Michel II (Byzantine emperor)

See also: Michel II

Michel II Amorien psellos ( the Stammerer ) is Byzantine Empereur of 820 with 829. He is the founder of the Dynastie amorienne.

He is born in a modest milieu with Amorium ( Amorion ) in Phrygie in 770. He enters the army as private but rises quickly by his merit with the row of general.

He marries Thekla, girl of Bardanios, strategist of Anatoliques and Dominika. From this first marriage will be born Theophilus. Bardanios is probably the brother of Gears, which is the father of the future Leon V. Its second marriage with Euphrosyne, girl of Constantin VI which had taken the veil, will however generate a conflict with the Church.

It supports his companion and cousin Leon V the Armenian when this one seizes the throne by reversing Michel Ier Rhangabé (813). But the relations between the two men enveniment and Michel is imprisoned when its participation in a plot is proven. Condemned to dead in December 820 it is saved by the reaction of its partisans who assassinate Leon V in the church Holy-Sophie the night of Christmas.

Become emperor, Michel II continues persecution iconoclast, reopened by his predecessor, but while showing a certain moderation, which was worth a certain popularity to him. As of its accession with the throne, it associates his son Theophilus to ensure the transfer of power and the legitimacy of its successor.

Michel must face the revolt of a soldier, Thomas Slavonien, him so general between 822 and 824. For that it obtains the assistance of the Bulgares, in particular that of Omourtag, the son of Krum; Thomas, as for him, receives the support of the caliph Abbasside. Besieged, the troops of Thomas go after having eaten their own horses in decomposition. As for Thomas, it is impaled after having had the cut feet and the hands.

The Arabs remove the Crete under its reign (823) and begin their attacks in Sicily (829).

He dies in October 829, at the 59 years age, and his/her son Theophilus succeeds to him.

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