Andronikos II Palaiologos vs Cuitlahuac

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.

Cuitlahuac commanded the Aztec forces that attacked the Spanish and their allies as they attempted to flee Tenochtitlan on the night of June 30-July 1, 1520. The Aztecs inflicted heavy casualties, killing hundreds of Spaniards and thousands of indigenous allies.

Following the Noche Triste, Cuitlahuac's forces drove the remaining Spanish forces out of Tenochtitlan and pursued them to the mainland. The Aztecs regained control of the city and destroyed much of the Spanish infrastructure.

After the death of Moctezuma II, Cuitlahuac was elected as the tlatoani (emperor) of the Aztec Empire. He was the brother of Moctezuma and had been a military leader during the early Spanish incursions.

Cuitlahuac died of smallpox, a disease introduced by the Spanish, after ruling for only about 80 days. His death weakened Aztec leadership and contributed to the eventual Spanish victory under Cort