Michael V was the adopted son of Empress Zoë of Byzantium and his proclamation as emperor marked a crucial turning point in the Byzantine Empire's political landscape. Empress Zoë, who had been instrumental in Michael's rise, was determined to maintain her influence in a male-dominated hierarchy, whereby adoption was sometimes a strategic tool to sidestep the challenges of direct succession. Michael's ascent was set against a backdrop of political intrigue, especially since Zoë had previously reigned alongside her late husband, Emperor Romanos III, showcasing the fluidity of power within the imperial family. The proclamation ceremony took place in Constantinople, the heart of an empire that was already under significant strain from both internal factions and external pressures from enemies such as the Seljuk Turks and the emerging Norman forces in southern Italy.

The circumstances surrounding Michael's proclamation reflect the tensions that permeated the Byzantine court at the time. It was a period marked by rapid changes and often violent confrontations among different elite factions. His adoption served not only to secure his legitimacy but also as a challenge to the established norms governing succession. Michael’s reign, albeit short-lived, was characterized by attempts to consolidate power and gain public support, which were critical for any ruler at that time. However, the tension between his governance and the desires of nobility and powerful factions would prove to be significant, heralding instability that would plague the empire in subsequent years.