A Byzantine Republic in 9th century... How much time will survive?

In 811 the severely incapacitated (and dying) Emperor Staurakios was struggling with the nobility and his kinsmen to appoint his wife Theophano as his heir, while nobles and his immediate family supported Michael Rangaves as Emperor...
Staurakios then threatened them that if they wouldnt accpet Theophano as Empress regnant he would abolish the old Augustus's law "Lex de Imperio" and the Empire would be reverted to a Republic... However Michael's supporters acted faster and they forced him to abdicate before materialising his threat...
WI he reverted the Empire to a Republic? How much time would this "restored Roman Republic" survive? And if the Republic fell to a new "Emperor" Lex de Imperio would be revived or a new "constitutional law" would be drafted?
 
Maybe I'm missing or overlooking it, but I've never seen any reference to Staurakios threatening a republic - not that it would make any difference if he did.
 
Maybe I'm missing or overlooking it, but I've never seen any reference to Staurakios threatening a republic - not that it would make any difference if he did.

J.B. Bury mentions it in his book "History of the Late Roman Empire"...
Also several others mention it (cant remember all of them by now)
 
Any attempt to radically change the nature of the governing structure of the empire would need a very strong, long lived regime in order to survive.

You need to have powerful military success and stability. A regime that innovates and suffers military defeat is almost certainly going to be overthrown in favor of a return to orthodoxy.
 
Any attempt to radically change the nature of the governing structure of the empire would need a very strong, long lived regime in order to survive.

You need to have powerful military success and stability. A regime that innovates and suffers military defeat is almost certainly going to be overthrown in favor of a return to orthodoxy.

True... and not Staurakios nor Theophano would be able to implement the reforms needed... If Staurakios decides to go on with his decision he certainly needs someone who can guarantee the safety of the Republic (or at least fill the Senate with his own people if he reverts to the old Roman Republican style)
 
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