Michael V
 |
Michael V with the archangel Michael. |
Michael V the Caulker or
Kalaphates (
Greek: Μιχαήλ Ε΄ Καλαφάτης,
MikhaÄ"l IV KalaphatÄ"s), (1015 –
August 24,
1042), was
Byzantine emperor for 4 months in 1041–1042, as the nephew and successor of
Michael IV and the adoptive son of his wife
Zoe.
Michael V was the son of Stephen by Maria, a sister of Emperor Michael IV. His father had been a caulker (hence the son's nickname), before becoming an admiral under Michael IV and botching an expedition to
Sicily. Although the emperor preferred another of his nephews, the future Michael V was advanced as heir to the throne by his other uncle
John the Eunuch and the Empress Zoe. Shortly before his death, Michael IV granted Michael V the title of
kaisar (
Caesar), and, together with Zoe, adopted his nephew as son. On
December 10,
1041, Michael V succeeded to the throne.
Determined to rule on his own, Michael V came into conflict with his uncle
John the Eunuch, whom he almost immediately
banished to a
monastery. Michael now reversed his uncle's decisions, and recalled the nobles and courtiers who had been exiled during the previous reign, including the future patriarch
Michael Keroularios and the general
George Maniakes. Maniakes was promptly sent back to
Southern Italy in order to conatin the advance of the
Normans.
On the night of
April 18 to
April 19,
1042 Michael V also banished his adoptive mother and co-ruler Zoe as well, becoming the sole Emperor. His announcement of the event in the morning led to a popular revolt; the palace was surrounded by the mob, which demanded Zoe's immediate restoration. The demand was met, and Zoe was brought back as join-ruler with her sister
Theodora. On
April 20,
1042 Theodora declared the emperor deposed, and he fled to seek safety in the monastery of
Stoudion together with his remaining uncle. Although he had become a monk, Michael V was arrested, blinded, and castrated. He died as monk on
August 24,
1042. In addition to his treatment of Zoe, his unpopularity seems largely due to his attempts at
administrative reform, which were strongly resented by the dominant classes, while the lower classes considered him a common usurper.
*(primary source)
Michael Psellus,
Chronographia.
*
The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium, Oxford University Press, 1991.
