First 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)
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 Certainty: 2
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
When Konstantinos IX became emperor, he felt that it was time to relax from the pressures of his exile. He was very willing to pass the imperial duties to others, especially Konstantinos Leichoudes, in whose hands the empire prospered. Leichoudes gradually became prominent and was elevated to the most conspicuous position in the empire (mesazon). He would often give the impression in public that he was consulting the emperor, when in fact he was not. But then Monomachos became jealous and, as if the empire had been transferred to Leichoudes, was unable to bear it
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: 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 IXCertainty: 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
Psellos, as well as enriching his potential son-in-law Elpidios, tried to persuade him to ignore external display and begin inner renewal through education. He gave him books, but Elpidios refused them, preferring horses and entertainment. They had a fierce struggle over education, in which Psellos eventually was totally defeated and Elpidios achieved total ignorance. In frustration, Psellos gave up on Elpidios' education, but tried to reform him by regulating the company he kept, promoting contact with sober citizens rather than entertainers. This also failed, and so he tried more promotions: Elpidios was appointed krites of the velon, thesmographos, mystographos and exaktor. Psellos fell seriously ill soon after, and the closeness of death made him decide to be tonsured and become a monk. In a brief respite from sickness, he was granted by Konstantinos IX one request; when he asked for Elpidios to become patrikios, Konstantinos hesitated but finally agreed, after intervention by Theodora
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
Konstantinos IX, recalling their talks, refused to allow Psellos to study philosophy or become a monk. First, eager to turn him from his plan, he sent letters and eminent men promising him recovery of health and a more brilliant position. He used words of endearment which Psellos could never read without emotion. Later, hearing Psellos had been tonsured, he bore no grudge, but at once wrote another letter congratulating him for attaining the spiritual life, strengthening him for his new role
Certainty: 2 Konstantinos IX's exploits in palace & garden construction Certainty: 2
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