Theodosios Monomachos, Latinized as Theodosius Monomachus (), was a senior Byzantine noble and the nephew of Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos. When Constantine's co-ruler, the Empress Theodora died in 1056, Monomachos tried to usurp the throne but failed miserably, was exiled and became a figure of fun in the empire. Career Theodosios Monomachos was the grandson of another Theodosios Monomachos, an important bureaucrat under Basil II and Constantine VIII and the nephew of Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos, ruler of the Byzantine Empire. In 1056 he was serving as president of the Byzantine Senate, an important administrative role reserved for senior members of the aristocracy. Bid for the throne Background Constantine IX died on 11 January 1055 without a legitimate heir. As he lay dying, he was persuaded by his councillors to ignore the rights of the elderly Empress Theodora and to pass the throne to the doux (Duke) of the Theme of Bulgaria, Nikephoros Proteuon. The plan was forestalled by Theodora, who vigorously asserted her right to rule. Theodora came out of retirement, convened the Senate and was proclaimed "emperor" by the imperial guard, shortly before Constantine died. Theodora was in good health, active and disinclined to face her own mortality, despite being seventy-six years old. The patriarch Michael Keroularios advocated that Theodora should advance a subject to the throne through marriage to her, something which would have assured the succession. Theodora refused to consider a token marriage and refused to name an heir to the throne. Theodora became gravely ill with an intestinal disorder in late August 1056. On 31 August her advisors selected Michael Bringas, an aged civil servant and former military finance minister, to be emperor. According to Michael Psellus (1017/18–1078/96) his main attraction was that "he was less qualified to rule than he was to be ruled and directed by others". Theodora was unable to speak but her ministers decided that she had nodded at an appropriate moment; the Patriarch refused to believe it. Failed putsch When Theodosios Monomachos heard that Theodora was dying he assumed that he would be selected as the next emperor. Hearing of the stalemate he decided to force the issue. He armed his household slaves and stormed the prison, arming the inmates. With this core of support and assisted by his son he rallied a mob behind him and marched through the streets of Constantinople to the Palace. There his supporters in