Konstantinos IX persuaded Zoe to recall Maria Skleraina, at first to modest housing

Summary:
Konstantinos IX, when he was raised to the peak of empire, did not forget Maria Skleraina in his good fortune, but was generous with money and honours. Against the advice of all, including his sister Euprepeia, he spoke to Zoe about her and requested that she be recalled to enjoy some prosperity. He spoke of her not as a wife or a prospective mistress, but as one who had experienced many misfortunes from the imperial family, and many on his account. Zoe did not refuse the request, since she was growing old for jealousy and had experienced misfortune herself. Letters were sent to Maria, one from Konstantinos and one from Zoe herself, promising to be kind to her and encouraging her return. She had been in despair, but now came quickly to the capital. A modest residence was thought fit for her and a not especially brilliant escort 
Dates:
1042 
Euprepeia, sister of Konstantinos IX (Euprepeia 61)
  • She particularly opposed Konstantinos 9 (on the question of Maria 64) and advised him what would be best (:) ἀντιπραττούσης αὐτῷ καὶ τὰ συνοίσοντα βουλευομένης Psellos: Chronographia VI 52.10
Emperor Konstantinos IX Monomachos (Konstantinos 9)
  • One of Maria 64's hopes was realized and he was made emperor, but the moment did not grant the other since Zoe 1 seized all the power; Maria despaired utterly, not only of her dearest hopes, but even of safety (:) ἐπεὶ δὲ θάτερον μὲν ἐγεγόνει τῶν ἠλπισμένων, φημὶ δὲ τὸ βασιλεῦσαι τὸν Κωνσταντῖνον Psellos: Chronographia VI 51.12-16
  • When he was raised to the peak of kingship, he did not forget Maria 64 Skleraina in his good fortune, but he spoke to the empress (Zoe 1) about her and requested that Maria 64 be recalled and win some prosperity (:) Zonaras 17.21.15
  • He spoke of Maria 64 not as a wife nor as a prospective mistress, but as one who had experienced many misfortunes from the imperial family, and many on his account; he asked for her recall and that she be granted reasonable rights (:) ἠξίου ἀνακλήσεώς τε ταύτην ἀξιοῦσθαι καὶ τῶν μετρίων τυχεῖν Psellos: Chronographia VI 52.12-16
  • Maria 64 was summoned and given letters, one from him and one from Zoe 1 herself, promising to be kind to her and encouraging her return (:) γράμματα ταύτῃ διδόντες τὰ μὲν ἐκ τοῦ αυτοκράτορος Psellos: Chronographia VI 53.5-9
  • When a certain matter arose, he would have clashed with Theodora 1 and Zoe 1 at once, had not Zoe agreed with him, either hiding her jealousy or being devoid of it because of her age (:) ἀφορμῆς δέ τινος προηγησαμένης, προσκεκρούκει ταύταις εὐθύς Psellos: Chronographia VI 49.6-9
  • He did not forget Maria 64 even when he had entered the palace: he saw Zoe 1 with his physical eyes, but with those of his heart he saw and clasped the form of Maria; he embraced Zoe, but in his heart held Maria to his bosom (:) τὴν μὲν ἠγκάλιστο, τὴν δὲ ἐγκόλπιον εἶχεν ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ Psellos: Chronographia VI 52.1-5
  • Not fearing the circumstances nor Zoe 1's jealousy, not heeding any advice, but putting all counsel second to his will, even that of his sister Euprepeia 61, scorning all, from his first meeting with Zoe 1 he spoke about Maria (:) οὔτε τὸν καιρὸν δείσας, οὔτε τὸ τῆς βασιλίδος ζηλότυπον Psellos: Chronographia VI 52.6-12
  • Once he became emperor, he fully repaid the previous generosity of Maria 64 with money and distinctions, especially the title of sebaste; she became the centre of his life, and charmed the whole court (:) Psellos Poema 17.71-117
Maria Skleraina, mistress of Konstantinos IX (Maria 64)
  • She was warmed by hopes of power and put other things second to joint rule with Konstantinos 9; for she thought that they would be married and the rest would come about as they wished, with the emperor's will over-ruling the laws (:) ὑπέθαλπουν γὰρ κἀκείνην ἐλπίδες ἡγεμονίας, καὶ τοῦ συμβασιλεύειν ὕστερον τῷ ἀνδρὶ τἄλλα ἐτίθετο δεύτερα Psellos: Chronographia VI 51.7-12
  • When one of her hopes was realised and Konstantinos 9 was made emperor, but the moment did not grant the other since Zoe 1 seized all the power, she despaired utterly, not only of her dearest hopes, but even of safety (:) ἡ μὲν παντάπασιν ἀπεγνώκει, οὐ τὰς χρηστοτέρας μόνον ἐλπίδας, ἀλλὰ δὴ καὶ τὴν σωτηρίαν Psellos: Chronographia VI 51.12-16
  • She was afraid of Zoe 1 and thought that Zoe 1 would be exceedingly angry with her (:) ἐδείμαινε γὰρ τὴν βασιλίδα καὶ βαρυμηνιεῖν ἐπ᾿ αὐτῇ ᾤετο Psellos: Chronographia VI 51.17
  • Konstantinos 9 spoke to the empress (Zoe 1) about her and requested that she be recalled and win some prosperity (:) Zonaras 17.21.15
