Michael VII Doukas or Ducas, nicknamed Parapinakes, was the senior Byzantine emperor from 1071 to 1078. He was known as incompetent as an emperor and reliant on court officials, especially of his finance minister Nikephoritzes, who increased taxation and luxury spending while not properly financing their army. Under his reign, Bari was lost and his empire faced open revolt in the Balkans. Along with the advancing Seljuk Turks in the eastern front, Michael also had to contend with his mercenaries openly turning against the empire. Michael stepped down as emperor in 1078 and later retired to a monastery.
Miliaresion of Michael VII Doukas
Miniature of Michael VII alongside Constantine X and Eudokia, c. 1060
Michael VII and Maria of Alania on the Khakhuli triptych, c. 1072.
Michael VII Doukas on the back of the Holy Crown of Hungary, c. 1074.
Constantine X Doukas or Ducas, was Byzantine emperor from 1059 to 1067. He was the founder of the Doukid dynasty. During his reign, the Normans took over much of the remaining Byzantine territories in Italy while in the Balkans the Hungarians occupied Belgrade. He also suffered defeats by the Seljuk sultan Alp Arslan.
Contemporary miniature of Constantine X, previously thought to be Alexios I
Constantine X and Eudokia Makrembolitissa in a reliquary of Demetrius of Thessaloniki.