When Constantine's successor, 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.

[1] In 1056 he was serving as president of the Byzantine Senate, an important administrative role reserved for senior members of the aristocracy.

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.

On 31 August her advisors selected Michael Bringas, an aged civil servant and former military finance minister, to be emperor.

Monomachos lost heart and headed for Hagia Sophia, the main cathedral, to enlist the support of the Patriarch.

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".