Mizizios
| Mizizios | |
|---|---|
| Usurper of the Byzantine Empire | |
 A solidus of Mizizios struck in Syracuse, Sicily | |
| Reign | 668–669 |
| Predecessor | Constans II |
| Successor | Constantine IV |
| Born | 622 |
| Died | 669 (Aged 46-47) |
Mizizios or Mezezius (Greek: Μιζίζιος; Armenian: Մժէժ, Mžēž or Mzhezh)[a] was an Armenian noble who served as a general of Byzantium, later usurping the Byzantine throne in Sicily from 668 to 669.
Origin and early career
According to the Byzantine chroniclers, Mizizios was an Armenian, and "exceedingly handsome and beautiful".patrikios.[1]
Usurpation and death
Mizizios accompanied Emperor
Liber pontificalis reports that loyalist troops from Italy and the Exarchate of Africa suppressed the revolt, executed Mizizios, and sent his severed head to Constantinople.[1][2]
Mizizios had one son, John, who remained on Sicily after his father's execution. According to Michael the Syrian, in ca. 678 A.D, he too rebelled against Constantine IV, and also lasted for seven months before the emperor arrived in Sicily and defeated and killed him.[2][3]
Footnotes
- Symeon the Logothete; "Mezeuxios" (Μεζεύξιος) by Pope Gregory II. PmbZ, Mizizios (#5163)
References
Sources
- ISBN 0-19-504652-8.
- Lilie, Ralph-Johannes; Ludwig, Claudia; Pratsch, Thomas; Zielke, Beate (2013). Prosopographie der mittelbyzantinischen Zeit Online. Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften. Nach Vorarbeiten F. Winkelmanns erstellt (in German). Berlin and Boston: De Gruyter.
External links
- Moore, R. Scott. "Mezezius (668-669 A.D.)". Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors. Retrieved 26 November 2016.