deaths
June 3, 1453
Loukas Notaras, last megas doux of the Byzantine Empire
Loukas Notaras
Loukas Notaras was a Byzantine Greek statesman who served as the last megas doux or grand duke and the last mesazon of the Byzantine Empire, under emperors John VIII Palaiologos and Constantine XI Palaiologos.
Megas doux
The megas doux was one of the highest positions in the hierarchy of the later Byzantine Empire, denoting the commander-in-chief of the Byzantine navy. It is sometimes also given in English by the half-Latinizations megaduke or megadux. The Greek word δούξ is the Hellenized form of the Latin term dux, meaning leader or commander.