Emperor Konstantinos IX Monomachos E / M XI
Κωνσταντίνου τοῦ Μονομάχου ملك الروم (DO III.39.10, IV.1.21) (Konstantinos 9)
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Narrative (677) Before 1025First of all allied by marriage to the first among men of distinction (Anonymus 7012 ), when he lost his wife (Anonyma 7004 ) through disease, he was snatched up again for a second marriage alliance εἰς δεύτερον κῆδος αὖθις ἁρπάζεται Psellos: Chronographia VI 15.9-11 Romanos 3 while still a private citizen grew fond of him because of his youthful flower and his magnificent family and grafted him onto his most fertile and fair olive (married him to Anonyma 6006 from the Skleros family) ἠγαπήκει τὸν ἄνδρα ... ἐγκεντρίζει τοῦτον τῷ γένει νεόφυτον κάλλιστον εἰς πιότατον καλλιέλαιον Psellos: Chronographia VI 15.11-19 When he was married to Anonyma 6006 from the Skleros family, he shone out above others by his family, but did not yet achieve splendid office, since the advisers of Basileios 2 were angry with him through hatred for his father-in-law, Basileios 103 ἐμεμήνεσαν τούτῳ, μίσους ἕνεκα πατρικοῦ Psellos: Chronographia VI 15.19-23 1043 summary: omens before his birth and in early life showed signs of the imperial power to come, as did his handsome appearance and acute intelligence Psellos Orationes panegyricae II, 448-547 1034 Certainty: 1 Konstantinos (IX) Monomachos fell under suspicion of aiming at the throne Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Konstantinos Monomachos exiled to Mitylene: Maria Skleraina followed him & supported him Certainty: 1 1040 Certainty: 1 Konstantinos Monomachos sentenced to blinding: saved by good luck & bad weather Certainty: 1 1042 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos (IX), in exile in Mitylene, received monk from Galesion claiming to represent Lazaros Certainty: 2 Certainty: 1 Konstantinos (IX) received the prophecy which would lead to the building of Nea Mone Certainty: 1 Certainty: 2 Michael V blinded at orders of Zoe & Theodora; Konstantinos IX succeeded (general factoids) Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Reign of Zoe & Theodora: finding an emperor Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos (IX) Monomachos recalled from exile & given a brilliant entry to Constantinople Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos (IX), as he was welcomed back to Constantinople, had a momentous meeting with Michael Keroularios Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos (IX) married to Zoe by Stypes, priest of Nea, not by the patriarch Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Konstantinos IX crowned emperor by the patriarch Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos IX celebrated his return from exile with Zoe & Theodora Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Konstantinos IX offered further promotions, donations & promises of improvement Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Ioannes Hypsinous complained of receiving no promotion, despite generosity of Konstantinos IX Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Lazaros, exiled bishop of Philippopolis, recalled by Konstantinos IX shortly after accession Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Adulatory praise of physical appearance of Konstantinos IX Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Michael V & his uncles sent to more distant places of exile Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Rebellion of Theophilos Erotikos on Cyprus quashed by Konstantinos Chage Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Duke Argyros sailed to besiege Trani; but after a month he was bought off by offer of Byzantine honours Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos IX persuaded Zoe to recall Maria Skleraina, at first to modest housing Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Romanos Skleros took vengeance on Maniakes in Anatolikon, attacking his estates & his wife Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Pardos patrikios arrived in Italy with 2 colleagues & a large sum of gold & silver, to replace Maniakes Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Pardos brought a guaranteed pardon for Georgios Maniakes if he immediately gave up his rebellion Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Army of Dyrrachion sent against Voisthlav (of Serbia), but was almost wiped out Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Georgios Maniakes rebelled in S Italy, killing Pardos & later "Tubachi" protospatharios Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Psellos, Xiphilinos & Leichoudes began Konstantinos IX's government of the talented When Konstantinos IX came to the throne, he gathered virtue and learning around him, not relying on the aristocracy of birth but selecting his administrators on personal merit, just as he selected his generals. He examined young hopefuls with a wide range of oral and written tests, prepared and unprepared, before giving them access to the palace. Michael Psellos would be the first to succeed, while Ioannes Xiphilinos soon followed. Konstantinos Leichoudes must also have passed early Certainty: 2 Konstantinos IX organised a huge army under Stephanos the eunuch against Georgios Maniakes Certainty: 2 1043 Certainty: 3 Maniakes crossed to Dyrrachion & won a first battle Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Battle of Ostrobos: sudden death of Georgios Maniakes at moment of victory Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Collapse of Maniakes' rebellion after his death; triumph of Konstantinos IX (& Stephanos Pergamenos) Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos IX began Mangana monastery near Skleraina's house Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Death of patriarch Alexios Stoudites; gold found at his monastery Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 Sending of imperial instruction to concentrate troops against Russian invasion Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 Appointment of Michael Keroularios as patriarch Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Psellos wrote Orationes panegyricae 2 for Konstantinos IX, with summary of recent history Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Blinding of Ioannes orphanotrophos (by men of Theodora?) Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Reluctant entry of Ioannes Mauropous to court of Konstantinos IX Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Onset of Konstantinos IX's gout Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Failed plot of Stephanos Pergamenos in favour of Leon, strategos of Melitene Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 Rus' naval attack on Constantinople: failure to reach a diplomatic solution Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 Rus' naval attack on Constantinople: battle of Pharos Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Rus' naval attack on Constantinople: events following battle at Pharos Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos IX persuaded Zoe to let Skleraina move into palace Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Maria Skleraina was given the title "sebaste" by Zoe, at Konstantinos' suggestion Certainty: 2 Certainty: 1 Rise of Konstantinos Leichoudes to become the mesazon of Konstantinos IX Certainty: 1 1044 Certainty: 3 Chrysobull of Konstantinos IX for Nea Mone (Chios) confirming purchase of an estate Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 Riot against Skleraina during a procession was stopped by appearance of Zoe & Theodora Certainty: 3 Certainty: 1 Accomodation arrangements for the emperor, two empresses & sebaste in the palace Certainty: 1 Certainty: 0 Zoe's superstitions & perfume-making increase Certainty: 0 Certainty: 1 Delimitation of the property of Hagios Demetrios Phouskoulou at Kassandra Certainty: 1 1045 Certainty: 3 Pittakion of Konstantinos IX establishing an annual grant of 72 nomismata for Nea Mone (Chios) Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 Chrysobull removing Nea Mone from jurisdiction of regular judges & placing it under imperial authority Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Embassy to Gagik II to hand over Ani & Armenia according to his father's promise Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 After failure of embassy, war against Gagik II to win Armenia Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 To enlist Abu'l-Aswar of Dvin against Gagik, Konstantinos IX let him keep any Armenian forts he captured Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Gagik was invited to Constantinople, & was later made magistros with estates in central Anatolia Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Surrender of Ani by the katholikos Peter Getadarj to Konstantinos IX: it became seat of a doux Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Surrender of Bjni by Grigor Pahlawuni to Konstantinos IX Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Byzantine attempt to recover forts from Abu'l-Aswar by capturing Dvin ended in defeat & failure Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Typikon of Konstantinos IX issued by Kosmas Tzintziloukes regulating monasteries of Mt Athos Certainty: 3 Certainty: 1 Illness & death of Skleraina Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Struggle between Pechenegs Tyrach & Kegen; Kegen, defeated, was welcomed in Byzantium Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Lazaros bishop of Philippopolis tried for treason Certainty: 1 1046 Certainty: 3 Chrysobull offering lodging in the capital to monks of Nea Mone Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 Chrysobull of Konstantinos IX confirming Athos typikon of September 1045 Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Baptised Byzantine ally Kegen fought Pechenegs of Tyrach across Danube Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos IX, annoyed that his sister Euprepia was cultivating Leon Tornikios, sent him to govern Iberia Certainty: 2 Certainty: 1 Psellos wrote in the persona of Konstantinos IX welcoming a new convert & claiming a part in his baptism Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Konstantinos IX was praised by Psellos for some success in Koile-Syria (Antioch?) Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Psellos wrote a panegyric for Konstantinos IX, apparently delivered before his pupils Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Death of Maria Skleraina: Michael Psellos wrote poem XVII Certainty: 1 1047 Certainty: 2 Byzantine generals of the Balkans asked to unite to deal with the Pecheneg danger Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Pecheneg hordes defeated by sickness, Byzantine ally Kegen & a miraculous battle Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Defeated Pechenegs not slaughtered, but settled as taxpayers & potential soldiers in Bulgaria Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Tyrach & 140 Pecheneg notables taken to Constantinople for baptism & integration into Byzantine elite Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Arsenios was recognised as hegoumenos of Hagios Antonios (Neakitou) Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 Leon Tornikios, accused of plotting, was removed from office, tonsured & brought to the capital Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 Western armies in Macedonia gave first signs of revolt: Konstantinos IX quelled them by generosity Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Ioannes Xiphilinos & Psellos polarised intellectual life in the city, & ancient chairs were revived Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Dedication of monastery & hospital at Mangana by Konstantinos IX Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Michael Psellos appointed proedros of the philosophers by Konstantinos IX Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Foundation by Konstantinos IX of School of Law: appointment of Ioannes Xiphilinos as nomophylax Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Publication of Neara on legal education, written for Konstantinos IX by Ioannes Mauropous Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Ophrydas launched an attack on Ioannes Xiphilinos as nomophylax; Xiphilinos took it to heart Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Leon Tornikios escaped from Constantinople to Adrianople & was soon proclaimed emperor there Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 Two days after revolt, Tornikios left for Constantinople: opponents rushed to the city for safety Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 Siege of Chelidonion (near Dvin) lifted at last moment because of rebellion of Tornikios Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Army of the East summnoned back fast to defend Konstantinos IX from Tornikios Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Siege of Constantinople by Leon Tornikios, who won several skirmishes Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Tornikios had the city at his mercy, but did not take it; fortune turned against him Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Alliance concluded between victorious Liparit of Iberia & Byzantium Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Collapse of rebellion of Leon Tornikios as his men deserted & allied forces closed in Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Psellos made a dismissive reply to Ophrydas' attack on Xiphilinos Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Ioannes Mauropous pleaded with Konstantinos IX to spare the soldiers of Tornikios Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Keroularios intervened to save the life, but not the sight, of Tornikios & Batatzes Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Leon Tornikios & his lieutenant Ioannes Batatzes blinded at Christmas Certainty: 3 Certainty: 1 Introduction of office of epi ton kriseon Certainty: 1 Certainty: 0 Donations to Hagios Michael of Sosthenion by Konstantinos IX & Zoe Certainty: 0 Certainty: 0 Donation to Mangana by Konstantinos IX & Zoe Certainty: 0 Certainty: 1 Monastery of Theotokos at Bessai (founded by Lazaros) endowed by Konstantinos IX in memory of Skleraina Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Mauropous appeased Konstantinos IX with gospels in uncial letters (over Tornikios?) Certainty: 1 1048 Certainty: 3 Agreement between the monasteries of kyr Dometiou & Xylourgou over the latter's anchorage Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 Extra provision for monks of Nea Mone visiting Constantinople Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Huge army of Ibrahim Yinal sent by Tughrul Beg against the Byzantines Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos IX ordered defensive strategy till arrival of Liparit of Georgia, whom he summoned Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Battle of Kapetru: Aaron & Kekaumenos were victorious, but Liparit was unluckily captured Certainty: 3 Certainty: 1 Konstantinos IX, approached by Bagrat IV, recognised him as ruler of Iberia & Abasgia Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Psellos wrote Oratio Panegyrica 5 for Konstantinos IX Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Plot of Konstantinos Barys against Konstantinos IX uncovered, rebel banished Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Psellos, Mavropous & Xiphilinos agreed that if one was forced into a monastery, the rest would follow Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Konstantinos IX instituted daily services at Hagia Sophia Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Visit of Nikolaos of Horaia Pege to his kinsman Konstantinos IX Certainty: 1 Certainty: 2 Liparit IV magnanimously set free by Tughrul Beg after embassy of Georgios Drosos Certainty: 2 Certainty: 0 Konstantinos IX sent gifts to church of Sergios & Bakchos Certainty: 0 Certainty: 2 Tughrul Beg sent an embassy replying to that of Drosos; its rejection made him declare war Certainty: 2 Certainty: 1 Konstantinos IX granted a solemnion of 80 nomismata to Vatopedi Certainty: 1 1049 Certainty: 2 Fifteen thousand Pechenegs equipped & sent to face Tughrul Beg's attack in the east Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Expedition of raiktor Nikephoros did not engage Turks but imposed terms on Abu'l-Aswar of Dvin Certainty: 2 Conclusion of peace with Tughrul Beg Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos IX summoned Kegen for consultation: other Pechenegs tried vainly to kill him Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos IX imprisoned Kegen & his sons Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Tyrach & baptised Pecheneg leaders, sent from Constantinople to pacify the others, joined their raids Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Chrysobull regulating Nea Mone & its income from the Jews of Chios Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 Rejection of complaint concerning estate assigned to Nea Mone Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Collection of a large army from east & west under raiktor Nikephoros Certainty: 2 Certainty: 1 Success of Romanos Boilas as a court buffoon Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Ioannes Mauropous was removed from Constantinople by appointment as metropolitan of Euchaita Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Dispute over ownership of metochion of Melissourgeion between Iveron & monk Kosmas Kontoleon (Tornikios) Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Konstantinos IX insisted on sleeping without guards, despite Psellos' warnings Certainty: 1 1050 Certainty: 2 Death of Zoe at age of 72, after heavy expenditure during her illness Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Zoe was buried in a most beautiful tomb Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos IX was deeply moved by Zoe's death Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos openly recognised his mistress (an Alan princess), naming her sebaste Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Pechenegs attacked Adrianople; Byzantines under Konstantinos hetaireiarches debated tactics Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos IX dismissed Konstantinos Leichoudes in favour of Ioannes logothetes Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Failed plot of Nikephoros & Michael, sons of Euthymios, against Konstantinos IX Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos IX made an annual grant of 1000 modioi of wheat to Nea Mone Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Sigillion in favour of Nea Mone, providing tax exemptions for named group of peasants Certainty: 3 Certainty: 1 Pardon (by Konstantinos IX) of a man caught stealing military funds Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Plot against Konstantinos IX of anonymous low-born ex-barbarian Certainty: 1 Certainty: 0 Privileges restored to see of Euchaita Certainty: 0 Certainty: 0 Psellos wrote simple verse text-books on various subjects for Konstantinos IX Certainty: 0 Psellos wrote Oratio Panegyrica 3 for Konstantinos IX Certainty: 1 1051 Certainty: 3 Argyros arrived at Otranto after a time in Constantinople, with money from Konstantinos IX Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Pechenegs ravaged Macedonia & Thrace; Bryennios (&/or Michael the akolouthos) sent to fight them Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Kegen released from prison & sent to pacify Pechenegs; he was murdered by them Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Pecheneg detachment at Katasyrtai near Constantinople killed by patrikios Ioannes Philosophos Certainty: 2 Certainty: 1 Death of Helena, sister of Konstantinos IX Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Romanos Boilas conspired to kill Konstantinos IX; no significant punishment Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Suggestive links between Romanos Boilas & Konstantinos IX's Alan mistress Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Konstantinos IX used advanced engineering to build &/or restore aqueducts Certainty: 1 1052 Certainty: 2 Taxation suddenly enforced on rich, & grants to religious foundations cut off by Konstantinos IX Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Chrysobull of Konstantinos IX entrusting the epi tou kanikleiou Ioannes with the protection of Lavra Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Petros III appointed patriarch of Antioch by Konstantinos IX Certainty: 2 Certainty: 1 Psellos wrote to console his old friend, Leon Paraspondylos, who had recently lost power & wealth Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Konstantinos IX after dismissing Konstantinos Leichoudes, completed his reign in sickness & failure Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Psellos, at times of crisis, liked to visit beautiful memorials, like the Mangana wih the tomb of Zoe Certainty: 1 Certainty: 0 A young Nikephoros (Nikephoritzes) taken into the palace by Konstantinos IX Certainty: 0 1053 Certainty: 2 Engagement of Michael Psellos' adopted daughter (c. 9 years old) to Elpidios Kenchres (c. 18) Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Battle of Civitate: Normans massacred Germans brought to Italy by pope Leo IX, who was captured Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos IX ordered Lazaros out of Galesion to Bessai Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Delegation of monks from Mount Galesion to Konstantinos IX, who confirmed the rule of their monastery Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos IX ordered Michael akolouthos & Basileios the synkellos to attack north of the Sidera Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 30-year peace treaty concluded with Pechenegs (at Byzantine or Pecheneg suggestion?) Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Nea Mone freed from obligation to receive within its walls exiles from prominent families Certainty: 3 Certainty: 1 Peace treaty with Mihailo (son of Voisthlav of Serbia) Certainty: 1 Certainty: 0 Kutulmush fled from Tughrul Beg, captured Kars & requested alliance with Byzantium Certainty: 0 Certainty: 1 Konstantinos IX was congratulated for improving situation in Italy Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Psellos wrote Orationes panegyricae 1 & 4 for Konstantinos IX, the latter for delivery in a large theatre Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Ioannes Xiphilinos became a monk, reminding Psellos that he had promised to follow him Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Michael Psellos by chrysobull received rights at Madytos Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Psellos claimed to a suppliant that he had worked hard to support him with Konstantinos IX Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Psellos wrote to Ioannes Mauropous that Konstantinos IX would recall him - subject to a favourable interview Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 In an encomium of his mother, Psellos said Konstantinos IX's praise of his learning stopped him following her monastic vocation Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Konstantinos IX's over-humble letters to the Fatimid ruler were spiced up by Michael Psellos Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 The Fatimid ruler sent an elephant & a giraffe Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Konstantinos IX, out of false economy, disbanded he powerful army of Iberia Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Tughrul Beg drove Kutulmush out of Iberia, which he ravaged before withdrawing Certainty: 1 1054 Certainty: 2 Leo IX wrote to Konstantinos IX, introducing his three legates Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Papal envoys arrived in Constantinople, making a negative impression on Keroularios Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Chrysobull for Nea Mone: Helos, an imperial estate obliged to supply 1000 bushels of cereals yearly Certainty: 2 Certainty: 3 Helos having been given to Skleraina, previous Chrysobull for Nea Mone was annulled: cereals now to come from Bessai Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 Niketas Stethatos forced to anathematise his own writings at Stoudios Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 The papal legates took leave for home from Konstantinos IX Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 First Byzantine reactions to the bull of excommunication Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 The bill of excommunication was itself anathematised Certainty: 3 Certainty: 3 The papal legates returned, but soon left again: immediate results of their departure Certainty: 3 Certainty: 2 Disagreement between patriarch Keroularios & Michael Mermentoulos, hegoumenos of Stoudios Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Elpidios Kenchres was promoted patrikios at the request of Psellos, his potential father-in-law Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Macedonian armies & generals, including Bryennios, sent against Turks by Konstantinos IX Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Psellos' sickness (partly feigned) which he used to support demands for tonsure Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Two letters of Konstantinos IX to Psellos, one advising against tonsure, the other praising him for carrying it through Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos IX's exploits in palace & garden construction Freed from his philosophical ministers, he could indulge himself in the pleasures of building and garden construction, on which he spared no expense, emptying the treasury. He made further improvements at Mangana, including a larger park, ambitious to outdo all other such constructions. He also built a beautiful meadow with fruit trees and a hidden pool, where he used to swim. He insisted that the plants, trees and birds should give a completely natural impression. Those plucking the fruit would often fall unawares into the pool Certainty: 2 Tonsure of Michael Psellos Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Psellos' return to court after tonsure, & its uncomfortable results Certainty: 2 Certainty: 1 Chrysobull of Konstantinos IX granting a donation & privileges to Iveron Certainty: 1 Certainty: 1 Psellos wrote to Zomas, krites of Opsikion, suggesting how to achieve retirement & tonsure Certainty: 1 1055 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos IX terminally ill; Nikephoros Proteuon was invited to succeed but was arrested by Theodora Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Konstantinos IX's Alan mistress returned to the status of hostage Certainty: 2 Certainty: 2 Psellos became the confidant of Theodora - as far as the envy of others would permit Certainty: 2 1056 Certainty: 2 Failed attempt of Theodosios Monomachos to seize throne Certainty: 2 Unassigned Activities Death (21) Description (165) Blessed (had died by the time when Theodora 1 issued her decree concerning a dispute between Tornikios 102 and the monastery of Iveron over the metochion of Melissourgeion) τοῦ μακαρίτου. Iveron 2.77.3, 2.78.28 In the flower of youth and from a magnificent family τοῦ τε ἄνθους τῆς ἡλικίας καὶ τῆς τοῦ γένους μεγαλοπρεπείας. Psellos: Chronographia VI 15.14-15 Michael 61 had written many praises of him before this work and the public admired the extravagance of the panegyrics; he was not lying in this praise, but others mistook what he was doing ἐπεὶ ... πρὸ τῆσδε τῆς πραγματείας πολλοὺς ἐκείνῳ καὶ καλοὺς λόγους πεποίημαι, καὶ τάς γε ὑπερβολὰς τῶν ἐγκωμίων ἐθαύμασαν οἱ πολλοὶ, καὶ οὐκ ἐψευσάμην τὸν ἔπαινον, ἀλλὰ τοὺς ἄλλους ἔλαθον οὕτω ποιῶν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 25.6-10 Michael 61 would have wished that his emperor (Konstantinos 9 ), if none of the others, had had a blameless lot, but events do not proceed according to our desires ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν ἐβουλόμην, εἰ καὶ μηδέ τῳ τῶν πάντων, ἀλλὰ τῷ γε ἐμῷ αὐτοκράτορι τοῦτο προσεῖναι τὸ μέρος, ἀλλ᾿ οὐχὶ κατὰ τὰς ἡμεδαπὰς αἱρέσεις αἱ τῶν πραγμάτων ἀκολουθίαι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 28.1-4 As Michael 61 will conceal none of his nobler deeds but bring them into the open, so too if he has said anything in a different disposition, this too he will make clear in his account ὥσπερ γὰρ οὐδέν σοι τῶν κρειττόνων συνεπικρύψομαι, ἀλλ᾿ εἰς τοὐφανὲς ἄξω, οὕτως εἴ τί σοι μὴ ἀπὸ τῆς αὐτῆς εἴρηται ἕξεως καὶ τοῦτο δὴ τῷ λόγῳ δῆλον ποιήσομαι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 28.7-9 A man with a relaxed brow pleased him, one ready to say something to please the spirit and foresee the more pleasing aspects of the future κεχαρισμένος αὐτῷ ὁ τὰς ὀφρῦς διαλελυμένος, καὶ εἰπεῖν μὲν τι τῶν καθηδυνόντων ψυχὴν πρόχειρος, περὶ δὲ τῶν μελλόντων πραγμάτων τὰ χαριέστερα προμαντεύσασθαι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 34.4-7 As a healthy animal is not suddenly affected by the onset of future ills so, since the empire was not at all moribund but still vigorous, his negligence seemed trivial, until gradually the ill increased, peaked and overturned everything ... καὶ τούτῳ, οὐ πάνυ τι δυσθανατούσης τῆς βασιλείας, ἀλλ᾿ ἔτι πνεῦμα καὶ τόνον ἐχούσης, βραχύ τι τὸ κατολιγωρεῖν διεφαίνετο, ἕως ἂν κατὰ βραχὺ τὸ κακὸν αὐξηθὲν καὶ κορυφωθὲν τὸ πᾶν συνέτρεψε καὶ συνέχεεν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 48.1-7 Michael 61 's account of Maria 64 terminated at the moment of her death; Michael 61 will return again to him, and make him the subject of the present part of the history ὁ μὲν οὖν περὶ ἐκείνης λόγος εἰς αὐτὸ δὴ τὸ μέρος τῆς ἐκείνης κατέληξε λήξεως· ἐπανιῶμεν οὖν αὖθις ἐπὶ τὸν αὐτοκράτορα, ὃν δὴ καὶ ὑπόθεσιν τοῦ παρόντος μέρους τῆς ἱστορίας ποιούμεθα. Psellos: Chronographia VI 71.10-13 He was cautious of Euprepeia 61 ; he did not love her as counsellor (?), but feared rather than cultivated her ταύτην τοιγαροῦν εὐλαβεῖτο μὲν ὁ ἀδελφός, ..., οὐκ ἔστεργε δὲ παραγωγόν, ἀλλ᾿ ἐδεδίει μᾶλλον ἢ περιεῖπεν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 100.7-9 His prime and vigorous strength when first he became emperor was transformed to the opposite state; he did not preserve the good looks he had intact to the end, but like a sun hidden by clouds displayed to onlookers a dimmed physical brilliance ... ὅπως ἐκεῖνος ἔσχεν εὐθὺς βασιλεύσας τοῦ σώματος, ἐξ οἵας τε ἀκμῆς καὶ εὐτονωτάτης ἰσχύος εἰς ἐναντίαν ἕξιν μετήμειπτο, ὅπως τε ὥρας ἔχων ἀκριβῶς αὐτὴν μέχρι παντὸς οὐ διεσώσατο, .