Editing Michael I Rangabe

{{short description|Byzantine emperor from 811 to 813}}
{{Infobox monarch
| image        = Michael_I,_Madrid_Skylitzes_folio_11r.jpg
| caption      = Michael I, as depicted in the 12th-century ''[[Madrid Skylitzes]]''.
| image_size   = 230px
| succession   = [[Byzantine emperor]]
| reign        = 2 October 811 – 11 July 813
| coronation   = 2 October 811<br/>[[Hagia Sophia]]
| cor-type     = [[coronation of the Byzantine emperor|Coronation]]
| predecessor  = [[Staurakios]]
| successor    = [[Leo V the Armenian|Leo V]]
| spouse       = [[Prokopia]]
| issue        = [[Theophylact (son of Michael I)|Theophylaktos]]<br/>[[Staurakios (son of Michael I)|Staurakios]]<br/>[[Patriarch Ignatius I of Constantinople|Niketas]]<br/>Georgo<br/>Theophano
| full name    = Michael Rangabe
| dynasty      = [[Byzantine Empire under the Nikephorian dynasty|Nikephorian]]
| father       = [[Theophylact Rhangabe]]
| mother       = 
| birth_date   = {{circa}} 770
| birth_place  = 
| death_date   = 11 January 844 (aged 73)
| death_place  = [[Kınalıada|Prote Island]]<br />(now [[Kınalıada]], [[Turkey]])
| place of burial = Church on [[Kınalıada|Prote Island]], transferred to the Monastery of Satyros{{sfn|PBW|loc=[http://www.pbe.kcl.ac.uk/data/D54/F73.htm Michael 7]}}
| title        = [[list of Byzantine emperors|Emperor of the Romans]]
| reg-type     = {{nowrap|Co-emperors}}
| regent       = [[Theophylact (son of Michael I)|Theophylact]] (811–813)<br/>[[Staurakios (son of Michael I)|Staurakios]] (811–?)
}}

{{Nikephorian dynasty}}

'''Michael I Rangabe''' (also spelled '''Rhangabe'''; {{langx|el|Μιχαὴλ Ῥαγγαβέ|Mikhaḗl Rangabe}}; c. 770 – 11 January 844) was [[Byzantine emperor]] from 811 to 813. A courtier of Emperor [[Nikephoros I]] ({{reign|802|811}}), he survived the disastrous campaign against the [[Bulgars]] and was preferred as imperial successor over [[Staurakios]] ({{reign|811|811}}), who was severely injured. He was proclaimed emperor by Patriarch [[Nicephorus I of Constantinople]] on 2 October 811.

Michael's policies were generally conciliatory, and he was overwhelmingly influenced by the [[iconodule]] clerics Nikephoros and [[Theodore the Stoudite]]. He improved relations with the [[Franks]], even to the point of recognising [[Charlemagne]] as an emperor – although not "of the Romans" – and requesting [[papacy|papal]] arbitration in the [[Irene of Athens|Moechian controversy]]. His half-hearted leadership of the campaign against the [[Bulgars]] resulted in defeat in the [[Battle of Versinikia]]. The ''[[strategos|stratēgos]]'' of the [[Anatolic Theme]], [[Leo the Armenian]], a popular and successful general, abandoned Michael on the battlefield but was proclaimed emperor by the military, in what was the last military overthrow of an emperor in Byzantine history. Michael was pressured to abdicate, and he retired to a [[monastery]]. His sons were [[Political mutilation in Byzantine culture|castrated]] to prevent the continuation of his dynasty.

