Theophilos 5 was a native of Amorion: Theoph. Cont. III 33 (p. 129). Son of the emperor Michael II (Michael 10) and, allegedly, Euphrosyne 1: Vita Petr. Atr. 63, p. 187, Leo Gramm. 211, 213, Georg. Mon. Cont. 783, 789, Ps.-Symeon 621, 624, 628. His mother was in fact Thekla 2 and Euphrosyne 1 was his stepmother: Theoph. Cont. III 1 (p. 86) (τὴν ἑαυτοῦ μητρυιάν), and cf. Thekla 2 and Theoph. Cont. II 24 (pp. 78-79). Son of Michael 10 (Michael II): Theoph. Cont. II 8 (p. 48), 14 (p. 59), 16 (p. 64), III 1 (p. 84), Zon. XV 24. 28, Vita Method. 1249C-D, Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 493C (υἱὸς), Chron. 1234, §209 (II, p. 22).

Born before July 813 when Theophilos 5 was already the godson of Leo 15 (the emperor Leo V): Theoph. Cont. I 12 (pp. 23-24) (τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ πρότερον ἐκ τοῦ θείου λούτρου υἱοποιησάμενος), II 7 (p. 46), Scyl., p. 13, Genesius I 11 (unnamed son of Michael and godson of Leo). In 829 Theophilos 5 had reached the age of manhood (ἀνδρὸς ἔχων ἡλικίαν): Theoph. Cont. III 1 (p. 84). He was at one time taught by Ioannes 5 (Ioannes Grammatikos): Vita Petr. Atr. 63, p. 187 (προστοιχειωθεὶς), Ps.-Symeon 649, Theoph. Cont. III 9 (pp. 95-96) (αὐτοῦ δὲ πρότερον ... διδάσκαλον), 12 (p. 102) (καθηγητὴν αὐτοῦ γεγονότα τε καὶ διδάσκαλον), IV 8 (p. 157), Zon. XV 26. 19. Theophilos 5 himself composed hymns and stichera which he allegedly paid the clergy in Hagia Sophia to perform when he was emperor: Theoph. Cont. III 16 (pp. 106-107), Zon. XV 27. 14. He was crowned emperor by his father Michael II (Michael 10) soon after Michael 10 became emperor (in late 820): Leo Gramm. 211, Georg. Mon. Cont. 783, Ps.-Symeon 621.

Theophilos 5 became ruler in succession to his father (Michael 10, in 829), with Euphrosyne 1: Vita Petr. Atr. 63, p. 187, Leo Gramm. 213, Georg. Mon. Cont. 789, Ps.-Symeon 624, Zon. XV 24. 28, Vita Method. 1249D, Vita Nic. Stud. 900C, Chron. 1234, §209 (II, p. 22). The date was October 829 (the eighth indiction): Theoph. Cont. III 1 (p. 84), 41 (p. 139) (see below). He was emperor for twelve years: Leo Gramm. 213, Georg. Mon. Cont. 789, Ps.-Symeon 624. Successor of his father, he was emperor for thirteen years: Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 493C (ἐπὶ δέκα καὶ τρεῖς χρόνους ἐγκράτης γίνεται τῆς βασιλείας).

