Michael V made eunuchs of those he wished to punish, especially in his own family

Summary:
When Michael V was free of Ioannes orphanotrophos, he moved against other members of his family. Too ashamed to have them murdered, he had them castrated, even those who were adults and parents. This mutilation seemed more reasonable than death 
Dates:
1042 
relatives of Michael V led by Ioannes Orphanotrophos (Anonymi 6021)
  • When Michael 5 exiled Ioannes 68, as if bringing down the pillar of the family, he also hastened to destroy them utterly; by cutting their child-bearing members off he dismissed them to a life of semi-death (:) τῶν παιδογόνων μορίων ἀποτεμὼν ἡμιθανεῖς ἀφῆκε τῷ βίῳ Psellos: Chronographia V 42.2-8
  • Being ashamed to inflict outright death upon them, Michael 5 wished to destroy them by mutilation, which seemed more reasonable (:) ἐπιεικεστέρᾳ τομῇ ἐβούλετο ἀνελεῖν Psellos: Chronographia V 42.8-10
Ioannes the Orphanotrophos, brother of Michael IV (Ioannes 68)
  • When Michael 5 had him out of the way, he (Michael) sought his kin (Anonymi 6021) out, deprived them of their child-creating parts and made them eunuchs (:) Zonaras 17.18.23
  • When Michael 5 exiled him, as if bringing down the pillar of the family, he also hastened to destroy utterly his entire kin (Anonymi 6021); by cutting off their child-bearing parts he dismissed them to a life of semi-death (:) ὥσπερ δὴ τὸν τοῦ γένους στῦλον κατενεγκών Psellos: Chronographia V 42.2-8
Emperor Michael V Kalaphates (Michael 5)
  • Removed his relatives who were numerous and wealthy and who appeared unbearable because of their actions, exiled their leader Ioannes 68 the Orphanotrophos in perpetuity, and castrated the others, both the adults and those approaching manhood (:) τοὺς δὲ λοιποὺς ἀκμῆτας καὶ τὸν ἴουχον ἐπανθοῦντας, οὓς δὲ καὶ προσήβους, ἐκτομίας ἀπεργασάμενος Attaleiates: History 11.20-12.3 / 10.1-6
  • When he had got Ioannes 68 out of the way, he sought out his kin (Anonymi 6021), deprived of their child-creating parts and made them eunuchs (:) Zonaras 17.18.23
  • When he had won such a triumph against kindred blood [castration], he considered that one Herculean labour still remained for him, that of getting rid of the empress (Zoe 1) as well (:) Zonaras 17.19.1
  • He gave no benevolent look or thought to any of the officials, but terrified all with his tyrannical words and commands alike (:) ἐξεδειμάτου πάντας τυραννικοῖς ὁμοῦ καὶ λόγοις καὶ νεύμασι Psellos: Chronographia V 15.4-7
  • He wanted this alone: to show that his realm was truly subject, to check many officials from their customary duties while courting freedom for the people, so that he would be protected by the many rather than the few (:) ἐβούλετο δὲ αὐτὸ τοῦτο ὑπήκοον ὡς ἀληθῶς ἐνδείξασθαι τὸ ἀρχόμενον Psellos: Chronographia V 15.7-11
  • When he exiled Ioannes 68, as if bringing down the pillar of the family, he also hastened to destroy utterly his entire kin (Anonymi 6021); by cutting their child-bearing parts off he dismissed them to a life of semi-death (:) τὸ ξύμπαν ἐκθεμελιοῦν ἠπείγετο Psellos: Chronographia V 42.2-8
  • Being ashamed to inflict outright death on Anonymi 6021 he wished to destroy them by mutilation, which looked more reasonable (:) ἐπιεικεστέρᾳ τομῇ ἐβούλετο ἀνελεῖν Psellos: Chronographia V 42.8-10
  • Immediately from the beginning, he proved evil by castrating officers and chief counsellors (:) ... οὕτως εὐθὺς ἀπὸ γραμμῆς πρώτης κακὸς ἐφάνη βαρβαρικῶς ἐκόλαζε τὰ παιδογόνα τέμνων Manasses, Chronicle 6077-6078
Empress Zoe (Zoe 1)
  • 1043 summary: with her adopted son Michael 5 mutilating his relatives, she must have feared for her breasts; in fact she was expelled from the palace in disregard of natural law, sworn oaths and benefactions given (:) Psellos Orationes panegyricae II, 395-413