A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. By various writers. Ed. by William Smith. Illustrated by numerous engravings on wood.

MICHAEL. MICHAEL. 1077
still more numerous than the preceding; but in a p. 734, &c.; Zonar. vol. ii. p. 235, &c.; Manass.
pitched battle with the Greeks and Normans, they p. 124; Joel, p. 183; Glyc. p. 314, &c.) [W. P.]
were utterly defeated, leaving 50,000 either dead MICHAEL V. CALAPHA'TES (MLXaX. 6
on the field, or prisoners in the hands of the victor. Kaaoad'm71s), or the " CALIKER," emperor of ConSicily once more obeyed the Greek sceptre, when a stantinople from December, A. D. 1041, to April,
base intrigue caused the loss of what had been so 1042, was the son of Stephanus, the brother-infairly won. Owing to the negligence of Stephanus, law of Michael IV., who had once followed the
the Arab commander-in-chief found means to trade of a ship's calker, whence the surname of his
escape, with a few followers, to Africa; and Ma- son. He was adopted by Michael IV. and the
niaces was so vexed at his flight, that in reproach- empress Zoe; but as he was a profligate fellow, the
ing Stephanus for it, he probably forgot the degree emperor would soon have excluded him from the
of deference which he owed to the brother-in-law throne had death left him time. The people deof the powerful eunuch. In order to avenge him- tested Michael V., and persuaded Zoe to reign in
self for the insult, Stephanus calumniated his chief his stead; but a few days were sufficient to make
at the court, and caused a warrant to be sent to Zoe repent her ambition, and she quietly resigned
Sicily for his arrest. After Maniaces had left the in favour of her adopted son. Michael began by
island, the negligence of his successors in the corn- banishing Zoe and the eunuch John, his uncle, and
mand, Stephanus, Doceanus, and Basilius Pedia- committed several other imprudent acts, the contites, caused one loss after another; and in dividing sequence of which was, that the people of Constanthe booty of their former victories with the Nor- tinople rose in rebellion. A fierce battle was fought
mans, they behaved so unfairly, that their gallant between them and the adherents of Michael, which
allies not only withdrew,,but attacked the Greek ended in the storm of the imperial palace, and in
dominions on the continent of Italy. The Arabs the flight of the young emperor and his brother
suffered one more defeat at Messina; but after Constantine to the convent of Studa, where they
that met with continual success, and before the both took the monastic habit, and continued to live
end of 1040 Sicily had again ceased to be a Byzan- many years in a quiet obscurity. Zoe and her
tine province, and in Italy the Greek power was sister Theodora were proclaimed co-empresses by
expiring under the sword of the Normans. About the people, 21st of April, 1042. (Cedren. p. 749;
t~e same time the Bulgarians endeavoured to throw' Zonar. vol. ii. p. 242; Manass. p. 125; Glyc. p.
off the Greek yoke, and overran Thrace and Mace- 316; Joel, p. 183.) [W. P.]
donia. Michael, forced to fly suddenly from Thes — MICHAEL VI. STRATIO'TICUS (MiXajx
salonica, where he then held his court, left his O 2TpaT'LwLcKJs), emperor of Constantinople from
treasury under the care of one Ibazas, a Bulgarian A. D. 1056 to 1057, was chosen by the empress
in the Greek service, who availed himself of the Theodora for her successor shortly before she died
opportunity, and with his trust joined his country- and he succeeded accordingly on the 22d of August,
men. 1056. His surname, "the warrior," indicates his
Constantinople was in the greatest danger of military merits; but at the time of his elevation
falling into the hands of the barbarians, when, he was broken down by age, and his character had
to the surprise and wonder of the whole empire, lost all its former energy. Theodora, a woman,
the apathetic emperor, who was besides suffering had a manly spirit, but Michael the warlike had
from an incurable dropsy, declared his intention of the spirit of a woman. Michael was scarcely seated
putting himself at the head of his army. In vain on the throne when Theodosius, a cousin of the
his friends and the empress endeavoured to per- late emperor Constantine X. Monomachus, rose in
suade him to abandon his purpose: "If I have revolt; but after a fierce struggle, which filled the
made no conquests," said he, " I will at least do streets of Constantinople with blood, the rebel was
my utmost to prevent losses." He was so weak compelled to lay down his arms, and was fortunate
that he was obliged to be raised on his horse, and to escape with mere banishment. The famous
every' morning the troops expected that he would general, Catacalon, was recalled from his post as
not see the evening; but he held bravely out, and governor of Antioch, and Michael, a cousin of the
the moral effect of his appearance upon his soldiers emperor, was placed in his stead. Catacalon reas well as his enemies was so great, that the former turned to the capital with disaffection in his heart,
fought with the utmost bravery, while the Bul- and there met a great number of his colleagues,
garians were confounded before they had been whom the emperor had rewarded with fine speeches
defeated. After driving out the barbarians from instead of giving more solid proofs of his gratitude
Thrace and Macedonia, Michael penetrated into for their former achievements, and all of whom
Bulgaria; and in the course' of one campaign shared' the disaffection of Catacalon. A military
brought back that extensive country to its allegi- conspiracy was the consequence, and a deputation
ance to the Greek emperors. The war being thus was sent by the malcontents to Isaac Comnenus,
finished with glory, Michael celebrated a triumphal who resided at Castamone, in Asia Minor, requestentry into Constantinople,'and soon afterwards ing him to accept the crown, which he did, after
died, on the 10th of December, 1041. This enter- some hesitation. Michael tried to check the proprise does great credit to Michael, whose conduct gress of his rival at once by intrigues and weapons,
gives proof of'a great moral truth, that there is no but his duplicity availed him nothing, and his arms
man so bad but there is still something good left in were defeated in the battle of Hades by Isaac and
him, which, under'proper circumstances, will shine Catacalon, whereupon he resigned (31st of August),
forth, and cause the man to do actions which, and retired into a convent. (Cedren. p. 792, &c.;
though they cannot obliterate his former conduct, Zonar. vol. ii. p. 262, &c.; Manass. p. 128, 129;
will yet entitle him to our forbearance and compas- Glyc. p. 132.) [W. P.]
sion. Shortly before his end Michael chose his MICHAEL VII. DUCAS PARAPINA'CES
nephew, Michael, his future successor, who con- (MLXa).A a Aodicras d Hlapalrwvcicas), emperor of
sequently succeeded him on the throne. (Cedren. Constantinople from A. D. 1071 to 1078, was the
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