ABSTRACT
The citizens of Monemvasia, after refusing to surrender their city to Mehmed in the summer of 1460, set it under despot Thomas Palaiologos, the heir of the Byzantine Empire, who was still in the Peloponnese. Thomas urged the citizens to present themselves to Pope Pius II and offer the city to him.1 Following his advice, an assembly took place in Monemvasia and it was decided that two representatives should be sent to the Pope. Escorted by the commander of the military force, which had been sent according to the decisions of the Council of Mantova to liberate the Morea, they appeared before him in Siena in September 1460 and asked for his protection.2 The delegates reported that Monemvasia could act as the best base for military expeditions in Greece and that the fleet that it would be decided to be sent would find there the best shelter. Pope Pius II, Aenea Silvio Piccolomini, a deeply cultured personality of the Italian Renaissance, mentions in his memoirs that he cried bitterly for the futility of the earthly matters which led the erstwhile mighty Monemvasia to this distressful situation. He accepted the appeal of her representatives, invited them to vow obedience, sent a governor for the city and its dependencies, Gentile de’ Marcolfi of Spoleto, and grain because the need for provisions was great.3
