Michael I Rangabe

Michael I Rangabe (c. 770–844) was Byzantine emperor from 811 to 813. A courtier married to Prokopia, daughter of Nikephoros I, he took the throne in 811 when officials forced Staurakios to abdicate. He dropped Nikephoros's harsh taxes and gave generously to the army and church.

He leaned on the iconodule clergy, and in 812 recognised Charlemagne as emperor in exchange for Venice. After his army fled the Battle of Versinikia in 813, Leo the Armenian seized the throne; Michael abdicated into a monastery, where he died in 844. His sons were castrated to prevent the continuation of his dynasty.