The State of The Topiaj During 14th Century

Abstract

Purpose: The paper provides historical context on the Topias family's role in Naples' political and religious landscape, detailing their break from Byzantium, alliances with Anjouans, and power dynamics.   Methods: The paper discusses the Topias family's historical context, indicating that historical scholars used a combination of archival research, primary source analysis, comparative analysis, contextualization, and narrative storytelling to understand their interactions, relationships, and historical context. These methods were likely used to gather and analyze information about the family's history.   Results and Conclusion: The paper provides a narrative account of the Topias family's historical significance, their break from Byzantium, and their role as vassals to the king of Naples. It highlights their resilience and adaptability in medieval European politics, highlighting the complex dynamics of political and religious spheres.   Research implications: The paper provides a rich historical account of the Topias family, highlighting their political strategies, interfaith relations, vassalage, Anjouan influence in the Balkans, and the influence of clergy in politics. It also highlights the importance of examining the historical narrative and its potential to contribute to ongoing scholarly discussions on medieval European history, politics, and culture.   Originality/value: The paper provides valuable insights into medieval Balkan politics, interfaith relations, and vassalage dynamics in medieval Europe. It focuses on lesser-known actors like the Topias family, their religious conversion, Angevin influence in the Balkans, and the complexities of feudal relationships. The narrative also highlights the intersection of clerical and political power, enhancing our understanding of medieval governance and interfaith relations.