Maria III Tullia
| Maria III | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:Latin Empress Maria III.jpg | |||||
| Latin Empress (more...) | |||||
| Reign | 11 November 1765 – 17 July 1803 | ||||
| Coronation | 25 December 1765 | ||||
| Predecessor | Constantine XVIII | ||||
| Successor | John XI | ||||
| Born | 8 May 1726 Palatium Purpura, Ascanium, Latium | ||||
| Died | 17 July 1803 (aged 77) Palace of Augustus, Palatine, Castellum ab Alba | ||||
| Burial | Sanctus Andreas Cathedral, Ascanium | ||||
| Spouse | Prince Michael of Ghant (m. 1745) | ||||
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| House | Akropolites | ||||
| Father | Constantine Tullius | ||||
| Mother | Maria II | ||||
| Religion | Fabrian Catholic | ||||
Maria III (Fausta Tullia Isabella Maria Sophia Caesaris; 8 May 1726 –17 July 1803) was the 109th Latin Monarch, reigning from 1765 until 1803.
Maria was born during the reign of grandfather Latin Emperor John X, and was the second child of the future Latin Empress Maria II and her consort, Konstantinos Akropolites. She was primarily raised under the care of her mother, who was noted to be very protective of her children and often overbearing according to courtiers. In 1744, she was betrothed to Prince Michael of Ghant, whom she married in 1745. From 17xx until 1760 she resided in Ghant with her husband, only returning to Latium when she became heir presumptive. She took the throne following the short reign of her elder brother, Constantine XVIII, who lacked any legitimate children, becoming the second Empress regnant in less than ten years.
As Empress, Maria battled low popularity early in her reign due to her time spent abroad throughout her marriage, and her husband's Ghantish and Gelonian ancestry. This changed due to her reputation for shrewd dealings with the Senate, charitable relationship with the common folk and the Church. Her son, and successor, John XI, initiated the House of Gentry line of his father.