The following is a list of usurpers in the Eastern Roman Empire or
Byzantine Empire, from the start of the reign of
Arcadius in 395 to the fall of
Constantinople in 1453.
Usurper emperors
The following is a listing of
Byzantine emperors who rose to the throne due to their own initiative through a revolt or coup d'état.
Marcian (479) –
Leo I's son–in–law, who resented the accession of Zeno. Captured the imperial palace but was in turn captured. Spent the rest of his life imprisoned in a fortress in
Isauria.
Leontius (484–488) – An Isaurian commander who was called on to put down the rebel
Illus but declared himself emperor instead. He died after a four-year siege of the fortress of Papurius.
Stotzas (536–545) – A
Byzantine soldier who was elected the leader of rebel troops in the recently conquered Vandal Kingdom of Africa. Aiming to establish a new kingdom, he was defeated on a number of occasions before finally being defeated and mortally wounded in 545.
John Cottistis (537) – Usurper in
Mesopotamia, he was an infantry soldier who was acclaimed emperor by his troops, but was killed after four days by imperial forces at
Dara.
Comentiolus (610–611) – the brother of
Phocas, he refused to acknowledge Heraclius' accession and planned to enforce his claim to the throne. He was eventually assassinated.
Eleutherius (619) – the Exarch of Ravenna, he was a
eunuch who set up his capital at
Rome, but was murdered by his own troops.
John Athalarichos (635) – The illegitimate son of
Heraclius, he plotted to overthrow his father, but the scheme was uncovered prior to execution. He was
mutilated and exiled.
Valentinus (644) – the father–in–law of Constans II, he appeared at
Constantinople with a contingent of troops, and demanded to be crowned emperor. He was overwhelmed by a hostile crowd and murdered.
Saborios (667–668) – the strategos of the
theme of the
Armeniacs, he raised a revolt in
Anatolia, but died when his out of control horse smashed his head against a city gate.
Mizizios (668–669) – Commander of the
Opsikion, he was chosen by the court at
Sicily to replace the murdered
Constans II. He was eventually executed by forces loyal to Constantine IV.
Basil Onomagoulos (718) – elevated as emperor in
Sicily after hearing false news of the fall of
Constantinople to the
Arabs. Was surrendered to imperial officers when they arrived and then beheaded.
Cosmas (727) – a commander of the army stationed in the
theme of Hellas, he was elevated in opposition to Leo's
iconoclast policies. Defeated while approaching
Constantinople, Cosmas was captured and executed.
Artabasdos and Nikephoros (742–743) – count of the
Opsikion theme and the brother–in–law of Constantine V, Artabasdos usurped the throne while Constantine was in
Asia Minor. His son Nikephoros was made co–emperor with him at the same time. He reversed Constantine's
iconoclast policies, but his armies were defeated. He was blinded and banished to a monastery.
Nikephoros (780 and 792) – The eldest of Constantine V's surviving sons, Nikephoros was the focus of several pro-iconoclastic plots: in 780 he attempted to mount the throne after the death of Leo IV, but was prevented by
Irene, and he was
ordained a priest. Then in 792, some of the imperial tagmata proclaimed Nikephoros as emperor. He was captured by Constantine VI and blinded before being imprisoned in a monastery.
Elpidios (782) – appointed strategos in
Sicily, he was accused of disloyalty and refused to return to the capital, holding out against imperial forces sent to bring him back.
Nikephoros (797 and 799) – Although blinded, Nikephoros was still involved in imperial conspiracies. In 797, he materialized in
Hagia Sophia, hoping to inspire the populace to support his bid for the throne. It failed and he was banished to
Athens. Then in 799, local troops planned to proclaim him emperor, but again it failed.
Staurakios (799–800) – a
eunuch who served Irene, he planned to usurp the throne after falling from favor, launching a revolt in
Cappadocia. He died before the revolt was suppressed.
Bardanes Tourkos (803) – the monostrategos in
Anatolia, he used the army's discontent over Nikephoros' financial policies to declare himself emperor. Deserted by his commanders, and unable to obtain support in
Constantinople he surrendered and was blinded.
Arsaber (808) – a group of secular and ecclesiastic officials, who were dissatisfied with Nikephoros formed a conspiracy and acclaimed Arsaber, a nobleman holding the rank of patrikios, as emperor. The plot was discovered and Arsaber was
tonsured and exiled to a monastery in
Bithynia.
