Michael was a son of John II of Trebizond and nephew of the Byzantine Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos. Michael was taken to Constantinople as a child, and seems to have resided there until he was in his early 50s. In 1341 he left for Trebizond to become emperor, but was met with resistance from supporters of his niece, Anna. Michael was emperor for only a day when he was deposed and imprisonned. During this imprisonment, Michael's son became Emperor John III of Trebizond in 1342, and Michael was freed two years later in order that he could depose his son. It was during this longer second reign that the Black Death came to Trebizond. In 1349, Michael was deposed in favour of his nephew, John, who became Alexios III, and was exiled to the monastery of St. Sabas, where he died.

1 Related Objects