople. Even though the attempt was unsuccessful, Vatatzes managed to liberate a very large part of the Byzantine Empire, including all the lands of Asia Minor sans Nicomedia and the territories around Constantinople. With his strong naval forces he reclaimed the islands of Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Icaria, Kos as well as numerous other islands of the Aegean thus establishing his rule in the sea. Furthermore, he occupied Hellespontus, reclaimed Adrianopolis and annexed the Despotate of Epirus to his kingdom. In 1246 he defeated the Bulgarians and reclaimed Thessaloniki and in 1250 he signed a powerful alliance with the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire Frederick II against the Latins.
The re-establishment of the Byzantine Empire which Vatatzes had envisioned was one step before realization. Unfortunately, in 1254 after suffering years from epilepsy, Vatatzes died at the age of 72 leaving his life-long dream incomplete. 7 years later Michael VIII Palaiologos would continue Vatatzes’ legacy and reclaim Constantinople from the Latins, thus fulfilling the former’s dream.
His politics were cantered on the priorities of the people. He supported the poorer classes of society and struggled to increase their living standards by giving land to the poor agriculturalists. In fact, he gave to the poor all of his wealth which he had inherited from his deceased parents. He promoted economic growth, built hospitals, nursing homes, poorhouses, libraries and. philanthropic houses. Moreover, he promoted Christianity by building temples, churches and empowering the monasteries. He fought against corruption, implemented a low taxation law, increased the exports and promoted culture. Notable scholars during his reign include George Acropolites and Nicephorus Blemmydes. Another important contribution was the fortification and restoration of the castles for the protection of the borders. The Akrites were also restored to action.
Vatatzes was an avid proponent of the unification of the two Churches and strived for its accomplishment. He was a charismatic leader, an honest and truthful man characterized by virtues, prudence and sincerity. He was far less brutal than most of his former predecessors; war was his last option whenever he had to deal with foreign enemies and always sought to deal with them peacefully through negotiations. For this reason he was called Ἐλεήμων (Eleemon, Merciful) and “Father of the Greeks”.
The people’s and the Church’s love towards him was such that half a century after his death, John Vatatzes was canonized by the Orthodox Church and is today recognized as a saint. His memory is celebrated in Greece on the 4th of November, each year.
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