2021-08-24 Tue

Michael V Calaphates was Byzantine emperor reigning from 1041 to 42. The nephew of Michael IV, Michael Calaphates was adopted by his uncle’s elderly wife, Empress Zoe. Several months after his accession to the throne (Dec. 10, 1041), he exiled Zoe to a convent. An uprising erupted, however, and to stem it Michael hurriedly recalled her. Nevertheless, his political opponents had him deposed, blinded, and sent to a monastery.

Determined to rule on his own, Michael V came into conflict with his uncle John the Orphanotrophos, whom he almost immediately banished to a monastery.[4] Michael now reversed his uncle's decisions, recalling the nobles and courtiers who had been exiled during the previous reign, including the future patriarch Michael Keroularios and the general George Maniakes. Maniakes was promptly sent back to Southern Italy in order to contain the advance of the Normans.

The above shown Histamenon may have been issued during the reign of Michael V. The obverse shows Christ Pantokrator. The reverse of a coin represents the Emperor (crowned by the hand of God) and the Archangel Michael holding a labarum.

Image Source: Wikipedia.org