Andronikos II Palaiologos vs Henry II

Andronikos II was crowned co-emperor alongside his father Michael VIII, and became sole ruler after Michael's death later that year. His reign began the long Palaiologan dynasty, but the empire was already weakened by financial and military decline.

Andronikos II repudiated the Union of the Churches agreed to by his father at the Second Council of Lyon. He restored Orthodox independence from the Papacy, which pleased the clergy and populace but further isolated Byzantium from the West.

Andronikos II disbanded the Byzantine navy to cut costs, relying instead on Genoese and Venetian mercenaries. This decision left the empire vulnerable to naval attacks and piracy, and contributed to the loss of control over the Aegean islands and trade routes.

During Andronikos II's reign, the Ottoman Turks captured numerous Byzantine cities in Anatolia, including Bursa in 1326. The empire's inability to defend its Asian provinces led to the permanent loss of most of Anatolia, reducing Byzantium to a small state around Constantinople.

Andronikos II faced a civil war against his grandson Andronikos III, who sought to seize the throne. The conflict lasted until 1328, when Andronikos II was forced to abdicate. The civil war drained the empire's resources and allowed the Ottoman Turks to expand in Anatolia.

Following the death of Otto III, Henry II was elected King of Germany in 1002 after a contested succession. He secured the throne against rival claimants, including Ekkehard of Meissen, consolidating Ottonian rule.

Henry II founded the Diocese of Bamberg in 1007, establishing a new bishopric in Franconia. He endowed it with extensive lands and privileges, making it a center of imperial church policy and missionary activity.

Pope Benedict VIII crowned Henry II Holy Roman Emperor in Rome on February 14, 1014. This coronation reaffirmed the alliance between the Empire and the Papacy and legitimized Henry's imperial authority.

Henry II led a military campaign to southern Italy in 1021-1022 to assert imperial authority over the Byzantine catapanate and Lombard principalities. He captured the fortress of Troia but failed to permanently secure Byzantine territories.