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Today in History: John VI Kantakouzenos crowned, sparking civil war
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Story summary
- When Andronikos III died in 1341, the Byzantine army elevated his chief minister John VI Kantakouzenos to emperor. His claim opposed the regency protecting nine-year-old heir John V Palaiologos, sparking the 1341-1347 civil war that divided aristocrats from commoners and weakened Byzantine control of the Balkans.