Page:Constantinople by Brodribb.djvu/153

 of remaining in power, lavished on the court, on the courtiers, on the slaves, all the money that could be extorted from the diminished provinces of the empire. Famine and pestilence visited the cities. The Bulgarians resumed their independence. An Armenian, named Philaretos, claimed the title of emperor in Asia Minor, and was bought off with the safer dignity of Duke of Antioch. Alp Arslan consolidated his conquests in Asia by converting the agricultural serfs, who had hitherto cultivated the soil for the great landowners, into independent proprietors. The Cæsar, John Ducas, revolted, and called himself emperor. He was only put down by an alliance between Michael and the sultan of the Seljouks, and this alliance was naturally bought at a heavy price. Then two nobles simultaneously took up arms and usurped the imperial title. One of them, Nicephorus Bryennius, in Europe, raised an army of foreign mercenaries, with which he advanced to the walls of Constantinople, which he would easily have taken had it not been for his imprudence in allowing his troops to ravage the suburbs. This so exasperated the people, that Michael was enabled to force his retreat. The other, Nicephorus Botaneiates, obtained the assistance of the Seljoukians, was welcomed at Nicæa, and then received the welcome intelligence that Michael had been dethroned, and was now in a monastery, quietly writing more iambics, and no doubt much happier than when he was trembling on the throne. He was allowed to remain in peace, and even rose in the Church to be bishop of Ephesus.