Emperor Michael VIII Palaeologus Policy in Mediterranean

The paper presents some aspects of the Byzantine policy in the Mediterranean during the second half of the 13th Century. Emperor Michael VIII Palaeologus (1259–1282) wants to restore the Byzantine fleet and for this purpose invested a lot of money. This fleet should become a rival of Venice and Genoa. The efforts of the emperor realized partially. Оnly part of the Greek Islands are exempt from Latin rule. But Byzantine diplomacy managed to restore its influence in Western Mediterranean. The Reign of Michael VIII was the last period when Byzantium again rise as a Mediterranean power