Empress Eudokia Makrembolitissa M / L XI
Εὐδοκίας (BBÖ I.23, Hunger p. 24.1, cf. Polemis 12) (Eudokia 1)
(Unspecified)
(null)
Narrative
(164)
Authorship
(1)
An oath written in her name swore to respect the rights of the children she bore to
Konstantinos 10
, by not marrying again if he died before her, and that she would not promote her relations or demote
Ioannes 62
and his children
῾Ο ἐγγυητικὸς ὅρκος τῆς δεσποίνης κυρίας Εὐδοκίας, ὁ γενόμενος πρὸς τὸν αὐτῆς ἄνδρα τὸν ἀοίδιμον βασιλέα κῦρ Κωνσταντῖνον τὸν Δούκαν. Oath of Eudokia tit., 1-102
Death
(null)
Description
(30)
Reigned with her sons (
Andronikos 62
,
Konstantios 61
,
Michael 7
) for a little bit more than 7 months
Ἐκράτησε δὲ ἡ βασιλὶς σὺν τοῖς υἱέσι μῆνας ἑπτὰ καὶ μικρόν τι πρός. Skylitzes Continuatus 124.8-9
Michael 61
is not surprised that
Konstantios 61
respected her, as Konstantios was a child and not yet able to understand affairs;
Michael 61
will not bring himself to praise this respect
τὸ μὲν οὖν Κωνσταντῖνον αἰδεῖσθαι ταύτην, παῖδά τε ὄντα καὶ οὔπω τῶν πραγμάτων ξυνιέναι δυνάμενον, οὔτε θαυμάσομαι, οὔτε ἐπαινέσαι τοῦτον τῆς αἰδοῦς προαχθήσομαι. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 2.1-4
That
Michael 7
should submit to her and desist from government, although he was grown up, fully intelligent and had tested his intelligence in many things, this is not easy for
Michael 61
to find comparison for or to praise adequately
τὸ δὲ τὸν Μιχαὴλ ὑπείκειν αὐτῇ καὶ τῶν ὅλων πραγμάτων παραχωρεῖν, ... τοῦτο οὔτε συγκρίνεσθαι πρὸς ἔτερον τοιοῦτον ῥᾴδιον, οὔτε ἀρκούντως τινὰ τῶν πάντων δυνατὸν εὐφημεῖν. Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 2.4-10
During her son (
Michael 7
)'s reign she suffered and grieved
τὴν δυστυχοῦσαν ἐπὶ τοῦ βασιλεύσαντος παιδὸς καὶ θρηνοῦσαν. Attaleiates: History 304.18-19 / 217.26-27
Michael 61
does not say that later her wisdom changed, but she relaxed her precision and did not keep to the end the same way of thinking; in her defence, even if she changed she did not succumb to pleasures and carnal desires
οὐχ ὅτι ... τὴν σωφροσύνην ἠλλάξατο, ἀλλ’ ὅτι τῆς ἀκριβείας ὑφῆκε καὶ μὴ τὴν αὐτὴν ἰδέαν μέχρι παντὸς τῆς γνώμης ἐτήρησεν· ... οὐδὲ εἴ τι παρηλλοίωτο, ἡδονῶν ἥττηται καὶ σαρκὸς ἐπιθυμίας ἠλάττωται. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 4.4-9
She did not enjoy the imperial life
ἐκείνῃ γὰρ οὐδ’ ὁ βασιλικὸς βίος καθ’ ἡδονὴν ἦν. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 4.11-12
Reigned for 7 months with her son
Michael 7
and then with
Romanos 4
Diogenes for 3 years and 8 months
Εὐδοκία σὺν τῷ Μιχαὴλ υἱῷ αὐτῆς μῆνας ζ´, καὶ μετὰ Ῥωμανοῦ τοῦ Διογένους ἡ Εὐδοκία ἔτη γ´ μῆνας η´. Glykas 459, 607.6-7
Considered by her husband (
Konstantinos 10
) to be most wise, capable of raising their children, and most competent in administrative matters
σωφρονεστάτῃ τε νομιζομένῃ τἀνδρὶ καὶ παιδοτροφῆσαι ἀκριβεστάτῃ καὶ πρὸς τὸ τὰ κοινὰ διοικεῖν ἱκανωτάτῃ. Skylitzes Continuatus 118.15-17
Reigned briefly after the death of
