| Michael V Kalaphates | |
|---|---|
| Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans | |
 Michael V, 11th century depiction from theMadrid Skylitzes | |
| Byzantine emperor | |
| Reign | 13 December 1041 – 21 April 1042 |
| Predecessor | Michael IV |
| Successor | Zoe andTheodora |
| Born | roughly 1015 |
| Died | Monastery of Stoudios,Constantinople (nowIstanbul,Turkey) |
| Dynasty | Macedonian (by adoption) |
| Father |
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| Mother |
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Michael V Kalaphates (Ancient Greek:Μιχαήλ Καλαφάτης,Michaḗl Kalaphátēs) wasByzantine emperor for four months in 1041–1042. He was the nephew and successor ofMichael IV and the adoptive son of Michael IV's wifeEmpress Zoe. He was popularly called "the Caulker" (Kalaphates) in accordance with his father's original occupation.[1]
Michael V was the son of a couple named Stephen and Maria. His birth date is not known, but is sometimes given asc. 1015,[2] probably because he was considered "young" in 1035.[3] Michael's mother was a sister of the Byzantine emperorMichael IV, and Stephen had been acaulker before becoming anadmiral under Michael IV and then botching an expedition toSicily. Although the emperor preferred another of his nephews, the future Michael V was advanced asheir to the throne by his other uncleJohn the Orphanotrophos and the Empress Zoe.[4] In 1035, Michael IV granted him the title ofkaisar (caesar), and, together with Zoe, adopted his nephew as a son.[5][6] Michael IV died on 10 December 1041 and Michael V was proclaimed emperor three days later by Zoe.[7]
Determined to rule on his own, Michael V came into conflict with his uncle John the Orphanotrophos, whom he almost immediatelybanished to amonastery.[8] Michael now reversed his uncle's decisions, recalling the nobles and courtiers who had been exiled during the previous reign, including the future patriarchMichael Keroularios and the generalGeorge Maniakes. Maniakes was promptly sent back toSouthern Italy in order to contain the advance of theNormans.
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On the night of 18 April to 19 April 1042, Michael V banished his adoptive mother and co-ruler Zoe, for plotting to poison him, to the island ofPrincipo,[5] thus becoming sole emperor. His announcement of the event in the morning led to a popular revolt; the palace was surrounded by a mob demanding Zoe's immediate restoration.[9] The demand was met, and Zoe was brought back, though still in a nun's habit.[5] Presenting Zoe to the crowds in theHippodrome did not quell the public's outrage over Michael's actions. The masses attacked the palace from multiple directions. The emperor's soldiers attempted to fight them off and by April 21, an estimated three thousand people from both sides had died. Once inside the palace, the mob pillaged valuables and tore up the tax rolls.[10] Also on 21 April 1042 Zoe's sisterTheodora, who had been removed from her nunnery against her will earlier in the uprising, was declared Empress.[11][6] In response, Michael fled to seek safety in the monastery of theStoudion together with his remaining uncle, Constantine.[11] Although he had takenmonastic vows, Michael was arrested, blinded[5][12] and sent to a monastery by then-Chief of theVarangian Guard,Harald Hardrada.[13]
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This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Michael (emperors)".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 18 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 359–360.Michael V Kalaphates Born: 1015 Died: 24 August 1042[aged 27] | ||
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Byzantine emperor 1041–1042 | Succeeded by |