Michael V
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{{for|the Filipino comedian of similar name|Michael V.}}
[[Image:Histamenon nomisma-Micael V-sb1776.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Histamenon]] which may have been issured during the reign of Michael V: [[obverse]] (left) [[Christ Pantokrator]]; [[reverse]] (right) the Emperor (crowned by the [[hand of God]]) and the [[Michael (archangel)|Archangel Michael]] holding a [[labarum]].]]
'''Michael V''' "the Caulker" or ''Kalaphates'' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: Μιχαήλ Ε΄ Καλαφάτης, ''Mikhaēl V Kalaphatēs''), ([[1015]] – [[August 24]], [[1042]]), was [[Byzantine emperor]] for 4 months in 1041–1042, as the nephew and successor of [[Michael IV]] and the adoptive son of his wife, the [[Zoe (empress)|Empress Zoe]].
Michael V was the son of Stephen by Maria, a sister of Emperor Michael IV. His father had been a [[caulker]] (hence the son's nickname), before becoming an [[admiral]] under Michael IV and botching an expedition to [[Sicily]]. Although the emperor preferred another of his nephews, the future Michael V was advanced as [[heir to the throne]] by his other uncle [[John the Eunuch]] and the Empress Zoe. Shortly before his death, Michael IV granted Michael V the title of ''Kaisar'' ([[Caesar (title)|Caesar]]), and, together with Zoe, adopted his nephew as son. On [[December 10]], [[1041]], Michael V succeeded to the throne.
Determined to rule on his own, Michael V came into conflict with his uncle [[John the Eunuch]], whom he almost immediately [[banish]]ed to a [[monastery]]. Michael now reversed his uncle's decisions, and recalled the nobles and courtiers who had been exiled during the previous reign, including the future patriarch [[Michael Cerularius|Michael Keroularios]] and the general [[George Maniaces|George Maniakes]]. Maniakes was promptly sent back to [[Southern Italy]] in order to contain the advance of the [[Normans]].
On the night of [[April 18]] to [[April 19]], [[1042]] Michael V also banished his adoptive mother and co-ruler Zoe as well, becoming the sole Emperor. His announcement of the event in the morning led to a popular revolt; the palace was surrounded by the mob, which demanded Zoe's immediate restoration. The demand was met, and Zoe was brought back as join-ruler with her sister [[Theodora (11th century)|Theodora]]. On [[April 20]], [[1042]] Theodora declared the emperor deposed, and he fled to seek safety in the monastery of the [[Stoudion]] together with his remaining uncle. Although he had taken [[monastic vows]], Michael was arrested, blinded, and castrated. He died as a [[monk]] on [[August 24]], [[1042]]. In addition to his treatment of Zoe, his unpopularity seems largely due to his attempts at [[Byzantine aristocracy and bureaucracy|administrative reform]], which were strongly resented by the dominant classes, whilst the lower classes considered him a common [[usurper]].
==References==
*{{1911}}
'''Further Reading'''
* Michael Psellus, ''Fourteen Byzantine Rulers'', trans. E.R.A. Sewter (Penguin, 1966). ISBN: 014 0441697
* Michael Angold, ''The Byzantine empire 1025-1204'' (Longman, 2nd edition, 1997). ISBN: 0582 29468 1
* Jonathan Harris, ''Constantinople: Capital of Byzantium'' (Hambledon/Continuum, 2007). ISBN: 978 1847251794
*''The [[Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium]]'' (Oxford University Press, 1991) ISBN: 0195046528
* Warren Treadgold, ''A History of the Byzantine State and Society'' (Stanford University Press, 1997) ISBN: 08047 26302
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{{s-hou|[[Macedonian dynasty|Macedonian Dynasty]]||1015|24 August|1042}}
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{{succession box | before=[[Michael IV the Paphlagonian|Michael IV]] | title=[[Byzantine Emperor]] | years=1041–1042 | after=[[Zoe (empress)|Zoe]]}}
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{{Roman Emperors}}
[[Category:Byzantine emperors]]
[[Category:Macedonian dynasty]]
[[Category:1015 births]]
[[Category:1042 deaths]]
[[ca:Miquel V]]
[[cs:Michael V.]]
[[de:Michael V. (Byzanz)]]
[[el:Μιχαήλ Ε']]
[[es:Miguel V]]
[[fr:Michel V]]
[[gl:Miguel V]]
[[it:Michele V di Bisanzio]]
[[hu:V. Mihály bizánci császár]]
[[nl:Michaël V Kalaphates]]
[[ko:미카일 5세]]
[[ja:ミカエル5世]]
[[pl:Michał V Kalafates]]
[[pt:Miguel V]]
[[sr:Михајло V Калафат]]
[[fi:Mikael V]]
[[zh:米海尔五世]]
[[ru:Михаил V Калафат]]