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 124.1-6 Although he had not seen Michael 61 before coming to power, when he had once seen him he was so captivated by Michael 61 's eloquence that he seemed to hang by the ears from Michael 61 's tongue ὅς γε οὔπω με πρὸ τοῦ κράτους ἑωρακώς, ἐπειδὴ ἅπαξ εἶδεν, οὕτω μου ἑαλώκει τῶν λόγων ὡς δοκεῖν ἐκ τῶν ὤτων τῆς ἐμῆς γλώττης ἐκκρέμασθαι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 161.26-8 [His dismissal of Konstantinos 13 , etc.] is ambivalent, depending on individual viewpoint; but in other actions that Michael 61 proposes to tell, he was not at all moderate, but vigorous, intense and sharp ταῦτα μὲν οὖν ἀμφίλογα τῷ αὐτοκράτορι ... καὶ ὅσα περ ἄλλα ἐρεῖν προῄρημαι, οὐδέν τι μέτριον τῶν πάντων ἐποίει, ἀλλὰ πᾶσιν οἷς ἐβεβούλητο τόνους ἐδίδου καὶ ἀκμὰς καὶ ὀξύτητας. Psellos: Chronographia VI 182.1-5 Michael 61 was all things to him, living as a philosopher as far as possible, but accommodating himself skilfully to him; he was easily bored with his enthusiasms, wanted change, moving from high to low or a mixture of the two παντοδαπὸς ... ἐκείνῳ ... τεχνικῶς δὲ πρὸς ἐκεῖνον μεθαρμοζόμενος· προσκορὴς γὰρ ὢν πρὸς ἅπερ ὥρμητο, ἐζήτει μεταβολάς, ἀπὸ τὴς ὑπάτης ... καταπίπτων ἐπὶ τὴν νήτην, ἢ καὶ τὴν σύγκρισιν ἀμφοῖν βουλόμενος. Psellos: Chronographia VI 197(2).2-6 He succeeded to power, taking over a state like an overloaded ship ... filled it brimful and sank it; he added more parts to its diseased body, introduced viler juices to its guts, deprived it of peaceful existence and all but drove it mad ὅς δὴ ὥσπερ τινὰ φορτίδα ναῦν τὴν πολιτείαν καταλαβὼν ...περιχειλῆ πεποιηκὼς κατεβάπτισεν ... πλεῖστα περιθεὶς μέρη καὶ μέλη τῷ πάλαι διαφθαρέντι σώματι, καὶ χυμοὺς πονηροτέρους τοῖς σπλάγχνοις εἰσενεγκὼν .... Psellos: Chronographia VII 55.5-16 A pious offspring (sc. of Leon 29 ), possessing an excellent character religiosa et egregiae indolis proles. Leo IX ep. to Monomachos (Will) 85B.18-19 He was known for his generosity to churches and the people; the poor were satisfied by his gifts, and every sanctuary enjoyed his gold; his bounty was poured out to the unfortunate as if down secure channels ἐπέγνων τούτου καὶ ναοὶ τὰς φιλοκόσμους χεῖρας, ἐπέγνων τούτου καὶ λαοὶ παλάμας φιλοδώρους, οἱ πένητες ἐξέπιον, ἤντλησαν ἀλλ’ εἰς κόρον, πᾶν τέμενος ἀπήλαυσεν ἀρδείας χρυσορρύτου. Manasses, Chronicle 6166-6172 He was naturally curious about sex and did not know how to alleviate his passion through the satisfaction of intercourse, but was constantly stirring up new waves of desire thinking of his first loves φύσει δὲ ὢν περίεργος τὰ ἐρωτικὰ καὶ μὴ εἰδὼς τὸ πάθος εἰς εὐκολίαν διαλύσασθαι μίξεως, ἀλλ᾿ ἀεί τινα ἐπεγείρων κύματα ἐπὶ ταῖς πρώταις εὐναῖς. Psellos: Chronographia VI 151.5-8 He had a face in full flower and was like some spring fruit among contemporaries; his conversation was full of grace and his talk superior to others' ἐπεὶ δὲ ἀνθοῦν εἶχε τὸ πρόσωπον καὶ οἷον ἐαρινή τις ὀπώρα τῷ καθ᾿ ἡμᾶς βίῳ ἐχρημάτιζε, χάριτός τε ἔμπλεω τὴν ὁμιλίαν ἐκέκτητο, ἐστωμύλλετό τε ὑπὲρ τοὺς ἄλλους, .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 16.5-9 He was like one who had put in at the port of the palace after great waves and tempest, that is the ills of his exile, and hence he needed absolute rest, absolute tranquillity ἐδόκει γὰρ ἐκ κυμάτων πολλῶν καὶ κλύδωνος, φημὶ δὴ τῶν ἐν τῇ ὑπερορίᾳ δεινῶν, εἰς τοὺς λιμένας τῶν βασιλείων κατᾶραι, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο πάσης ἀναπαύλης, πάσης δὲ ἐδεῖτο ἀναψυχῆς. Psellos: Chronographia VI 34.1-4 Michael 61 will speak at some length about Zoe 1 , while he is sleeping with Maria 64 λεγέσθω γάρ τι πλέον περὶ αὐτῆς, ἕως ἂν τῇ σεβαστῇ αὐτοκράτωρ συναναπαύηται. Psellos: Chronographia VI 65.1-3 Nature bestowed on him in life marvellous beauty, so well proportioned and harmoniously fashioned that no contemporary compared with him; nature added to his fine proportions physical vigour, like a firm foundation to a fine building ἄγαλμα κάλλους ἐκεῖνον ἡ φύσις τῷ βίῳ παρέδωκεν, οὕτω μὲν ἐμμελῶς συναρμόσασα, οὕτω δὲ εὐρύθμως ἀποτυπώσασα, ὡς μηδένα ἔχειν ... τὸν παρισούμενον, τῇ δὲ εὐαρμοστίᾳ καὶ εὐτονίαν ἰσχύος ἐπέθηκεν .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 125.1-5 His tongue was full of charm, he was easily moved to smile and his face was cheerful, not only in recreation, when it was necessary, but also when he was clearly serious; he mixed with men of simple character who had no deep-seated fear εἶχε ... γλῶτταν χαρίτων μεστήν, εὐκίνητός τε ἦν πρὸς μειδίαμα, καὶ ἱλαρὸν εἶχε τὸ πρόσωπον ... καὶ τῶν ἠθῶν δ᾿ ἐκείνοις συνανεκίρνατο ὁπόσοις ἡ ἁπλότης συνέπρεπε καὶ τὸ δεινὸν κατεστοιβασμένον οὐκ ἦν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 33.1-6 This part of his life was brilliant and full of encomia; he did not boast to himself of his successes nor utter bragging words; while enjoying his achievements to the greatest degree he returned again to his own nature λαμπρόν τι τοῦτο τὸ μέρος καὶ πλῆρες ἐγκωμίων ...· οὔτε γὰρ ἐπὶ τοῖς κατωρθωμένοις αὑτῷ ἐσεμνολόγει, οὔτε ἀλαζόνας ἠφίει φωνάς, ἀλλ᾿ ἀπολαύων τῶν πεπραγμένων ὅσον ἐξῆν, τῶν οἰκείων αὖθις ἠθῶν ἦν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 89.1-5 He was not watchful, but as if needing a respite after many struggles, he was negligent for the remaining time: because of this one trouble after another surged over him ἐγρηγόρει δὲ οὐ μάλα, ἀλλ᾿ ὥσπερ ἐπὶ πολλοῖς ἀγῶσιν ἀναπαύλης δεόμενος, ἐπερραθύμει τῷ λείποντι μέρει, διὰ τοῦτο ἄλλο τι αὐτῷ ἐπ᾿ ἄλλῳ τῶν δεινῶν ἐπεκύμαινεν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 89.5-8 He did not know how to arrange himself to get proper rest in bed: every position was unbearable; his valets would prop his poor body; with difficulty finding a restful angle, they secured him, contriving that he be supported in that pose οὐκ εἶχε δὲ ἐφ᾿ ὅτῳ σχηματισθεὶς ἀποχρώντως ἐπαναπαυθείη τῇ κλίνῃ, ἀλλὰ πᾶσα θέσις τούτῳ ἀντίθετος· ὅθεν οἱ κατευναστῆρες, ... ἀντιτεχνώμενοι τοῦτον, ὅπως ἂν ἐπὶ τοῦ σχήματος ἐκείνου στηρίζοιτο. Psellos: Chronographia VI 130.5-12 Michael 61 does not know how both to preserve historical truth and to apportion appropriate homage to him; but Michael 61 's excessive precision in historical truth does in fact conserve a part of his high reputation ἀλλ᾿ οὐκ οἶδ᾿ ὅπως ..., κἀκείνῳ τὸ εἰκὸς σέβας ἀπομερίσομαι· ἡ δέ γε τῆς ἐμῆς ἀκριβείας περὶ τὴν ἀληθῆ ἱστορίαν ὑπερβολὴ καὶ μοῖράν τινα ἐκείνῳ σῴζει τῆς κρείττονος ὑπολήψεως. Psellos: Chronographia VI 162.1-5 If by chance in the course of his imperial duties he spoke out harshly or threatened anyone with blows, he immediately blushed as if he were ashamed that he had spoken contrary to his habit εἰ δέ πού τι καὶ δι᾿ οἰκονομίαν βασιλικὴν ἢ θρασυτέρᾳ ἐχρήσατο τῇ φωνῇ ἤ τισι πληγὰς ἐπηπείλησεν, αὐτίκα πως ᾐρυθραίνετο ὥσπερ αἰδούμενος ὅτι παρὰ τὸ σύνηθες φθέγξαιτο. Psellos: Chronographia VI 164.11-14 Indulged in the pleasures of eating and drinking, squandered the money collected from taxes on prostitutes, led a dissolute life and even brought in women from afar for his pleasure, being dissatisfied with those available at Constantinople այլ միշտ ուտելեաց և ըմպելեաց պարապեալ, [...] զգանձսն զոր ժողովէր, ի բոզից ծախսն վճարէր. [...] այնքան պոռնիկ և բոզասէր էր՝ մինչզի [...] ի հեռաւոր աշխարհաց տայր ածել կանայս. Aristakes 95.7-17 (88) Was ignorant about military matters and so generous and munificent that everybody enjoyed his favours ἦν μὲν γὰρ ἀδαής, ὥς φασι, τὰ πολεμικά, τοσοῦτον δὲ μεγαλοπρεπὴς καὶ μεγαλόδωρος ὡς πάντας ἐπαπολαῦσαι τῶν χαρίτων αὐτοῦ. Glykas 593.18-20 Most pious τοῦ εὐσεβεστάτου. Kekaumenos 86.1, 96.28 Ruled using persuasion rather than violence and reason rather than might Mauropous: Orations 179.8 A peaceful emperor, he was gentle and kind, and hated massacres and murders ὁ εἰρηνικὸς βασιλεύς, ὁ πρᾷος καὶ ἥμερος καὶ μισῶν τε σφαγάς τε καὶ φόνους. Mauropous: Orations 184.28 Then another further affliction too (this was a stinging in his side in breathing) made the end of life expected by him and by his co-powers εἶτα καί τι ἕτερον ἐπισυμβεβηκός (τὸ δ᾿ ἦν ἐκ πνεύματος νυγμὸς περὶ τὴν πλευράν) προσδοκήσιμον ἐκείνῳ καὶ τοῖς αὐτῷ παραδυναστεύουσιν ἔθετο τὸ τέλος τῆς βιοτῆς. Zonaras 17.28.10 Michael 61 maintains, with God as his witness, that although he was afflicted and overwhelmed by such great ills and so absolutely wretched he never uttered a word of blasphemy against God τοσούτοις κακοῖς διαντλούμενός τε καὶ κυμαινόμενος καὶ οὕτως ἀθλίως ἔχων παντάπασιν . Psellos: Chronographia VI 131.1-4 He was destined to be master of the sceptre ..., last offshoot in the order of descent from the root of the ancient Monomachoi ἔμελλε δ᾿ ἄρα τῶν σκήπτρων ἐγκρατὴς ἔσεσθαι ..., ῥιζης ἀρχαίων τῶν Μονομάχων τελετυαῖος κατὰ τὴν οἰκείαν τάξιν βλαστός. Psellos: Chronographia VI 14.1-3 He was emperor for a longer time than those who ruled after Basileios 2 and did more than the others, some things better than they, others much worse χρόνον τε γὰρ πλείω τῶν μετὰ τὸν Βασίλειον ἀρξάντων βεβασιλεύκει, καὶ πλεῖστα τῶν ἄλλων ἐπεπράχει, τὰ μὲν ἐκείνων κρείττονα, τὰ δὲ καὶ χείρω κατὰ πολύ. Psellos: Chronographia VI 14.5-8 Through his family he held the highest place in the empire, he enjoyed abundant wealth, outstanding good looks and seemed to the most honoured families a suitable contestant for a marriage tie οὗτος γὰρ γένους ἕνεκεν τὰ πρῶτα τῆς βασιλείας φερόμενος, πολλῷ τε πλούτῳ κομῶν, καὶ κάλλει διαπρεπὴς ὤν, ἀμφήριστος εἱς κηδείαν ταῖς ὑπερτίμοις ἔδοξε γενεαῖς. Psellos: Chronographia VI 15.6-8 How, for what reasons and by what fortunes he came to the imperial rule is narrated by Michael 61 εἰρήσθω ὅπως κἀκ τίνων αἰτιῶν, τίσι τε χρησάμενος τύχαις ἐπὶ τὸ βασιλεύειν ἐλήλυθεν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 15.4-6 A very fine young plant in his family τοῦτον τῷ γένει νεόφυτον κάλλιστον . Psellos: Chronographia VI 15.15-16 (His marriage to Zoe 1 ) saw the beginning and first establishment of imperial power for him ... but Michael 61 will not yet speak of him καὶ γίνεται ταῦτα ... ἀρχὴ δὲ τῷ Μονομάχῳ Κωνσταντίνῳ καὶ πρώτη τῆς βασιλείας κατάστασις ... ὁ δέ γε Κωνσταντῖνος, ἀλλὰ μήπω περὶ αὐτοῦ. Psellos: Chronographia VI 21.1-6 Michael 61 could not show ingratitude to him as Konstantinos 9 honoured him extremely and raised him above others ἐμοὶ οὐ διὰ ταῦτα ἀγνωμονητέον τῷ ὑπερβαλλόντως τετιμηκότι καὶ ὑπὲρ τοὺς ἄλλους ὑψώσαντι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 24.4-6 Michael 61 's wish was either to mention him in words of praise or to be silent about deeds of his which were not motivated by a praiseworthy intention τὸ μὲν οὖν βουλόμενόν μοι ἢ ἐν τοῖς κρείττοσι λόγοις ἐκείνου μεμνῆσθαι, ἢ σεσιγῆσθαι τὰ ἐκείνου εἰ μὴ ἀπὸ τῆς κρείττονος ὥρμηνται ὑποθέσεως. Psellos: Chronographia VI 24.6-8 If Michael 61 set out to praise his life, but then rejected the causes of praise and was clearly seen to have assembled topics for blame, Michael 61 would be most malicious, like Herodotos, whose History tells the Greeks' worst deeds εἰ μὲν προθέμενος τὸν ἐκείνου βίον ἐγκωμιάζειν, εἶτα τὰς τῶν κρειττόνων ἀφεὶς ἀφορμάς, τὰς τῶν χειρόνων ὑποθέσεις ἐφαινόμην συνειλοχώς, κακοηθέστατος ἂν εἴην, ὥσπερ δὴ ὁ τοῦ Λύξου .