greek died june byzantine official rose important influential associates byzantine empress effectively acted chief minister regency young son emperor overthrown exiled military revolt favour young emperor restored power constantine aided eventual removal possible murder son position threatened rise powerful increasing rivalry imperial ambitions resolved death biography minister regency emerged prominence regent infant son appointed post byzantine_empire foreign minister holding high court rank appointment words chronicler foremost man day charge subsequent reign appointment consistent policy rely officials ministers generals large result distrust established generals late husband father constantine generals intensely loyal dynasty policies threaten position weeks death palace plot surviving brother throne reliance caused hostility military resentment appointment powerful post given byzantine reason initially secret prominent armenian arabs critical blow byzantines time succeeded invading army future suggestion asked negotiations imperial envoys including arrived seized held hostages point men publicly went envoys released accepted harsh terms year truce including annual payment enormous tribute gold handing silk year led imperial expedition slavic communities greece setting constantinople imperial army followed coast macedonia south expedition restored measure byzantine imperial authority areas collected booty tribute locals rewarded loyal minister allowing celebrate triumph january success followed restoration imperial control far moved restoration icons prohibited emperor new council convened initially held soldiers founded constantine loyal policies gathered outside protest forced assembly broken order reaction sent army base allegedly preparation campaign arabs soldiers dismissed brought loyal thematic troops guard capital council dismissing bishops overturned images restored clash constantine recorded attending judge bride year old young byzantine emperor chosen constantine unhappy breaking earlier daughter point began mother control state affairs power officials trusted conspirators constantine planned arrest exile sicily assume position effective ruler byzantine_empire plans persuaded arrest torture exile constantine associates constantine placed house arrest demanded army oath loyalty wording placed son precedence demand provoked mutiny soldiers theme spread armies assembled demanded emperor constantine release pressure constantine installed sole ruler december constantine acts exiled theme officials likewise exiled remained confined palace harbour capital retained formal title empress january reasons clear recalled imperial palace title empress ruler confirmed restored imperial recalled took active role governance state turn events drove mutiny commander constantinople despite guarantees safety imprisoned later blinded eager revenge role overthrow alienated army especially provided firm support base mother constantine strained relations church called controversy divorced maria married mistress result position capital bureaucracy stronger began plotting son agents expedition headed constantine arabs afraid victory boost emperor standing people army returned capital constantine seized blinded officially stated survived remained imprisoned likely died wounds sole rule rivalry removal henceforth reigned byzantine empress found position increasingly challenged powerful trusted servant empress engaged intense rivalry place relatives positions power secure control empire death rivalry intensified fell seriously ill backing domestic schools accused planning throne held council palace powerful minister got apology began preparing counter stroke members lacked supporters higher command legally barred imperial throne seize warned empress issued orders february military contact measure designs introduced balance supported soon fell fatally ill reportedly blood persuaded doctors monks live byzantine emperor instigated revolt adversary secured post theme highest ranked military position byzantine_empire news revolt swiftly suppressed reached capital died june
Staurakios (eunuch)