# Michael II

> Byzantine emperor

**Wikidata**: [Q41640](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q41640)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_II)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/michael-ii

## Summary
Michael II was a 9th-century Byzantine emperor who reigned from 820 to 829, founding the short-lived Amorian dynasty and stabilizing the empire after a period of military revolts. Known as "the Stammerer" or "the Amorian," he rose from humble origins as a military leader to seize the throne through a palace coup.

## Biography
- Born: 770 (exact date and place not specified in sources)
- Nationality: Byzantine Empire
- Known for: Founding the Amorian dynasty and reigning as Byzantine emperor
- Employer(s): Byzantine Empire (military service, then imperial throne)
- Field(s): Military leadership, imperial administration

## Contributions
Michael II's primary contribution was establishing the Amorian dynasty (820-867), which ruled the Byzantine Empire for nearly five decades. As emperor, he stabilized the empire after years of military unrest and iconoclastic controversies. His reign marked a transition from the iconoclastic policies of his predecessors, though he maintained some restrictions on religious imagery. He successfully defended the empire against external threats while consolidating power after his coup against Emperor Leo V.

## FAQs
**What was Michael II's background before becoming emperor?**
Michael II began as a military leader who rose through the ranks of the Byzantine army. His humble origins as an Amorian (from Amorium in Phrygia) distinguished him from the aristocratic emperors who preceded him.

**Why is Michael II called "the Stammerer"?**
The epithet "the Stammerer" (Greek: Τραυλός) refers to a speech impediment Michael II had, which became one of his distinguishing characteristics in historical records.

**How did Michael II become emperor?**
Michael II seized power in 820 through a palace coup, overthrowing and assassinating Emperor Leo V the Armenian, thus ending the previous dynasty and establishing his own.

**What dynasty did Michael II establish?**
Michael II founded the Amorian dynasty, named after his birthplace Amorium, which would rule the Byzantine Empire until 867.

## Why They Matter
Michael II's significance lies in his role as a transitional figure who stabilized the Byzantine Empire after a turbulent period. His establishment of the Amorian dynasty created a new imperial line that would rule for nearly fifty years, during which the empire began recovering from the devastating iconoclastic period. By seizing power as a military man of humble origins, he demonstrated that the throne was accessible to competent leaders regardless of birth, setting a precedent for future Byzantine emperors. His reign helped bridge the gap between the iconoclastic emperors and the eventual restoration of icon veneration, allowing for gradual religious reconciliation.

## Notable For
- Founding the Amorian dynasty (820-867)
- Being the first emperor of non-aristocratic origin in generations
- Surviving as emperor for nine years despite coming to power through violent coup
- Maintaining stability during a critical transitional period in Byzantine history
- Father of Emperor Theophilos, who continued the dynasty

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Michael II was born in 770 in Amorium, a city in Phrygia (modern-day Turkey), hence his epithet "the Amorian." Unlike many Byzantine emperors who came from aristocratic families, Michael rose from relatively humble origins. His speech impediment earned him the additional nickname "the Stammerer" (Greek: Τραυλός). Before ascending to the throne, he served as a military leader, gaining experience in the Byzantine army that would later prove crucial in his imperial career.

### Rise to Power
Michael II's path to the throne was marked by violence and political maneuvering. As a military leader, he had gained sufficient support among the army and court officials to challenge the reigning Emperor Leo V the Armenian. In 820, Michael orchestrated a palace coup, successfully overthrowing and assassinating Leo V. This act of usurpation was not uncommon in Byzantine politics, where military strength often determined imperial succession.

### The Amorian Dynasty
Upon seizing power, Michael II established the Amorian dynasty, named after his birthplace. This dynasty would rule the Byzantine Empire from 820 to 867, encompassing the reigns of Michael II himself (820-829), his son Theophilos (829-842), and his grandson Michael III (842-867). The dynasty's name reflected Michael's pride in his origins and his break from the aristocratic traditions of previous imperial families.

### Reign and Policies
Michael II's nine-year reign (820-829) focused on stabilizing the empire after years of military unrest and religious controversy. Coming to power during the iconoclastic period, when the veneration of religious images was officially prohibited, Michael maintained some restrictions on icons while moderating the harsher policies of his predecessors. His approach helped ease tensions between iconoclasts and iconodules, contributing to the eventual restoration of icon veneration later in the century.

### Military Leadership and Defense
As a former military leader, Michael II understood the importance of maintaining strong defenses against external threats. During his reign, he worked to secure the empire's borders and maintain the loyalty of the army, which had become crucial for imperial survival. His military background also influenced his administrative style, as he relied heavily on military support to maintain his authority.

### Family and Succession
Michael II ensured dynastic continuity by preparing his son Theophilos for succession. Theophilos, who co-ruled with his father in the later years of Michael's reign, succeeded him upon his death in 829. This smooth transition helped maintain stability and demonstrated Michael's success in establishing a lasting dynasty. The practice of co-emperorship, where the reigning emperor associated his heir in power, became a common Byzantine method for ensuring peaceful succession.

### Death and Legacy
Michael II died on October 2, 829, having ruled for nine years. His legacy includes establishing a new imperial dynasty, helping stabilize the empire during a critical period, and bridging the gap between the extreme iconoclasm of previous emperors and the eventual restoration of icons. The Amorian dynasty he founded would last nearly four decades, during which the Byzantine Empire began to recover from the internal strife and external pressures that had characterized the early 9th century.

## References

1. Find a Grave
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Virtual International Authority File