Michael III's marriage with Eudokia Dekapolitissa (Dekapolitissa was his mother's choice) was childless, but the emperor did not want to risk a scandal by attempting to marry his mistress Eudokia Ingerina. The solution he chose was to marry Eudokia Ingerina to his favorite courtier and Parakoimomenos Basil the Macedonian. While Michael carried out his relationship with Ingerina, Basil was kept satisfied with the emperor's sister Thekla, whom her brother retrieved from a monastery. Basil gained increasing influence over Michael, and in April 866 he convinced the emperor that the Caesar Bardas was conspiring against him and was duly allowed to murder Bardas. Now without serious rivals, Basil was crowned co-emperor in May 867 and was adopted by the much younger Michael III. This curious development may have been intended to legitimize the eventual succession to the throne of Eudokia Ingerina's son Leo VI, who was widely believed to be Michael's son.
If this had been Michael's plan, it backfired. Ostensibly troubled by the favor Michael was beginning to show to another courtier, Basil had Michael assassinated in his sleep in September 867, and succeeded as sole emperor.
WI Michael III ignored the will of the Church and of his mother and married his mistressin a second marriage? How is that altering History? Any thoughts?
If this had been Michael's plan, it backfired. Ostensibly troubled by the favor Michael was beginning to show to another courtier, Basil had Michael assassinated in his sleep in September 867, and succeeded as sole emperor.
WI Michael III ignored the will of the Church and of his mother and married his mistressin a second marriage? How is that altering History? Any thoughts?