Michael v

Miguel V Calafates (1015 - August 24, 1042) (in Greek Μιχαήλ Καλαφάτης, meaning "the caulker"), was the nephew and successor as Byzantine emperor of Miguel IV and adoptive son of his wife Zoe. His nickname indicates the original occupation of his father.

He owed his accession to the throne on December 10, 1041, to his uncle John the Eunuch, whom he almost immediately secluded in a monastery. On the night of April 18/19, 1042, he also had Zoe, his adoptive mother, with whom he shared power, becoming the sole emperor. The announcement of such a fact on the morning of the 19th gave rise to a popular revolt. He was dethroned after a short reign of four months, blinded by the Varangian Norðbrikt (future Harald III of Norway) who took advantage of the chaos to plunder, and finally imprisoned in a monastery. He died on August 24, 1042. His unpopularity seems to have been due in large part to his administrative reforms, which met with strong opposition from the ruling classes, while the lower classes considered him a usurper.