Emperor Michael VII Doukas M / L XI
κῦρ Μιχαήλ (BBÖ I.23-25, Polemis 14) (Michael 7)
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Narrative (322) 1041 Certainty: 3 Proclamation of Michael V Certainty: 3 1060 Certainty: 2 Some children of Konstantinos X, both those born earlier & porphyrogennetoi, became co-emperors Certainty: 2 1061 Certainty: 3 Luckily, the imperial party avoided the ship where assassins were waiting & reached the palace safely Certainty: 3 Certainty: 1 Michael (VII) & his brother Andronikos were sent to Psellos for education Certainty: 1 1063 Certainty: 1 Psellos sent festal gifts to the families of Konstantinos X, Ioannes kaisar & the patriarch; letters often explore symbolism Certainty: 1 1066 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos X, wishing to protect the rights of his children, made Eudokia swear not to remarry Certainty: 2 1067 Certainty: 2 Eudokia took power into her own hands while training Michael (VII) for rule Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Empress Eudokia became worried that her sons would lose power without a strong emperor Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Recall from exile of Romanos Diogenes, appointed magistros & stratelates Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 Eudokia & Psellos told Michael VII of her impending marriage to Romanos (IV) Certainty: 3 1068 Certainty: 3 Romanos Diogenes married Eudokia & was proclaimed emperor Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Eudokia's children & kaisar Ioannes from the start impeded Romanos IV Certainty: 2 1070 Certainty: 1 Romanos started negotiations to marry his infant son to one of Robert Guiscard's daughters Certainty: 1 1071 Certainty: 3 Coup against Romanos by kaisar Ioannes in favour of Eudokia Makrembolitissa & Michael VII Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 Michael VII proclaimed sole emperor by palace guard; Eudokia evicted Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Eudokia made a nun & exiled by Michael VII with her other children to her convent of Piperoudion Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Troops under kaisar's son Konstantinos Doukas sent by Michael VII against Romanos Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Romanos won Cappadocians under Alyates & many Franks, but Michael VII sent exiled Robert Crépin Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Khacatur, doux of Antioch, ordered by Michael VII to attack Romanos Diogenes, joined his forces Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Psellos presented Michael VII as a new, accessible & cultivated ruler after bad times Certainty: 2 Certainty: 0 Nikoulitzas Delphinas, advised by Nikephoritzes, visited Michael VII in the capital Certainty: 0 1072 Certainty: 2 Andronikos Doukas (kaisar's other son) & Crepin built up an army without interference Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Ioannes, metropolitan of Side, became chief minister of Michael VII Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Romanos IV refused request of Michael VII that he should abdicate Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Banishment of Anna Dalassene, accused of plotting with Romanos IV Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Andronikos Doukas invaded Cilicia, over passes Romanos should have defended Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Michael VII sent more peace overtures through group of bishops, but too late Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Romanos Diogenes blinded at Kotyaeion & banished to Prote Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 Romanos Diogenes blinded Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 Chrysobull of Michael VII confirming the earlier chrysobulls of Nea Mone (Chios) Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Psellos wrote to the blinded Romanos IV, offering consolation of divine inner light Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Revolt of Konstantinos Bodin, son of prince of Zeta, to re-establish a free Bulgaria Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Michael VII wrote to Robert Guiscard, proposing to marry his brother Konstantios to a daughter of Guiscard Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Romanos Diogenes died on Prote, to be buried & mourned by his wife Eudokia Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Recall of Anna Dalassene & her children from exile Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Nikephoritzes replaced Ioannes of Side as chief minister, & even supplanted the kaisar Ioannes Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Marriage of Michael VII to Maria of Alania Certainty: 2 1073 Certainty: 3 Chrysobull of Michael VII granting properties in episkepsis of Alopekes (Meander valley) to Andronikos Doukas Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Campaign under Isaakios Komnenos & Roussel de Bailleul against invading Turks Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Defeat & capture of Isaakios Komnenos by Turks at Caesarea Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Letter from pope Gregory VII to Michael VII, on continuing negotiations for peace Certainty: 3 Certainty: 1 Episkepsis of Miletos granted to Andronikos Doukas Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Creation of tagma of Athanatoi by Michael VII & Nikephoritzes Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Ioannes Italos was a favourite with Michael VII & his brothers Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Michael VII exchanged Kalai, a seabord estate of Konstantinos, nephew of Keroularios, for two others Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Psellos wrote (or adapted) for Michael VII verse introductions to seven subjects Certainty: 1 1074 Certainty: 2 Fresh campaign against Turks (&/or Roussel) under kaisar Ioannes Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Kaisar Ioannes failed in humiliating peace negotiations with Roussel Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Defeat & capture of kaisar Ioannes & his son Andronikos by Roussel at bridge of Zompos Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Michael VII began to feel responsible for Byzantine disasters, but still followed evil counsellors Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Chrysobull of Michael VII confirming earlier chrysobulls & exemptions for Lavra Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Birth of Konstantinos, son of Michael VII & Maria of Alania Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Roussel, with an ever-increasing army of Franks, camped at Chrysopolis, & burned houses there Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Proposed marriage of Michael VII's son Konstantinos to Helena, daughter of Robert Guiscard Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Michael VII bribed Turks against Roussel, who released kaisar Ioannes, proclaiming him emperor Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Michael VII quickly ransomed kaisar Ioannes (to stop Turks proclaiming him emperor), but not Roussel Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Despite recent captivity & good advice, Basileios Maleses, exiled by Nikephoritzes, lost his property Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Kaisar Ioannes was tonsured to avoid charge of rebellion: his story shows God's wrath & Roman decadence Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Raids of Roussel de Bailleul on cities of Pontos Certainty: 2 Certainty: 1 Expulsion of patriarch Aimilianos from Antioch by doux Isaakios Komnenos Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Death of a kouropalates who linked Psellos to his son-in-law's family; negotiations to replace him Certainty: 1 Certainty: 2 Psellos made a compilation of texts referring to the Incarnation, to be sent to the sultan Malik-Shah Certainty: 2 Certainty: 1 Psellos dedicated his De omnifari doctrina to Michael VII, warning him not all the sources were Christian Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Dispute at court over proposed appointment of Nikephoros Bryennios as kaisar Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Successful campaign under Nikephoros Bryennios against Croatians & Diokleians Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Granary built near Raidestos by Nikephoritzes to establish wheat monopoly & brutally enforce it Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 High price of grain gained Michael VII his nickname of Parapinakes Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Nestor, trusted lieutenant of Michael VII, sent to restore order on Danube, joined the rebels Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Pechenegs under renegade doux Nestor invaded Thrace, causing famine in Constantinople Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Nestor's demand for surrender of Nikephoritzes rejected: he finally retreated because he feared a plot Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Soldiers complaining to the emperor were attacked & robbed by his men, adding to the grievance Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Chrysobull of Michael VII for Nea Mone (Chios) Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Refugees fled from Anatolia to Constantinople, causing many deaths each day from famine Certainty: 1 1075 Certainty: 3 Chrysobull of Michael VII for Christ Panoiktirmon Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Embassy under Nikephoros Palaiologos to Giorgi II of Georgia seeking mercenaries Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Campaign of Nikephoros Palaiologos against Roussel de Bailleul ended in failure Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Death of patriarch Ioannes VIII Xiphilinos, to be replaced by Kosmas I Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos, Keroularios' nephew, desired Kalai again, & Michael VII gave it; Konstantinos managed to pay Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Alexios (I) sent against Roussel de Bailleul, who made alliance with Turks Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Alexios (I) also allied with Turks against Roussel, who was captured Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Return of victorious Alexios Komnenos with captured Roussel to Constantinople Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Michael VII & Nikephoritzes ignored military potential of Roussel, torturing & imprisoning him Certainty: 2 Certainty: 1 Psellos wrote Oratio Panegyrica 13 for Michael VII: Psellos' expulsion from court was rescinded Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Ioannes Italos accused of treachery at Dyrrachion; he fled to Rome Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Michael VII's relationship to his brothers, & to Psellos Certainty: 1 1076 Certainty: 2 Michael VII & bishop of Neokaisareia confiscated wooden piers of charitable foundations Certainty: 2 