Theophylact, Byzantine emperor (b. 793)

Theophylact, known in Greek as Theophylaktos (Θεοφύλακτος), was a significant, albeit ultimately tragic, figure in early 9th-century Byzantine history. Born around 793 AD, he lived until January 15, 849 AD. As the eldest son of the Byzantine Emperor Michael I Rangabe (who reigned from 811 to 813), Theophylact held a crucial position within the imperial court. His lineage was further solidified through his mother, Prokopia, who was the daughter of the powerful Emperor Nikephoros I (reigned 802–811), thus directly connecting him to the prominent Nikephorian dynasty that had founded a new ruling house for the Byzantine Empire.

During his father's relatively brief reign, Theophylact was elevated to the prestigious position of junior co-emperor. This was a common and strategic practice within the Byzantine imperial system, designed to affirm dynastic legitimacy and ensure a smooth succession, projecting an image of stability and continuity for the ruling house. However, this period of imperial prominence proved to be short-lived and turbulent.

The fortunes of Theophylact and his family dramatically changed following the military defeat of Emperor Michael I Rangabe by the Bulgarians at the Battle of Versinikia in 813. This catastrophic loss led to a swift military coup orchestrated by Leo V the Armenian, who subsequently usurped the throne. To neutralize any potential future claims to the imperial purple and prevent the emergence of a rival lineage, Theophylact, like many deposed imperial figures, endured a common but brutal Byzantine political purge.

• He was tonsured, a symbolic act signifying his forced entry into monastic life, effectively removing him from all secular political involvement and rendering him ineligible for future imperial office.
• Crucially, he was also castrated. This extreme measure was a prevalent practice in Byzantine political purges, specifically designed to ensure that he could not father any legitimate children who might later pose a dynastic threat or claim to the throne, thereby eliminating any potential future challenges from his line.
• Following these procedures, Theophylact was exiled to Plate Island (modern-day Yassıada), a small island located in the Sea of Marmara near Constantinople. This island was frequently used as a remote and secure place of monastic confinement for deposed emperors, empresses, and other high-ranking political figures.

On Plate Island, he lived out the remainder of his long life under the monastic name Eustratius, a name that signified his complete severance from his former imperial identity. Despite his dramatic fall from power, he lived for several decades in monastic seclusion after his very brief public life as an imperial prince.

Frequently Asked Questions about Theophylact

Who was Theophylact in Byzantine history?

Theophylact, also known as Theophylaktos, was the eldest son of Byzantine Emperor Michael I Rangabe and a grandson of Emperor Nikephoros I. He served briefly as junior co-emperor alongside his father in the early 9th century before being deposed.

What was the significance of his co-emperorship?

His elevation as junior co-emperor was a standard Byzantine practice aimed at solidifying the reigning emperor's dynastic legitimacy and ensuring a clear line of succession, thereby preventing potential power struggles.

Why was Theophylact tonsured and castrated?

These actions were common Byzantine political measures taken against deposed emperors and imperial heirs. Tonsure forced him into monastic life, removing him from political eligibility, while castration prevented him from having any offspring who could later claim the throne, eliminating future dynastic threats.

Where was Plate Island, and why was he exiled there?

Plate Island (Yassıada) is a small island in the Sea of Marmara, near Constantinople. It served as a common place of monastic exile for deposed Byzantine imperial figures, providing a secure and remote location to prevent their return to political influence.

What was Theophylact's monastic name?

After his deposition and forced monasticism, Theophylact was known by the monastic name Eustratius.