A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Μιχαὴλ ό Δοῦκας), the grandson of another Michael Ducas, who lived during the reign of John Palaeologus the younger, and a descendant of the imperial family of the Ducases, lived before and after the capture of Constantinople by Sultan Mohammed II. in 1453. This Michael Ducas was a distinguished historian, who held probably some high office under Constantine XII., the last emperor of Constantinople. After the capture of this city, he fled to Dorino Gateluzzi, prince of Lesbos, who employed him in various diplomatic functions, which he continued to discharge under Domenico Gateluzzi, the son and successor of Dorino. In 1455 and 1456, he brought the tribute of the princes of Lesbos and Lemnos to Adrianople, and he also accompanied his master Domenico to Constantinople, where he was going to pay homage to Sultan Mohammed II. Owing to the prudence of Dorino and Domenico, and the diplomatic skill of Ducas, those two princes enjoyed a happy dependence; but Domenico having died, his son and successor, Nicholas, incurred the hatred of Mohammed, who conquered Lesbos and united it to the Turkish empire in 1462. Ducas survived this event, but his further life is not known.

[W.P]