Michael VIII Doukas Angelos Komnenos Palaiologos (Μιχαὴλ Δούκας Ἄγγελος Κομνηνὸς Παλαιολόγος) was emperor of Nicaea or Nikaia (Νίκαια) and then the Byzantine or Eastern Roman Empire in the 13th century. He was the founder of the Palaiologan dynasty and effectively restored Byzantium following the Sack of Constantinople in 1204. He attended the Second Council of Lyons due to his previously asking Pope Gregory X of Rome for assistance against the Turks. The intention was to unite the church of Rome with Constantinople, but the Byzantine citizens vehemently opposed this and thus it didn't come to pass.