John Tarchaneiotes

John Tarchaneiotes
Born	before 1259
Died	after 1304
Allegiance	Byzantine Empire
Years of service	1260s, 1298–1300
Battles/wars	Wars against the Anatolian beyliks

John Tarchaneiotes (Greek: Ἰωάννης Ταρχανειώτης, romanized: Iōannēs Tarchaneiōtēs; fl. 1259–1304) was a Byzantine aristocrat and general under Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos (r. 1282–1328). Although related by blood to the Palaiologos dynasty, he became notable as one of the main leaders of the "Arsenites", the supporters of the deposed Patriarch of Constantinople Arsenios Autoreianos, who challenged the dynasty's legitimacy. A capable soldier, he was released from prison in 1298 to take command against the Turks in Asia Minor. His administrative reforms and integrity shored up the Byzantine position, but aroused the ire of the local magnates, who forced him to abandon the province.