A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Μιχαὴλ ὁ Στρατιωτικός), emperor of Constantinople from A. D. 1056 to 1057, was chosen by the empress Theodora for her successor shortly before she died ; and he succeeded accordingly on the 22d of August, 1056. His surname, "the warrior," indicates his military merits; but at the time of his elevation he was broken down by age, and his character had lost all its former energy. Theodora, a woman, had a manly spirit, but Michael the warlike had the spirit of a woman. Michael was scarcely seated on the throne when Theodosius, a cousin of the late emperor Constantine X. Monomachus, rose in revolt; but after a fierce struggle, which filled the streets of Constantinople with blood, the rebel was compelled to lay down his arms, and was fortunate to escape with mere banishment. The famous general, Catacalon, was recalled from his post as governor of Antioch, and Michael, a cousin of the emperor, was placed in his stead. Catacalon returned to the capital with disaffection in his heart, and there met a great number of his colleagues, whom the emperor had rewarded with fine speeches instead of giving more solid proofs of his gratitude for their former achievements, and all of whom shared the disaffection of Catacalon. A military conspiracy was the consequence, and a deputation was sent by the malcontents to Isaac Comnenus, who resided at Castamone, in Asia Minor, requesting him to accept the crown, which he did, after some hesitation. Michael tried to check the progress of his rival at once by intrigues and weapons, but his duplicity availed him nothing, and his arms were defeated in the battle of Hades by Isaac and Catacalon, whereupon he resigned (31st of August), and retired into a convent. (Cedren. p. 792, &c.; Zonar. vol. ii. p. 262, &c.; Manass. p. 128, 129; Glyc. p. 132.)

[W.P]