John convinced the empress to adopt Stephen 's son Michael as her own , thus ensuring the continuation of the Paphlagonian line .
As the epilepsy afflicting Michael IV worsened , John 's grip on power tightened .
John convinced the empress to adopt Stephen 's son Michael IV as her own , thus ensuring the continuation of the Paphlagonian line .
As the epilepsy afflicting Michael IV worsened , John 's grip on power tightened .