Epirote–Nicaean conflict

{{Short description|Military conflict}}

{{Infobox military conflict

| conflict = Epirote–Nicaean conflict

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| date = 1257–1259

| place = Balkans

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| result = {{ublist|Nicaean victory}}

• Subsequent restoration of Byzantine Empire

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| combatant1 = Despotate of Epirus
Kingdom of Serbia

| combatant2 = Empire of Nicaea

| commander1 = Michael II

| commander2 = Theodore II Laskaris
Michael VIII Palaiologos
George Akropolites{{POW}}
John Doukas Palaiologos

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In the period between 1257 and 1259 the Despotate of Epirus and Empire of Nicaea fought each other for Byzantine territories. Nicaea had by 1253 occupied Macedonia and Albania, and forced Despot Michael II of Epirus to submission.{{sfn|Fine|1994|p=160}} Michael II, fearing an Nicaean attack after Theodore II Laskaris' defeat of the Bulgarians (1255–56), allied himself with Serbian king Stefan Uroš I.{{sfn|Fine|1994|p=160}} The Epirotes involved chieftains in Albania in the springtime of 1257, and the Epirote and Serbian armies then coordinated their attacks.{{sfn|Fine|1994|p=160}} Michael regained most of Albania, then sent forces into Macedonia.{{sfn|Fine|1994|p=160}}