Ioannes the orphanotrophos and his brothers, desirous of putting Michael (V) Kalaphates on the throne, besieged the empress Zoe with words and captured her with reasons. She had pondered the idea of giving the reins of government into a man's hands and they persuaded her to have Kalaphates made emperor, though in name only and herself still holding power. She was amenable to the possibility anyway, and stood no chance in the face of their arguments