Byzantine Emperor. He was born in AD 840 and, although he was his father's youngest son, he was crowned co-ruler by him in AD 840. He was only two years old when he succeeded as sole Emperor in AD 842, and during his minority the Empire was controlled by his mother Theodora, her uncle Sergios and Theoktistos, a minister. He overthrew the regency in AD 856, and sent his mother and sisters to a monastery. In AD 855 he launched a successful campaign to regain Byzantine territories in Thrace and re conquered a number of cities in the process. He also fought wars against Arab forces in the East, but met with only mixed success. He oversaw the reconstruction of ruined cities and reopened closed monasteries. He also ordered the re organization of the Imperial University at Maganaura Palace and sponsored the mission of Saints Cyril and Methodios to the Khazar Khagan in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent the expansion of Judaism among the Khazars. In AD 864 he invaded Bulgaria and compelled its ruler, Boris I, to convert to Christianity according to the Byzantine, rather than the Frankish, rites. He had his favourite courtier, Basil the Macedonian, crowned co Emperor in AD 867 and also adopted him as his son and heir. Basil had him assassinated in AD 867, and succeeded him as sole Emperor. Propaganda issued by Basil to justify his usurpation damaged Michael's reputation and he is known to history as "the drunkard".

Byzantine Emperor. He was born in AD 840 and, although he was his father's youngest son, he was crowned co-ruler by him in AD 840. He was only two years old when he succeeded as sole Emperor in AD 842, and during his minority the Empire was controlled by his mother Theodora, her uncle Sergios and Theoktistos, a minister. He overthrew the regency in AD 856, and sent his mother and sisters to a monastery. In AD 855 he launched a successful campaign to regain Byzantine territories in Thrace and re conquered a number of cities in the process. He also fought wars against Arab forces in the East, but met with only mixed success. He oversaw the reconstruction of ruined cities and reopened closed monasteries. He also ordered the re organization of the Imperial University at Maganaura Palace and sponsored the mission of Saints Cyril and Methodios to the Khazar Khagan in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent the expansion of Judaism among the Khazars. In AD 864 he invaded Bulgaria and compelled its ruler, Boris I, to convert to Christianity according to the Byzantine, rather than the Frankish, rites. He had his favourite courtier, Basil the Macedonian, crowned co Emperor in AD 867 and also adopted him as his son and heir. Basil had him assassinated in AD 867, and succeeded him as sole Emperor. Propaganda issued by Basil to justify his usurpation damaged Michael's reputation and he is known to history as "the drunkard".

Bio by: js