Thomas Preljubović

Thomas Thomas Komnenos Palaiologos Preljubović or ( gr Θωμάς Κομνηνός Παλαιολόγος, serb. Toma Preljubović, † December 23, 1384 ) ruled as Prince of Epirus from 1366 to 1384.

He was born the son of a Serbian voivode Preljub, one of the greatest generals of Emperor Stefan Dušan. Being a mother is in different sources Irene, the daughter of Stefan Dušan ' quotes. Other sources give his mother a Greek.

His father Preljub got from Stefan Dušan the governorship of Thessaly. In Thessaly, Thomas Preljubović joined the party of Simeon Uroš Palaiologos and married his daughter Maria. He was appointed governor of Ioannina, he had to defend against resident and partly marauding Albanian tribes. His relentless attack on the local population brought him criticism from local Albanian princes, whose support he needed. To 1366 Thomas went on to rule in Epirus and made de facto independent from his father Simeon, who reigned in Thessaly. When the pressure from local Albanian princes and tribes rose to his rule, Thomas turned to the Ottomans, acknowledging their suzerainty. With the help of Ottoman he went more rigorous action against the Albanian population, which earned him the nickname Αλβανοκτόνος, Albanians butcher brought. On December 23, 1384 Thomas Preljubović was eventually assassinated by his own guard. His wife Mary ruled with the help of her brother Jovan Uroš of Epirus until about 1385, after which she married Esau de Buondelmonte.

Thomas Preljubović is considered the most tyrannical prince on the eve of the Ottoman conquest and symbolizes the state and social decay process of the time.