MICHAEL II., Babus, or the Stammerer, Emperor of Constantinople, was born at Amorium in Phrygia, and was one of the principal officers of Bardanes. He assisted Leo V., his companion in arms, to obtain the throne, but afterwards conspired against him; and being convicted of treason, was condemned to be thrown into a fiery furnace. Before the sentence was executed, however, Leo was murdered by the other conspirators, and Michael was removed from his dungeon to the throne, even before his irons could be struck off. Michael was opposed by Thomas, another of the officers of Bardanes, who led 80,000 Asiatics against Constantinople, but was defeated and taken captive by the emperor, and treated with great cruelty. Michael died in 829, after a reign of nine years.