The Tools of the Struggle for Power of the Constantinople Triumvirate and John Kantakouzenos in the Civil War of 1341–1347

Abstract

Introduction. As part of the study of the types of non-military measures used by the Constantinople triumvirate (basilissa Anna of Savoy, megas doux Alexios Apokaukos, and patriarch John XIV Kalekas) and John Kantakouzenos during the civil war of 1341–1347, their significance for the course and end of this internal conflict is clarified. The relevance of this work is determined by the insufficient coverage of this aspect in historiography and is also related to the broader topic of the use of non-military measures in various historical periods. Methods and materials. This work is based on the basic principles (historicism, determinism, and objectivity) and methods (historical-comparative, historical-systemic, and historical-genetic) of historical science. Analysis. Based on the analysis of written sources, four types of non-military measures are identified: psychological, political-diplomatic, socio-economic, and ideological measures. We found out that the representatives of the Constantinople triumvirate resorted to all of the above groups of measures, while Kantakouzenos was able to use only two of them. Results. At the end of the work, it was concluded that non-military measures determined the sluggish nature of the conflict and played an important role in the civil war of 1341–1347. In addition, this internal conflict in Byzantium, in our opinion, represents a striking example of medieval hybrid warfare.