Following a bride show arranged by Euphrosyne 1, Theophilos 5 married Theodora 2, having first considered then rejected Kassia 1; he crowned Theodora 2 in the Oratory of St Stephen and was himself crowned on the same occasion by the patriarch Antonios 3: Leo Gramm. 213, Georg. Mon. Cont. 790, Ps.-Symeon 624-625, Zon. XV 25. 11-20. On the chronology of his marriage to Theodora 2 and the dates of their children, see Treadgold, "The Problem of the Marriage of the emperor Theophilus", in GRBS 16 (1975), 325-341. Husband of Theodora 2: Theoph. Cont. III 5 (pp. 89-90), IV 1 (p. 148), Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 500B (τελευτᾷ μὲν ὁ Θεόφιλος, εἰς Θεοδώραν δὲ τὴν εὐσεβεστὰτην βασιλίδα ... περιέστη τὰ τῆς ἀρχῆς), Vita Method. 1253A. He subsequently arranged the marriage of his wife's (unnamed) sister (or, according to Theophanes Continuatus, his own sister), Anonyma 4, to Theophobos 1: Leo Gramm. 215, Georg. Mon. Cont. 793, Ps.-Symeon 626, Theoph. Cont. III 19 (p. 110), 21 (p. 112). Theophilos 5 had a son, Konstantinos 259, probably born c. 834, who died while still an infant; the evidence for him is in his father's coins, for which see Treadgold, Revival, p. 284 (illustrations, with analysis). He later had a son, Michael 11, by Theodora 2: Leo Gramm. 222, 227, 228, Georg. Mon. Cont. 809, 810, Ps.-Symeon 637 (supposedly in the tenth year of his reign), 645, 646, Theoph. Cont. IV 1 (p. 148), 27 (p. 185), Vita Method. 1253A, Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 500BC (Μιχαὴλ ὁ υἱὸς), Chron. 1234, §225 (II, p. 35), Vita Mich. Sync. 25, Const. Porph., DAI 50, 6ff.

Theophilos 5 also had five daughters by Theodora 2, Anastasia 2, Anna 2, Maria 4 (a favourite who died young), Poulcheria 1 and Thekla 1: Theoph. Cont. III 5 (pp. 89-90), 18 (p. 107), Leo Gramm. 216, 237, Georg. Mon. Cont. 794, 823, Ps.-Symeon 628, 630, 658. He married (or perhaps "betrothed") his youngest daughter Maria 4 to Alexios 2 Mousele: Theoph. Cont. III 18 (pp. 107-108), Leo Gramm. 216, Georg. Mon. Cont. 794, Ps.-Symeon 630. He crowned Michael 11 emperor (Michael III) in Hagia Sophia: Leo Gramm. 227, Georg. Mon. Cont. 809, Ps.-Symeon 645.

According to Theophanes Continuatus and Zonaras one of Theophilos 5's first acts was to compel his stepmother Euphrosyne 1 to return to the same monastery that she had left to be married to Michael II (Michael 10): Theoph. Cont. III 1 (p. 86), Zon. XV 25. 10. He is supposed to have had his one and only extra-marital affair with one of the attendants (Anonyma 20) of his wife, the empress Theodora (Theodora 2): Theoph. Cont. III 8 (p. 95).

Theophilos 5 was an iconoclast (εἰκονομαχός): Leo Gramm. 215, 221, 228, Georg. Mon. Cont. 789, 799, 811, Ps.-Symeon 624, 625, 628-629, 635, Theoph. Cont. III 2 (p. 87), 5 (pp. 90-91), 6 (pp. 91-92), 10ff. (pp. 99ff.), 41 (p. 139), Zon. XV 22. 19, Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 493C (influenced by Ioannes 5 - τὸν τῶν ὀρθοδόξων διωγμὸν οὐδενὸς, ὡς εἰπεῖν, τῶν πρὸ αὐτοῦ διωκτῶν ἐνομίζετο κουφότεροσ: καὶ τοῦτο ἐπιστεύετο εἶναι καὶ γίνεσθαι ἐξ ὑποβόλης μάλιστα τοῦ Ἰωάννου), Vita Method. 1249D (the persecution resumed under him), 1253A (it ceased with his death), Vita Nic. Stud. 900C-901B, cf. Vita Petr. Atr. 63, p. 187 (the persecution of iconophiles was resumed in the fourth year of his reign), Vita Mich. Sync. 25. He had Euthymios 1, bishop of Sardis, beaten so severely that he died: Genesius II 14, and cf. Euthymios 1. He summoned Makarios 9 for discussions on iconoclasm but failed to convince him and sent him into exile: Acta Macarii (BHG 1003), pp. 157, 24-159, 7 (summoned Makarios), 159, 22 (banished him). Among those who suffered in his reign were David 13 and Georgios 135: Acta Davidis, Symeonis et Georgii (BHG 494) 237-239; 242-243.