== Biography ==
[[File:Coronation of a Byzantine co-emperor on a shield, Madrid Skylitzes.jpg|thumb|Coronation of Michael I and his son Theophylact (left) upon a shield, from the 12th-century ''[[Madrid Skylitzes]]'', probably drawn from an earlier unrelated source.{{sfn|Tsamakda|2002|pp=43–47}}{{sfn|Treadgold|1997|p=430}}]]
[[File:Skylitzes KrumsArmy.png|thumb|Byzantines and Bulgars clash at [[Battle of Versinikia|Versinikia]] in 813.]]
[[File:Solidus of Michael I Rhangabe-2.jpg|thumb|''[[Solidus (coin)|Solidus]]'' of Michael I Rangabe and his son Theophylact]]

Michael was the son of the patrician [[Theophylact Rhangabe]], the admiral of the [[Aegean Sea|Aegean fleet]].{{sfn|Venning|2006|p=218}} The Rangabe family was of [[Greeks|Greek]] origin.{{sfn|Vasiliev|1958|p=271}} He married [[Prokopia]], the daughter of the former Emperor [[Nikephoros I]],{{sfn|Bradbury|2004|p=64}} and received the high [[Byzantine bureaucracy and aristocracy|court dignity]] of ''[[Kouropalates]]'' after his father-in-law's accession in 802.

Michael survived Nikephoros I's disastrous campaign against Khan [[Krum of Bulgaria]], and was considered a more appropriate candidate for the throne than his severely injured brother-in-law [[Staurakios]], who was proclaimed emperor by the military in the hope that he would recover. When Michael's wife Prokopia failed to persuade her brother Staurakios, who wanted to have him [[Political mutilation in Byzantine culture|blinded]], to name Michael as his successor, a group of senior officials (the  ''[[Magister officiorum|magistros]]'' [[Theoktistos (magistros)|Theoktistos]], [[Domestic of the Schools]] Stephen, and Patriarch [[Nicephorus I of Constantinople]]) forced Staurakios to abdicate in his favour on 2 October 811. Michael was proclaimed emperor before the senate and the ''[[Tagma (military)|tagmata]]''.{{sfn|Brubaker|Haldon|2011|p=362}}{{sfn|Bradbury|2004|p=64}}{{sfn|Treadgold|1997|p=429}}

Michael I attempted to carry out a policy of reconciliation, abandoning the exacting taxation instituted by Nikephoros I. While reducing imperial income, Michael generously distributed money to the army, the bureaucracy, and the church.{{sfn|Ostrogorsky|1986|p=197}} Ruling with the support of the [[iconodule]] party in the Church, Michael I diligently persecuted the [[Byzantine Iconoclasm|iconoclasts]] and forced Patriarch Nicephorus I to back down in his dispute with [[Theodore the Stoudite]], the influential abbot of the [[monastery of Stoudios]]. He revoked the exile of Theodore the Stoudites effected by Emperor Nikephoros I, and Theodore became his close confidant.{{sfn|Brubaker|Haldon|2011|p=362}} Michael I's piety won him a very positive estimation in the work of the chronicler [[Theophanes the Confessor]]. Theophanes also mentions the existence of a group of [[heretics]] known as ''[[Athinganoi]]'' in [[Phrygia]], who were most likely the successors of the [[Montanism|Montanists]], who Emperor [[Leo III the Isaurian]] ({{reign|717|741}}) attempted to convert by force, as well as of the [[Paulicianism|Paulicians]]. Patriarch Nicephorus I pressed Michael I to organise the persecution and execution of the ''Athinganoi'', Paulicians and [[iconoclast]] abbots.{{sfn|Auzépy|2008|pp=288–289}} But when Nicephorus I insisted the heretics be given time to repent, Michael I halted the killings.{{sfn|Treadgold|1997|p=430}}

In 812, Michael reopened negotiations with the [[Franks]], and recognized [[Charlemagne]] as ''[[imperator]]'' and ''[[basileus]]'' ("emperor"), but not "Emperor of the Romans".{{efn|''eum imperatorem et basileum appellantes'', cf. ''[[Royal Frankish Annals]]'', a, 812.}} In exchange for that recognition, [[Venice]] and [[Istria]] were returned to the Empire. Michael I sent ambassadors to negotiate a marriage alliance between Michael's son Theophylact and a Frankish princess. They also brought a letter from Patriarch Nicephorus I requesting [[papacy|papal]] arbitration on the issue of the [[Irene of Athens|Moechian controversy]]. [[Pope Leo III]] resolved the issue in favour of Theodore the Stoudites, who claimed that, as emperors were bound by [[canon law]], [[Constantine VI]]'s second marriage was illicit, which was the view of Empress [[Irene of Athens|Irene]] against Emperor Nikephoros.  The Pope's judgment was treated as the formal closing of the affair.{{sfn|Brubaker|Haldon|2011|pp=360, 362–363}}{{sfn|Eichmann|1942|p=33}}{{sfn|Canning|1996|p=70}}