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 24.8-13 Had Michael 61 seen that other emperors had done everything with the finest disposition and found favour in all things whereas his reign alone had the opposite character, he would have omitted his account of him ... ὅτι τῶν ἄλλων αὐτοκρατόρων ἀπὸ τῆς κρατίστης ἕξεως πάντα διαπεπραχότων καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν εὐδοκιμηκότων, τούτῳ μόνῳ ἡ βασιλεία ἀπὸ τῶν ἐναντίων κεχαρακτήρισται, ὑπερέβην ἄν τὸν ὑπὲρ ἐκείνου λόγον. Psellos: Chronographia VI 26.7-11 Since no one is unassailable and each is characterised by what is dominant, why should Michael 61 be ashamed to declare anything that Konstantinos 9 too had not done justly and fittingly? ἐπεὶ δὲ οὐδείς ἐστι τῶν πάντων ἀνάλωτος, ἀλλ᾿ ὁ χαρακτὴρ ἑκάστῳ ἀπὸ τοῦ πλείονος, πῶς ἂν ἐξειπεῖν αἰσχυνθείην εἴ τι μὴ καὶ τούτῳ δικαίως καὶ προσηκόντως εἴργασται;. Psellos: Chronographia VI 26.8-11 My autokrator ... Most divine soul (address by Michael 61 ) τῷ γε ἐμῷ αὐτοκράτορι ... θειοτάτη ψυχή. Psellos: Chronographia VI 28.2, 5 His first act (promotions and lavishness) was youthful folly, but ... none saw him boastful, nor of overbearing look, nor too proud speech, not malicious to those who had shown him little kindness before nor moderation regarding his power ...οὔτε ἀλάζων ὤφθη τισἰν, ..., ἀλλ᾿ οὐδ᾿ ὑπέρογκόν τι σεμνολογούμενος, οὐδὲ μνησικακήσας ἐκείνοις παρ᾿ ὧν οὔτε τι πρότερον πρᾳότερον ἔσχηκεν, ἀλλὰ καὶ πρὸς τὸ κράτος οὐ τῶν μετρίων τετύχηκεν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 31.1-7 Naturally suited as any man to win his subjects, he captured each by hunting them in his own way; he readily used artistry, without sophistry or dissimulation towards his captive, but was genuinely eager to capture by setting out to please εὐφυέστατος δὲ εἴπερ τις ἄλλος ἑαυτὸν μεταθεῖναι τὸ ὑπήκοον γεγονώς, οἰκείως ἕκαστον ἥρει οἶς ᾔδει θηρώμενον, καὶ ῥᾷστα μετεποικίλλετο, ... φιλαηλήθως σπεύδων ἑλεῖν ἕκαστον ἀφ᾿ ὧν χαριεῖσθαι ἐκείνῳ ἠσπάσατο. Psellos: Chronographia VI 32.1-6 If someone approached him showing that his soul was preoccupied, as if he saw more than others and had come to ponder and consider with him matters of expediency, he thought him ill-mannered, of quite the opposite character mould to his own ... σύννουν ἐπιδεικνὺς τὴν ψυχήν, ὡς δή τι πλέον τῶν ἄλλων ὁρῶν καὶ ὡς ἥκοι φροντίσων ἐκείνῳ καὶ συνδιασκεψόμενος περὶ τῶν συνοισόντων, ... ἐναντιώτατα πρὸς τὸ ἦθος αὐτοῦ διαπεπλασμένον. Psellos: Chronographia VI 33.6-11 His associates changed to his way of thinking: if someone wished to impart some serious matter, he did not bring it up at once, but preceded it with pleasantries or entwined it in them, like a purgative amidst sweet things for an invalid κἂν εἰ τις σπούδασμά τι γενναῖον ἐβούλετο παρεισενεγκεῖν, οὐκ εὐθὺς τοῦτο προὐτίθει, ἀλλ᾿ ἤ τινας παιδιὰς προλαμβάνων, ἢ ταύταις τοῦτο συναναπλέκων .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 33.11-16 He considered the rule as a rest from toils, fulfilment of desire, respite from exertion, as if he had put in to its port so that he might no longer be occupied with the business of steering, but enjoy the blessings of calm κόπων ἀνάπαυσιν καὶ ἐφετοῦ ἀποπλήρωσιν καὶ συντονίας ἀνάπαυσιν τὴν ἀρχὴν ἡγησάμενος, καὶ ὥσπερ ἐπὶ τούτῳ καταπλεύσας ἵνα μηκέτι τὰ τῆς κυβερνήσεως ἐνεργοίη, ἀλλ᾿ ἀπολαύοι τῶν ἡσυχίας καλῶν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 47.5-8 The empire was not immediately destroyed, but as he was allotted in few cares, but more pleasures and enjoyments, many causes of disease took hold of the previously healthy body of the empire ἀλλ᾿ οὔπω τοῦτο· καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς φροντίδων μὲν ὀλίγων μεταλαγχάνων, πλειόνων δ᾿ ἐρασμίων τε καὶ ἀπολαύσεων, πολλὰ δὴ νοσοποιὰ αἴτια τῷ τότε ὑγιεῖ τῆς βασιλείας προκατεβάλλετο σώματι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 48.7-10 No small part of his lack of moderation was due to the easy-going character of Theodora 1 and Zoe 1 , and his willingness to succumb like them to luxuries and laughter γεγόνασι δὲ τούτῳ μερὶς οὐ μετρία πρὸς τὴν τοιαύτην ἀμετρίαν τὰ ῥᾴθυμα τῶν βασιλίδων ἤθη, καὶ τὸ κατ᾿ ἐκείνας ἐθέλειν εἰς τρυφὰς ἀνεῖσθαι καὶ γέλωτας. Psellos: Chronographia VI 49.1-3 He called it a service to share in the pleasures of Theodora 1 and Zoe 1 and wanted to oppose them in nothing but bring them all things pleasant τὴν γοῦν κοινωνίαν τῶν ἀπολαύσεων θεραπείαν ἐκεῖνος ὠνόμαζε, καὶ ἐβούλετο μὲν οὐδὲν ἐκείναις ἐναντιώσασθαι, ἀλλὰ πᾶσαν ταύταις εἰσάγειν γλυκυθυμίαν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 49.3-6 He and Maria 64 were so much in love that neither wished to be deprived of the other, even at times when they seemed to be unfortunate εἰς τοσοῦτον δὲ ἔρωτος ἀλλήλοις ἀνεκεράσθησαν, ὡς μηδένα θατέρου μέρους ἐστερῆσθαι βούλεσθαι, μηδὲ ἐν οἷς κακοδαιμονεῖν ἐδόκουν καιροῖς. Psellos: Chronographia VI 51.1-3 Having put in after a great storm at the trouble-free shores and calm harbours of the empire, he did not wish to put to sea again, as Michael 61 has often said, but to rule peacefully and not belligerently, like most previous emperors ἐβούλετο ... ἐκ πολλοῦ κλύδωνος εἰς ἀλύπους ἀκτὰς καὶ λιμένας ἀκλύστους τῆς βασιλείας καθορμισάμενος, μὴ πάλιν ἀφεῖναι πρὸς πέλαγος· τοῦτο δέ ἐστιν εἰρηνικῶς, ἀλλ᾿ οὐ πολεμικῶς τὴν ἀρχὴν διεξάγειν .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 72.1-6 Michael 61 's account will keep to the sequence of events and make the first war organised against him first above the others in Michael 61 's history ὁ δὲ λόγος τῆς ἀκολουθίας τῶν πεπραγμένων ἐχόμενος τὸν πρώτως συστάντα τῷ αὐτοκράτορι πόλεμον πρῶτον τῆς ἱστορίας τῶν ἄλλων ποιήσεται. Psellos: Chronographia VI 74.1-4 Because he was frequently not horror-struck at events people were persuaded that he had learned the outcome of what had happened from some higher power and hence was scornful and completely disregarding τὸ μὴ κατεστυγηκέναι αὐτὸν πολλάκις τὰ πράγματα τοὺς πολλοὺς ἔπειθεν, ὡς μεμαθήκει παρά του τῶν κρειττόνων τοῦ ἐπισυμβάντος τὴν τελευτήν, καὶ διὰ ταῦτα καταφρονοίη καὶ ὀλιγώρως ἔχοι παντάπασι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 97.26-30 When Michael 61 says that he predicted or rejected something, people should not think Konstantinos 9 had prophetic powers but see his words as typical of his character: God's will decides events ... ἵν᾿, ὁπότε λέγοιμι ἀφηγούμενος ὡς προειρήκει ἢ ἀπεγνώκει ταοῦτα ἢ ἐκεῖνα, μὴ μαντικὸν τὸν ἄνδρα ἡγήσωνται οἱ πολλοὶ, ἀλλὰ τοῦς μὲν λόγους συμφώνους τῷ ἐκείνου ἤθει νομίσωσι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 98.1-6 Nature did not put his strength in long hands nor in the greatness of other parts or limbs, but hid it in the depths of his heart, not in the visible parts of his body which were remarkable for beauty and harmony rather than unusual size ταύτην δὲ τὴν ἰσχὺν οὐκ ἐν μήκεσι χειρῶν, οὐδὲ ἐν μεγέθεσι τῶν ἄλλων μερῶν ἢ μελῶν φέρουσα ἔκλεισεν, ἀλλ᾿ ἐν καρδίας, οἶμαι, βάθεσι κρύψασα, ἀφῆκε τοῦ σώματος τὰ φαινόμενα, .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 125.6-10 When nature had made each of his limbs in proportion to his whole body, head, hands, thighs and feet, she poured over each the appropriate hues, his head she made ruddy as the sun, his chest and stomach to his feet and his back purest white ... ἑκάστοις ἢ ἑκάστῳ τὰ προσήκοντα καταχεαμένη χρώματα, τὴν μὲν κεφαλὴν ἡλιῶσαν ἀπέδειξε καὶ πυρσήν, τὸ δ᾿ ὅσον ἐν στήθεσι καὶ γαστρὶ ἄχρι ποδῶν ... τῆς ἀκραιφνεστάτης λευκότητος .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 126.7-14 His character was equally harmonious: his tongue urbane in utterance, charm attended his conversation and if he smiled one saw at once the purest allures of the graces ἐρρύθμιστο δὲ καὶ πρὸς ἐμμελὲς ἦθος, ἥ τε γὰρ γλῶσσα τούτῳ ἀστεῖον εἶχε τὸ φθέγμα καὶ ὁμιλοῦντι θέλγη προσείπετο, εἰ δέ γε προσμειδιάσειε, χαρίτων εὐθὺς εἶδες ἀκήρατα θήρατρα. Psellos: Chronographia VI 126.18-21 Within a year of his accession Nature who had seemed insatiable in her pleasure in beautifying him gave up in exhaustion, destroyed his strength and shattered his good looks οὔπω δὲ χρόνος ἐναύσιος προβεβήκει, καὶ ἡ κοσμοῦσα τοῦτον φύσις πρὸς τοσοῦτον θαῦμα καὶ ἡδονὴν οἷον μὴ ἐξαρκέσασα, ἀλλ᾿ ἐνδοῦσα καὶ ἀτονήσασα, τήν τε ἰσχὺν ἐκείνῳ καθεῖλε καὶ τὴν ὥραν διεσείσατο. Psellos: Chronographia VI 127.1-5 His bodily elements or fundamental constituents became unstable and confounded, flowing now to his feet and joints, now to his hands, inundating his muscles and backbone, and like waves broke and shattered a vessel initially strong αἱ τοῦ σώματος ἀρχαί, λέγω δὲ τὰς στοιχειώδεις συστάσεις, διαλυθεῖσαι καὶ συγχυθεῖσαι, καὶ νῦν περὶ τοὺς πόδας, ... αὖθις δὲ αὐτούς τε τοὺς τένοντας καὶ τὰ περὶ τὸν νῶτον ὀστᾶ κατακλύζουσαι, .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 127.6-11 Next the flux gradually approached his hands and then made an upward surge to his shoulders and finally occupied his whole body; then every limb was inundated by that terrible flux and lost its function ἐκ τοῦ σχεδὸν ἐπὶ τὰς χεῖρας τὸ ῥεῦμα ἠλαύνετο, καὶ αὖθις ἐπ᾿ ὤμους ὥσπερ ἀνάρρουν ποιούμενον, καὶ τέλος ἅπαν τὸ σῶμα συγκατειλήφει· ἔνθεν τοι ἅπαν αὐτῷ μέλος ... ἀφῄρητο τὴν ἐνέργειαν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 128.8-12 His fibres and ligaments were displaced, his limbs ceased to move in harmony, lack of equilibrium and lethargy followed τῶν τε ἰνῶν αὐτῷ καὶ τῶν συνδέσμων διασπασθέντων, τὰ μέλη τῆς ἁρμονίας μετέστησαν, οἷς ἀρρυθμίαι καὶ ἀτονίαι συνείποντο. Psellos: Chronographia VI 128.12-15 Michael 61 saw his well-formed fingers deny their proper shape, bent about into hollows and projections and quite incapable of grasping anything εἶδον ἐγὼ τοὺς εὐφυεῖς ἐκείνῳ δακτύλους ἀπαρνησαμένους μὲν τὸ οἰκεῖον σχῆμα, ἀντικαμφθέντας δὲ εἰς εἰσοχάς τε καὶ ἐξοχάς, ὡς μηδὲ τοῦ τυχόντος περιδράττεσθαι δύνασθαι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 128.15-18 His feet were bent up, his knee like the point of an elbow and swollen, so he was unable to walk steadily nor stand completely upright; he was generally in bed and whenever he decided to give audience he had to be propped up and arranged τῶν δὲ ποδῶν αὐτῷ συγκαμφθέντων, ὥσπερ τι ὠλέκρανον τὸ γόνυ ἐξώγκωτο· ... οὐδὲ στάσιμον εἶχε τὴν βάσιν, οὔθ᾿ ὅλως ἐξώρθωτο, ἀλλὰ κλινοπετὴς τὰ πολλὰ ἦν, ὁπότε δὲ χρηματίζειν αἱροῖτο, ξυναρμοζόμενoς .