Nikephoros (812) – for the sixth time, Nikephoros was involved in a plot for the imperial throne, this time with a group of disgruntled soldiers who tried to proclaim him emperor. The soldiers were disbanded and Nikephoros was moved to the island of Aphousia.
Thomas the Slav (821–823) – a bitter rival of Michael II, Thomas assumed the identity of
Constantine VI and gathered an army. He besieged
Constantinople, but was forced to retreat to
Arkadiopolis where he surrendered. He was later executed.
Euphemius (826–827) – a
Byzantine admiral who killed the governor in
Sicily and proclaimed himself emperor, forming an alliance with the
Arabs. He died after a skirmish with imperial troops.
Theophobos (838–839) – a
Persian commander in the
Byzantine army, his men acclaimed him emperor after the
Battle of Anzen. Although he agreed to surrender, he was later executed.
Andronikos Doukas (906–907) – the
Domestic of the Schools, he disobeyed Leo's orders to join a military expedition and seized the fortress of Kaballa, near
Iconium. Besieged, he fled to
Baghdad with
Arab help where he was later killed.
Basil the Copper Hand (932) – claiming to be
Constantine Doukas, he launched a revolt in
Bithynia but was captured and had his right hand amputated. He replaced his hand with a copper one and launched a second revolt, but it too failed. He was burned alive in the
Forum Amastrianum.
Basil Peteinos (961) – a senior official under Constantine VII, whom he had helped to secure his throne against the Lekapenoi, Peteinos led a conspiracy involving several high-ranking members of the court, aiming to kill Romanos II and usurp the throne.
Kalokyros (968–971) – a
patrician who was dispatched to the court of
Sviatoslav I of Kiev in order to persuade him to launch an invasion of the
First Bulgarian Empire, with which Byzantium was at war. Sviatoslav agreed to support Kalokyros in his ambition of gaining the imperial throne, but Kalokyros was captured and executed.
Bardas Phokas the Younger (971 and 987–989) – Son of
Leo Phokas the Younger, he launched a rebellion in 971 but was captured by
Bardas Skleros. He was released from captivity to deal with Skleros, who had also rebelled, whom he defeated in 979. Returned to imperial favor, he was made doux of
Antioch, but rebelled against Basil II after the emperor's defeat at the
Battle of the Gates of Trajan. He died while charging at Basil in battle.
Bardas Skleros (976–979 and 987–990) – the
Domestic of the Schools in the East, he rebelled after the death of
John I Tzimiskes, but was defeated in 979 by
Bardas Phokas the Younger. He fled to
Baghdad and returned after Basil's humiliation at
Trajan's Gate. Seeking an accommodation with Bardas Phokas, he was captured but then released after Phokas' death. He surrendered himself to Basil II.
Constantine Diogenes (1029 and 1032) – the doux of
Thessalonica,
Bulgaria and
Serbia, he was accused of conspiring against Romanos III, imprisoned and blinded. Then in 1032 he planned to take advantage of Romanos' absence on campaign in the East to escape to the Balkans and make a new bid to topple Romanos. The plot was discovered and Constantine committed suicide.
Constantine Monomachos (1034 and 1038) – was twice accused of conspiracy against Michael IV, resulting in his exile to
Lesbos.
Vojislav of Duklja (1034 and 1040–1052) – organized a rebellion against Byzantine rule in 1034, but was captured and imprisoned in
Constantinople. Upon his release he rebelled again, defeating a number of Byzantine armies and overthrowing imperial rule around the city of
Dioklea.
Basil Synadenos (1040) – the strategos of
Dyrrhachium, he attempted to crush the rebellion of
Peter Delyan but was accused by one of his army commanders of conspiracy against Michael IV and was arrested.
Michael Keroularios (1040) – led an insurrection against Michael IV, but the plot was uncovered, and Michael became a monk to save his life.
Gregory Taronites (1040) – a patrikios, he instigated a revolt in
Phrygia, but was captured.
Atenulf (1040–1042) – led a
Lombard rebellion against Byzantine authority in
southern Italy. Was bribed by the Byzantines and replaced as leader of the rebellion by
Argyrus.
Peter Delyan (1040–1041) – the leader of a local
Bulgarian uprising against Byzantine rule, he was blinded by his cousin before being defeated by the Byzantines. He was taken to
Constantinople and executed.
Argyrus (1042) – led the continuing
Lombard revolt in southern Italy, but he too defected to the Byzantines, after being offered the position of
Catepan of Italy.