His wife, Theodora 2, allegedly claimed that Theophilos 5 changed his mind on his death-bed and repented of his iconoclast views: Ps.-Symeon 651, Theoph. Cont. IV 4-6 (pp. 152-154) (she was addressing the iconophile Council which restored the veneration of icons in 843), cf. Vita Irenae Chrysobalanton (BHG 952) pp. 6, 4-8, 2 (Theodora's intercession for him). According to the Life of Methodios, Theophilos 5's attitude to the iconophiles moderated towards the end of his life under the influence of Methodios 1: Vita Method. 1252C.

Theophilos 5 fell ill of a form of dysentery and died (in 842); he was interred in the Church of the Holy Apostles: Leo Gramm. 228, Georg. Mon. Cont. 810, Ps.-Symeon 646, cf. Theoph. Cont. III 40 (pp. 138-139) (his last illness), Zon. XV 29. 21-26, Chron. 1234, §224 (II, p. 35), Vita Irenae Chrysobalanton (BHG 952) p. 2, 8-12. He died on 20 January, after reigning for twelve years and three months: Theoph. Cont. III 41 (p. 139), Zon. XV 29. 26 (twelve years three months). Since he died on 20 January, 842, he apparently became emperor in October 829.

In appearance Theophilos 5 apparently had a poor head of hair; he therefore, allegedly, issued a decree that no one should wear their hair below the neck: Theoph. Cont. III 17 (p. 107). He is said to have sent eighteen expeditions altogether against his enemies but never to have won a significant victory, although often employing adequate forces; the reason is attributed to his lifelong hostility to the veneration of icons: Theoph. Cont. III 41 (p. 139). Apart from his religious policy he is described as a good and just ruler: Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 493C (οὐ κακὸς καὶ δικαιοκρισίας ἀντεχόμενος).

Theophilos 5 succeeded his father (Michael 10) as emperor in an eighth indiction, in AM 6338; once of his first acts was to call a silentium, at which he identified the persons who had helped his father (Michael 10) to murder the emperor Leo 15; he then instructed the eparch (Anonymus 32) to have them executed according to the law: Genesius III 1, Leo Gramm. 214, Zon. XV 25. 8-9. He pursued warfare vigorously against the Arabs, aided by two outstanding men, Manuel 1 and Theophobos 1: Genesius III 2, Theoph. Cont. III 19 (pp. 109-110). A native of Amorion; he attacked and took the home town of the caliph, Sozopetra; in revenge the caliph (al-Mu`tasim 1) attacked and captured Amorion: Genesius III 11. Many captives, including some of his relations, were taken captive, and Theophilos 5 tried to ransom them but had his offers rejected by the caliph: Genesius III 12. He attacked the Arabs and defeated them and sacked Sozopetra, home town of the caliph: Genesius III 13. Learning of the caliph's big expedition, he gathered troops from east and west and from the Persians; at Anzes he ignored the advice of Manuel 1 and Theophobos 1 to engage in battle by night and was defeated; he was surrounded but was saved by Manuel 1, and met his routed commanders at Chiliocomum, where he pardoned them; the caliph then marched on Amorion and Theophilos 5 retreated to Nikaia and Dorylaion, abandoning Amorion; he now began to suffer from dysentery, through drinking icy water when overheated: Genesius III 14.

