Michael II
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Image:Solidus-Michael II Theophilus-sb1640.jpg Michael II (770-829), called Traulos or Psellos (Latin Psellus), meaning "the Stammerer", or "the Amorian", reigned as Byzantine emperor from 820 to his death in 829. Born in Amorium in Phrygia, he began his career as a private soldier, but rose by his talents to the rank of general.
He had favoured the enthronement of his old companion in arms Leo the Armenian (813), but, detected in a conspiracy against that emperor, had been sentenced to death in December 820; his partisans, however, succeeded in assassinating Leo and called Michael from the prison to the throne as the first representative of the Amorian dynasty.
Several features marked his reign: a struggle against his brother general, Thomas, who aimed at the throne (822-824); the conquest of Crete by the Saracens in 823; and the beginning of their attacks upon Sicily (827).
In spite of his iconoclastic sympathies, he endeavoured to conciliate the image-worshippers, but incurred the wrath of the monks by entering into a second marriage with Euphrosyne, daughter of Constantine VI, who had previously taken the veil.
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References
- This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition{{#if:{{{article|}}}| article {{#if:{{{url|}}}|[{{{url|}}}}} "{{{article}}}"{{#if:{{{url|}}}|]}}{{#if:{{{author|}}}| by {{{author}}}}}}}, a publication now in the public domain.de:Michael II. (Byzanz)
el:Μιχαήλ Β' es:Miguel II fr:Michel II (empereur byzantin) he:מיכאל השני hu:II. Mihály bizánci császár it:Michele II di Bisanzio nl:Michael II van Byzantium ja:ミカエル2世 pl:Michał II Amoryjczyk fi:Mikael II