Vatatzes cultivated a close relationship with the German emperor, Frederick II, and negotiated with the papacy about the possibility of reuniting the Church. John was an able administrator and fiscal manager. He encouraged his realm to be self-sufficient, discouraging or banning Western imports, and encouraged his subjects to carefully manage their lands and farms. He led by example, demonstrating his success by buying his wife a jeweled crown from the proceeds of selling eggs. John died in 1254 and was remembered fondly by his people; the inhabitants of Asia Minor revered him as a saint soon after his death.
If I had a denarius for every time an Emperor was associated with chickens, I’d have two denarii. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it’s happened twice.