the imperial court hoped to present their colleagues with a fait accompli, similar to that of Theodora's the year before. When the Varangian Guard, the imperial bodyguards, heard of this they formed up outside the Palace to stop him. They were reinforced by a hastily mustered group of sailors from the nearby imperial docks. Monomachos lost heart and headed for Hagia Sophia, the main cathedral, to enlist the support of the Patriarch. By the time he arrived, many of his followers had drifted away. Horrified at the near riot on the streets, the Patriarch had barred the cathedral doors against him. The Patriarch hurried to the Palace, where Bringas was crowned as Michael VI; Theodora died later the same day. Theodosios and his son were captured sitting on the outside steps of the church, abandoned by all. Surprisingly, this action was treated as street theatre rather than treason; Michael VI merely banished them to Pergamum. This increased the new emperor's popularity with the citizens of the city; they openly mocked Theodosios, composing insulting verses about his failed coup and calling out "The moron Monomachus did whatever he thought of". He was remembered on the streets of Constantinople as "Monomachus the moron". References Sources Primary Sources John Zonaras, Extracts of History John Skylitzes, Synopsis of Histories Secondary Sources George Finlay, History of the Byzantine Empire from 716 – 1057, William Blackwood & Sons, 1853 Edinburgh; London 11th-century Byzantine people Byzantine usurpers Theodosios Year of birth unknown Year of death unknown