| Michael VI Bringas | |
|---|---|
| Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans | |
.png) Goldtetarteron of Michael's reign | |
| Byzantine emperor | |
| Reign | 31 August 1056 – 30 August 1057 |
| Coronation | 22 August 1056[1] |
| Predecessor | Theodora Porphyrogenita |
| Successor | Isaac I Komnenos |
| Died | after 1057 |
Michael VI Bringas (Greek:Μιχαήλ Βρίγγας,romanized: Mikhaḗl Brîngas; diedc. 1057), also calledStratiotikos (Greek:Στρατιωτικός, "the military one, the warlike") andthe Old (Greek:Υέρων,Geron), reigned asByzantine emperor from 1056 to 1057.[2]
Apparently a relative of the powerful courtierJoseph Bringas (influential during the reign ofRomanos II),[3] Michael Bringas was an elderly patrician (hence the nickname "Geron") and a member of the court bureaucracy when he ascended to the throne.[4] He had formerly served as a military finance minister (logothetes tou stratiotikou, hence the epithetStratiotikos).[2][a] Michael Bringas was chosen for his pliability by the empressTheodora as her successor shortly before her death on 31 August 1056.[5] The appointment had been secured through the influence ofLeo Paraspondylos, Theodora's most trusted adviser, who remained chief minister.[2]
Although Michael managed to survive a conspiracy organized byTheodosios, a nephew of the former emperorConstantine IX Monomachos,[3] he was faced with the disaffection of the military aristocracy. His most costly error was to ignore the perceived rights of the generalNikephoros Bryennios, who had been demoted and reduced to poverty after falling out with the Empress Theodora; Michael restored Bryennios's military rank, but not his confiscated wealth and estates.[6] Michael compounded his error by rebuffing Bryennios after he had already ordered the restored general to lead a division of 3,000 men to reinforce the army inCappadocia.[6] From here Bryennios began plotting to overthrow Michael VI, and it was his capture that precipitated the military nobility to rally around the generalIsaac Komnenos, who was proclaimed emperor inPaphlagonia on 8 June 1057.[2]
Soon after, the government's army was routed at theBattle of Petroe (20 August 1057) nearNicaea,[7] and Isaac Komnenos advanced onConstantinople. Michael VI attempted to negotiate with the rebels through the famous courtierMichael Psellos, offering to adopt Isaac as his son and to grant him the title ofkaisar (caesar),[8] but his proposals were publicly rejected. Privately Isaac showed himself more open to negotiation, and he was promised the status of co-emperor. However, during the course of these secret negotiations, a riot in favor of Isaac broke out in Constantinople. PatriarchMichael Keroularios convinced Michael VI to abdicate in Isaac's favor on 30 August 1057.[8] The emperor duly followed the patriarch's advice and became a monk. He retired to his private home and died there shortly thereafter.[2]
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.| Regnal titles | ||
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| Preceded by | Byzantine emperor 1056–1057 | Succeeded by |
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