Konstantinos 10
Doukas and before Diogenes (
Romanos 4
) ascended the throne
πρὸς βραχὺ τῆς βασιλείας ἀντισχούσης. Skylitzes Continuatus 169.22-24
Seemed to
Konstantinos 10
prudent, both skilled in the upbringing of children and born for the steering of affairs
δοκούσῃ αὐτῷ σώφρονί τε καὶ πρὸς παίδων ἀναγωγὴν δεξιᾷ καὶ πεφυκυίᾳ πρὸς πραγμάτων διοίκησιν. Zonaras 18.9.21
In accordance with the dispositions of the dead emperor (
Konstantinos 10
) the empress
Eudokia 101
and his sons (
Andronikos 62
,
Konstantios 61
,
Michael 7
) were heirs of the empire
κατὰ γοῦν τὰς τοῦ τελευτήσαντος βασιλέως διαταγὰς η῞ τε βασιλὶς Εὐδοκία καὶ οἱ παῖδες ἐκείνου τῆς βασιλείας ἦσαν διάδοχοι. Zonaras 18.10.1
Ruled with her sons (
Andronikos 62
,
Konstantios 61
,
Michael 7
) for seven months and some days
τῆς βασιλίδος Εὐδοκίας μετὰ τῶν υἱέων ἀρξάσης ἐπὶ μῆνας ἑπτὰ καὶ ἡμέρας τινάς. Zonaras 18.10.28
Thought that she would keep
Romanos 4
subservient in all respects and that she would rule the emperor
ᾤετο ἐν πᾶσιν ἔχειν τοῦτον ὑπείκοτα καὶ αὐτὴ κατάρχειν τοῦ βασιλεύοντος. Zonaras 18.11.2
Romanos 4
was more arrogant because of his further achievements, not only to others but also towards her
ἀλαζονικώτερον διακείμενος, ὡς τάχα κατωρθωκὼς πλείω, οὐ μόνον πρὸς τοὺς ἄλλους, ἀλλὰ καὶ πρὸς αὐτὴν τὴν βασίλισσαν. Zonaras 18.11.29
Realising that her hopes had been turned upside down, she was upset and had a swelling heart, not tolerating the criticisms
ἡ δὲ πρὸς τοὐναντίον αὐτῇ τὰς ἐλπίδας τραπείσας κατανοοῦσα ἐδυσχέραινε καὶ τὴν καρδίαν εἶχεν οἰδαίνουσαν, τὰς ἐπιπλήξεις μὴ στέγουσα. Zonaras 18.11.30
Of well-born family and noble spirit and most beautiful
εὐγενὴς δὲ καὶ αὕτη καὶ τό τε φρόνημα γενναία, καὶ τὸ εἶδος περικαλλής. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 6.22-3
Konstantinos 10
thought her the most prudent woman of her time and the sharpest at bringing up children
σωφρονεστάτῃ τε τῶν καθ’ ἑαυτὴν νομιζομένῃ τἀνδρὶ καὶ παιδοτροφῆσαι ἀκριβεστάτῃ. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 27.4-5
Michael 61
does not know if any other woman was such an example of wisdom as she was in her way of life up to this time
οὐκ οἶδα εἴ τις ἄλλη γυναικῶν σωφροσύνης ἐγεγόνει παράδειγμα, ὡς ἐκείνη τὸν μέχρι τούτου τῆς ζωῆς βίον ἐβίωσε. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 4.2-4
She reverenced
Michael 61
above all others and treated him like a god
με ὑπὲρ πάντας ἐθείαζέ τε καὶ ἐξεθείαζεν. Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 4.14-15
Although her character was steadfast and her spirit noble, the currents that flowed against her shook the tower of her wise counsels
εἰ γὰρ καὶ τὸ ἦθος στάσιμος ἡ βασιλὶς αὕτη καὶ τὴν ψυχὴν γενναία, ἀλλ’ οἱ ἐπιρρέοντες ποταμοὶ κλονοῦσιν αὐτῇ τὸν πύργον τῶν σωφρονικῶν λογισμῶν. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 5.3-5
Family portrait seal for Eudokia (with Michael and Konstantios)
Seal 0
She was quite young (when her husband
Konstantinos 10
Doukas ascended the throne? when she married him?)
