Abdication of Michael VII in favour of his brother Konstantios, who refused throne

Summary:
Under pressure of events and the urging of Alexios (I) to take action, Michael VII said that he had long been planning to abdicate in favour of his brother Konstantios. At Alexios' request, he put these wishes in writing. Konstantios however refused the throne, in the childish and mistaken belief that his position would be better if Botaneiates became emperor, so he had decided to support him 
Dates:
1078* 
Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (Alexios 1)
  • Pressurised the emperor (Michael 7) to take action (against the rebels) until he was reproached for his cruelty, he was told by the emperor that he had been planning to abdicate and was asked to place the emperor's brother Konstantios 61 on the throne (:) αὖθις ἠνάγκαζεν αὐτὸν πρὸς τὴν πρᾶξιν καὶ παντοίως ἠρέθιζεν, ἕως ἀκήκοεν ἀποσκώψαντος κατ ᾿ αὐτοῦ εἰς ὡμότητα Bryennios 247.23-249.2
Konstantios Doukas, brother of Michael VII (Konstantios 61)
  • He refused the throne when Michael 7 offered to abdicate in his favour, in the mistaken belief that his position would be better under the rule of Nikephoros 3, whom he had decided to support (:) Bryennios 249.6-10
Emperor Michael VII Doukas (Michael 7)
  • Asked by Komnenos (Alexios 1) to put in writing what he had said (about abdicating in favour of his brother Konstantios 61) he immediately wrote a letter and left at once for the church of the Mother of God (Theometor) at Blachernai (:) εὐθὺς τὸ γράμμα ἐσχεδιάζετο σημασίᾳ, καὶ ὁ μὲν κρατῶν αὐτίκα πρὸς τὸν ἐν Βλαχέρναις ἐξώρμα ναὸν τῆς Θεομήτορος Bryennios 249.2-4
  • Pressurised by Komnenos (Alexios 1) to take action (against the rebels), he reproached him for his cruelty, said that he had been intending to abdicate a long time ago, and asked him to place his brother Konstantios 61 on the throne instead (:) Ἐμοὶ πάλαι σκοπὸς ἦν τὴν βασιλείαν ἀποσκευάσασθαι Bryennios 247.23-249.2