The Achaeans against Byzantium
With the Byzantine Empire re-established at Constantinople Michael rebuilt the
army and navy. The Latin Principality of Achaea broke
the treaty and defeated Michael's brother Constantine at Prinitza
1262 and Makry Plagi 1263
securing the Latin state for a generation. A more serious threat came from the Angevin, Charles of Anjou who after securing Sicily sought to expand in the Balkans. He inherited Achea in 1278 and Prince Nicephorus
of Epirus declared himself a vassal the following year. With
this base Charles poured troops into Albania and besieged Berat. The
relieving army fortunately captured the Angevin
commander panicking the rest of the army which was destroyed in the retreat.
The war of the Sicilian Vespers ended the Angevin
threat to Byzantium.