Contrary to the poor natural qualities, Michael II has not only captured Constantinople but also founded a whole dynasty of Emperors.
Different people in different ways became the Emperors of Constantinople, as Istanbul was named during the Middle Ages. Most often it happened by right of succession. But it also happened that a new dynasty was formed as a result of rebellion or a palace coup. Michael II, known as tongue-tied, was the founder of one of these dynasties named Amorijskaia.
It is surprising that Michael himself came from the common people. That's why he never learned to speak properly and was lisping and making mistakes in words. After entering the army, he worked his way from a soldier to the commander of the Guards. It would seem like an ultimate dream. But not for the ambitious Michael ... He found out about the conspiracy against the emperor and took part in it. But with the accession of the new emperor Michael II, receiving the rank of patrician, did not become patient. He tends to the highest authority. And he gets it. As a result of a new conspiracy Michael becomes the Emperor.
The main policy of Michael was to observe the golden mean. That was what he did. For example, he did not interfere in the old argument of those who honored the icons and those who were against it. By special edict Michael forbade even to argue about it. In addition, Michael was fighting with the rebellious leader Thomas the Slav. He conquered almost half of the empire and laid siege to Constantinople, but as a result of treachery he was defeated. They cut off the hands and feet of the unfortunate man and gave him a ride on a donkey over the city ... Excluding this episode, Michael was a very humane king at that time. He even tried to give a good education to his son being deprived of it himself. The lessons passed not in vain: when his father died of kidney disease, his son Theophilos took the imperial throne.