Ioannes Mauropous resigned archbishopric for monastery of St Ioannes Prodromnos tes Petras in Constantinople Certainty: 1 1077 Certainty: 2 Rebellion of Ioannes Bryennios & Nikephoros Basilakes, joined reluctantly by Nikephoros Bryennios Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Rebellion of Nikephoros (III) Botaneiates against Michael VII Doukas Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Letter (out of context) of Michael VII to Phokas (Nikephoros Botaneiates?), on rumours of his rebellion Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Nikephoros (III) Botaneiates was proclaimed emperor Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Michael VII stirred Turks against rebel Nikephoros Botaneiates Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Nikephoros Bryennios, acclaimed at Traianoupolis, advanced to Adrianople Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Attack on Constantinople by troops of Ioannes Bryennios Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Ioannes Bryennios defeated at Athyras by Alexios Komnenos & Roussel Certainty: 2 Certainty: 1 Ioannes Italos returned to Constantinople, & was appointed hypatos of the philosophers Certainty: 1 1078 Certainty: 3 The people in Hagia Sophia proclaimed Nikephoros Botaneiates (still at Lampe) emperor Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Synod of prelates decided to support rebel Nikephoros Botaneiates Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Marriage of Alexios Komnenos to Eirene Doukaina Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Katakalon Tarchaneiotes joined the rebellion of Bryennioi Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Nicaea sided with rebel Nikephoros Botaneiates, & proclaimed him emperor Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Turks sent against Nikephoros Botaneiates by Michael VII were bribed by the rebel Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Botaneiates sent letter to Michael VII offering bloodless change of rulers Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Citizens of Constantinople proclaimed Nikephoros Botaneiates emperor Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 Abdication of Michael VII Doukas, who was tonsured at Stoudios Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Abdication of Michael VII in favour of his brother Konstantios, who refused throne Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Nikephoros Botaneiates entered Constantinople & occupied palace Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Tonsure of Michael VII & election as metropolitan of Ephesos Certainty: 2 1080 Certainty: 3 Gregory VII supported (the false) Michael VII in a letter to the bishops of Apulia & Calabria Certainty: 3 1081 Certainty: 3 Robert Guiscard left his son Roger in Italy, planning to attack Dyrrachion by sea aided by Bohemond on land Robert Guiscard conducted a brutal enlistment and training of males in his dominions, regardless of age and competence. He then waited at Otranto for his wife Gaita, who would come with him, and wrote to the pope about the governance of his realm in his absence. He made his son Roger ruler of the whole of Apulia and instructed him with Robert of Loritello, to go to the aid of the pope against Henry IV, if necessary. For some reason he changed his mind about Roger and took him with him. Robert moved on to Brindisi, from where the forces would cross, gathering 150 ships and 30,000 men; he regretted that an offer of friendship to Alexios (I) brought no results. Then Raoul, his envoy, returned from Constantinople with annoying news and recommendations. Raoul reported having seen the real Michael VII living in a monastery, and so called Raiktor an imposter. Equally, Nikephoros III, who had insulted Helena, had now been dethroned by Alexios I, who was guilty of nothing. Raoul thus saw no justification for the attack. Robert was incensed at his envoy's words, supported by Raiktor. Raoul, whose brother Roger had deserted to Alexios I, only escaped their threats by taking refuge with Bohemond. The expedition continued, Robert crossing from Brindisi to Dyrrachion rather than Otranto to Nikopolis (giving access to Naupaktos and other fortresses), as the shorter journey was better in winter. A side-expedition gave him Kerkyra and other towns. He attacked Dyrrachion by sea supported by a destructive raid on land by Bohemond Certainty: 3 Siege of Dyrrachion began with questions over identity of "Michael VII" Certainty: 3 1090Death of Michael VII, after forgiving his ex-wife Maria of Alania Certainty: 0 Unassigned Activities Authorship (1) The chrysoboull (?) begins in his persona with musing on the nature of the emperor in general, with emphasis on his multifarious nature and especially his incomparable generosity, which defeats all thoughts of equality in transaction Psellos Actum 2 2-21 Death (1) Description (81) Dignity/Office (48) Education (8) Second Name (15) Doukas Δούκας. Kleinchroniken 144.75, 145.76, 161.20-21 τοῦ Δούκα. Psellos Oratoria minora 7.1, 126.1 τοῦ Δούκα. Attaleiates: Diataxis 101.1354 Δούκα. Bryennios 55.16, 57.16 Δούκᾳ. Zonaras 18.21.16 Δοῦκα. Psellos: Chronographia VIIc 1.1, 12.tit.; 12.1; etc. Δούκας. Patmos: Acts 1.8.64 τοῦ Δούκα. Xenophontos 79.24 Δούκας. Psellos Robert 148 τοῦ Δούκα. Nea Mone, Miklosich-Müller 5.9 Δούκας. Seal 2947 Δούκας. Seal 2950 Δούκας. Seal 2949 Δούκας. Seal 107 Δούκας. Manasses, Chronicle 6510 Kinship (95) Location (35) Occupation/Vocation (4) Alternative Name (3)