Board Thread:Timeline Discussions/@comment-25205072-20150422083509/@comment-25205072-20150625235347

STORY CONTINUED:

Constantine IX reign was short ruling for only for 5 years and leaving the throne for his brother Manuel III, under Manuel III began a 300 year byzantine enlightenment focusing on internally rather than foreign affairs. This was continued by Maneul III's son John III  Palaiologos "the merchant". Under John III, he created a maritime empire overtaking Venice in trade. However, the republic of Genoa sought to fill the vacuum of past venetian dominance, and declared war on the Byzantines in 1350. Here the Byzantines used their famous greek fire defeating the genoan fleet and then burning the rest of their navy at anchor in Corsica.