καὶ τοῦ τῆς Αὐγούστης ἐν ἐαριζούσῃ τῇ ἡλικίᾳ ἄνθους. Attaleiates: History 78.4-5 / 59.12
She was Psellos benefactor, empress and (a bold word) neice
εὐεργέτιν, βασιλίδα, εἴπω καὶ τὸ ἀπόρρητον, καὶ ἀνεψιάν. Psellos Letters (Sathas) 104.347
Family portrait seal for Romanos IV and Eudokia (with Michael, Konstantios and Andronikos)
Seal 0
It is said that it was not on account of lust nor in capitulation to personal pleasure that she united with (
Romanos 4
) Diogenes
οὐ γὰρ δι᾿ ἀκολασίαν αὐτήν φασιν οὐδ᾿ ἡττηθεῖσαν ἡδονῆς ἑαυτῇ προσαρμόσαι τὸν Διογένη. Zonaras 18.10.8
Konstantios 61
is a perfect creature to her,
Michael 7
and
Andronikos 62
πάγκαλον χρῆμα καὶ τῇ μητρὶ καὶ τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 15.10-11
She had exceedingly great intelligence
τοσοῦτον γὰρ αὐτῇ τὸ περιὸν τοῦ φρονήματος. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 1.11
Although unhappy during her son's reign (
Michael 7
), she was filled with joy and happiness by a complete stranger (
Nikephoros 3
) and was celebrated more than ever before
καὶ περίοπτον πλέον ἤπερ τὸ πρότερον ἔδειξεν. Attaleiates: History 304.17-21 / 217.25-28
Family portrait seal for Romanos IV and Eudokia (with Michael and Konstantios)
Seal 0
As she was removed from power by
Michael 7
and tonsured against her will, she moaned and wept ... he cut her locks that the graces grew and had once treated with sweet oils and made the empress change her robe of gold for a dark robe
... καὶ τὴν τεκοῦσαν στένουσαν πολλὰ καὶ γοωμένην τῶν περιβόλων τῆς ἀρχῆς ἄκουσαν ἀπελαύνει ... καὶ κείρει τοὺς πλοκάμους, οὓς χάριτες ἐμόσχευόν ποτε μυραλοιφίας, καὶ σκοτεινόπεπλον τὴν πρὶν χρυσόπεπλον δεικνύει. Manasses, Chronicle 6516-6520
Dignity/Office
(23)
Augousta
τὴν αὐγοῦσταν. Skylitzes Continuatus 122.14
τῇ Αὐγούστῃ. Attaleiates: History 73.17 / 56.7
Αὐγούστα. Zonaras 18.9.19, 18.11.3
αὐγούστᾳ.
Seal 0
αὐγούστα.
Seal 0
αὐγούστα.
Seal 0
Basileus
βασιλεύς.
Seal 0
βασιλεῖς.
Seal 0
Basilis
βασιλεῖς Κωνσταντινουπόλεως. Glykas 459, 606.21
τῆς βασιλίδος. Skylitzes Continuatus 118.6
τῇ βασιλίδι. Attaleiates: History 143.12 / 107.15
διαδέχεται δὲ τὴν βασιλείαν. Bryennios 85.12-13
βασιλίς. Bryennios 119.20
βασιλίδα. Zonaras 18.19.10
βασιλὶς. Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 1.1; 4.2; 5.3; etc.
ἐπὶ τῶν βασιλείων ἐκλάμπουσαν. Psellos Keroularios 381
βασιλίδα. Psellos Orationes panegyricae XVIII, 55-56
βασιλίδι. Psellos Letters (Sathas) 53.284
Basilis (co-empress)
Κατέσχον δὲ τὰ σκῆπτρα τῆς βασιλείας. Skylitzes Continuatus 119.5
κατίσχον τὰ σκῆπτρα τῆς βασιλείας. Attaleiates: History 92.11 / 70.1
Basilissa
τῇ βασιλίσσῃ. Kleinchroniken 170.2
βασίλισσαν. Manasses, Chronicle 6325
Despoina
δεσποίνης. Oath of Eudokia Tit.
