At the end of the 13th century, emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos' attempt to prevent the invasion of the Frankish troops in Constantinople leads to the Union of the Churches, which, however, triggers opposition among his faithful Orthodox citizens.
The young Theophilus is called upon to claim his father's crown, unjustly taken from his brother by the usurper Michael. While his defender Alexios Dukas prepares their troops, Theophilus is sent to the capital of the Kingdom of Bulgaria, Great Tarnovo, under the protection of his uncle in law, Tsar Constantine Tih, in order to escape the back to back assassins sent by the emperor. The young tsarina will make him her lover and hatch a plot to elevate him to the throne of Constantinople with herself as coempress at his side. She sends him to the palace of wealth magnate Philaretus Kantakouzenos to secure his financial support. During his time there, young Theophilus slowly acquires his own will.
He gains the support of the wealthy magnate and, apart from Bithynia, he is now recognized as the legitimate emperor of the island of Rhodes. But Theophilus shows no particular eagerness to rule, instead he discovers the world around him and searches for the meaning of life.
Tsarina's plan to besiege the Bulgarian troops united with the troops of the rebellious Bithynians in Constantinople is wrecked when a wave of Mongols sent by Palaiologos sweeps in and plunders the country. Bulgaria's defender emerges to be an unknown swin eherd, called Ivailo, who will kill Tsar Tih, marry tsarina, and ascend the throne.
The rebels regroup but Theophilus does not show the same talent for ruling as he does for painting. They will win a Pyrrhic victory over the imperial troops and now Theophilus must decide if he will continue the devastating civil war.
What happens when a man has grown up with the conviction that he is destined to bring salvation, justice, and prosperity to his people, when, inspired by Christian ethics and Aristotle's ideal of eudaimonia (well being), has a great talent in his quiver? He will try to do his best with the means at his disposal.
Never trust a painter to rule the empire...
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