Patriarch michael cerularius biography of williams

After the schism Caerularius became for a time the strongest man at Constantinople. He quarrelled with his former patron, Constantine IX, who appeased him by abject apologies.

He became a kind of king-maker. When Theodora succeeded (1055-6), he “tried to rule over the empress” (Psellus, “Enko-mion”, 357). Michael VI (1056-7) was not sufficiently submissive, so Caerularius worked up a revolution, deposed him, went himself to cut off his hair, and shut him up in a monastery.

In his place he set up Isaac Comnenus (Isaac I, 1057-9).

Patriarch michael cerularius biography of williams

Patriarch michael cerularius biography of williams family

Patriarch michael cerularius biography of williams death

Patriarch of antioch

Who was the first bishop of antioch

Isaac knew well to whom he owed his place and was at first very docile. At this time Cwrularius reached the height of his power. He appointed all the officers of state, and was the real sovereign of the empire. So little did he disguise this fact that he began to wear the purple shoes that were always the prerogative of the emperor.

“Losing all shame”, says Psellus, “he joined royalty and priesth