The
Despotate of the Morea or
Despotate of Mystras was a province of the
Byzantine Empire which existed between the mid-14th and mid-15th centuries. Its territory varied in size during its 100 years of existence but eventually grew to include almost all the southern
Greek peninsula, now known as the
Peloponnesos. It was called
Morea during the medieval period. The territory was usually ruled by a close relative of the current
Byzantine emperor, who was given the title of
despotes (in this context it should not be confused with
despotism). Its capital was the fortified city of
Mystras, near ancient
Sparta, which became an important centre of Byzantine culture and power.