Theophilos Erotikos (1042) – the governor of
Cyprus, he took advantage of the fall of
Michael V to launch a rebellion. He was arrested and had his goods confiscated before being released.
George Maniakes (1042–1043) – the
Catepan of Italy, he was systematically reclaiming territory in Southern
Italy when he was recalled to
Constantinople. Furious, he rebelled, and although he destroyed an army sent to capture him, he was wounded during the battle and died.
Leo Tornikios (1047) – Constantine IX's nephew and the strategos of
Iberia, he proclaimed himself emperor at
Adrianople and almost took the city of
Constantinople. Forced to retreat, he was captured and blinded.
Nikephoros Kampanares (1050) – a thematic judge and eparchos, he was banished by the emperor on suspicion of plotting to overthrow him, but was later recalled.
Romanos Boilas (1051) – a senator and commander of the imperial bodyguard, he was a favourite of the emperor. He attempted to assassinate Constantine IX because he was in love with Constantine's mistress. The emperor pardoned him.
Constantine Barys (1052) – He was exiled by Constantine IX for suspicion of plotting to take the throne. Whilst in exile he prepared to rebel against the emperor, and sought the advice of Saint Lazaros. The plot was discovered and he ended up losing his tongue.
Nikephoros Proteuon (1055) – the doux of Bulgaria, he was selected by
Constantine IX to succeed him as he lay dying, but his elevation was pre-empted by Theodora, who banished him.
Nikephoros Bryennios (1057) – a Byzantine general. Furious at his treatment at the hands of Michael VI, he planned to launch a revolt, but he was arrested and blinded by officers loyal to the emperor.
Philaretos Brachamios (1071–1078) – On the death of
Romanos IV Diogenes, he was acclaimed emperor by his troops and established an independent realm in
Germanicia. He abandoned his imperial claims in 1078 in exchange for the title of doux of
Antioch.
Constantine Bodin (1072) – Leader of a revolt in
Bulgaria, he was crowned Emperor of the Bulgarians under the name Peter III. He was captured and taken prisoner to
Constantinople before being moved to
Antioch.
Roussel de Bailleul (1073 –1074) – Frankish or Norman mercenary who was given command of 3,000 Frankish and Norman heavy cavalry. He used his cavalry to capture territory in
Galatia, declared independence in 1073, sacked
Chrysopolis, and defeated and army under
John Doukas, before being defeated by
Alexios Komnenos.
John Doukas (1074) – Michael VII's uncle, he was sent to deal with the rebellion of some
Norman mercenaries, but was defeated and captured. The Normans convinced him to become emperor, forcing Michael VII to appeal to the
Seljuk Turks for aid. They defeated John Doukas and captured him.
Nestor (1076–1078) – A former slave of
Constantine X, he had been promoted to become the
dux of
Paristrion, on the region bordering the Danube. Having had much of his property and wealth confiscated by the minister
Nikephoritzes, he rebelled in around 1076, placing himself at the head of the garrisons under his command, which were already in a state of mutiny due to arrears in their pay. The troops were eager to plunder the Bulgarians, and he obtained the assistance of one of the chiefs of the Patzinaks before marching onto
Constantinople. The rebels demanded the dismissal of
Nikephoritzes, but discovering that he did not have the numbers to attack the capital, his troops separated into smaller parties, and proceeded to plunder Thrace. Defeated by
Alexios Komnenos in 1078, Nestor remained with the Patzinaks, and retreated with them back to
Paristrion.
Levon Davatanos (1077–1078) – the doux of
Edessa, he launched an unsuccessful rebellion in the city.
Konstantios Doukas (1078) – younger brother of
Michael VII Doukas, he tried to assert his claim to the throne, but was handed over by the supporters of Nikephoros III, who banished him.
Nikephoros Melissenos (1080–1081) – a Byzantine general, he opposed the elevation of Nikephoros Botaneiates, and promised more territory to the
Seljuq Turks in exchange for their support. He abandoned his claim to the throne once
Alexios Komnenos was proclaimed emperor.
Ruben (1080–1095) – an
Armenian general, he declared himself the independent ruler of the province of
Cilicia.
Constantine Humbertopoulos (1091) – of
Norman descent, he was a mercenary captain whose decision to support Alexios, secured him the throne. He was promoted before conspiring against Alexios with an
Armenian called Ariebes and was banished.