  • She was brought from Mitylene; a splendid residence was not immediately made ready for her, nor splendid retinue (:) Zonaras 17.21. 17
  • When Konstantinos 9 was raised to the peak of kingship, the hopes of Maria 64 Skleraina did not depart, nor yet did the emperor (Konstantinos 9) forget her in his good fortune (:) Zonaras 17.21.15
  • At first a modest residence was thought fit for her and an escort not especially brilliant (:) εὐτελεστέρας ἀξιοῦται καταγωγῆς, καὶ δορυφορίας οὐ πάνυ λαμπρᾶς Psellos: Chronographia VI 54.1-2
  • Konstantinos 9 did not forget her even when he had entered the palace: he saw Zoe 1 with his physical eyes, but with those of his heart he saw and clasped her form; he embraced Zoe, but in his heart held her to his bosom (:) τὴν δὲ ἐκείνης μορφὴν τοῖς ἀπὸ τῆς ψυχῆς συνήθρει καὶ συνελάμβανε Psellos: Chronographia VI 52.1-5
  • Not fearing the circumstances nor Zoe 1's jealousy, not heeding any advice, but putting all counsel second to his will, ..., scorning all, from his first meeting with Zoe, Konstantinos 9 spoke about Maria (:) εὐθὺς ἐκ πρώτης συνοδίας τῇ βασιλίδι περὶ τῆς γυναικὸς διαλέγεται Psellos: Chronographia VI 52.6-12
  • Konstantinos 9 spoke of her not as wife nor as prospective mistress, but as one who had experienced many misfortunes from the (imperial) family, and many on his account; he asked for her recall and that she be granted reasonable rights (:) ὡς χρησαμένης πολλαῖς μὲν ταῖς ἐκ τοῦ γένους συμφοραῖς, πολλαῖς δὲ εφ᾿ ἑαυτοῦ Psellos: Chronographia VI 52.12-16
  • She was expecting to suffer the worst; but suddenly men came to summon her to Byzantion with an imperial escort; they gave her letters, one from Konstantinos 9, one from Zoe 1 herself, promising to be kind and encouraging her return (:) ἡ μὲν οὖν προσεδόκα τὰ δεινότατα πείσεσθαι Psellos: Chronographia VI 53.4-9
  • In this way (summoned and with an imperial escort) she arrived at the queen of cities (:) Psellos: Chronographia VI 53.9-10
  • She was brought to the capital (:) εἰσήχθη εἰς τὴν βασιλεύουσαν Psellos: Chronographia VI 50.2
  • In return for her generosity, once Konstantinos 9 became emperor, he was very generous towards her with money and distinctions, especially the title of sebaste; she became the centre of his life, and charmed the whole court (:) Psellos Poema 17.71-117
Empress Zoe (Zoe 1)
  • When one of Maria 64's hopes was realized and Konstantinos 9 was made emperor, but the moment did not grant the other since she seized all the power, Maria 64 despaired utterly, not only of her dearest hopes, but even of safety (:) θάτερον δὲ οὐκ ἔδωκεν ὁ καιρὸς, ἀλλ᾿ ἡ βασιλὶς Ζωὴ τὴν ἐξουσίαν πᾶσαν συνείληφεν Psellos: Chronographia 51.12-16
  • She did not refuse [the request of Konstantinos 9 regarding Maria 64]; for time had carried away the envy in her now that she was beyond her prime, and her experience of trials made her more moderate (:) Zonaras 17.21.16
  • When Konstantinos 9 was raised to the peak of kingship, he spoke to the empress (Zoe 1) about Maria 64 Skleraina and requested that she be recalled and win some prosperity (:) Zonaras 17.21.15
  • Konstantinos 9 did not forget Maria 64 even when he had entered the palace: he saw Zoe with his physical eyes, but with those of his heart he saw and clasped Maria ; he embraced Zoe, but in his heart held Maria to his bosom (:) τοῖς μὲν αἰσθητοῖς ὄμμασι τὴν βασιλίδα τεθέαται Psellos: Chronographia VI 52.1-5
  • Not fearing the circumstances nor her jealousy, not heeding any advice, but putting all counsel second to his will, even that of his sister Euprepeia 61, scorning all, from his first meeting with Zoe, Konstantinos 9 spoke about Maria 64 (:) εὐθὺς ἐκ πρώτης συνοδίας τῇ βασιλίδι περὶ τῆς γυναικὸς διαλέγεται Psellos: Chronographia VI 56.6-12
  • She at once agreed to the recall of Maria 64; she no longer nursed jealousy, since she had now been burdened by many ills, and indeed had reached an age that no longer experienced such emotions (:) τὴν ἀπὸ τοῦ χρόνου ἡλικίαν ἐχούσῃ οὐκ ἔτι τὰ τοιαῦτα πάθη προσδεχομένην Psellos: Chronographia VI 53.1-4
  • Maria 64 was summoned to Byzantion and given letters, one from Konstantinos 9 and one from Zoe, promising to be kind to her and encouraging her return (:) εὐμενῆ τε αὐτῇ ψυχὴν ὑπισχνούμενα καὶ παραθαρρύνοντα πρὸς τὴν εἴσοδον Psellos: Chronographia VI 53.5-9
  • When a certain matter arose, Konstantinos 9 would have clashed with her and Theodora 1 at once, had not she agreed with him, either hiding her jealousy or being devoid of it because of her age (:) εἰ μὴ καὶ οὕτω τῇ ὁμευνέτιδι ἔδοξεν, εἴτε ἀποκρυψαμένῃ τὸ ζηλότυπον, εἴτε διὰ τὴν ἡλικίαν τοῦτο ἀφαιρεθείσῃ Psellos: Chronographia VI 49.6-9