John VI concluded arrangement with John V

The Byzantine civil war of 1341–47 was a pivotal conflict that arose from a power struggle between John VI Kantakouzenos and the young John V Palaiologos. This civil war was marked by a series of political maneuvers and military confrontations that significantly weakened the Byzantine Empire. John VI, initially a regent, sought to consolidate power amidst the chaos, leading to his declaration as basileus by his supporters. The conflict was characterized by shifting alliances and external pressures, particularly from the rising Ottoman Empire, which was expanding its influence in the region. The arrangement concluded between John VI and John V was a strategic compromise aimed at stabilizing the empire during a tumultuous period. Under this agreement, John VI would serve as the senior basileus, allowing him to maintain a degree of authority while sharing power with John V for a decade. This arrangement was crucial in mitigating the immediate threats posed by both internal factions and external enemies, particularly the Ottomans, who had already begun to capture key territories such as Bursa and Nicaea. The civil war and the subsequent power-sharing agreement had lasting implications for the governance of the Byzantine Empire, as it highlighted the fragility of imperial authority and the challenges of maintaining unity in the face of external aggression and internal dissent.