Euphrosyne Palaiologina (daughter of Michael VIII)

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Euphrosyne Palaiologina (

Byzantine–Mongol alliance. She was named after goddess Euphrosyne
, and was also known as Irene.

Biography

In 1266, Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos, anxious to make an alliance, gave his daughter Euphrosyne to Nogai Khan of the Golden Horde as a wife, after the latter had invaded Thrace a year earlier.[1]

Asia Minor.[2]

Euphrosyne had arranged the marriage of Crimean merchant Pandoleon's daughter, Euphrosyne of Bulgaria, to Theodore Svetoslav, who lived as a hostage in the khan's court. Pandoleon was a close friend of Khan Nogai. Therefore, Pantaleon was honored to have his daughter baptized by Euphrosyne's name.[3]

Euphrosyne kept acting for the interests of Constantinople, in which she supported Andronikos II Palaiologos. She also strengthened the position of Theodore Svetosla, and went against Smiltsena Palaiologina who sought an alliance with Serbian King Stefan Milutin.

Khan Nogai was killed in 1299/1300 by the Mongols of Toqta in the battle of Kagamlik, near the Dnieper. The fate of Euphrosyne Palaeologina around these events is unknown. It is possible that she died before her husband, fell victim to power struggles in the Golden Horde after his death, or was sent back to Constantinople.

Personal life

Euphrosyne and Nogai are not known to have had children.

Her sister

Persia.[4] She was the step-mother of Chaka
.

References

  1. ^ Nicol 1993, p. 81.
  2. ^ Fine, J. (1987). The Late Medieval Balkans, A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. Page 198.
  3. ^ Павлов, Пламен. Търновските царици. В.Т.:ДАР-ТХ, 2006.
  4. ^ Canal and Runciman, p. 320.
Sources
  • Canal, Denis-Armand and Runciman, Steven. Histoire des Croisades [History of the Crusades]. Editions Dagorno, 1998, .