George Mouzalon (Greek: Γεώργιος Μουζάλων, ca. 1220 - August 25, 1258) was a high official of the Empire of Nicea under Theodore II Laskaris, who appointed him, together with Patriarch Arsenius Autorianus, regent of his infant son John IV Laskaris.
The Mouzalon family rose to prominence during the late Comnenian period, and one of its members, Nicholas IV Mouzalon, became Patriarch of Constantinople in 1147-1151. George, with his two brothers Theodore (the eldest brother) and Andronikos and their two sisters, was born at Adramyttium on the Anatolian coast. Although not from an aristocratic family, George Mouzalon became a trusted childhood friend of the future emperor Theodore II, with whom he was of like age.
When Theodore II became emperor in 1254, he immediately promoted his old friend and his brothers to high offices, and had him marry Theodora Kantakouzene, a member of the aristocracy and niece to Michael Palaiologos. George was appointed megas domestikos (head of the army), while Andronikos became prōtovestiarios (grand chamberlain) and Theodore prōtokynēgos (hunt master). During Theodore's campaign in Europe in 1255, George Mouzalon ruled over the Asian territories of the Empire. Later in the year he was raised to the title of prōtosebastos and the offices of prōtovestiarios (grand chamberlain) and the newly created post of megas stratopedarchēs (quartermaster general), while Andronikos succeeded him as megas domestikos. The meteoric rise of the Mouzalon family however created backlash among the traditional aristocracy, who opposed many of Theodore's policies.
Shortly before his death, Theodore II appointed Mouzalon as guardian of his 8-year old son John IV Laskaris, and co-regent of the Empire together with Patriarch Arsenius. Fearing the nobles' resentment, and the ambitions of their leader, Michael Palaiologos, he demanded that the aristocrats swear an oath of allegiance to Mouzalon. This they did, but on 25 August 1258, three days after the emperor’s burial, while taking part in a final funerary service in Magnesia, George Mouzalon and his two brothers where killed by a crowd of nobles and Latin (Western) mercenaries.
This coup d'etat ended Theodore II plans for the empire and opened room to Michael, who would shortly after appoint himself regent, first as megas doux, then as despot and finally as co-emperor with the young John IV Laskaris. Although Patriarch Arsenius made Michael swear to preserve John's interests, Michael gradually usurped all power, and after the recovery of Constantinople in 1261, had him blinded and retired in a convent.
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