There were also minor successes against the [[Arabs]] in the [[Anatolic Theme]] under its ''[[stratēgos]]'' [[Leo the Armenian]], another figure exiled by Nikephoros and recalled by Michael. However, Michael dealt with the Bulgars poorly during his reign. In 812, Khan Krum besieged the frontier town of [[Develtos]] in [[Thrace]], and Michael was too late to prevent its surrender. His soldiers mutinied, and people in western Thrace began to flee their homes. Some soldiers of the ''[[Tagma (military)|tagmata]]'' tried to proclaim the blinded sons of [[Constantine V]] as emperors, but Michael dismissed them in disgrace. The Bulgars nevertheless managed to capture almost all of the fortified towns on the Byzantine-Bulgarian border that were built and consolidated by Empress [[Irene of Athens|Irene]] and Emperors [[Constantine VI]] and Nikephoros in the previous decades. Michael was convinced by Nikephoros and Theodore to reject the peace terms offered by Krum, which involved the return of Christians who fled from Bulgarian territory, provoking the capture of Mesembria ([[Nesebar]]) by the Bulgars, the last border stronghold, executing all captives who refused to renounce [[Christianity]]. Michael I's army prepared for a major engagement at [[Battle of Versinikia|Versinikia]] near [[Adrianople]], but delayed his attack, leading to further discontent in the military. In June, he began the attack but appeared hesitant; [[Leo V the Armenian|Leo the Armenian]] fled halfway through the battle, causing a rout. This prompted suspicion of treachery, however, Leo was acclaimed emperor with the support of his soldiers. Once he arrived in [[Constantinople]], Michael I was pressured to retire to a [[monastery]]. He was crowned by Patriarch Nicephorus I on 12 July 813.{{sfn|Bradbury|2004|p=64}}{{sfn|Brubaker|Haldon|2011|pp=362–365}}{{sfn|Treadgold|1997|pp=430–431}}

With conspiracy in the air, Michael I preempted events by abdicating on 11 July 813 in favour of Leo the Armenian and becoming a monk (under the name Athanasios).{{sfn|Luttwak|2009|p=182}}{{sfn|Bradbury|2004|p=64}} His sons were castrated to end the dynasty and were relegated to monasteries,{{sfn|Luttwak|2009|p=182}} with one of them, Niketas (renamed [[Ignatios of Constantinople|Ignatios]]), eventually becoming [[Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople]].{{sfn|Bury|1912|p=14}} Michael I died on 11 January 844.{{sfn|Joseph Genesius|1998|p=8}}

=== Numismatics ===
The numismatic record of Michael's reign begins after his son's coronation as co-emperor in 811, with new ''[[nomisma|nomismata]]'' struck, bearing Michael I on the obverse and Theophylact (son of Michael I) on the reverse. The ''[[miliaresion|miliarēsion]]'', which had not been struck since the reign of [[Constantine VI]] ({{reign|780|797}}), was revived by Michael I with a notable alteration. The imperial title ''basileis'' was expanded to ''basileis romaion'' ("emperors of the Romans"), seemingly in response to [[Pope Leo III]]'s coronation of [[Charlemagne]] as emperor in 800.{{sfn|Brubaker|Haldon|2011|p=355}}

== Assessment and legacy ==
The reigns of the [[iconoclast]] emperors [[Leo III the Isaurian]] ({{reign|717|741}}) and [[Constantine V]] ({{reign|741|775}}) were militarily successful and saw the abatement of the Arab and Bulgar threat. According to the iconodule Patriarch [[Nicephorus I of Constantinople]], Leo III the Isaurian propaganda ascribed both their military successes and longevity to their iconoclasm. The validity of iconoclasm was only confirmed by the military disasters under the iconodule emperors Michael I and his predecessor [[Nikephoros I]] ({{reign|802|811}}) as well as the success of the iconoclast [[Leo V the Armenian]] ({{reign|813|820}}) against the Bulgars.{{sfn|Auzépy|2008|p=282}} Michael I was in general a weak emperor whose policies were formed in mere reaction to outside pressures.{{sfn|Brubaker|Haldon|2011|p=364}} [[Warren Treadgold]] describes him as "amiable to a fault, lacking in judgment and easily led", "dithering", seeming "to have done whatever he had been told most recently".{{sfn|Treadgold|1997|p=429, 543}} He was also the last Byzantine emperor to be overthrown by the military, which is ironic given its increased strength in succeeding centuries.{{sfn|Treadgold|1997|p=543}}

