Michael I Rangabe Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Michael I Rangabe

Emperor of the Romans

Michael I, as depicted in the 11th century Madrid Skylitzes.

Byzantine emperor

Reign

2 October 811 – 11 July 813

Coronation

2 October 811
Hagia Sophia

Predecessor

Staurakios

Successor

Leo V

Co-emperors

Theophylact (811–813)
Staurakios (II) (811–?)

Born

c. 770

Died

11 January 844 (aged 73)
Prote Island
(now Kınalıada, Turkey)

Burial

Church on Prote Island, transferred to the Monastery of Satyros

Spouse

Prokopia

Issue

Theophylaktos
Staurakios
Niketas
Georgo
Theophano

Full name
Michael Rangabe

Dynasty

Nikephorian

Father

Theophylact Rhangabe

Michael I Rangabé (born around 770, died January 11, 844) was the Byzantine emperor from 811 to 813. He was known for trying to make peace and for strongly supporting the Church. His time as emperor was short, ending after a big battle against the Bulgarians.

Michael was the son of Theophylact Rhangabe, a high-ranking officer called a patrician and the admiral of the Aegean fleet. Michael married Prokopia, who was the daughter of Emperor Nikephoros I. After his father-in-law became emperor in 802, Michael received an important court title called kouropalatēs.

Becoming Emperor: Michael's Rise to Power
Michael's Reign: Policies and Challenges
Family Life
Gallery
See also

Becoming Emperor: Michael's Rise to Power

Michael's father, Theophylact Rhangabe, was an admiral in the Byzantine navy. The Rangabé family came from Greece.

Emperor Nikephoros I led a difficult military campaign against Krum of Bulgaria. Nikephoros died during this campaign. His son, Staurakios, was badly hurt. Michael survived this campaign. Many people thought Michael would be a better choice for emperor than Staurakios.

Michael's wife, Prokopia, tried to convince her brother Staurakios to name Michael as his successor. When this did not work, a group of important officials stepped in. These officials included Theoktistos, Stephen (a military leader), and Patriarch Nikephoros (the head of the Church). They forced Staurakios to give up his throne. Michael became emperor on October 2, 811.

Michael's Reign: Policies and Challenges

New Policies and Church Support

As emperor, Michael I wanted to bring people together. He stopped the strict taxes that Emperor Nikephoros I had put in place. Even though this meant less money for the government, Michael gave money generously to the army, government workers, and the Church.

Michael became emperor with the help of the Orthodox party within the Church. He actively went after people who opposed the use of religious images, known as iconoclasts. He also helped settle a disagreement between Patriarch Nikephoros and Theodore of Stoudios, a very important abbot. Because of his strong religious faith, Michael was highly praised by the writer Theophanes the Confessor.

Foreign Relations and War with Bulgaria

In 812, Michael I started talks again with the Franks, a powerful kingdom in Western Europe. He recognized their leader, Charlemagne, as imperator and basileus (Emperor). However, Michael did not call him "Emperor of the Romans." In return for this recognition, the city of Venice was given back to the Byzantine Empire.

Despite this, Michael faced problems with the Bulgarians. He refused peace terms offered by Krum, the Bulgarian ruler. This led to the Bulgarians capturing the city of Mesembria (Nesebar). In the spring of 813, Michael's army had some early success. But in June, they prepared for a major battle at Versinikia, near Adrianople.

Defeat and Abdication

The Byzantine army was defeated at the Battle of Versinikia. During the battle, Leo the Armenian, a general, fled. With rumors of plots against him, Michael decided to act first. He gave up his throne on July 11, 813. General Leo the Armenian then became the new emperor.

After stepping down, Michael became a monk and took the name Athanasios. His sons were also sent to monasteries. One of his sons, Niketas, later became Patriarch of Constantinople (the head of the Church in Constantinople) and was renamed Ignatios. Michael died on January 11, 844.

Family Life

Michael I and his wife Prokopia had at least five children:

Georgo, a daughter.
Theophylact, who was crowned co-emperor in 811. He became a monk after 813.
Niketas, who later became Patriarch Ignatios of Constantinople (born around 798, died 877).
Staurakios, who was also crowned co-emperor in 811. He died before his father.
Theophano, a daughter.

Gallery

Solidus of Michael I and his son Theophylact
Coronation of Michael I from the 12th-century Madrid Skylitzes, probably drawn from an earlier unrelated source.
Byzantines and Bulgarians clash at Versinikia in 813.
The armies of Michael I (below) and Krum (above) prepare for battle after negotiations failed.
Depiction of Michael I in the 15th-century Mutinensis gr. 122.