Certainty: 2 Severe illness of Theodora; choice by courtiers of Michael (VI) Bringas (stratiotikos) as successor
Theodora reigned alone for one year and eight months. Around midday on the day of her death, the empire's high officials were concerned with the succession. They included Leon Paraspondylos, Manuel, droungarios of the vigla, Niketas Xylinites, logothetes of the dromos and Theodoros, domestikos of the scholai. They were scheming to appoint a new emperor who would retain and support them in prosperity. Psellos was also present, watching them playing cynically with the future of the empire. Before Theodora died they put Michael VI, who had taken an oath never to act without consulting them, on the throne, so that real power might be in their hands. Theodora agreed at once
Certainty: 3 Accession of Michael VI Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3 Death of Theodora Certainty: 3
Certainty: 2 Michael VI gave very generous promotions to civil aristocracy & promises to people Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Katakalon Kekaumenos replaced as doux of Antioch by Michael Ouranos Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Michael VI granted (or confirmed) a solemnion of 80 nomismata for Vatopedi Certainty: 2
Certainty: 3 Delegation of Athonite monks to Constantinople for the proclamation of Michael VI Certainty: 3
Certainty: 2 Michael VI, being old, revived many customs which had fallen out of use & seemed ridiculous Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Turkish general Amertikes joined Michael VI Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Failed attempt of Theodosios Monomachos to seize throne
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"
1057
Certainty: 3 Chrysobull of Michael VI granting an annual donation to Lavra Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3 Michael VI refused to grant dignities to eastern generals, who turned against him Certainty: 3
Certainty: 2 Bryennios recalled from exile & sent once more against Turks Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Samouch was left by sultan with small force of Turks to plunder Armenia Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Collusion of Herve Phrangopoulos with Turks of Samouch collapsed: Franks killed or captured at Chliat Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Failure of second attempt by eastern generals to gain promotion, via Strabospondylos Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Isaakios Komnenos made a plot with angry eastern generals to remove Michael VI from throne Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Bryennios joined rebel generals against Michael VI Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Bryennios arrested & blinded by loyal generals in squabble over soldiers' pay Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 The rebel generals, seeing fate of Bryennios, gathered at Kastamon, home of Isaakios Komnenos Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Kekaumenos joined the other rebels, & Isaakios (I) led them towards Nicaea Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Michael VI took advice on the rebellion, especially from Michael Psellos Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Michael VI made no attempt to use Keroularios as a bridge to the rebels of Isaakios (I), till it was too late Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Michael VI prepared western armies & any loyal eastern troops, under experienced leaders Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 With Isaakios (I) near Nicaea, many opposing troops went home, while their generals rallied to Michael VI Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Two rival armies camped close together, testing each other's will, then drawn up in battle formation
Theodoros, domestikos of the scholai and Aaron, brother of Alousianos were put in command against Isaakios (I): they crossed to Chrysopolis and Nikomedeia, sent troops to capture the Sangarios bridge, camped on Mount Sophon and prepared for war. According to Skylitzes, Isaakios' men in many skirmishes tried to convince the army of Michael VI to defect, but failed. He ordered them to limit their forays and remain in camp - a decision interpreted as weakness. Psellos reported more mass desertions from Michael to Isaakios. The armies faced each other at no great distance, but there was no action. Michael VI's men were more numerous, but Isaakios had superior force and order, especially his men's cohesion and firm loyalty to him. When the army of Michael VI moved their camp closer, Isaakios drew up his army in battle order, placing Katakalon Kekaumenos at the head of the left wing, Romanos Skleros on the right, Isaakios himself leading the centre. In the other army Aaron led the left wing, having under his command Lykanthes, Pnyemios the Iberian and Radulf the Frank. Basileios Tarchaneiotes, stratelates of the West, led the right wing. Theodoros, the domestikos of the scholai, was in overall command. The battle took place at a spot locally called Hades
Certainty: 2 Victory of rebel Isaakios Komnenos over imperial army at battle of Polemon/Hades Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Michael VI wanted to abdicate, but was urged to fight on by those who had promoted him Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Psellos with 2 colleagues sent as ambassadors to Isaakios Komnenos at Nikomedia Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Michael VI's envoys splendidly received Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 On the embassy, Psellos' speech persuaded Isaakios (I) to accept rank of kaisar Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Secret response of Isaakios (I) to the ambassadors of Michael VI Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 The first embassy of Psellos & his colleagues, they say, was ignored Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Outcome of embassy to Isaakios (I) reported to Michael VI; reply to secret response Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Second embassy to Isaakios (I) came close to agreement on settlement Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Michael VI bribed populace, & compelled senators to sign an oath refusing recognition to Isaakios (I) Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Keroularios wrote encouraging Isaakios (I) to hurry & Michael VI to abdicate Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Second embassy to Isaakios Komnenos interrupted by news of revolt in Constantinople Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Kekaumenos reached the city: abdication & tonsure of Michael VI Certainty: 2
Certainty: 3 Isaakios Komnenos entered city in triumph; he was crowned & proclaimed emperor by patriarch Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3 Abdication of Michael VI Certainty: 3
Certainty: 2 Decisions of Isaakios I to increase revenues & cut expenditure Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Konstantinos Leichoudes was given a major administrative role by Isaakios I Certainty: 2
Certainty: 0 Chrysobull of Michael VI (?) confirming earlier chrysobulls of Nea Mone (Chios) Certainty: 0