Thursday, October 24, 2024

 Greetings all,

Today we reflect on Michael VII Doukas becoming sole Emperor on October 24 in 1071 AD:


He should have become Emperor in 1067 AD at age 17 when his father Constantine X died, but he seemed to have little desire to rule and a regency was appointed. Michael's instincts proved correct... he was a very poor Emperor and after a series of misfortunes for the Empire Michael VII retired in 1078. One interesting thing he did do was send an embassy to Song Dynasty China bearing gifts, one of the few official contacts to the Far East.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus




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