Alexius IV, Grand Comnenus and Emperor of Trebizond ruled from 1417 to 1429. He is accused of a having expedited the death of his father Manuel III's and was to spend most of his reign in the pursuit of luxury.

After the death of Timur, most of Asia Minor descended into chaos. Kara Yusuf, ruler of the Kara Koyunlu or Black Sheep Turks, devastated much of Armenia and defeated the Emir of Arsinga and the chieftain of the Ak Koyunlu or White Sheep Turks. Alexius married daughters to Kara Yusuf's son Jihan Shah and agreed to pay the same amount of tribute that had previously been due to Timur. Other daughters were married to the lord of the Ak Koyunlu, the Emir of Arsinga and the Emperor of Byzantium.

Internally, Alexius spent much of his energy in the pursuit of pleasure and had few accomplishments. Some sources, especially Pero Tafur, claim Alexius was murdered by his son and successor John IV in 1429 after the two argued over the adultery of John's mother, the Empress Theodora Cantakuzena, which Alexius had ignored.

Preceded by: Manuel III

Emperor of Trebizond 1416 — 1429

Succeeded by: John IV