Michael VI wanted to abdicate, but was urged to fight on by those who had promoted him

Summary:
Following the defeat of his army near Nicaea by Isaakios Komnenos, some officials in Constantinople rose in rebellion against him. He received the domestikos Theodoros and Aaron, who had escaped, and was in despair, ready to abandon everything, but was prevented from doing so by his associates. It was not possible to revive the defeated army at once, nor to prepare fresh, newly-levied troops. Theodoros the domestikos, whose position during the battle was ambiguous, refused to fight again, not out of cowardice, but because he already had an agreement with Isaakios 
Dates:
1057 
retinue and household of Theodora who guided her rule (Anonymi 7011)
  • They refused to allow Michael 6 to save the empire by conceding power to Isaakios 1, realising as he did that he would be defeated, and forced him to fight (:) Manasses, Chronicle 6276-6285
  • Those appointed to steer the boat of empire, wanting not to save it, but to sink it, led the empire into hostilities and pitched battles, despite Michael 6's unwillingness. (:) ... οἱ τὸ σκάφος τῆς ἀρχῆς ἰθύνειν κληρωθέντες, μὴ σῴζειν τοῦτο θέλοντες ἀλλὰ καὶ καταδύειν ... Manasses, Chronicle 6282-6285
Emperor Isaakios I Komnenos (Isaakios 1)
  • Theodoros 1 absolutely refused (to undertake) a military campaign, not from lack of courage for a second battle, but rather because he had changed his mind and secretly made a pact with Isaakios (:) κρυφίως τὸν Κομνηνὸν σπείσασθαι Psellos: Chronographia VII 14.6-12
Emperor Michael VI Stratiotikos (Michael 6)
  • Following the defeat of his army near Nicaea by Isaakios 1 Komnenos some of the officials in Constantinople rose in rebellion against him (:) βουλὴ παρὰ τινῶν τῶν ἐν τέλει κατὰ τοῦ βασιλεύοντος Attaleiates: History 56.8-9 / 42.21-22
  • After the defeat of the troops he had sent against Komnenos (Isaakios 1) he received the domestikos (Theodoros 105) and Aaron 101 who had escaped, and was in despair, ready to abandon everything, but was prevented from doing so by his associates (:) Skylitzes 496.71-76
  • When he learned of this [the victory of Isaakios 1 Komnenos], he despaired of the war and wished to put aside rule, but this was not the wish of those around him, so his will was not permitted to lead to action (:) Zonaras 18.3.1
  • The terrible news of the battle was shattering to hear: thrown into confusion he was persuaded to abandon hope; it was not possible to recall the western army at once after this defeat and he could not prepare fresh, newly-levied troops (:) άγγελίαι δεινότεραι ... τὸν βασιλέα διαταράξασαι ἀπεγνωκέναι πάσας ἐλπίδας πεπείκασιν Psellos: Chronographia VII 14.1-6
  • He made up an army and the two sides faced each other in a battle with all the horrors of civil war; but the victory went to the other side; when he heard, he collapsed and lost heart for further resistance (:) Psellos Keroularios 362-363
  • When he heard of Isaakios 1's plan of usurpation he realised that he would be destroyed and was ready to surrender the empire to him; but Anonymi 7011 did not let him save the empire (:) Manasses, Chronicle 6277-6282
  • Despite his unwillingness to fight, those appointed to steer the boat of empire (Anonymi 7011), wanting not to save it, but to sink it, led the empire into hostilities and pitched battles (:) ... οἱ τὸ σκάφος τῆς ἀρχῆς ἰθύνειν κληρωθέντες, μὴ σῴζειν τοῦτο θέλοντες ἀλλὰ καὶ καταδύειν ... Manasses, Chronicle 6282-6285
Theodoros, domestikos of the scholai (Theodoros 105)
  • He absolutely refused (to undertake) a military campaign, not from lack of courage for a second battle, but rather because he had changed his mind and secretly made a pact with Isaakios 1 (:) οὐ τῷ μὴ θαρρεῖν μᾶλλον τοὺς δευτέρους ἀγῶνας ἢ τῷ διεστράφθαι τὴν γνωμην Psellos: Chronographia 14.6-12
  • Leader of the forces (Michael 61 need not mention his name), he was ambivalent or, in Michael 61's opinion, one-sided (i.e. supporting Isaakios 1) [unnamed] ὅ τε τῶν δυνάμεων προηγούμενος, τοὔνομα δὲ οὐδὲν δέομαι λέγειν, ἀμφιρρεπὴς ἦν, ὡς δ᾿ ἐγᾦμαι μονομερής Psellos: Chronographia 11.18-19