Byzantine-Latin Wars

Byzantine–Latin wars
The Entry of the Crusaders in Constantinople, by Eugène Delacroix
Date 1204–1261 Location Southeast Europe and northwestern Anatolia Result Nicaean victory and restoration of the Byzantine Empire Territorial changes The Nicaean Empire regains Constantinople, Bithynia, and large parts of the southern Balkans.
Belligerents
Empire of Nicaea Second Bulgarian Empire Republic of Genoa	Latin Empire Duchy of Athens Duchy of the Archipelago Principality of Achaea Republic of Venice Despotate of Epirus
Commanders and leaders
Theodore I Laskaris John III Doukas Vatatzes Theodore II Laskaris Michael VIII Palaiologos John Palaiologos Alexios Strategopoulos Ivan Asen II John of Thessaly	Henry of Flanders Baldwin of Courtenay Angelo Sanudo William II (POW) Michael II Komnenos Doukas

The Nicaean–Latin wars were a series of wars between the Latin Empire and the Empire of Nicaea, starting with the dissolution of the Byzantine Empire by the Fourth Crusade in 1204. The Latin Empire was aided by other Crusader states established on Byzantine territory after the Fourth Crusade, as well as the Republic of Venice, while the Empire of Nicaea was assisted occasionally by the Second Bulgarian Empire, and sought the aid of Venice's rival, the Republic of Genoa. The conflict also involved the Greek state of Epirus, which also claimed the Byzantine inheritance and opposed Nicaean hegemony. The Nicaean reconquest of Constantinople in 1261 AD and the restoration of the Byzantine Empire under the Palaiologos dynasty did not end the conflict, as the Byzantines launched on and off efforts to reconquer southern Greece (the Principality of Achaea and the Duchy of Athens) and the Aegean islands until the 15th century, while the Latin powers, led by the Angevin Kingdom of Naples, tried to restore the Latin Empire and launched attacks on the Byzantine Empire.

Despite orders of the Pope not to attack Constantinople, The crusaders had sacked the City in 1204. After this, They established a Latin Empire, Centered on Constantinople. Constantinople was a holy city and the Nicaeans sought to retake it in order to legitimize their successorship to the Byzantine empire.

Henry of Flanders, brother to Latin Emperor Baldwin I of Constantinople, was encouraged by the Armenians to make an attempt on the city of Adramyttion. He left from Abydos, after leaving a garrison in the town, and rode for two days before encamping before Adramyttion. The city soon surrendered, and Henry proceeded to occupy the city, using it as a base to attack the Byzantines.

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