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 128.18-22 Michael 61 was amazed at his strength in enduring the extreme pains which afflicted him then: paralysis after paralysis overtook him and consumed the rest of his flesh while comletely dislocating what still remained ..., ὅπως τηνικαῦτα ἐξήρκει τοσαύταις περιωδυνίαις βαλλόμενος· πάρεσις γὰρ ἐπὶ παρέσει τοῦτον εὐθὺς κατελάμβανε, καὶ κατεδαπάνα μὲν τὸ λειπόμενον τῶν σαρκῶν, ἐξήρθρου δὲ παντάπασι τὸ ἔτι ἐχόμενον. Psellos: Chronographia VI 130.1-5 Not only change of position caused him pain, but even his tongue hurt when he talked; movement of the eyes stirred up the flux, so that he remained absolutely motionless and static τῷ δὲ ἦν ἀλγεινὸν οὐ τὸ μετατίθεσθαι μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἡ γλῶττα ἄχθος ἐκείνῳ ὁμιλοῦσα ἐδίδου, καὶ ἡ τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν νεύσις μετεκίνει τὸ ῥεῦμα, ὅθεν παντάπασιν ἑαυτὸν ἀκίνητον ἐδίδου καὶ ἀρρεπῆ. Psellos: Chronographia VI 130.21-5 If one set aside all else and contemplated only (his attitude to his ill-health), one would truly call him a godly man εἴ τις ἐκεῖνον τῶν ἄλλων ἀφεὶς ἐπὶ τούτου καταθεωρήσει τοῦ μέρους, θεῖον ὡς ἀληθῶς ἄνδρα κατονομάσειε. Psellos: Chronographia VI 131.13-15 He had set his heart in harmony with Romanos 62 : he and Romanos yielded and were captive to one another τὸν αὐτοκράτορα πρὸς τοῦτον μεθαροσάμενον τὴν ψυχήν· ἅτερος γὰρ θατέρῳ ἐνδόσιμος ἐγεγόνει καὶ ἁλωτός. Psellos: Chronographia VI 141.3-5 In Michael 61 's view, it was most terrible that all knew about Romanos 62 's hypocrisy, but were quite unable to denounce it: all were victims of (Konstantinos 9 's folly and Romanos 62's public hypocrisy ... τὸ δέ γε δεινότερον, ὅτι πάντες μὲν ᾔδειμεν τὴν ὑπόκρισιν, ἐλέγχειν δὲ τὴν ὑπόκρισιν, πολλοῦ γε καὶ δεῖ, βασιλικῆς τε ἀλογίας καὶ ὑποκρίσεως ἐκκειμένης ἐτυγχάνομεν ὄντες θηράματα, .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 143.9-14 Comparing him with great past leaders, Michael 61 knows that he is inferior in bravery, but greater in the other virtues by the extent to which he ceded to them in that virtue ἔγωγ᾿ οὖν πρὸς ἐκείνους συγκρίνων τουτονὶ τὸν μέγιστον αὐτοκράτορα, ἐλάττονα μὲν πρὸς ἀνδρίαν οἶδα, μείζονα δὲ τοῖς ἄλλοις καλοῖς ἤ ὅσῳ τοῦ λοιποῦ μέρους τῶν καλλιστείων ἐκείνοις παρακεχώρηκεν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 164.1-4 When he acted as judge, winner and loser were indistinguishable: the winner went away beaming while the loser, who even before the verdict did not expect to win, yet received interest and so went away victorious contrary to expectation δικάζοντι δὲ οὔτε τὸ κρατοῦν μέρος οὔτε τὸ καταψηφισθὲν διεδείκνυτο, ... θάτερον δὲ τοῖν μεροῖν πρὶν ἄρα καὶ γνοίη τὴν ἧτταν οὐχὶ κρατήσειν ἤλπιζεν, ἀλλὰ μετὰ προσθήκης λαμβάνον, ἐξῄει παρ᾿ ἐλπίδα νενικηκός. Psellos: Chronographia VI 165.1-6 Very many plotted against him, most planning assassination, but his wish was to veil their audacity and converse in the usual way, as if he know nothing of their outrageous acts or had immediately forgotten their shamelessness ... τὸ μὲν βουλόμενον ἐκείνῳ ἦν συγκαλύψειν ἐκείνοις τὴν τόλμαν καὶ κατὰ τὸ σύνηθες διαλέγεσθαι, ὡς μηδὲν ἐγνωκότι τῶν τετολμημένων, ἢ ὡς εὐθὺς τῆς ἀναιδείας ἐκείνων ἐπιλελησμένῳ. Psellos: Chronographia VI 166.1-6 When his advisers and those who had freedom to speak with him tried to stir him to anger, saying that he would perish soon if he did not stand and defend himself against the audacious, he was more for a triumph than a precise trial ἐπεὶ ... πρὸς ὀργὴν αὐτὸν ἀνηρέθιζον, ὡς αὐτίκα διαφθαρησόμενον, εἰ μὴ πρὸς ἄμυναν τῶν τολμησάντων διανασταίη, τοῦ θριάμβου πλέον ἐκεῖνος ἢ τῆς ἀκριβοῦς βασάνου ἐγίγνετο. Psellos: Chronographia VI 166.6-10 He appointed judges and spoke in fine words about [the conspirators'] daring - and how slick was his tongue, flowing in a great stream: but when he saw they were terrified he ended with a brief defence, as a joke, and at once let them off ... τὴν τόλμαν μεγαληγορήσας, οἷος ἐκεῖνος τὴν γλῶτταν εὔστροφος καὶ πολλῷ ῥέων τῷ ῥεύματι, ..., εἴς τινα βραχεῖαν καταλήγων ἄμυναν, καὶ ταύτην σὺν παιδιᾷ διατάξας, εὐθὺς ἠφίει τῆς τιμωρίας. Psellos: Chronographia VI 166.10-15 Michael 61 has never seen a soul more sympathetic than his, either in the past or in anyone today, nor a soul more generous and more becoming to an emperor συμπαθεστέραν γοῦν ἔγωγε ψυχὴν οὔτε πρὶν ἑωράκειν, οὔτε νῦν ἐν οὐδενὶ τῶν πάντων κατανοῶ, ἀλλ᾿ οὐδὲ φιλοτιμοτέραν ἢ βασιλεῖ πρέπουσαν μᾶλλον. Psellos: Chronographia VI 169.1-3 If he loved someone, his love had no measure; if he was angry with someone he would tell with heavy spirit in tragic tones the ills that afflicted him and fabricate others; if he felt affection no one could imagine the excess of his feeling εἴ γοῦν ἐρῴη τινός, οὐκ εἶχεν αὐτῷ μέτρον ὁ ἔρως, εἴ γε μηνιῴη τινὶ, τὰ μὲν αὐτῷ τῶν προσόντων κακῶν ἐπετραγῴδει βαθυθυμότερον, τὰ δ᾿ ἀνέπλαττεν, εἰ δὲ καὶ ἀγαπῴη, οὐκ εἶχέ τις ... . Psellos: Chronographia VI 182.5-9 He had an inconsistent temperament and was not wholly consistent, but he desired to make his own rule most renowned and did not entirely fail in this objective ἑτερογνώμων δὲ τὴν ψυχὴν ὢν καὶ μὴ πάντη ἑαυτῷ ὅμοιος, τὸ μὲν κρατος αὑτῷ ὀνομάστατον προεθυμεῖτο ποιήσασθαι, καὶ μέντοι γε καὶ τοῦ σκοποῦ οὐ πάντη διήμαρτε. Psellos: Chronographia VI 189.1-4 Michael 61 was afraid when he saw his fickleness, harrying one person after another like a soldier in war ἔδεισα γοῦν τὸ τοῦ ἀνδρὸς εὐμετάβολον ὁρῶν, ὥσπερ ἐν πολέμῳ ἄλλον ἐπ᾿ ἄλλῳ ἀγόμενον καὶ φερόμενον. Psellos: Chronographia VI 191.8-10 He ruled for twelve years; his public deeds were largely distinguished and he set no less an example as regards character for those who wish to live very well: apart from his quick temper he was in other respects the most humane of men πλεῖστα μὲν εὐδοκιμηκὼς τοῖς πολιτικαῖς πράξεσιν, οὐκ ἐλάττω δὲ κἂν τοῖς ἤθεσιν ἀφεὶς παραδείγματα τοῖς ἄριστα βιοῦν ἐθέλουσιν· εἰ γάρ τις ἀφέλοι τῆς ὀξείας ῥοπῆς, τό γε λειπόμενον ... φιλανθρωπότερος. Psellos: Chronographia VI 203.1-7 He was called Konstaninos Euergetes by the masses Κωνσταντῖνος ὁ Εὐεργέτης (οὕτω γὰρ παρὰ τοῖς πλείοσι κατωνόμασται). Psellos: Chronographia VII 55.4-5 All tongues raised him to the throne, some pronouncing like an oracle, others speaking more moderately: for he feared not his enemies, but his admirers; he shut them from all access routes to himself, but they boldly scorned the obstacles ... ἐδεδίει γοῦν οὗτος οὐ τοὺς ἀπεχθανομένους αὐτῷ, ἀλλὰ τοὺς προστεθειμένους, καὶ πᾶσαν μὲν αὐτοῖς πρὸς αὐτὸν φέρουσαν ὁδὸν ἀπέφραττεν, οἱ δὲ μαχιμώτατοί τε ἦσαν ... καὶ τῶν ἐμποδίων κατατολμῶντες. Psellos: Chronographia VII 87.9-15 Truly the head of the Monomachos family Κωνσταντῖνος δὲ οὗτος ἦν, τοῦ τῶν Μονομάχων γένους ὡς ἀληθῶς τὸ κεφάλαιον. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 7.13-14 He had reigned for 12 years ἔτεσι δυοκαίδεκα τὸ κράτος διιθύνας. Manasses, Chronicle 6227b Konstantinos 9 's (refusal to make use of guards) demonstrated his noble character, but
gave an opening to those who wished to attack him; it was certainly the beginning of very many ills τοῦτο δὲ χρηστὸν μὲν τρόπον κατηγορεῖ, ἐνδόσιμον δὲ τοῖς ἐπιχειρεῖν ἐθέλουσι γίγνεται. ... ἀμέλει καὶ πλείστων τοῦτο κακῶν ἐγεγόνει ἀρχή. Psellos: Chronographia VI 133.11-134.2 As if he had inherited rule on these terms, he thought he was not emperor for the day on which he did not show some clemency or exhibit some generous thought ἐκεῖνος γὰρ ὥσπερ ἐπὶ τούτοις τὸ βασιλεύειν λαχὼν οὐδ᾿ εἶναι τὴν ἡμέραν ἐκείνην βασιλεὺς ἐδόκει ἐν ᾗ μήτε τι φιλάνθρωπον ἐνεδείξατο μήτε τι τῆς φιλοτίμου παρεγύμνωσε γνώμης. Psellos: Chronographia VI 169.3-6 An aristocrat, a native of the city (Constantinople) ἀριστοκρατικὸν ἄνδρα καὶ θρέμμα τῆς πόλεως. Attaleiates: History 18.6 / 15.2-3 Proved to be more generous than his predecessor (Michael 5 ) Εὐεργετικώτερος δὲ τοῦ προβασιλευκότος ὁ Μονομάχος ἀποδειχθείς. Attaleiates: History 18.11 / 15.6 A statesman, he was of noble birth, generous and keen on showing kindness, took care of wars and resisted the enemy, but had a penchant for the good life and did not refrain from sex, enjoyed jokes and the performances of jesters, as well as idleness πλείονι δὲ ῥοπῇ τῆς τρυφῆς ἀντεχόμενος, καὶ τῶν ἀφροδισίων μὴ ἀπεχόμενος. Attaleiates: History 47.15-21 / 36.5-11 Liked to build new structures in various places, and to busy himself with the restoration of others καὶ ἀνοικοδομὰς συνεχεῖς ἔχων ἐν ταύταις φροντίδας κατεκένου συχνάς. Attaleiates: History 47.22-48.3 / 36.12-14 He was naturally inclined to accomplish big things and was full of imperial grace φύσει δὲ μεγαλουργὸς ὢν καὶ βασιλικῶν χαρίτων ἀνάπλεως. Attaleiates: History 48.11-12 / 36.21 It was said that his death was caused by divine intervention because he attempted to alter the good order of just government οὐρανία πληγὴ τοῦτον ἐκ μέσου πεποίηκε. Attaleiates: History 51.10-12 / 38.22-23 He was a distinguished man before he became emperor, but after that event he became a ruler of incomparable distinction πάντων βασιλέων ἐν πᾶσι κεκρατηκώς. Psellos Leichoudes 399 He was more of a philosopher than Marcus Aurelius, sitting Michael 063 on the throne, asking him questions and taking notes, and pardoning and covering with kisses a convicted rebel who had planned to kill him Psellos Xiphilinos 421 His standard was described in two lines (by Michael 61 ?) as showing St Georgios, the emperor on horseback, carrying a spear and pursuing the barbarians ... εἰς τὸ φλάμουλον τοῦ Μονομάχου ἔχον ἱστορημένον τὸν ἅγιον Γεώργιον, τὸν βασιλέα ἔφιππον, φέροντα λόγχην καὶ τοὺς βαρβάρους διώκοντα. Psellos Poema 27 (tit.) Described as dead at the time of the letter μακαρίτης. Psellos Letters (Sathas) 165.423 His family had brought together Anna 2101 and Michael 61 Psellos Letters (K - D) 60, 93.17-18 He had another good quality, one which Michael 61 did not normally praise, but which he held in particular esteem; anyone who wishes may judge: he was utterly without precaution for himself εἴ τις ἐκεῖνον τῶν ἄλλων ἀφεὶς ἐπὶ τούτου καταθεωρήσει τοῦ μέρους, θεῖον ὡς ἀληθῶς ἄνδρα κατονομάσειε. Psellos: Chronographia VI 132.1-4 He did not sow the seeds of benevolence in a fertile soul for it to produce an immediate crop of goodwill, nor did that soul generate a crop of thankfulness more eagerly than he strove to sow the earth 'fertile and rich' οὐδ᾿ εἰς ψυχὴν, ..., εὔγεω τὰ τῆς εὐεργεσίας κατεβάλλετο σπέρματα, ὡς εὐθὺς τὸν τῆς εὐγνωμοσύνης στάχυν ἀναδιδόναι, οὐδὲ μᾶλλον ..., ἢ ὁ οὖτος σπείρειν πεφιλοτίμητο τὴν ἐρίβωλον γῆν καὶ πίειραν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 169.7-11 Delighted in Romanos 62 Boilas as in no one else, and if he heard him speaking faultily or inarticulately he considered that man's nonsense beyond all pleasure τῷ τοιούτῳ τοίνυν ἀνδρὶ ὡς οὐδενί τῳ ὁ βασιλεὺς ἥδετο, καὶ εἰ διημαρτημένα καὶ ἀδιάρθρωτα ἤκουε φθεγγομένου αὐτοῦ, ὑπὲρ πᾶσαν ἠγεῖτο τὰς ἐκείνου φλυαρίας γλυκυθυμίαν. Zonaras 17.27.5 Another man, admiring the clear beauty of his works, will wonder at his great achievements and say all he can to persuade the hearer: his great intelligence in dividing his life between business and pleasure, without one impeding the other ...