In 813, [[Carolingian Emperor]] [[Charlemagne]] crowned his son [[Louis the Pious]] co-emperor in a manner resembling Michael I's crowning of his own son, [[Theophylact (son of Michael I)|Theophylact]], in 811. This was likely because of the Byzantine practice of inviting foreign ambassadors to witness state rituals. Accepting one such invitation, [[Hugh of Tours]], [[Count of Tours]], and [[Haito]], [[Bishop of Basel]], were present for Michael I's crowning of his son, and so probably returned to the [[Franks|Frankish]] court with knowledge of Byzantine ceremonies.{{sfn|McCormick|2008|pp=424-425}}

== Family ==
By his wife [[Prokopia]], Michael I had at least five children:
* Georgo, a daughter;{{sfn|PBW|loc=[http://www.pbe.kcl.ac.uk/data/D30/F40.htm Georgo 1]}}
* [[Theophylact (son of Michael I)|Theophylact]], crowned co-emperor on Christmas 811, became a monk after 813;{{sfn|PBW|loc=[http://www.pbe.kcl.ac.uk/data/D80/F76.htm Theophylaktos 9]}}
* Niketas, later Patriarch [[Ignatios of Constantinople]] ({{Circa}} 798–877);{{sfn|Bury|1912|p=14}}
* Staurakios, crowned co-emperor on Christmas 811, pre-deceased his father;{{sfn|PBW|loc=[http://www.pbe.kcl.ac.uk/data/D70/F45.htm Staurakios 12]}}
* Theophano, a daughter.{{sfn|PBW|loc=[http://www.pbe.kcl.ac.uk/data/D80/F04.htm Theophano 2]}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="220" heights="210">
File:KrumAndMichael.jpg|The armies of Michael I (below) and Krum (above) prepare for battle after negotiations failed. 
File:Facial Chronicle - b.13, p.475 - Michael I Rhangabes and Leo V.gif|Michael I abdicates the throne to [[Leo V the Armenian]]. From the 16th century [[Illustrated Chronicle of Ivan the Terrible|Facial Chronicle]].
File:106 - Michael I Rangabe (Mutinensis - color).png|Depiction of Michael I in the 15th century ''[[Mutinensis gr. 122]]''. 
</gallery>

== Notes and references ==
=== Notes ===
{{Notelist}}

=== References ===
{{Reflist}}

== Sources ==
=== Primary ===
* {{Cite book |title=Genesios on the Reigns of the Emperors - Translation and Commentary |translator-last=Kaldellis |translator-first=Anthony |publisher=Brill|author=[[Joseph Genesius]]|year=1998|orig-year=10th century|url=https://www.academia.edu/14504732 }}

