John VIII Palaiologos

John VIII Palaiologos
Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans
Detail from The Middle King by Benozzo Gozzoli, in the Magi Chapel of Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, Florence, 1459–1461. It is widely believed to represent John VIII.
Byzantine emperor
Reign	21 July 1425 – 31 October 1448
Coronation	19 January 1421
Predecessor	Manuel II Palaiologos
Successor	Constantine XI Palaiologos
Proclamation	c. 1407 as co-emperor
Born	18 December 1392
Died	31 October 1448(1448-10-31) (aged 55)
Spouse	Anna of Moscow ​ ​ (m. 1414; died 1417)​ Sophia of Montferrat ​ ​ (1421⁠–⁠1426)​ Maria of Trebizond ​ ​ (m. 1427; died 1439)​
Dynasty	Palaiologos
Father	Manuel II Palaiologos
Mother	Helena Dragaš
Religion	Eastern Catholic Previously Eastern Orthodox

John VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus (Greek: Ἰωάννης Παλαιολόγος, romanized: Iōánnēs Palaiológos; 18 December 1392 – 31 October 1448) was the penultimate Byzantine emperor. Ruling from 1425 to 1448, he attempted, and failed, to bring about the reunification of the Orthodox and Catholic churches and prioritized the protection of Constantinople against the Ottoman Empire. He was succeeded by his brother, Constantine XI.