John the Eunuch
Encyclopedia
John the Eunuch, also known as the Orphanotrophos , was the chief court eunuch
(parakoimomenos
) during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Romanus III (1028–1034). Being unable to father children himself, he sought to found a dynasty for his family through his brother Michael
, to which end he introduced him to the reigning empress Zoë. Soon the two were lovers and a plot had been hatched to assassinate Zoë's reigning husband. Romanus was killed in his bath on the 11th of April (which was Good Friday
) 1034.
John continued to control the administration and appointments during his brother's reign. He made his brother-in-law Stephen admiral and put him in charge of the fleet bearing George Maniaces
and his army to Sicily
in 1038. As the emperor Michael's epilepsy
worsened, John's grip on power tightened.
After the disastrous desertions of the Normans
, Salernitans
, and Varangians from Maniaces' army, John recalled Maniaces who had also mistreated Stephen. John appointed Michael Doukeianos
catepan of Italy
.
The Eunuch convinced the empress to adopt Stephen's son Michael
as her own, thus ensuring the continuation of the Paphlagonian line. Soon Michael IV was dead and Michael V had succeeded him. However, no sooner did the Eunuch's hold on the throne seem more secure than he was exiled by his ungrateful nephew. In 1043, he was blinded by the patriarch of Constantinople
Michael Cerularius and died after falling from and being trampled by a donkey.
Eunuch
A eunuch is a person born male most commonly castrated, typically early enough in his life for this change to have major hormonal consequences...
(parakoimomenos
Parakoimomenos
The parakoimōmenos was a Byzantine court position, usually reserved for eunuchs. Many of its holders, especially in the 9th and 10th centuries, functioned as the Byzantine Empire's chief ministers.-History and functions:...
) during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Romanus III (1028–1034). Being unable to father children himself, he sought to found a dynasty for his family through his brother Michael
Michael IV
Michael IV may refer to:*Byzantine Emperor Michael IV the Paphlagonian*Patriarch Pope Michael IV of Alexandria...
, to which end he introduced him to the reigning empress Zoë. Soon the two were lovers and a plot had been hatched to assassinate Zoë's reigning husband. Romanus was killed in his bath on the 11th of April (which was Good Friday
Good Friday
Good Friday , is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of...
) 1034.
John continued to control the administration and appointments during his brother's reign. He made his brother-in-law Stephen admiral and put him in charge of the fleet bearing George Maniaces
George Maniaces
George Maniakes was a prominent Byzantine Greek general during the 11th century, he was the catepan of Italy in 1042. He is known as Gyrgir in Scandinavian sagas....
and his army to Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
in 1038. As the emperor Michael's epilepsy
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain.About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly two out of every three new cases...
worsened, John's grip on power tightened.
After the disastrous desertions of the Normans
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
, Salernitans
Salerno
Salerno is a city and comune in Campania and is the capital of the province of the same name. It is located on the Gulf of Salerno on the Tyrrhenian Sea....
, and Varangians from Maniaces' army, John recalled Maniaces who had also mistreated Stephen. John appointed Michael Doukeianos
Michael Doukeianos
Michael III Doukeianos , called the Young, was the catepan of Italy from 1040 to 1041. He replaced Nikephoros Doukeianos. His first major act was to offer the rule of Melfi to the Greek-speaking Lombard Arduin with the title topoterites. However, Arduin soon betrayed him and led his Norman...
catepan of Italy
Catapanate of Italy
The Catepanate of Italy was a province of the Byzantine Empire, comprising mainland Italy south of a line drawn from Monte Gargano to the Gulf of Salerno. Amalfi and Naples, although north of that line, maintained allegiance to Constantinople through the catepan...
.
The Eunuch convinced the empress to adopt Stephen's son Michael
Michael V
Michael V "the Caulker" or Kalaphates , , was Byzantine emperor for 4 months in 1041–1042, as the nephew and successor of Michael IV and the adoptive son of his wife, the Empress Zoe.Michael V was the son of Stephen by Maria, a sister of Emperor Michael IV...
as her own, thus ensuring the continuation of the Paphlagonian line. Soon Michael IV was dead and Michael V had succeeded him. However, no sooner did the Eunuch's hold on the throne seem more secure than he was exiled by his ungrateful nephew. In 1043, he was blinded by the patriarch of Constantinople
Patriarch of Constantinople
The Ecumenical Patriarch is the Archbishop of Constantinople – New Rome – ranking as primus inter pares in the Eastern Orthodox communion, which is seen by followers as the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church....
Michael Cerularius and died after falling from and being trampled by a donkey.