Theodosios Monomachos

Theodosios Monomachos, Latinized as Theodosius Monomachus (Greek: Θεοδόσιος Μονομάχος), was a usurper who attempted to become emperor on the accession of Michael VI Stratiotikos in 1056.

Career

Theodosios Monomachos was the grandson of Theodosios Monomachos, an important bureaucrat under Basil II and Constantine VIII, and the nephew of the emperor Constantine IX Monomachos.^[1] In 1056 he was serving as president of the Senate^[2] when he heard of the results of the election of Michael VI Stratiotikos upon the death of the empress Theodora. Claiming a link to the throne (his uncle Constantine IX had been married to Theodora's sister, Zoe), he proceeded to arm his household slaves, and with the help of some supporters in the imperial court,^[3] he rallied a mob behind him and marched through the streets of Constantinople.^[2] To increase his numbers, he threw open some prisons and recruited the prisoners with the hope of successfully storming the palace.^[1]

When the Varangian Guard heard of the revolt, they marched out to stop him, whereupon all of his armed followers vanished at the sight of the imperial guards.^[4] Seeking asylum at Hagia Sophia, Theodosios found the church doors locked against him, and he together with his son were captured sitting on the outside steps of the church.^[1] Michael VI banished him to Pergamum^[1] while the citizens of the city openly mocked him, composing insulting verses about his failed coup, calling out "The moron Monomachus did whatever he thought of".^[5]

Sources

Primary Sources

• John Zonaras, Extracts of History
• John Skylitzes, Synopsis of Histories

Secondary Sources

• Norwich, John Julius (1993), Byzantium: The Apogee, Penguin, ISBN 0-14-011448-3 
• Canduci, Alexander (2010), Triumph & Tragedy: The Rise and Fall of Rome's Immortal Emperors, Pier 9, ISBN 978-1-74196-598-8 
• George Finlay, History of the Byzantine Empire from 716 – 1057, William Blackwood & Sons, 1853

References