θαυμάσει τῆς μεγλαουργίας τὸν αὐτοκράτορα καὶ ἐρεῖ ὁπόσα τὸν ἀκροατὴν πείθειν οἰηθείη, ὅτι τοσοῦτον ἦν αὐτῷ τὸ περιὸν τῆς συνέσεως, ὡς καταμερίζειν τὸν βίον σπουδῇ τε καὶ παιδιᾷ, .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 175.4-9 He thought nothing need be added to the serious, which was adorned with its own beauty; but he tinted pleasure with a flowery dye, an august dress; his intelligence allowed him to pile one thing upon another and defeat industry with reason ... τὴν δέ γε παιδιὰν κατεχρώννυεν ἀνθηρῷ βάμματι, μᾶλλον δὲ σεμνῷ κατεποίκιλλε σχήματι, καὶ ἐξαρκεῖ τοῦτο εἰς σύνεσιν, ἄλλ᾿ ἐπ᾿ ἄλλοις ἐπιτιθέναι, καὶ τῇ φρονήσει τὴν φιλεργίαν νικᾶν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 175.9-13 His fields were not worked or ploughed, his creations came from nothing with their own qualities like those of the first Creator; he conquered the seasons in swift change, and through his clever formulations had no need of hands to farm ... ὥσπερ ἐξ οὐκ ὄντων κατὰ τὸν πρῶτον δημιουργὸν μετὰ τῶν ποιοτήτων οὐσιοῦν τὰ ποιήματα, τάς τε ὥρας νικᾶν τῷ ἑτοίμῳ τῆς μεταθέσεως, καὶ γεωργικῶν μὴ δεῖσθαι χειρῶν τῇ ἀγχινοίᾳ τῆς πλάσεως. Psellos: Chronographia VI 175.13-18 He miraculously created there and then whatever he chose, so that people were incredulous that what was yesterday a plain and the day before a hill appeared as a plot of land θαυματουργεῖν ἄντικρυς ὁπόσα ἐκείνῳ ἐδόκει, ὡς ἀπιστεῖν τοὺς πολλούς, ὅτι τὸ χθιζὸν ὁρῶσι πεδίον καὶ τὸ πρότριτα γηλόφον τριταῖον γήπεδον καταφαίνεται. Psellos: Chronographia VI 175.18-20 His looks were said to be those of Achilles or Nireus, but whereas poetry was scarcely adequate to describe them, nature shaped and polished him in reality, skilfully smoothed and embellished him, by her art surpassing the poet's effort ἐκείνους μὲν ἡ ποιητικὴ γλῶσσα ... μόλις ἐξήρκεσε, τοῦτον δὲ ἡ φύσις ὡς ἀληθῶς πλάσασά τε καὶ ἀποξέσασα, καὶ ὥσπερ εὐτέχνως τορεύσασα καὶ καλλύνασα τῇ ... εὐτεχνίᾳ τὴν μαγικὴν ἀγωνίαν ὑπερεβάλλετο. Psellos: Chronographia VI 126.1-7 Despite his abuses he was also remembered for his good deeds and his fondation of the monastery and hospice at Mangana and his grants to the great church (Hagia Sphia) were praiseworthy ἐπαίνων οὐκ ἀμοιροῦσι. Glykas 598.6-11 Gout at first brought movement of fluid to his feet, so that his legs were incapacitated for walking and standing ἣ πρότερον τοῖς ποσὶν ἐκείνου τοῦ ῥεύματος ἐπήνεγκε τὴν φοράν, ὥστε τὰς βάσεις αὐτῷ πρὸς πορείαν καὶ στάσιν ἀδυνατεῖν. Zonaras 17.28.6 Still aflame for love after the death of Zoe 1 ἔτι φλεγμαίνων περὶ τοὺς ἔρωτας. Zonaras 17.28.3 Michael 61 was not very enthusiastic (to write) about contemporary topics, especially because he knew that in many matters he would deal with Konstantinos 9 and he would be ashamed not to offer complete eulogy to him ... οὐ πάνυ τι περὶ τὰς καθ᾿ ἡμᾶς ὑποθέσεις ἐσπούδασα, καὶ μάλισθ᾿ ὅτι περ ἐν πολλοῖς τοῦ αὐτοκράτορος Κωνσταντίνου καθάψεσθαι ᾔδειν, ὑπὲρ οὗ αἰσχυνοίμην ἂν, εἰ μὴ πᾶσαν εὐφημίαν τούτῳ συνεισενέγκαιμι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 23.1-5 (Michael 61 did not want) to entrust to the people's ears a distorted narrative, nor make a source of defamation a theme that he had had for praise, nor whet against him the tongue that Michael 61 had refined through his encouragement ... ὃν ὑπόθεσιν εἰς λόγους ἔσχηκα κρείττονας, τοῦτον εἰς χείρονας κτήσασθαι ἀφορμήν, καὶ ἣν ἐκάθηρα γλῶτταν ἀφ᾿ ὧν ἐκεῖνός με πρὸς τοῦτο παρώρμησε, ταύτην ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ θήξασθαι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 23.12-16 He did not at all understand the nature of monarchy, neither its obligation to be profitable to the subjects, nor that the soul must be constantly vigilant to improve the management of affairs οὐ πάνυ τι τὴν φύσιν τῆς βασιλείας ὁ αὐτοκράτωρ οὗτος κατείληφεν, οὔθ᾿ ὅτι λειτουργία τίς ἐστι λυσιτελὴς εἰς τὸ ὑπήκοον, οὔθ᾿ ὅτι ἐγρηγορυίας δεῖται ἀεὶ ψυχῆς πρὸς τὴν βελτίονα τῶν πραγμάτων διοίκησιν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 47.1-4 His hands and fingers in particular were in proportion, but had strength beyond their proportion: there was no object soft or hard that was not easily crushed when gripped by his hands: if he crushed someone's arm, it hurt for days αἱ γάρ τοι χεῖρες αὐτῷ καὶ μάλισθ᾿ οἱ δάκτυλοι συμμέτρως ἔχοντες, παρὰ τὴν συμμετρίαν τὴν ῥώμην ἐσχήκασι, καὶ οὐδὲν ἦν τι σῶμα ..., ὃ μὴ ῥᾷστα ταῖς ἐκείνου χερσὶ συσφιγγόμενον διεθρύπτετο .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 125.10-15 He is said to have been an excellent horseman, a very fast runner, supple, light and quite unmatched in the pentathlon; such was his strength, physical agility and swiftness of foot ... αὐτὸν καὶ ἱππάσασθαι κάλλιστα, καὶ δρομικώτατον ἀνθρώπων γενέσθαι, εὔστροφόν τε καὶ κοῦφον καὶ ὅλως πρὸς τὸ πένταθλον ἀπαράμιλλον· ἰσχύος μὲν δὴ οὕτως εἶχε καὶ σώματος εὐκινησίας καὶ ποδῶν ὠκύτητος. Psellos: Chronographia VI 125.15-19 When he was in his prime and his limbs not yet grown weak, anyone looking at him would have compared his head to the sun's beauty, his hair gleaming like its rays, the rest of his body to purest translucent crystal ὁπότε δὴ ἀκμαίως εἶχε καὶ οὔπω αὐτῷ τὰ μέρη παρείθησαν, κάλλεσι μὲν ἂν ἡλίου τὴν κεφαλὴν εἴκασεν, οἷα δή τισιν ἀκτῖσι ταῖς θριξὶ διαλάμπουσαν, κρυστάλλῳ δὲ τὸ λοιπὸν σῶμα τῷ καθαρωτάτῳ καὶ διαυγεῖ. Psellos: Chronographia VI 126.14-18 Michael 61 's account will set out the origins of the evil (of Romanos 62 's revolt), the extent of its progress and how he (Konstantinos 9 ) suffered misfortune and prospered again against hope δηλώσει δὲ ὁ λόγος ὅθεν τε ἤρξατο τὸ κακὸν καὶ ἐφ᾿ ὅσον κεχώρηκε, καὶ ὅπως ἀτυχήσας ὁ βασιλεὺς παρ᾿ ἐλπίδας αὖθις εὐτύχηκεν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 138.4-6 He had a spirit which enjoyed all play and he wished to be amused constantly, but neither the sound of an organ, the melody of flutes, a harmonious voice, dancing, mimes, nor any other such thing soothed him ἱλαρὸν εἶχεν ὁ αὐτοκράτωρ πρὸς πᾶσαν παιδιὰν τὴν ψυχὴν καὶ ἐβούλετο ψυχαγωγεῖσθαι ἀεί, παρεμυθεῖτο δὲ τοῦτον οὔτε ὀργάνου φωνὴ, ..., οὐκ ὀρχήματα, οὐχ ὑπορχήματα, οὐδέ τι ἄλλο τῶν οὕτως ἐχόντων. Psellos: Chronographia VI 138.6-11 Zoe 1 was already past the age for sexual relations, but desire still burned in him; his Sebaste (Maria 64 ) was dead and in his conversations about love he strayed into many fantasies and strange formulations ... τῷ δέ γε βασιλεῖ τὰ τῆς ἐπιθυμίας ἐφλέγμαινεν· ἤδη γὰρ καὶ ἡ Σεβαστὴ τούτῳ τετελευτήκει, καὶ ὀαρισταίνων περὶ τὸν ἔρωτα ἐπὶ πολλὰς πεπλάνητο φαντασίας καὶ ἀνατυπώσεις ἀτόπους. Psellos: Chronographia VI 151.1-5 Master and emperor (to Michael 61 ) τῷ ἐμῷ δεσπότῃ καὶ βασιλεῖ. Psellos: Chronographia VI 154.4 Zoe 1 did not share the cares of empire with him, wishing to be completely free of such toils τῶν μέντοιγε βασιλικῶν φροντίδων οὐδ᾿ ἐκοινώνει τῷ αὐτοκράτορι, ἀλλ᾿ ἐβούλετο πάντη ἄσχολος εἶναι τῶν περὶ ταῦτα πόνων. Psellos: Chronographia VI 159.1-3 In defending his shortcomings, Michael 61 asks if any man, particularly any emperor, was seen with his head crowned with the diadem of encomium for all of his deeds τίς δὲ τῶν πάντων ἀνθρώπων, ἵν᾿ ὑπὲρ τῶν ἐκείνου ἐλαττωμάτων ἀπολογίσωμαι, ὤφθη τῶν πράξεων ἀναδεδεμένος τὴν κεφαλὴν ἐγκωμιαστικῷ διαδήματι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 162.11-15 Successor of Romanos 3 Romani successorem. William of Tyre bk. 1, 6.11 If someone had a speech impediment and could not pronounce words correctly or another simply gibbered, uttering whatever came to him, these things pleased him exceedingly, and in short linguistic error was an object of amusement for him εἰ δέ τῳ ἡ γλῶττα ἐδέδετο φυσικῶς καὶ ὀρθοεπεῖν οὐκ ἠδύνατο, ἢ εἴ τις ἕτερος ἁπλῶς ἐφλυάρει τὸ ἐπιὸν ἅπαν φθεγγόμενος, ταῦτα ἐκεῖνον ὑπερφυῶς ηὔφρανεν, καὶ ὅλως τὸ διημαρτημένον, .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 138.12-15 His wastefulness and pretensiousness marked the beginning of the empire's decline, although he did accomplish some noteworthy deeds too, like the foundation of the monastery and hospices for the poor and the elderly at Mangana οὐ μήν γε καὶ παντάπασι πράξεων ἀγαθῶν ἐστέρητο. Skylitzes 476.55-477.63 Michael 61 is aware that to some later historians his indiscriminate bestowal of honours will be a source of panegyric καὶ οὐκ ἀγνοῶ, ὅτι τισὶν ὕστερον συγγραφεῦσιν ἀφορμὴ τοῦτο ἐγκωμίου γενήσεται τῷ ἀνδρί. Psellos: Chronographia VI 30.5-6 He was good at staging shows and making a big thing of it οἷα ἐκεῖνος σκηνὰς πλάττειν εἰδὼς καὶ μεγαληγορεῖν ἐν τοῖς πράγμασιν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 87.4-5 Michael 61 considers [his landscaping activities] far from the range of his good qualities, as was his puerile behaviour towards a certain lad (Ioannes 115 ) πόρρω τοῦ κύκλου τῶν ἐκείνων ταῦτα ποιοῦμαι καλῶν, ὣσπερ δὴ καὶ ἅπερ ἐπεπράχει μειρακιωδῶς περί τι μειράκιον. Psellos: Chronographia VI 177.2-4 Tasted of learning only with his fingertip as the saying goes αὐτὸς τῶν λόγων ἄκρῳ μόνῳ δακτύλῳ τὸ τοῦ λόγου γευσάμενος. Zonaras 17.20.5 Michael 61 would be ungrateful and entirely unreasonable if he did not repay in very small part, by showing gratitude through his writings, the things he had received from him, some in actual deeds, others as a means to improvement ἀγνώμων γὰρ ἂν εἴην καὶ πάντη ἀλόγιστος, εἰ μὴ ὧν ἐκεῖθεν τὰ μὲν ἐν αὐτοῖς ἔργοις, τὰ δὲ εἰς ἀφορμὴν κρειττόνων ἔσχηκα, πολλοστὸν ἀντιδοίην μέρος, τὴν διὰ τῶν λόγων εὐγνωμοσύνην. Psellos: Chronographia VI 23.5-8 He devoted part of his life to amusements: to others neither the name nor the thing changed, but for him amusement seemed a serious business and he coloured it with dignity ἐδίδου καὶ τῇ παιδιᾷ μερίδα τοῦ βίου τινά, καὶ τοῖς μὲν ἄλλοις οὔτε τοὔνομα οὔτε τὸ πρᾶγμα ταύτης ἠλλάττετο. ἐκείνῳ δὲ σπούδασμά τε ἐδόκει καὶ σεμνότητι κατεχρώννυτο. Psellos: Chronographia VI 173.6-9 The account of him seems in some ways contradictory, changing and turning about as he did; but Michael 61 has compiled it truthfully, not rhetorically, making it like he was and sympathetic to him as emperor ὁ περὶ αὐτὸν λόγος δοκεῖ πως ἑαυτῷ ἐναντιοῦσθαι, μεταβαλλόμενος ἐκείνῳ καὶ συμπεριτρεπόμενος, σύγκειται