Education
(null)
Ethnic label
(null)
Second Name
(1)
Makrembolites
Μακρεμβολίτησσαν. Kleinchroniken 144.72, 145.76
Kinship
(68)
cousin of
Konstantinos 120
ἐξαδέλφων. Oath of Eudokia 76-79
τὴν τοῦ ἑκυροῦ. Psellos Letters (Sathas) 184.469
cousin of
Nikephoros 111
ἐξαδέλφων. Oath of Eudokia 76-79
daughter of
Anonymus 7036
(πατρός). Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 4.14
(πατρί). Psellos Letters (Gautier) 35.41
mother of
Andronikos 62
(παῖδες). Glykas 606.21
(παῖδες). Skylitzes Continuatus 118.5
(τῶν ἰδίων παίδων). Attaleiates: History 100.2 / 75.15
οὓς ... ἐγείνατο. Zonaras 18.9.19
μητέρα. Zonaras 18.9.21
(τέκνων). Oath of Eudokia 57
mother of
Anna 101
(παῖδες). Glykas 606.21-607.1
(παῖδες). Skylitzes Continuatus 118.5
mother of
Anonymae 5000
(τὰς θυγατέρας). Attaleiates: History 304.15 / 217.24
mother of
Anonymi 2105
πολύκαρπος ἡ καλάμη. Psellos Orationes panegyricae X, 46-47
mother of
Konstantios 61
(παῖδες). Glykas 606.21
(υἱοῖς). Kleinchroniken 144.73
(παῖδες). Skylitzes Continuatus 118.5
(τοῖς ἐξ αὐτῶν γεννηθεῖσιν). Attaleiates: History 73.17 / 56.7-8
(τοῖς παισί). Bryennios 85.13-14
(υἱέων). Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 1.12; 4.10; 8.5
(παισί). Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 23.13
μητρί. Psellos: Chronographia VIIc 15.11
οὓς ... ἐγείνατο. Zonaras 18.9.19
μητέρα. Zonaras 18.9.21
(τέκνων). Oath of Eudokia 56-57
mother of
Leon 15005
μητέρα. Anna Komnene 271.23
mother of
Michael 7
(υἱῷ αὐτῆς). Glykas 459
(παῖδες). Glykas 606.21
(υἱοῖς). Kleinchroniken 144.73, 144.75, 145.76, 161.20
(παῖδες). Skylitzes Continuatus 118.5
(τοῖς ἐξ αὐτῶν γεννηθεῖσιν), μητρός. Attaleiates: History 73.17, 179.13 / 56.7-8, 132.19
(τοῖς παισί), μητέρα. Bryennios 85.13-14, 119.27
(ὁ πρώτως ἀποτεχθείς). Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 6.25-6
(υἱέων). Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 1.12; 4.10; 8.5
μητρός. Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 2.11; 3.1; 8.7; etc.
(υἱός). Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 7.5; 24.1
τεκούσῃ. Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 24.5
οὓς ... ἐγείνατο. Zonaras 18.9.19
μητέρα. Zonaras 18.9.21
(υἱῷ). Zonaras 18.10.27, 18.14.30
(τέκνων). Oath of Eudokia 55-56
τεκοῦσαν. Manasses, Chronicle 6516
mother of
Nikephoros 64
μητέρα. Anna Komnene 271.23
mother of
Theodora 101
(παῖδες). Glykas 606.21-607.1
(παῖδες). Skylitzes Continuatus 118.5
mother of
Zoe 101
(παῖδες). Glykas 606.21-607.2
(παῖδες). Skylitzes Continuatus 118.5
(θυγατρός). Anna Komnene 91.43
niece of
Michael 11
ἀδελφιδῆς. Attaleiates: History 56.18 / 43.2
ἀδελφιδήν. Psellos Keroularios 381
niece of
Michael 61
(θεῖος). Psellos Letters (Sathas) 104.347; (Gautier) 35.45
wife of
Konstantinos 10
(ἠγάγετο). Glykas 606.21
γυναῖκα. Kleinchroniken 143.72, 160.17
(ἠγάγετο). Skylitzes Continuatus 118.6
σύζυγος. Skylitzes Continuatus 119.5
(σύνευνος). Attaleiates: History 56.18 / 43.2
σύνοικος. Bryennios 85.13
τῇ γυναικί. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 27.3
(ἀνδρός). Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 1.12; 4.10; 8.5
ἡ῾ σύνοικος. Zonaras 18.9.19
θείαν συζυγίαν. Psellos Keroularios 381
συλλέκτρου. Manasses, Chronicle 6340
wife of
Romanos 4
(συζεύγνυται). Glykas 608.12
(ἄνδρα). Kleinchroniken 144.73
(τοῦ ἀνδρός). Attaleiates: History 168.22 / 125.10
... ἀνοίγνυσι θαλάμους νυμφιδίους ... καὶ λέχος τὸ βασίλειον .... Manasses, Chronicle 6381-6383
