Failed attempt of Theodosios Monomachos to seize throne

Summary:
When Theodosios Monomachos heard of the accession of Michael VI, he protested, as the closest relative of the deceased Konstantinos IX. He decided to claim the throne as his inheritance before considering the difficulties involved. He summoned his kin, servants, neighbours and supporters, left his house near the Leomakellon late in the afternoon, and marched through the Plateia to the palace, complaining to bystanders about the injustice he suffered and claiming the throne. He turned back from the palace on learning that the Roman and Varangian guards were gathering in opposition, and went to Hagia Sophia instead, expecting the patriarch Keroularios, clergy and people to proclaim him emperor. He broke into the Praitorion and Chalke prisons setting free the prisoners as allies. Keroularios and his clergy shut the gates of Hagia Sophia against him. He was abandoned by his supporters, alone with his son near Hagia Sophia, where he was arrested and banished to Pergamon. The event spawned a popular line: "The moron Monomachus did whatever crossed his mind" 
Dates:
1056 
servants of Theodosios Monomachos (Anonymi 6031)
  • When Michael 6 had just been proclaimed, Theodosios 103 Monomachos, being disgruntled at his proclamation, took them as assistants as well as some others who suffered a levity of the senses like him (:) Zonaras 18.1.10
  • Escorted by them and the others, towards evening Theodosios 103 Monomachos went off through the Forum, saying that power belonged to him because of his kinship with (Konstantinos 9) Monomachos and crying out that he had been wronged (:) Zonaras 18.1.10
son of Theodosios Monomachos, cousin of Konstantinos IX (Anonymus 200)
  • Remained in the church (of Hagia Sophia) with his father (Theodosios 103) who was left alone, abandoned by his supporters (in his rebellion against Michael 6), arrested and banished to Pergamon (:) Skylitzes 482.73-74
  • Theodosios 103 was left alone with him when his (Theodosios 103's) followers scattered (:) Zonaras 18.1.13
Emperor Konstantinos IX Monomachos (Konstantinos 9)
  • Escorted by Anonymi 6031 and the rest, towards evening Theodosios 103 Monomachos went off through the Forum, saying that power belonged to him because of his kinship with (Konstantinos 9) Monomachos and crying out that he had been wronged (:) Zonaras 18.1.10
Emperor Michael VI Stratiotikos (Michael 6)
  • When he had just been proclaimed, Theodosios 103 Monomachos, being disgruntled at the proclamation, took as assistants his [Theodosios 103's] personal servants (Anonymi 6031) and some others who suffered a levity of the senses like him (:) Zonaras 18.1.10
Michael I Keroularios, patriarch of Constantinople (Michael 11)
  • With the help of his clergy he shut the gates of the great church (Hagia Sophia) when Theodosios 103, who was mistakenly expecting to be received therein and proclaimed emperor (after his rebellion against Michael 6), arrived (:) τὰς ταύτης ἀποκλείουσι πύλας Skylitzes 482.65-70
Emperor Nikephoros III Botaneiates (Nikephoros 3)
  • Anonymi 6060 watched over the palace for three days while they were bereft of an emperor and sent a letter to him to make haste and come (:) Zonaras 18.18.16
Theodosios Monomachos, cousin of Konstantinos IX (Theodosios 103)
  • His hopes thwarted, the gates (of Hagia Sophia) were shut by the patriarch (Michael 11) and the clergy, he was abandoned by his supporters, and was left alone with his son (Anonymus 200) in the church, where he was arrested and banished to Pergamon (:) Skylitzes 482.68-75
  • Informed of the accession of Michael 6 he protested and, being the closest relative of the deceased emperor (Konstantinos 9), decided to claim the throne as his rightful inheritance without considering the difficulties of such an undertaking (:) ὡς κληρονομιαῖον τάχα κτῆμα καὶ αὐτῷ προσῆκον Skylitzes 481.43-55
  • Summoned his kin, servants, neighbours and supporters, left his house near Leomakellion late in the afternoon, advanced through the Plateia to the palace complaining to those he encountered about the injustice inflicted on him and claiming the throne (:) Skylitzes 481.47-55
  • Broke through the gates of the Praitorion and the Chalke and set free the prisoners, hoping that he would accomplish great deeds with their help (in his rebellion against Michael 6) (:) Skylitzes 481.55-58
  • Turned back from the palace when he learnt that the Roman and Varangian guards were gathering to oppose him, and went to the great church (Hagia Sophia) instead, expecting the patriarch (Michael 11), clergy and people to proclaim him emperor (:) Skylitzes 481.58-68
  • When his undertaking had met with this conclusion, the popular mob, mocking him, composed some verses and chanted against him; they were as follows:- "The moron Monomachus did whatever he thought of." (:) ὁ μωρὸς ὁ Μονομάχος, εἴ τι ἐφρόνει, ἐποίησε Zonaras 18.1.14
  • When Michael 6 had just been proclaimed, being disgruntled at the proclamation, he took as assistants his personal servants (Anonymi 6031) and some others who suffered a levity of the senses like him (:) Zonaras 18.1.10
  • When he learnt that a military force had gathered by the palace and was already being despatched against him, he turned towards the Great Church and, left alone with his son (Anonymus 200) when his followers scattered, he took refuge in the church (:) Zonaras 18.1.13
  • When he came to the public gaol which is called the Praetorium, he broke the bars and provided an easy escape for those confined in it (:) Zonaras 18.1.11
  • Did the same at the prison of the Chalke, hoping that through these things he would achieve his objective (:) Zonaras 18.1.12
  • Was taken from the Great Church and condemned to banishment (:) Zonaras 18.1.13
  • Escorted by these men (Anonymi 6031 and the others), towards evening he went off through the Forum, saying that power belonged to him because of his kinship with (Konstantinos 9) Monomachos and crying out that he had been wronged (:) Zonaras 18.1.10