John (VI) Cantacuzene (1292-1383)

Byzantine emperor 1347-55. He came to power after a period of regency following the death of Andronicus III (to whom he had been chief adviser). His reign was marked by widespread civil war. After being deposed, he wrote an important history of the empire.

A nobleman from a prominent family, John Cantacuzene was placed on the throne by the widow of Andronicus III, who staged a coup against the 9-year-old king John V. He formed an alliance with the Ottomans, who used the opportunity to expand into Europe, capturing Gallipoli in 1354. Meanwhile, Stephen Dushan, tsar of Serbia, occupied most of the Byzantine possessions in the Balkans. In 1355, John was forced to abdicate by John V, and became a monk.