Manuel IV Comnenus

Emperor Manuel IV Comnenus
Birth 2 June 1668 Accession 28 January 1677 Death 13 September 1699 Titles By the Grace of God, Emperor of Pantocratoria, Autocrator of the Romans, Caesar Augustus, Equal of the Apostles, God's Vicegerent on Earth, Sebastocrator, King of Kings Ruling over those who Rule

His Imperial Majesty Emperor Manuel IV (like his father, often called Manuel the Fat) was the son of Emperor Demetrius VIII. Although still a child at the time of his accession, the time he had spent at his father's lavish table meant he was already obese - at his coronation, he was mistaken by crowds in New Rome for an adult because of his size, which led to some minor rioting as the people believed the rightful succession had been usurped.

The mechanisms of government created by his father allowed Manuel IV to step back from a particularly active role during his reign - he became a slothful prince of pleasure, whose only real duty it was to open Parliament and give his assent to its acts. In 1688 he married Maria Comnena, the miracle daughter of Emperor Manuel III and Irene Comnena. They had one child together, Prince Manuel.

The Emperor died at the age of 31, a gout-ridden, morbidly obese blob, aged beyond his years, but quite content.