Karykes (1093) – the governor of
Crete, he launched a simultaneous revolt with
Rhapsomates against Alexios. News of the imperial fleet's approach caused a counter-coup that overthrew him, during which he was murdered.
Rhapsomates (1093) – the governor of
Cyprus, he also rebelled against Alexios I. He defended Cyprus, but desertions in his ranks saw him attempt to flee, whereupon he was captured after seeking refuge in a church.
Michael Taronites (1094) – Alexios' brother-in-law, he was convicted of conspiring against Alexios and banished.
Nikephoros Diogenes (1094) – the son of
Romanos IV Diogenes and a former co-emperor, he had been made governor of
Crete by Alexios I. He attempted to murder Alexios twice, but both times he failed, the second time he was caught red-handed with the sword. He was blinded.
Theodore Gabras (1096–1098) – the doux of
Chaldia, achieved a level of semi-autonomy before Alexios I managed to reclaim some imperial control.
Gregory Taronites (1104) – the doux of
Chaldia, he tried to take advantage of his province's relative isolation by trying to make himself an independent ruler. Was defeated and captured.
Michael Anemas (1105) – Along with his brothers and a senator named Salomon, he plotted against Alexios I, but the conspiracy was uncovered, resulting in Michael's imprisonment.
Aron (1107) – The illegitimate descendant of a Bulgarian prince, he formed a plot to murder Alexios as he was encamped near
Thessalonica, but the presence of the empress
Irene and her attendants made this difficult. In an attempt to have her return to
Constantinople, the conspirators produced pamphlets that mocked and slandered the empress, and left them in her tent. A search for the author of the publications uncovered the whole plot, resulting in Aron's banishment.
Pseudo-Leo Diogenes (1116) – Another pretender claiming to be a son of Romanos IV Diogenes, he was the son-in-law of
Vladimir II Monomakh, and attempted to overthrow Byzantine authority in
Bulgaria.
Constantine Gabras (1126–1140) – the doux of
Chaldia, he ruled his province as a virtually autonomous state before John II managed to bring it back under direct imperial control.
Thoros (1145–1169) – a usurper in
Cilicia, he escaped from imprisonment in
Constantinople and re-established an independent
Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, which had been brought back under imperial control by
John II Komnenos. He successfully repulsed a number of military expeditions launched by Manuel I.
Andronikos Komnenos (1154) – a cousin of Manuel I, he plotted to overthrow Manuel with the support of King
Géza II of Hungary who invaded the empire. Andonikos was arrested and confined by the emperor.
Alexios Axouch (1167) – the grand-nephew of Manuel I and governor of
Cilicia, he was accused of conspiring against the emperor and was confined to a monastery for the rest of his life.
Andronikos Kontostephanos (1182) – the megas doux and commander-in-chief of the Byzantine navy, he was a key supporter of
Andronikos Komnenos, but began plotting against him once his tyrannical nature became apparent. He was captured and blinded.
Andronikos Doukas Angelos (1183) – the father of
Isaac II Angelos, he was a Byzantine general who had been sent to quell the rebellion of Andronikos I, but ended up joining the rebellion after being defeated in battle. Once Andronikos I became regent however, Andronikos Angelos entered into a conspiracy with the megas doux
Andronikos Kontostephanos, the
postal logothete and a number of other officials. He fled to the
Kingdom of Jerusalem when Andronikos I uncovered the plot.
Theodore Angelos (1183–1184) - the son of
Andronikos Doukas Angelos, he and his brother
Isaac Angelos returned from
Palestine and launched a rebellion at
Nicaea against the regent Andronikos, prompting him to become co-emperor alongside Alexios II. In early 1184, Andronikos I captured Nicaea after Isaac surrendered the city to him. Andronikos then captured Theodore in
Prusa, and had him blinded.
Andronikos Lampardas (1183) – a Byzantine general, he rebelled when he heard news of Andronikos I's usurpation and murder of
Alexios II Komnenos. Attempting to raise forces in
Asia Minor, he was captured by officials loyal to Andronikos I and was blinded and soon afterwards killed.
Theodore Kantakouzenos (1184) – the governor of
Prussa, he attempted to assassinate Andronikos, but his horse stumbled during the attempt, throwing Theodore to the ground. He was beheaded by Andronikos' guard.