δὲ ἀληθῶς, οὐ ῥητορικῶς, πρὸς ἐκεῖνον ἀφομοιούμενος καὶ συμπαθαινόμενος οἷον τῷ βασιλεῖ. Psellos: Chronographia VI 203.7-11 Romanos 62 Boilas was so close to him that he had every opportunity to gain access to and encounter him καὶ οὕτως διὰ ταῦτα τῷ βασιλεῖ προσῳκείωτο ὡς πάντα καιρὸν εἶναι αὐτῷ τῆς πρὸς ἐκεῖνον εἰσόδου καὶ τῆς ἐντεύξεως. Zonaras 17.27.6 If when Michael 61 examines openly even seemingly bad deeds, the shining virtue of his good deeds is preserved and the good outweighs the bad, then he will excel all emperors whose panegyrics are suspect, more plausible than true ... πῶς οὐχὶ πάντας ἐκεῖνος ὑπερβαλεῖται τοὺς αὐτοκράτορας, ὧν ἐγκωμιαζομένων ὕποπτος ὦπται ἡ εὐφημία καὶ τοῦ πιθανοῦ μᾶλλον ἢ τοῦ ἀληθοῦς ἐχομένη. Psellos: Chronographia VI 162.5-11 He was naturally quick, but shrewd as anyone with an exceptional memory; he was so much in control of his irascibility as to seem endowed with meekness distinctively above others ὀξὺς γὰρ τὴν φύσιν ὤν, ἀγχίνους τε εἴ τις ἄλλος καὶ μνήμων διαφερόντως, τοσοῦτον τῆς θυμοειδοῦς ἐκράτει κινήσεως, ὡς δοκεῖν ἐξαίρετον τῶν ἄλλων λαχεῖν τὴν πρᾳότητα. Psellos: Chronographia VI 164.4-7 Michael 61 realised that he was like a charioteer restraining a spirited horse: the blood rushed to his face, his body, suddenly stirred in anger, recovered itself yet more quickly and he immediately turned to reason ἐμὲ γοῦν οὐκ ἐλάνθανεν ὥσπερ τις ἡνίοχος τὸν θυμικὸν ἵππον ἀνακρουόμενος· ἐξανθῆσαν αὐτῷ τὸ αἶμα ἐπὶ τῆς ὄψεως, τό τε σῶμα ἀθρόως αὐτῷ κινηθὲν καθίστατο ἀθροώτερον καὶ τῷ λογισμῷ εὐθὺς μετεβάλλετο. Psellos: Chronographia VI 164.7-11 Not a long time had been measured out from the time he gained control of the Roman hegemony when the disease of gout afflicted him οὐ μακρὸς ἐξεμετρήθη χρόνος, ἐξ ὅτου τῆς ἡγεμονίας τῶν Ῥωμαίων γέγονεν ἐγκρατής, καί οἱ νόσος ἀρθρῖτις ἐνέσκηψεν. Zonaras 17.28.6 Those who reckon dispassionately will judge that man responsible for the domination of the eastern region by a barbarian spear Zonaras 17.27.21 He and Anonyma 6006 Skleraina were so immersed in one another and their love so burned that unless were with one another they thought they wer enot living and could not endure οὕτω δ᾿ ἀλλήλοις ἐνετετήκεσαν καὶ οὕτω σφίσιν ὁ ἔρως ἐγκέκαυτο ὡς εἰ μὴ συνεῖεν ἀλλήλοις, μηδὲ ζῆν δοκεῖν μηδ᾿ ἀνέχεσθαι. Zonaras 17.20.12 As time went on the affliction flowed to his hands, then it was conveyed to his shoulders and finally his whole body was awash with fluid, weakened and dislocated, since the fluid became enclosed in the cavities of the joints καὶ ταῖς χερσὶν ἐπερρύη τὸ αἴτιον· εἶτα καὶ τοῖς ὤμοις ἐπήνεκτο, καὶ τέλος ὅλον αὐτῷ τὸ σῶμα τῷ ῥεύματι κατεκλύζετο καὶ παρεῖτο καὶ ἐξηρθροῦτο, τοῖς τῶν ἄρθρων κοιλώμασιν ἐγκλειομένου τοῦ ῥεύματος. Zonaras 17.28.9 Reigned with Zoe 1 and Theodora 1 , his deeds are narrated in the Chronographia of Michael 61 Χρονογραφία πονηθεῖσα τῷ ... Μιχαήλ, ἱστοροῦσα τὰς πράξεις τῶν βασιλέων, ..., τοῦ σὺν αὐταῖς Κωνσταντίνου τοῦ Μονομάχου. Psellos: Chronographia Introduction 1-9 His illness did not begin all at once, but his feet first suffered the flow of liquids; he at once became bed-ridden; if he had to walk, he was as it were incapable of self-motion ἤρξατο μὲν οὖν τὸ κακὸν οὐκ ἀθρόον εὐθύς. ἀλλ᾿ οἱ πόδες πρότερον τὴν τῶν ῥευμάτων ῥυμὴν ὑπήνεγκαν· καὶ αὐτίκα κλινήρης τε ἐγεγόνει, καὶ εἴ πού τις ἀνάγκη βαδίζειν, οἷον ἑτεροκίνητος. Psellos: Chronographia VI 128.1-4 His illness was cyclic: the flux seemed to descend for the same number of days as his immobility lasted; then the intervals diminished and the intermissions became short καὶ ἦν τοῦτο κύκλος τις καὶ περίοδος, καὶ ἐδόκει τὸ ῥευμα ἐν τοῖς αὐτοῖς ἀριθμοῖς ἡμερῶν καταβαίνειν, καὶ ἠρίθμητο ἡ ἀκινησία, εἶτα δὴ καὶ ὑπεδίδου τὰ διαστήματα, καὶ οὐ μακρὰ ἐγεγόνει τὰ διαλείμματα. Psellos: Chronographia VI 128.4-8 Wishing to seem generous and liberal, but not pursuing the virtue as he ought, he turned it into vice οὗτος ὁ βασιλεὺς φιλότιμος δοκεῖν ἐθέλων καὶ ἐλευθέριος, μὴ μετίων δὲ τὴν ἀρετὴν ὡς ἐχρῆν, εἰς κακίαν ταύτην μετήνεγκεν. Zonaras 17.27.16 If he had need to move, either he advanced painfully supported by others or he was even entirely propelled by external forces εἰ δέ ποτε κινήσεως ἀνάγκην ἔσχηκεν, ἢ πρός τινων ἐπιστηριζόμενος προέβαινε δυσχερῶς ἢ καὶ πάμπαν ἑτεροκίνητος ἦν. Zonaras 17.28.8 So his body grew weary before long ἔκαμνεν οὖν οὕτω πρὸ μακροῦ τὸ σῶμα τῷ βασιλεῖ. Zonaras 17.28.9 Instead of magnificence he rolled over into prodigality, providing public funds neither for the people whom he should, nor in the amount he should, nor at the time he ought ἀντὶ γὰρ μεγαλοπρεπείας εἰς ἀσωτίαν μετακεκύλιστο, οὔτε οἷς ἔδει παρέχων τὰ δημόσια χρήματα οὔτε ὅσαπερ ἔδει οὔθ᾿ ὅτε χρεών. Zonaras 17.27.17 Did not love his sister Euprepeia 61 but heeded her because of her superior intelligence ἥ τῷ ἀδελφῷ στερκτέα οὐκ ἦν, ηὐλαβεῖτο δ᾿ αὐτὴν διὰ τὸ περιὸν τῆς φρονήσεως. Zonaras 17.23.7 It was said by many people that although many dangers would rear up against him, both from the barbarians outside and from subjects, all would vanish since some favourable fortune assisted him, easily terminating every uprising ... ἐλέγετο γοῦν ὡς πολλὰ μὲν μέλλει ἐπαναστήσεσθαι τῷ βασιλεῖ τούτῳ δεινά, ..., φροῦδα δὲ πάντα γενήσεσθαι, τύχης τινὸς δεξιᾶς συναντιλαμβανομένης τῷ αὐτοκράτορι καὶ πᾶσαν ἐπανάστασιν ῥᾷστα διαλύουσης. Psellos: Chronographia VI 96.3-10 Michael 61 knew of no power of divination in him and attributed (his optimism) to an easy-going and carefree spirit ἐγὼ δὲ οὐδεμίαν μαντείας ἀφορμὴν παρὰ τῷ ἀνδρὶ ἐπιστάμενος, ψυχῆς τοῦτο ῥᾳθύμου καὶ ἀφρόντιδος τίθεμαι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 97.1-3 He provided abundant material for an encomium, and Michael 61 would have contributed many fine words to the feast of honour, since the encomiast passes over any bad points in his honorand and weaves his praise from what is good πολλῶν γὰρ ἄν εὐπόρησα καὶ καλῶν λόγων εἰς εὐφημίας ἔρανον, ὧν ἐκεῖνος δαψιλεῖς ἐδίδου τὰς ἀφορμάς· ὁ μὲν γὰρ ἐγκωμιάζων ... ἐκ τῶν σπουδαιοτέρων ἐκείνῳ πλέκει τὸν ἔπαινον. Psellos: Chronographia VI 161.4-8 If the historian were permitted to return a favour from goodwill or generosity of soul to one who had been kind to him and for this reason to distort his account, no one would have glorified him with words of praise before Michael 61 εἴ γε δι᾿ εὔνοιαν ἢ ψυχῆς εὐγενείαν δοθείη τῷ ἱστοροῦντι τῷ εὐνοϊκῶς πρὸς αὐτὸν σχόντι ἀντιχαρίζεσθαι ..., τίς ἄν πρὸ ἐμοῦ ἕτερος ταῖς ἐκ τῶν λόγων εὐφημίαις τουτονὶ τὸν αὐτοκράτορα κατέκοσμησεν .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 161.22-6 [His landscaping enterprises] and everything associated with them seem to Michael 61 perhaps not worthy of 'a counsellor, to whom the people and so many cares have been entrusted' in Kalliope's words ταῦτα τοιγαροῦν και ὅσα τούτοις ἕπεται ἐμοὶ μὲν ἴσως οὐ βουληφόρῳ ἀνδρὶ προσήκοντα φαίνεται, ᾧ λαοί τ᾿ ἐπιτετράφαται καὶ τόσσα μέμηλε, κατὰ τὴν ποιητικὴν Καλλιόπην. Psellos: Chronographia VI 175.1-4 Theodora 1 knew that no being is so forgetful as a man who has been allocated power by another, and indeed that he is most ungracious to his greatest benefactor, having confirmation from her own situation, Konstantinos 9 's and Zoe 1 's οὐδὲν οὕτως ἐπιλησμονέστατον χρῆμα ὡς ἄνθρωπος ὑφ᾿ ἑτέρου βασιλεύειν λαχών, μᾶλλον δὲ περὶ τὸν εὐεργετικώτατον ἀγνωμονέστατος, καὶ τοῦτο ἐξ ἑαυτῆς τε καὶ τοῦ πρότερου ... εἰς βεβαίωσιν δόξης ἔχουσα. Psellos: Chronographia VIa 1.6-10 Though rumoured to be ignorant of war, he was magnificent, openhanded, charming, splendid, convivial and gentle, sending forth streams of generosity αἱ φῆμαι δὲ μορφάζουσι τοῦτον τὸν Μονομάχον τῶν μὲν μαχίμων ἀδαῆ καὶ τῆς ὁπλοφορίας, τὰ δ’ ἄλλα μεγαλοπρεπῆ, φιλόδωρον, ἀστεῖον, λαμπρόψυχον, φιλόκοσμον, ἐπιεικῆ τοὺς τρόπους, φιλοδωρίας θάλασσαν. Manasses, Chronicle 6157-6165 He had an extremely painful physical condition, suffering great pain in his feet from gout, an illness which severely restricted him
ἄγαν πονήρως τῆς σαρκὸς εἶχε τῆς χωματίνης∙ ποδάγρας γὰρ βαρύτησιν ἐσφίγγετο τοὺς πόδας ὡς ποδοκάκαις ἰσχυραῖς, ὥσπερ ἀλυκτοπέδαις. Manasses, Chronicle 6185-6187 Did not treat Leon 61 Tornikios as a relative of his, but indeed he even hated the man πρὸς ὃν ὁ βασιλεὺς οὔτε ὡς αὐτῷ προσήκοντα διετέθειτο, ἀλλὰ μέντοι καὶ ἀπηχθάνετο τῷ ἀνδρί. Zonaras 17.23.6 For a certain time he masked his love [for Maria 64 Skleraina] and as it were blushed at what was happening μέχρι μὲν οὖν τινος ἐσκηνοποίει τὸν ἔρωτα καὶ ὥσπερ ἠρυθρία πρὸς τὸ γινόμενον. Zonaras 17.21.20 Was both well born, among the distinguished, related by marriage to the emperor Romanos 3 through his niece (for he united with her in his second marriage) and exceedingly brilliant in youthful good looks ἄνδρα καὶ εὐγενέτην καὶ τῶν ἐπισήμων καὶ κηδεστὴν τῷ βασιλεῖ ῾Ρωμανῷ ἐπ᾿ ἀδελφόπαιδι χρηματίσαντα (ταύτῃ γὰρ κατὰ δευτέρους γάμους ὡμίλησε) καὶ τὴν ὥραν ὑπέρλαμπρον. Zonaras 17.20.11 Michael 61 repeatedly rejected history-writing because of him, not in the least wishing to attribute blame to him and reveal in his account any actions not to his credit which it is right should pass unnoticed διὰ τοῦτον γοῦν ἐγὼ τὸν ἄνδρα τὴν ἱστορίαν ἀπεπεμπόμην ἀεί, ἥκιστα βουλόμενος προστρίψασθαί τινα μῶμον αὐτῷ, καί τινα τῶν οὐ καλῶς αὐτῷ πεπραγμένων καὶ ἅ λανθάνειν καλὸν ἀνακαλύψαι τῷ λόγῳ. Psellos: Chronographia VI 23.8-11 After completing his account of Zoe 1 , Michael 61 returns again to him, adding that he (Michael 61 ) had not wished to write a history and be called a lover of truth at this point, but to compose encomia for him ἐγὼ δὲ τὸν περὶ τῆς βασιλίδος συντελέσας λόγον, ἐπὶ τὸν βασιλέα αὖθις ἐπάνειμι, τοσοῦτον ἐπειπών· ἐβουλόμην μὴ ἱστορεῖν, μηδὲ φιλαλήθης ἐνταῦθα κατονομάζεσθαι, ἀλλ᾿ ἐγκώμια τῷ αὐτοκράτορι τούτῳ ποιεῖν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 161.1-4 Was in exile for the whole period of Michael 4 's reign and had not found the second Michael (Michael 5 ) better disposed ἦν τὸν ἅπαντα χρόνον τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ Μιχαὴλ ὑπερόριος καὶ οὐδὲ τοῦ δευτέρου Μιχαὴλ εὐμενεστέρου τετύχηκεν. Zonaras 17.20.15 Reigned for 12 (and a half?) years together with Zoe 1 Κωνσταντῖνος ὁ μονομάχος σὺν τῇ Ζωῇ ἔτη ιβ´. Glykas 459, 593.17-18 The first counsellor, bearer and much-desired enforcer of peace and concord [sc. after many years of discord] primus pacis et concordiae monitor, portitor et exoptatus exactor. Leo IX ep. to Monomachos (Will) 85B.11-12 Dignity/Office (49) Education (2) Second Name (33) Kinship (45) Location (98) Possession (3)