July 11, 813

Posted on July 11, 2020 by Joel Byers

On July 11, 813, Michael I, the emperor of Byzantine, circumvented the conspiracies swirling around his throne. He abdicated in favor of his general, Leo the Armenian, and became a monk at the age of 43. Unfortunately for his sons that meant castration for them and also being regulated to monasteries so they would never be a threat to the new Emperor. Michael I kept his testicles and was assigned a new name, Athanasius and lived another 31 years and died at the ripe old age of 74. Leo the Armenian wasn’t as lucky. He was assassinated in 820 by one of his trusted generals. Looks like Michael I beat the game of thrones by deciding to not play in that sandbox anymore.

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About Joel Byers

Born in North Georgia and educated at some very fine public institutions. Real education started after graduating from college and then getting married and raising two boys. Has the ability to see the funny and absurd in most things and will always remark on it, even if it means getting the stink-eye from his victims.
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