Constantine Margarites (Greek: Κωνσταντῖνος Μαργαρίτης) was a senior military officer and courtier of the Empire of Nicaea in the mid-13th century. His life is only known from the brief, and very hostile, references to him in the History of George Akropolites. Akropolites disparages Margarites, as well as many other of the low-born "new men" who rose to prominence as favourites of Theodore II Laskaris (ruled 1254–58), as opposed to the traditional aristocracy which customarily monopolized high offices. According to Akropolites, Margarites was born in the theme of Neokastra in northwestern Asia Minor, a "peasant born of peasants, reared on barley and bran and knowing only how to grunt". He joined the thematic army and rose to the rank of tzaousios. His skill impressed the Nicaean emperor Jo