List of important family members

John Orphanotrophos: He was one of the best-known members of the family of Paphlagonians and eldest of the five brothers. He acquired the monicker Orphanotrophos in 1033/34, when he took over the administration of the orphanage of Constantinople. He was the de facto ruler of the state during the reign of Michael IV. He was exiled when Michael V Kalaphates came to power. When Constantine IX Monomachos (1042-1055) ascended the throne, Orphanotrophos was sent to Lesbos, where he was blinded and died shortly afterwards.

Michael IV the Paphlagonian: He was John’s brother. He was introduced to palace service by John Orphanotrophos, who was one of Romanos III Argyros’ confidants. When Michael was presented to Zoe, the empress fell in love with him. It is thought that Zoe, Orphanotrophos and Michael conspired against Romanos III Argyros, who died in 1034 under suspicious circumstances. On the same day married Michael, who thus ascended the throne. Thanks to his reign the Paphlagonians occupied important state positions. He suffered from epilepsy. He died on December 1041 and was succeeded by his nephew, Michael V Kalaphates.

Niketas: He was the only one of the Paphlagonian brothers, with the exception of Michael, that was not a eunuch. After Michael IV came to power, Niketas was appointed doux of Antioch. The Paphlagonians looked to him for the succession of Michael IV, but he died suddenly in the same year.

Constantine: He was the brother of John, Michael, Niketas and George. He was also a eunuch. During the reign of Michael IV he replaced the deceased Niketas as doux of Antioch. He later became domestic of the Schools of the East. When Michael V Kalaphates came to power, Constantine was banished to his estates in the Opsikion theme, whence he was soon recalled and honored with the rank of novelissimos. He was Kalaphates’ closest associate and shared his fate: he was blinded after the uprising of April 1042 in Constantinople and his nephew’s downfall.

George: He was the brother of all the above, as well as a eunuch. In the time of Michael IV he received the rank of protovestiarios. When Michael V Kalaphates ascended the throne, George was exiled to Paphlagonia.

Maria: She was the sister of the aforementioned brothers. She was married to Stephen. Their son was the future emperor Michael V Kalaphates.

Stephen: He was Maria’s husband and father of the emperor Michael V Kalaphates. It is thought that the emperor’s monicker derived from the father’s craft. When Michael IV came to power, Stephen was entrusted with important posts. He is mentioned in the sources as the failed commander of the Byzantine fleet sent, under the overall leadership of George Maniakes, to recapture Sicily, that had been overran by the Arabs.

Michael V Kalaphates: He was the son of Maria and Stephen. After the death of Niketas he was earmarked as the successor of his uncle, Michael IV the Paphlagonian. The empress Zoe adopted him and awarded him the rank of caesar, a fact that enabled him to appear as a legitimate heir to the throne. When he came to power (December 1041), he tried to become independent of his family and the empress Zoe. His attempt to remove Zoe caused a massive uprising in Constantinople in April 1042, resulting in his overthrow and blinding. His downfall spelled the disappearance of the family of Paphlagonians from the historic stage.