Michael VI Stratiotikos

Michael VI Stratiotikos
Michael VI Bringas
Μιχαήλ ΣΤ΄ Βρίγγας
Emperor of the Byzantine Empire

Gold tetarteron of Michael's reign
Reign 1056–1057
Born ?
Died 1059
Predecessor Theodora
Successor Isaac I

Michael VI Bringas (Greek: Μιχαήλ ΣΤ΄ Βρίγγας, Mikhaēl VI Bringas), called Stratiotikos or Stratioticus ("the Military One", "the Warlike" or "the Bellicose") or Gerontas ("the Old"), was Byzantine emperor from 1056 to 1057.

Contents

Career

Apparently a relative of the powerful courtier Joseph Bringas (influential during the reign of Romanos II),[1] Michael Bringas was an elderly patrician and a member of the court bureaucracy[2] who had served as military finance minister (and hence the epithet Stratiotikos).[3] Michael Bringas was chosen by the empress Theodora as her successor shortly before her death in early September, 1056.[4] The appointment had been secured through the influence of Leo Paraspondylos, Theodora's most trusted adviser.

Although Michael VI managed to survive a conspiracy organized by Theodosios, a nephew of the former emperor Constantine IX Monomachos,[1] he was faced with the disaffection of the military aristocracy. His most costly error was to ignore the perceived rights of the general Nikephoros Bryennios, whom he restored to his former rank after his falling out with the Empress Theodora, but refused to restore his wealth and estates.[5] After dismissing Bryennios's grievances in an audience, the emperor completely alienated the military, which remained powerful element of society.[2] Michael compounded his error by rebuffing Bryennios after he had already ordered the restored general to lead a division of 3,000 men to reinforce the army in Cappadocia.[5] From here Bryennios began plotting to overthrow Michael VI, and it was his capture that precipitated the military nobility to rally around Isaac I Komnenos, who was proclaimed emperor in Paphlagonia on June 8, 1057.[3]

Although Michael VI immediately lost heart, the bureaucrats around him attempted to defend their position and assembled an army against the rebels.[2] On August 26, 1057, the government's army was routed at the Battle of Petroe near Nicaea,[6] and Isaac Komnenos advanced on Constantinople. Michael VI attempted to negotiate with the rebels through the famous courtier Michael Psellos, offering to adopt Isaac as his son and to grant him the title of kaisar (Caesar),[7] but his proposals were publicly rejected. Privately Isaac showed himself more open to negotiation, and he was promised the status of co-emperor. However, during the course of these secret negotiations, a riot in favor of Isaac broke out in Constantinople. The patriarch Michael Keroularios convinced Michael VI to abdicate in Isaac's favor on August 31, 1057.[7] The emperor duly followed the patriarch's advice and became a monk. He retired to his private home and died there by 1059.[2]

Sources

Primary Sources

  • Michael Psellus, Chronographia.
  • Skylitzes, Synopsis of Histories.

Secondary Sources

  • Norwich, John Julius (1993), Byzantium: The Apogee, Penguin, ISBN 0-14-011448-3 
  • Canduci, Alexander (2010), Triumph & Tragedy: The Rise and Fall of Rome's Immortal Emperors, Pier 9, ISBN 978-1741965988 
  • Kazhdan, Alexander, ed. (1991), Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium, Vol. II, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-504652-6 
  • George Finlay, History of the Byzantine Empire from 716 – 1057, William Blackwood & Sons, 1853
  •  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainChisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 

References

  1. ^ a b Norwich, pg. 327
  2. ^ a b c d Canduci, pg. 270
  3. ^ a b Kazhdan, pg. 1366
  4. ^ Norwich, pg. 326
  5. ^ a b Finlay, pg. 533
  6. ^ Finlay, pg. 536
  7. ^ a b Norwich, pg. 332
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Theodora
Byzantine Emperor
1056–1057
Succeeded by
Isaac I

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Michael VI Stratiotikos —    Emperor (q.v.) from 1056 1057 who was chosen by the advisors of the dying empress Theodora (qq.v.) to succeed her. He was a former palace functionary who conferred honors and gifts upon civil officials, while alienating the army (q.v.), as… …   Historical dictionary of Byzantium

  • Michael I Cerularius — Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople See Patriarchate of Constantinople Enthroned …   Wikipedia

  • Michael VI. — Michael VI. Stratiotikos (griechisch Μιχαὴλ ΣΤ ὁ Στρατιωτικός), auch Michael der Alte genannt, war byzantinischer Kaiser von 1056 bis 1057. Er war bereits ein alter Mann, als die Kaiserin Theodora III. ihn kurz vor ihrem eigenen Tod zum… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Michael — For other uses, see Michael (disambiguation). Michael Pronunciation English: /ˈmaɪkəl/ Gender …   Wikipedia

  • Michăel [2] — Michăel, Name mehrerer griech. Kaiser: 1) M. I., Rhangabe, Schwiegersohn des Kaisers Nikephoros, stürzte nach dessen Tode dessen schwerverwundeten Sohn Staurakios und bestieg 2. Okt. 811 selbst den Thron. Er begünstigte die Bilderverehrer und… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Michael — (v. hebr.), Name, bedeutet: wer ist wie Gott? I. Engel: 1) Bei den nachexilischen Juden einer der sieben Erzengel, Vertreter u. Beschützer des Jüdischen Volkes u. als solcher in der jüdischen Mythologie dem Sammael gegenübergestellt; er soll auch …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Michael VI Stratioticus — ▪ Byzantine emperor Stratioticus also spelled  Stratiotikos  died c. 1057  Byzantine emperor who in his one year reign (1056–57) failed to control the military aristocracy, which deposed him.       The empress Theodora, the last ruler of the… …   Universalium

  • Liste der Biografien/Mia–Mig — Biografien: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Liste der byzantinischen Kaiser — Konstantin der Große (reg. 306/324–337) gilt als erster byzantinischer Kaiser. Diese Liste der byzantinischen Kaiser bietet einen systematischen Überblick über die Herrscher des Byzantinischen Reiches. Sie enthält alle Kaiser von Konstantin dem… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Isaac I Komnenos — Isaac I Komnenos Ισαάκιος A Κομνηνός Emperor of the Byzantine Empire Gold histamenon of Isaac I Komnenos Reign …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”