Inspired by a prophecy by an Arab woman (Anonyma 6) about the future of the empire, Theophilos 5 began persecuting Martinakios 1 and his family: Genesius III 15, Theoph. Cont. III 27 (p. 121), Ps.-Symeon 635, Scyl., p. 72. Dying of a wasting disease and of dysentery, he allegedly made a last speech at the Magnaura to the senate, asking help for his young son and wife: Genesius III 18. He disturbed the calm seas of piety by persecuting and imprisoning holy men, such as Michael 51 (Synkellos), and torturing men like Theophanes 6 and Theodoros 68: Genesius III 19. He was otherwise a successful emperor, for instance he repaired the walls of Constantinople and he took action to restrain avarice, preventing his own empress (see Theodora 2), for instance, from profiting from trade: Genesius III 20. He had an enquiring mind and released Methodios 1 to live in the palace where he could consult him on matters that were puzzling: Genesius III 21. He was emperor for twelve years and three months, and died on 24 January, of his illness, after insulting the orthodox faith: Genesius III 22.

Son of the emperor Michael 10; Theophilos 5 succeeded his father as emperor in the year 1140 Sel. (828/829); he had received the crown four years before his father died: Bar Hebr., p. 131. After the return of Manuel 1 from the Arabs Theophilos 5 sought to make peace but rejected the terms demanded by the caliph Mamun (al-Ma'mun 1): Bar Hebr., p. 132. In the year 1148 Sel. (836/837) he campaigned against Sopatra, Melitene and Samosata, killing the inhabitants of Sopatra and defeating an Arab army; he withdrew from Melitene when the inhabitants surrendered to him all the Romans held captive there: Bar Hebr., pp. 135-136. In the year 1149 Sel. (837/838) he defeated the army of Afshin 1 but was then deserted by most of his troops who thought that he had been killed; he was trapped by an Arab army, but managed to break out and after securing Amorion he went to Constantinople where, discovering plans to appoint a new emperor, he killed those responsible: Bar Hebr., p. 136. After the fall of Amorion he tried to make peace with the caliph al-Mu`tasim 1 but refused to accept the caliph's demand for the surrender of Nasir (i.e. Theophobos 1) and Manuel 1: Bar Hebr., p. 138. In the year 1152 Sel. (840/841) he and al-Mu`tasim 1 made peace, exchanging gifts and prisoners: Bar Hebr., p. 139. He died in the year 1154 Sel. (842/843), around the same time as al-Mu`tasim 1 also died: Bar Hebr., p. 140.

Theophilos 5 built a palace for his daughters, Thekla 1, Anna 2, Anastasia 2, Poulcheria 1 and Maria 4, called Karianou: Scyl., p. 56, lines 83-84.

Theophilos 5 received an embassy from Anonymus 197, khagan of Khazaria, asking for the fortress at Sarkel to be built: Theoph. Cont. III 28, Scyl., p. 73, lines 78-79. Theophilos 5 responded by sending Petronas 7 to do the task: Theoph. Cont. III 28, Scyl., p. 73, lines 78-85. Informed by Petronas 7 that Cherson needed a strategos of its own, Theophilos 5 appointed Petronas 7 as strategos of Cherson: Theoph. Cont. III 28, Scyl., p. 73, lines 89-91. He received envoys from the khagan and pech of Khazaria (Anonymus 197 and Pech 1) asking for a city to be built on the river Tanais, and he sent Petronas 7, who built the city of Sarkel; after Petronas's return he appointed him the first strategos of Cherson: Const. Porph., DAI 42, 26ff.

During his reign and that of his son, the Slavs of the Peloponnesos revolted and became independent: Const. Porph., DAI 50, 6ff.

For the imperial seals of Theophilos 5, see Zacos and Veglery 51 (jointly with his father), 52-53 (his sole reign). See also J. Jurukova, "Neues byzantinisches Kaisersiegel aus Bulgarien", Vekove 7 (1978), 73-76 (seal of Theophilos 5, with his sons Michael 11 and Konstantinos 259 on the reverse). For his imperial coins, see Grierson, Catalogue III 1, pp. 406-451, esp. pp. 424-451 (on his coinage he included the names variously of his wife Theodora 2, his sons Michael 11 and Konstantinos 259 and his daughters Anastasia 2, Anna 2 and Thekla 1).

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