| Michael VII Doukas | |
|---|---|
| Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans | |
 Acloisonné engraving of Michael VII Doukas in full imperial regalia, as depicted in the GeorgianKhakuli Triptych | |
| Byzantine emperor | |
| Reign | c. 1 October 1071 – March 1078 |
| Coronation | c. 1060as co-emperor |
| Predecessor | Romanos IV Diogenes |
| Successor | Nikephoros III Botaneiates |
| Regent | Eudokia Makrembolitissa (until late October 1071) |
| Co-emperors | |
| Born | c. 1050 |
| Died | 1090 (aged ~40) |
| Spouse | Maria of Alania |
| Issue | Constantine Doukas |
| Dynasty | Doukid |
| Father | Constantine X Doukas |
| Mother | Eudokia Makrembolitissa |
| Religion | Orthodox Christian |
Michael VII Doukas orDucas (Greek:Μιχαήλ Δούκας,romanized: Mikhaḗl Doúkās), nicknamedParapinakes (Greek:Παραπινάκης,romanized: Parapinákes,lit. 'minus a quarter', a reference to thedevaluation of theByzantine currency under his rule), was the seniorByzantine emperor from 1071 to 1078. He was known as incompetent as an emperor and reliant on court officials, especially of his finance ministerNikephoritzes, who increased taxation and luxury spending while not properly financing their army (which later mutinied). Under his reign,Bari was lost and his empire facedopen revolt in the Balkans. Along with the advancingSeljuk Turks in the eastern front, Michael also had to contend with his mercenaries openly turning against the empire. Michael stepped down as emperor in 1078 and later retired to a monastery.
Michael VII was bornc. 1050 inConstantinople, the eldest son ofConstantine X Doukas andEudokia Makrembolitissa.[1] He was probably associated with the throne by the end of 1060, together with or shortly before his newly born brotherKonstantios Doukas.[2] When Constantine X died on 23 May 1067,[3] Michael VII was already 17 years old and should have been able to rule by himself. He exhibited little interest in politics, however, and his mother Eudokia and uncle John Doukas governed the empire as effectiveregents.[4]
On 1 January 1068, Eudokia married the generalRomanos IV Diogenes, who now became senior co-emperor alongside Michael VII, Konstantios, and another brother,Andronikos.[5] When Romanos IV was defeated and captured byAlp Arslan of the Seljuk Turks at theBattle of Manzikert in August 1071,[6] Michael VII remained in the background, while the initiative to take power was taken by his uncleJohn Doukas and his tutorMichael Psellos.[7] Michael VII was proclaimed emperor onc. 1 October 1071, although Eudokia co-ruled with Michael VII for a month before being dispatched to a monastery.[α][β]
Although still advised by Michael Psellos and John Doukas, Michael VII became increasingly reliant on his finance ministerNikephoritzes.[9] The emperor's chief interests, shaped by Psellos, were in academic pursuits, and he allowed Nikephoritzes to increase both taxation and luxury spending without properly financing the army. As an emperor he was incompetent, often surrounded by sycophantic court officials.[1] In dire straits, imperial officials resorted to property confiscations and even expropriated some of the wealth of the church. The underpaid army tended to mutiny, and the Byzantines lostBari, their last possession inItaly, to theNormans ofRobert Guiscard in 1071.[7] Simultaneously, they faced aserious revolt underGeorgi Voyteh in the Balkans, where they faced an attempt at the restoration of theBulgarian state.[9] Although this revolt was suppressed by the general Nikephoros Bryennios,[9] the Byzantine Empire was unable to recover its losses inAsia Minor.
.jpg)
After Manzikert, the Byzantine government sent a new army to contain theSeljuk Turks under Isaac Komnenos, a brother of the future emperorAlexios I Komnenos, but this army was defeated and its commander captured in 1073.[10] The problem was made worse by the desertion of the Byzantines' western mercenaries underRoussel de Bailleul who were setting up an independent principality in the region ofGalatia andLycaonia.[11] They became the object of the next military expedition in the area, led by Michael's uncle,caesarJohn Doukas.[10] This campaign also ended in failure, and John was likewise captured by the enemy. The victorious Roussel now forced John Doukas to stand as pretender to the throne and sackedChrysopolis, just oppositeConstantinople.[12] A new army underAlexios Komnenos (the future emperor), reinforced by Seljuk troops sent byMalik Shah I, finally defeated the mercenaries and captured John Doukas in 1074.[13]
These misfortunes caused widespread dissatisfaction, exacerbated by the devaluation of the currency, which gave the emperor his nicknameParapinakēs.[γ] In 1078 two generals,Nikephoros Bryennios andNikephoros Botaneiates, simultaneously revolted in the Balkans and Anatolia, respectively.[13] Botaneiates gained the support of the Seljuk Turks, and he reached Constantinople first. Michael VII resigned the throne with hardly a struggle on 24 or 31 March 1078 and retired into theMonastery of Stoudios.[δ][ε] He later becamemetropolitan of Ephesus and died in Constantinople in c. 1090.[1]
Before his resignation from the throne, Michael VII may have sent an embassy toSong China, following a series ofByzantine embassies to the earlierTang Empire of China.[15] From theWenxian Tongkao, written by Chinese historianMa Duanlin (1245–1322), and the 14th century work theHistory of Song, it is known that the ruler "Mie-li-yi-ling-kai-sa" (滅力伊靈改撒) ofFu-lin (i.e.Byzantium) sent an embassy to theSong dynasty which arrived on November 1081, during the reign ofEmperor Shenzong of Song (r. 1067–1085).[16][15] TheHistory of Song mentions how the Byzantine diplomat and official named "Ni-si-tu-ling-si-meng-p'an" offered saddled horses, sword-blades, and real pearls as tributary gifts to the Song court.[15]
Various usurpers attempted to overthrow Michael VII or rule parts of the empire. These included:
Michael VII Doukas marriedMaria of Alania, daughter of KingBagrat IV of Georgia. By her he had at least one son,Constantine Doukas, co-emperor from c. 1075 to 1078 and from 1081 to 1087/8. He died c. 1095.
.jpg)
.png)
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Michael § Michael VII Ducas".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 18 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 359.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link){{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)Michael VII Doukas Doukid dynasty Born: c. 1050 Died: c. 1090 | ||
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Byzantine emperor 1 October 1071 – 24/31 March 1078 underConstantine X (1059–1067) withKonstantios Doukas (1060–1078) Romanos IV (1068–1071), Andronikos Doukas (1068–1078) Constantine Doukas (1075–1078) andLeo &Nikephoros Diogenes (1070) as junior co-emperors | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
