John III of Trebizond

John III of Trebizond, born in the year 1321, ascended to the throne as emperor on September 4, 1342, following a tumultuous period marked by his father's brief reign and subsequent imprisonment. His father, Michael, had been emperor for just a day in 1341 before being deposed by the powerful megas doux John the Eunuch. John III spent much of his early life in Constantinople, where he was approached by leaders of the Scholarioi, who convinced him to return to Trebizond and claim his rightful place as emperor.

With the backing of the Byzantine government and the support of three Genoese galleys, John and his supporters launched a campaign to seize Trebizond. Their efforts culminated in a successful uprising, allowing John to be crowned emperor. However, his reign was marred by a lack of interest in governance, as he was described by historians William Miller and George Finlay as a weak ruler more focused on luxury and entertainment than on the affairs of state.

John's reign was short-lived; after the death of John the Eunuch, Niketas Scholares, who had initially supported John, turned against him. On May 3, 1344, John was deposed and banished to the monastery of St. Sabas, where he remained under Byzantine guard. His father, Michael, was restored to the throne, and John was eventually transferred to Constantinople and later to Adrianople.

In a twist of fate, John escaped captivity around the year 1357 and attempted to reclaim his throne in Sinope. Unfortunately, his efforts were in vain, and he passed away in that city in 1362. Historical records indicate that John had a son, who managed to escape captivity in 1363, fleeing first to Caffa and then to Galata, though his name remains unknown.