Michael III

Michael III became Byzantine emperor at age two after the death of his father Theophilos. His mother Theodora served as regent. His reign saw the final restoration of icon veneration and a cultural revival.

Under the regency of Theodora, the Council of Constantinople in 843 formally restored the veneration of icons, ending the second iconoclast period. This event is celebrated as the 'Triumph of Orthodoxy' in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Michael III sponsored the mission of Saints Cyril and Methodius to the Slavs. They created the Glagolitic alphabet and translated the Bible into Old Church Slavonic, spreading Christianity and literacy among the Slavic peoples.

Michael III was assassinated in his bedchamber by his co-emperor Basil I, who then became sole emperor. Michael's reign ended the Macedonian dynasty's rise. His death marked the beginning of the Macedonian Renaissance.