History Atlas

How The Past Is Known
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme

Switch Atlas

Historical Figure

Michael VII Doukas

Also Known As Parapinakes
Monarchs and Rulers

Michael VII Doukas, also rendered Ducas and nicknamed Parapinakes, was the senior Byzantine emperor from 1071 to 1078. Widely regarded as incompetent, he relied heavily on court officials, especially his finance minister Nikephoritzes, who raised taxation to fund luxury spending while starving the army of resources. Under his reign the empire lost Bari, faced open revolt in the Balkans, and saw its own mercenaries turn against it even as the Seljuk Turks advanced on the eastern front. Michael stepped down as emperor in 1078 and retired to a monastery.

Facts
Partially Attested
Birth Year
1050 1
source gives an approximate year, circa 1050
Death Year
1090 1
source gives an approximate year, circa 1090
Role
Byzantine Emperor 1
Birthplace
Constantinople 1
Death Place
Constantinople 1
Classification
Gender
Male 1
Role
Role (category)
Monarch / Royalty 1
Connections

In Era

The Post-Classical and Medieval Period, Eras

Preceded By

Romanos IV Diogenes, Historical Figures

After the defeat and capture at Manzikert, Michael VII, Constantine X's son, was restored as sole emperor in 1071.

Ruled

The Byzantine Empire, Polities

Succeeded By

Nikephoros III Botaneiates, Historical Figures

Nikephoros III deposed Michael VII by revolt in 1078.

In the Other Atlases

Originated In

Constantinople

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.

Source Michael VII Doukas - WikipediaLife
Quote, Life
Michael VII was born c. 1050 in Constantinople
Sources
1. Michael VII Doukas - Wikipedia
  • Lead paragraph
    Michael VII Doukas or Ducas (Greek: Μιχαὴλ Δούκας, romanized: Mikhaḕl Doúkās), nicknamed Parapinakes (Greek: Παραπινάκης, romanized: Parapinákes, lit. 'minus a quarter', a reference to the devaluation of the Byzantine currency under his rule), was the senior Byzantine emperor from 1071 to 1078.
  • Life section, early paragraph
    Michael VII was born c. 1050 in Constantinople, the eldest son of Constantine X Doukas and Eudokia Makrembolitissa.
  • Life section, later paragraph
    He later became metropolitan of Ephesus and died in Constantinople in c. 1090.
  • Michael VII Doukas: Gender
    Widely regarded as incompetent, he relied heavily on court officials, especially his finance minister Nikephoritzes, who raised taxation to fund luxury spending while starving the army of resources.
View the Source
Wikidata: Michael VII Doukas
Wikidata Q210564, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source

Take a Related Quiz

Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.