Isaac Komnenos of Cyprus (1184–1191) – a minor member of the Komnenos family, he hired a troop of mercenaries and sailed to
Cyprus with falsified letters commanding Byzantine officials to obey him. He was crowned emperor and brutally terrorised the island. He was eventually overthrown by
Richard I of England, who captured Cyprus on his way to the
Holy Land during the
Third Crusade.
Alexios Komnenos (1185) – the grandnephew of
Manuel I Komnenos and his cup-bearer, he was banished by Andronikos Komnenos, but fled to the court of
William II of Sicily. There, he obtained William's support for his claim to the throne, and William used this to launch a
Norman invasion of the empire, culminating in the capture of
Thessalonica.
Alexios Komnenos (1185) – the illegitimate son of
Manuel I Komnenos (as well as being Andronikos' son-in-law), he was promoted as emperor by the Sebastianus brothers, but Alexios was taken and blinded. He was later accused of conspiring with
Andronikos Komnenos and forced to take
Holy Orders.
Andronikos Bryennios (1186) – the governor of
Thessalonica, he was accused of conspiring with
Alexios Komnenos to usurp the throne. He demanded the opportunity to refute the charges, but was blinded without a trial.
Theodore Mangaphas (1188–1189 and 1204–1206) – the governor of
Philadelphia, he declared himself emperor in 1188, forcing Isaac II to march out against him. Theodore agreed to relinquish the imperial title in exchange for retaining his position at Philadelphia. After the fall of
Constantinople in 1204, he again claimed the imperial title, only to be overthrown by
Theodore I Laskaris.
Constantine Tatikios (1190) – achieved the support of 500 influential people to overthrow Isaac II, but was discovered, arrested and blinded.
Basil Chotzas (1190–1204) – launched a rebellion and established a semi-autonomous state centred at Tarsia in north-western
Anatolia.
Constantine Aspietes (1190/91) – a
Byzantine general, he objected to the way the war against the
Vlach was proceeding and attempted to obtain support from the army. He was removed from command and blinded.
Isaac Komnenos (1191) – incarcerated when his uncle
Andronikos I Komnenos was overthrown, he escaped from prison and made a bid for the throne at
Hagia Sophia. He was captured and tortured, dying the next day.
Constantine Angelos Doukas (1193) – Isaac II's cousin, success in the Bulgarian War saw him declare himself emperor. He was handed over to Isaac by his fellow officers and was blinded.
Alexios Kontostephanos (1195 and 1200) – the former governor of
Crete, after Isaac II's overthrow he was acclaimed emperor by the mob who declared their desire never to be ruled by the
Komnenoi again. He was captured and imprisoned. He tried again in 1200, but was again unsuccessful.
Ivanko (1198–1200) – after marrying
Theodora Angelina and thus entering the imperial family, Ivanko rebelled in
Thrace, capturing the general
Manuel Kamytzes in 1198. He was taken prisoner during a meeting with the emperor's representative,
Alexios Palaiologos.
Michael Kantakouzenos (1199) – arrested by Alexios III in 1195, he unsuccessfully declared himself emperor in 1199.
John Komnenos the Fat (1201) – a relatively unimportant Byzantine noble, he had himself crowned emperor by a monk in
Hagia Sophia and took control of the
Great Palace. Alexios III struck back during the night, his forces recapturing the palace and beheading John Komnenos.
Michael Komnenos Doukas (1200–1201) – The governor of the
Theme of
Mylasa and Melanoudion in Asia Minor, he rebelled but was defeated by Alexios III and forced to flee to the Seljuks. He eventually became the founder and first ruler of the
Despotate of Epirus from 1205 until his death in 1215.
Leo Sgouros (1201–1208) – governor of the area of
Nauplia and the
Argolid, he rebelled against Alexios III and established himself as an independent ruler. He expanded his territory throughout central Greece until confronted by the armies of the Franks. After a siege of five years he apparently committed suicide.
Leo Gabalas (1203–1239) – governor of
Rhodes, he established an independent principality on the island claiming the title of Caesar. He submitted to the suzerainty of the
Empire of Nicaea in 1226, but remained in charge of the island until his death. He was succeeded by his son
John Gabalas.
Sabas Asidenos (1204–1206) – a powerful local magnate who seized control of
Sampson and the lower valley of the
Maeander River. He eventually acknowledged the authority of Theodore Laskaris and the
Empire of Nicaea.
David Komnenos (1204–1207) – the brother of
Alexios I of Trebizond, he took possession of territory in
Paphlagonia and the
Pontus, but was under pressure from Theodore I Laskaris, forcing him in 1207 to acknowledge the
Latin Empire's authority over his territory.