=== Secondary ===
* {{Cite book |last=Auzépy |first=Marie-France |date=2008 |editor-last=Shepard |editor-first=Jonathan |title=The Cambridge history of the Byzantine Empire (c. 500–1492) |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |chapter=State of emergency (700–850) |isbn=978-0-521-83231-1}}
* {{Cite book |title=The Routledge Companion to Medieval Warfare |first=Jim |last=Bradbury |publisher=[[Routledge]] |year=2004}}
* {{Cite book |last=Brubaker |first=Leslie |title=Byzantium in the iconoclast era, c. 680–850 |last2=Haldon |first2=John |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-521-43093-7}}
* {{Cite book |title=A History of the Eastern Roman Empire from the Fall of Irene to the Accession of Basil I, (802–867) |url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924074296264 |first=John Bagnell |last=Bury |publisher=[[Macmillan Publishers]] |year=1912}}
* {{Cite book |title=A History of Medieval Political Thought: 300–1450 |first=Joseph |last=Canning |publisher=[[Routledge]] |year=1996}}
* {{Cite book |first=Eduard |last=Eichmann |title=Die Kaiserkrönung im Abendland - ein Beitrag zur Geistesgeschichte des Mittelalters, mit besonderer Berücksichtigung des kirchlichen Rechte, der Liturgie und der Kirchenpolitik |url={{google books |plainurl=y|id=6S00AAAAIAAJ|page=33}} |page=33 |year=1942 |publisher=Echter-Verlag}}
* {{Cite book |title=The Grand Strategy of the Byzantine Empire |first=Edward N. |last=Luttwak |publisher=[[Harvard University Press]] |year=2009}}
* {{Cite book |last=McCormick |first=Michael |date=2008 |editor-last=Shepard |editor-first=Jonathan |title=The Cambridge history of the Byzantine Empire (c. 500–1492) |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |chapter=Western Approaches (700–900) |isbn=978-0-521-83231-1}}
* {{Cite book |last=Martindale |first=John Robert |date=2001 |title=[[Prosopography of the Byzantine Empire]] |isbn=978-1897747322 |ref={{harvid|PBW}}}}
* {{Cite book |first=George |last=Ostrogorsky |title=History of the Byzantine State |publisher=[[Rutgers University Press]] |year=1986}}
* {{A History of the Byzantine State and Society}}
* {{Cite book |title=The Illustrated Chronicle of Ioannes Skylitzes in Madrid |last=Tsamakda |first=Vasiliki |year=2002 |publisher=Alexandros |location=Leiden |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-STrAAAAMAAJ |isbn=978-9080647626}}
* {{Cite book |last=Vasiliev |first=Aleksandr Aleksandrovich |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vLsVAQAAMAAJ |title=History of the Byzantine Empire, 324–1453 |date=1958 |publisher=University of Wisconsin Press}}
* {{Cite book |title=A Chronology of the Byzantine Empire |editor-first1=T. |editor-last1=Venning |publisher=[[Palgrave Macmillan]] |year=2006}}

== Further reading ==
* Gregory, T. (2005), ''A History of Byzantium'', (Blackwell History of the Ancient World), [[Wiley-Blackwell]]
* {{Cite encyclopedia |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/the-oxfrod-dictionary-of-byzantium-vol.-1-oup-1991/The%20Oxfrod%20Dictionary%20of%20Byzantium_Vol.%201_OUP_1991/page/1362/mode/1up |article=Michael I Rangabe |last=Kazhdan |first=Alexander |author-link=Alexander Kazhdan |encyclopedia=[[The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium]] |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=1991 |page=1362 |isbn=0195046528}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Byzantine Empire}}
* [[List of Byzantine emperors]]

{{s-start}}
{{s-hou|[[Nikephorian dynasty]]||c. 770|11 January|844}}
{{s-reg|}}
{{s-bef
| before = [[Staurakios]]
}}
{{s-ttl
| title   = [[List of Byzantine emperors|Byzantine emperor]]
| years   = 2 October 811 – 11 July 813
| regent1 = [[Theophylact (son of Michael I)|Theophylact]] and [[Staurakios (son of Michael I)]]
}}
{{s-aft
| after = [[Leo V the Armenian|Leo V]]
}}
{{S-off}}
{{s-bef | before = [[Nikephoros I]] in 803,<br/>then lapsed}}
{{s-ttl | title  = [[Roman consul]] | years=803}}
{{s-aft | after  = Lapsed,<br />[[Leo V the Armenian|Leo V]] in 814}}
{{s-end}}

{{Roman Emperors}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Michael 01}}
[[Category:9th-century Byzantine emperors]]
[[Category:Nikephorian dynasty]]
[[Category:Byzantine people of the Byzantine–Bulgarian Wars]]
[[Category:Eastern Orthodox monks]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
[[Category:844 deaths]]
[[Category:810s in the Byzantine Empire]]
[[Category:Kouropalatai]]
[[Category:Rangabe family]]
[[Category:Byzantine consuls]]