John the Orphanotrophos
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John the Orphanotrophos was a highly influential eunuch advisor to the Byzantine Emperor Romanos III. John was born in the region of Paphlagonia. His family were said to be involved in a disreputable
Zoe asks Sgouritzes to poison John the Orphanotrophos
Michael V Kalaphates
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Michael V Kalaphates was Byzantine emperor for four months in 1041–1042. He was the nephew and successor of Michael IV and the adoptive son of Michael IV's wife Empress Zoe. He was popularly called "t
John the Orphanotrophos
…Doukeianos as Catepan of Italy. As Michael IV's epilepsy worsened, John's grip on power tightened. John persuaded the Empress to adopt Stephen's son Michael as her own, thus ensuring the continuation of the Paphlagonian line. Michael IV died on 10 December 1041, possibly in suspicious circumstances, and was…
Michael V, 11th century depiction from the Madrid Skylitzes
Michael V banishes Zoe to a monastery.