 The union was passionately opposed by the Byzantine people and of Byzantine landowners not formally under Michael VIII's rule, such as John II Megas Komnenos, Emperor of Trebizond, and Nikephoros I Komnenos Doukas, the ruler of Epirus.Despite Michael VIII's efforts, the union was disrupted in 1281 after just seven years when he was excommunicated by Pope Martin IV.When Michael VIII died in 1282 he died condemned as a traitor and a heretic by his people, who saw him as someone who had bullied them into submission under the Church of Rome.