Founding of the Despotate of Epirus

In 1205, following the fall of Constantinople to the Fourth Crusade, Michael Komnenos Doukas, a member of the Byzantine aristocracy, established a Greek state in Epirus, in northwestern Greece, with its capital at Arta. It became known as the Despotate of Epirus. Protected by the rugged Pindus mountains, it offered refuge to Byzantine nobles, clergy and refugees fleeing the Latin conquerors. Michael's half-brother and successor, Theodore Komnenos Doukas, expanded the state dramatically. In 1224, he captured Thessaloniki from the Latins and had himself crowned emperor there, challenging the Empire of Nicaea for leadership of the Byzantine world and for the right to recover Constantinople. But in 1230, Theodore was defeated and captured by the Bulgarians at the Battle of Klokotnitsa, and Epirus's power declined. Nicaea ultimately recaptured Constantinople in 1261, and Epirus survived as a separate state, often in conflict with the restored Byzantine Empire. It continued in various forms until the Ottoman conquest in the 15th century. Its capital, Arta, still preserves fine Byzantine churches from this period.