Theodore Branas (1205–1206) – the Lord of
Adrianople, he established a breakaway state but was forced to accept the overlordship of the
Latin Empire to protect the city from the ambitions of the Bulgarian emperor,
Kaloyan.
Andronikos Nestongos and
Isaac Nestongos (1224) – the cousins of John III, they attempted to overthrow the emperor and place Andronikos as emperor with the support of a significant number of Byzantine nobles. The plot was uncovered, but Andronikos managed to escape to the
Seljuk Turks.
Manuel Komnenos Doukas (1230–1237) – the brother of
Theodore Komnenos Doukas, he took over the rule of the
Empire of Thessalonica after the capture of his brother, although de facto a powerless Bulgarian vassal. He was overthrown when his brother returned from captivity and fled to the east. He returned in 1239 and set himself up as the ruler of
Thessaly until his death.
John Komnenos Doukas (1237–1242) – son of Theodore Komnenos Doukas, installed by him as
Emperor of Thessalonica after he overthrew his brother Manuel in 1237. In 1242 he was forced to renounce the title of Emperor for that of
Despot by Vatatzes.
John Gabalas (1239–1250) – the brother of
Leo Gabalas, he took over rule of the island of
Rhodes on his brother's death, but by 1250 had submitted to the authority of the emperor at
Nicaea.
Pseudo-John IV Laskaris (1262) – the treatment of
John IV Laskaris by Michael VIII saw an uprising occur at
Nicaea under a pretender who claimed he was the boy, forcing Michael to drag out the real John IV to disprove the pretender's claims.
John Doukas (1280) – the
Ruler of Thessaly, he was appointed sebastokrator by Michael VIII, but the alliance between the two was always uneasy. He became the champion of the anti-union forces, and in 1280 he nominated himself as the Orthodox emperor of the empire, but Michael was able to hold on to power.
Alexios Philanthropenos (1295) – a
Byzantine general, he was the doux of the
Thracesian Theme. His troops proclaimed him emperor after achieving some victories over the Turks. He was eventually taken prisoner during negotiations with Andronikos II and blinded.
John Drimys (1305) – a would-be priest from
Epirus, he claimed to be descended from the Laskarid emperors, and tried to overthrow Andronikos II. He was arrested.
Syrgiannes Palaiologos (1333–1334) – the governor of
Thessalonica, he was suspected of plotting for the throne when he was adopted by
Maria, the mother of Andronikos III in 1333. He fled to the court of the Serbian king,
Stephen Dušan, who gave him a large Serbian army. He invaded the empire but was eventually murdered.
Stephen Uroš IV (1346–1355) – the ruler of
Serbia, he claimed the title of Emperor (Tsar) of the Serbs and Romans in 1346 until his death.
Matthew Kantakouzenos (1354–1357) – the son of
John VI Kantakouzenos, based in
Thrace, he fought with John V after the abdication of his father for the throne. He was eventually captured and was forced to move to the
Morea.
Stephen Uroš V (1355–1371) – the son of
Stephen Uroš IV, he too claimed the title of Emperor, although much of his territory was lost to various nobles and the Turks.
John Limpidarios (1356) – the captain of
Nikephoros Orsini's fleet, he took advantage of Nikephoros' absence to attack
Ainos, and gained control of the city. He was eventually thrown out of the city.
Thomas Preljubović (1366–1382) – he attempted to usurp authority in
Epirus, forcing
Simeon Uroš to recognise him as the ruler in exchange for Thomas recognising Simeon as his suzerain. He was recognised in 1382 by John V with the title of despotes.
Andronikos Palaiologos (1373 and 1384) – the son of John V, he plotted to murder his father in 1373, but it was uncovered, resulting in Andronikos losing one of his eyes. He again rebelled in 1384, and was driven into exile at
Selymbria.
Theodosios Kyprios (fl. c. 1414) – alleged to harbor imperial ambitions by the writer Mazaris ("even in his dreams he wears the white imperial robes").
Demetrios Palaiologos (1442 and 1448) – the brother of John VIII, he claimed the throne in 1442 based on his status as a porphyrogennetos. Although he attempted to harness the anti-Catholic opposition to John, he was abandoned by his army and exiled at
Selymbria. He again attempted to usurp the throne in 1448 once John VIII died, but was opposed by his mother, who supported the claim of
Constantine XI Palaiologos.