wife (second) of
Romanos 4
(προσζεύγνυται). Skylitzes Continuatus 123.26-124.1
Language Skill
(null)
Location
(22)
Bosporos
left the palace and went to live at the shrine of the Theotokos she had founded by the sea on the Bosporos τοῦ Στενοῦ. Bryennios 125.9
was put by
Ioannes 62
and his sons on a ship and sailed across the Bosporos τὸν ἑῶον πορθμόν. Attaleiates: History 169.5 / 125.15
Constantinople
was banished by her son but was then allowed by
Nikephoros 3
into Constantinople ἔξω τῆς πόλεως. Attaleiates: History 304.6-10 / 217.16-19
Constantinople: Great Palace
summoned and received the kaisar
Ioannes 62
and his sons in the Great Palace ἐν τῷ παλατίῳ. Attaleiates: History 168.21 / 125.9
was probably the empress who christened the grandchild (
Anonymus 436
) of
Michael 61
Psellos in the Great Palace τῶν ἀνακτόρων. Psellos Oratoria minora 154.92
was removed from the Great Palace τοῦ Παλατίου. Kleinchroniken 161.20
did not accompany
Romanos 4
but remained in the palace ἐν τοῖς ἀνακτόροις. Skylitzes Continuatus 142.11-12
did not accompany her husband to Hieria as customary, but remained in the palace τὰ ἀνάκτορα τῆς πόλεως. Attaleiates: History 143.13 / 107.16
was advised for her own safety to go away and she left the palace τῶν ἀνακτόρων. Bryennios 125.6
Constantinople: Hagia Sophia
appointed
Romanos 4
magistros and stratelates in Hagia Sophia τῆς τοῦ Θεοῦ Σοφίας σηκόν. Skylitzes Continuatus 122.26-27
came in procession with her children to the great temple of Hagia Sophia εἰς τὸν μέγιστον σηκὸν τῆς τοῦ θεοῦ σοφίας. Attaleiates: History 100.2-3 / 75.15-16
Constantinople: Mangana
followed
Konstantinos 10
onto a ship at the coast near Mangana (εἰς τὸ τοῦ ἁγίου φοιτᾶν μαρτύριον) εἰς τὴν γείτονα κατῆλθον ἀκτήν. Attaleiates: History 71.23, 73.18 / 55.2, 56.8
Constantinople: Piperoudion
it was decreed that she should live in Piperoudion ὅπερ αὐτῇ πρὸ τῆς θαλάττης τεμένισμα τῇ Θεοτόκῳ ἱδρύσατο. Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 30.6-7
Hieria (near Chalcedon)
joined
Romanos 4
in Hieria (near Chalcedon) τὰ τῶν Ἠρίων παλάτια. Skylitzes Continuatus 142.4
joined her husband (
Romanos 4
) at Hieria (near Chalcedon) πρὸς τοῦτον...διεπεπεραίωτο. Attaleiates: History 143.21 / 107.22
Piperoudion (Kyperoudes, on Bosporos)
founded a monastery called Piperoudion (Kyperoudes, on Bosporos) Πιπερούδη. Attaleiates: History 169.7 / 125.17
founded the monastery of Piperoudion (Kyperoudes, on Bosporos) Πιπερούδιον. Skylitzes Continuatus 152.19
was banished to the monastery of Piperoudion (Kyperoudes, on Bosporos) Πιπερούδιον. Skylitzes Continuatus 152.19
was banished to the monastery which she had founded, called Piperoudion (Kyperoudes, on Bosporos) Πιπερούδη. Attaleiates: History 169.7 / 125.17
was exiled to Piperoudion (Kyperoudes, on Bosporos) (monastery) τὴν παρ ᾿ αὐτῆς δομηθεῖσαν μόνην κατὰ τὸν ἐν τῇ Προποντίδι πορθμὸν. Zonaras 18.15.3
Princes' Islands: Prote
buried
Romanos 4
at great cost on the island of Prote τῇ Πρώτῃ. Skylitzes Continuatus 154.20
buried her husband in the monastery he had founded on the summit of the island of Prote τῇ Πρώτῃ. Attaleiates: History 179.10 / 132.16
Occupation/Vocation
(3)
Nun
ἀποκείραντες αὐτήν. Glykas 611.19
ἔκειρε μοναχήν. Kleinchroniken 144.75, 161.20
μονάστριαν. Manasses, Chronicle 6518
Possession
(null)
Religion
(null)
Eunuchs
(null)
Alternative Name
(null)