Michael VI has managed to survive a…

Michael VI has managed to survive a conspiracy organized by Theodosios, a nephew of the former emperor Constantine IX, but he is faced with the disaffection of the military aristocracy.

His most costly error is to ignore the perceived rights of the general Nikephoros Bryennios, whom he has restored to his former rank after his falling out with the late Empress Theodora, but has refused to restore his wealth and estates.

After dismissing Bryennios's grievances in an audience, the emperor completely alienates the military, which remains a powerful element of society.

Michael compounds his error by rebuffing Bryennios after he had already ordered the restored general to lead a division of three thousand men to reinforce the army in Cappadocia.

Bryennios leaves the capital in a fit of rage and begins plotting to overthrow Michael VI.

On his arrival, he attacks and beats a representative of the emperor who countermands Bryennios’s orders before throwing him in prison, which his officers take as a sign that Bryennios had been about to rebel.

Releasing the imprisoned officer, they capture Bryennios, blind him and send him to Constantinople.

Michael’s policies have antagonized the military leaders in Paphlagonia, who join with the nobles of the capital in a conspiracy against the Emperor and on June 8, 1057 proclaim as emperor Isaac Komnenos, who has served from 1042 to 1057 as commander of the field army in Anatolia.

Isaac is a son of an officer named Manuel Erotikos Komnenos, the strategos autokrator of the East under Emperor Basil II, who, on his deathbed in 1020, had commended Isaac and his other son, John, to the Emperor's care.

After having them educated, Basil had advanced them to high positions.

Isaac, by his prudent conduct in protecting the peoples of the empire, has won the confidence of the army during the reigns of Basil's successors.

Isaac defeats an imperial army in June at the Battle of Petroe near Nicaea.

A panicked Michael VI attempts to negotiate with the rebels through the famous courtier Michael Psellos, offering to adopt Isaac as his son and to grant him the title of kaisar (Caesar), but his proposals are publicly rejected.

Privately Isaac shows himself more open to negotiation, and he is promised the status of co-emperor.

However, during the course of these secret negotiations, a riot in favor of Isaac breaks out in Constantinople.

With the deposition of Michael VI, Patriarch Michael Cerularius crowns Isaac I emperor on September 1, 1057, taking much of the credit for Isaac's acceptance as monarch.