Michael IV was at Thessalonike during a famine which followed an earthquake. Theophanes, the city's metropolitan, was accused of depriving the clergy of their just allowances. The emperor advised him to change his behaviour, but he denied the charge. The emperor decided to punish him for his avarice. He tricked him by sending an attendant to borrow one kentenarion till more should arrive from the capital: when Theophanes swore he only had 30 litrai, Michael had him removed and found 33 kentenaria of gold in his coffers. With this he paid the local clergy for arrears since Theophanes' appointment, distributed the rest to the poor and banished him to an estate, replacing him by Prometheus, who was to pay his salary