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The entry of the Slavs into Christendom by A. P. Vlasto, page 9.
Could it really be???
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The entry of the Slavs into Christendom by A. P. Vlasto, page 9.
Could it really be??? -
Or could it be that the Rangavis family were all Slavs? -
If the emperor was, certainly the family would be too. Good find TM, the further we delve the more that is revealed. We should look into this character and his family a little more, I have no doubt that many emperors were of a combined Armeno-Slavic linguistic origin, but the latter was prevalent due to the vicinity of others who spoke a Slavic language and the fact that Slavic-speakers were everwhere in the Balkans while the Armenians were usually brought in during times of trouble, where they would be settled among Slavic-speakers for the purpose of neutralising the local inhabitants.In the name of the blood and the sun, the dagger and the gun, Christ protect this soldier, a lion and a Macedonian.Comment
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A Slav, Michael Rhangabe was proclaimed emperor on the death of his Stauricus following the defeat of his wife, Procopia's father Nicephorus I at the hands of the Bulgars. Michael himself had been on the ill-fated campaign and returned with the mortally-wounded Stauricus. A few months after his succession, he elevated his son Theophylactus to the rank of co-emperor. Michael was a weak ruler, more interested in prayer than power, and the Bulgar Krum was quick to seize land at the slightest insult. Macedonia and Thrace were overrun with Bulgars, and when finally Michael raised an army large enough to drive them out, his indecisive generalship caused immense dissatisfaction in the ranks. When finally the impatient generals insisted he attack, the Asian contingent serving under Michael himself deserted and the remaining, exposed army was destroyed. Desperate for leadership, the troops proclaimed the Armenian general Leo as emperor. Michael and his family were sent into exile. His young sons were castrated and cloistered to remove any threat, though one, christened Niketas, was to grow up to become the famous Patriarch Ignatius, serving under Theophilus (through the graces of his wife Theodora) and Basil I.Comment
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The name Rhangabe seems to be the Hellenized form of a Slav original (rokavu), and, if so, Michaels ethnic origin and that of his successor, Leo V the Armenian(ruled 813-820), provide evidence enough of a degree to which Byzantium in the 9th century had becoem not only a melting pot-society but, further, a society in which even the highest office lay open to the man with the wits and stamina to seize it.
Although I do not agree with the term "hellenized" I would suggest that he Romanized his name.Comment
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BTW the source above got its source from the 2002 Encyclopedia Britannica.Comment
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