Certainty: 2 Dispute between Theodora & Michael Keroularios over female rule of Empire. Although Theodora was friendly and respectful to Keroularios before she came to power, once securely installed as empress she became hostile and turned away from him. She changed her view because he could not tolerate Roman affairs being ruled by a woman, but was filled with anger at such things and spoke the truth frankly. She would perhaps have deposed him had she lived longer. Psellos too was amazed when Theodora appointed bishops, since he knew that she was very reverent in divine affairs, but love of imperial power persuaded even her to break the law. She had no wish to seat any man at all on the imperial throne, but she herself by ruling over everything was allotted undivided power. She was strengthened in this resolve by her retinue and household. Most people probably thought it improper for a woman to rule, but there were no revolts and the empire prospered
Certainty: 3 Property dispute between the Athonite monasteries of Politou & Loutrakenou. During the easter synaxis of 1056, Lazaros, hegoumenos of Politou on Athos, complained about a boundary dispute with Loutrakenou, whose hegoumenos Gerasimos then asked the synaxis to intervene and set the boundary between their properties. The protos of Athos Hilarion sent 14 hegoumenoi to the disputed property. The boundary was established through a periorismos, signed by the hegoumenoi
Certainty: 2 Psellos consoled the founders of Nea Mone for their loss (of the monastery?). Psellos consoled the monks Niketas and Ioannes, founders of Nea Mone, who had suffered a loss [of Nea Mone?], despite goodness, monastic life and theoretical depth. He thanked them for promising him a book and for the mastic, sign of a need to chew things over before action
Certainty: 3 Empress Theodora's investigation into Melissourgeion: phase 1. The monk Kosmas (Tornikios) Kontoleon, in dispute with Iveron over the metochion of Melissourgeion, had died. The empress Theodora issued a decree ordering Leon Thylakas, krites of Boleron, Strymon and Thessalonike, to implement a decision taken while Kosmas was still alive, to check the validity of the titles by which he claimed ownership of Melissourgeion, and to deliver a definitive decision. The decree was passed to Leon by Arsenios, hegoumenos of Iveron. Theodora further ordered Leon to examine complaints from Iveron that some of its vineyards and other properties had been seized by the monastery's neighbours. Leon ordered representative monks of Melissourgeion to Philippopolis (Basileios, Christophoros, Leontios and Prochoros), but they told him it was Kosmas' epitropoi who held the documents he needed. They were Hilarion, protos of Athos; Ioannes, hegoumenos of Lavra; and Ioannes hegoumenos of Zygos on Athos. Arsenios, hegoumenos of Iveron, asked these epitropoi to swear that the metochion had never belonged to Iveron. They found all sorts of excuses to delay a decision, treated Arsenios and the Iveron monks badly, and used the dispute as a pretext to try to drive them out of Athos
Certainty: 3 Dispute over the occupation by the monastery of Thessalonikeos of a property on Kassandra. Konstantinos Phasoulos, when a dispute arose with the monastery of Thessalonikeos concerning a property on Palline (Kassandra) on which he paid the strateia, brought the case before Leon Thylakas, krites of Boleron, Strymon and Thessalonike, who, however, published no decision. The monks of Thessalonikeos claimed the property had been sold to them by Leon Phouskoulos (Foscolo?), spatharokandidatos. After arbitration by pious mediators he agreed to cede to Metrophanes, hegoumenos of Thessalonikeos, for 10 gold nomismata, 8 of the 16 modioi of the disputed land, provided the monastery would not challenge this arrangement again. He and his wife Maria signed with crosses the document ceding his land, which was written by Ioannes, klerikos of Hagia Sophia (Thessalonike) and nomikos. It was also signed by the following witneses: Demetrios, son of komes Konstantinos Serbiotes; Ioannes, presbyter of Hagia Sophia (Thessalonike); Konstantinos, priest and (son?) in-law of Konstantinos Phasoulos; Konstantinos ho tou Kophena; Leon, priest and son of Konstantinos Phasoulos; Leon, son of komes Konstantinos Serbiotes; Michael Philagres, spatharokandidatos and epi tou pantheou; and Nikolaos, priest and son of Konstantinos Phasoulos. Half the witnesses are said to have signed at the request of Konstantinos Phasoulos
Certainty: 3 Empress Theodora's investigation into Melissourgeion: phase 2. Leon Thylakas now told Theodora he found it difficult to check the validity of the deed granting Melissourgeion to Kosmas, and reported the problems of the protracted dispute. He received from her a second decree ordering him to call the monks of Melissourgeion and the epitropoi of Kosmas within four months to take an oath on the matter. He summoned Kosmas' epitropoi to Serres; there they brought Kosmas' deed, saying that none of its original witnesses were still alive. This was confirmed by new witnesses: Anastasios, hegoumenos of Hagioi Anargyroi; Ioannes, hegoumenos of Phakenou; Joseph, hegoumenos of Gomatou (Chalkidike); Leontios, hegoumenos of Aristoboulou; Metrophanes, hegoumenos of Thessalonikeos; Nikephoros, hegoumenos of Berroiotou; Pantoleon, hegoumenos of Hagios Basileios; and Theodoros, hegoumenos of Docheiariou. Leon Thylakas then asked the three epitropoi to take the same oath they had refused before. This time the epitropoi put their refusal in writing, Hilarion even denying that he was one of Kosmas' epitropoi
Certainty: 3 Case of Psellos' adopted daughter, decided (in one detail) against him: report lodged. Psellos' trial to annul the engagement of Elpidios Kenchres took place before four office-holders: the protasekretis, the epi ton kriseon, the nomophylax and the skribas. Psellos wrote the hypomnema of the trial himself: though he lost the verdict, he gained what he wanted. Elpidios was advised by Ioannes Kordakas. Though unhappy discussing this in public, Psellos told the story of his own generosity and Elpidios' ingratitude and insensitivity, with four credible witnesses: Euphrosynos Xerites, mystographos and Gabriel Xerites, thesmographos testified that Elpidios disliked Psellos and his daughter, and refused to live by Psellos' instructions, choosing a very different way of life; Michael, thesmographos and exarchos of the vestopratai supported the other testimony, adding that Elpidios was ungrateful, shameless and headstrong, and unwilling to submit to Psellos; and Theodoros Myralides, hypatos testified that Elpidios was obstinate and showed loathing for Psellos and his daughter. This testimony supported the petition sent to Theodora, the basis for her decision in the case, and blackened the character of Elpidios. But Psellos had not shown the betrothal should be annulled. So the court offered a choice: either add more evidence to justify annulment, or pay a fine of 15 litrai to break the betrothal. He quickly chose the fine,having already washed too much dirty linen in public. Despite the fine, other details of the annulment satisfied everybody but Elpidios, as a result of the firmness and clarity of Theodoras initial judgement
Certainty: 2 Severe illness of Theodora; choice by courtiers of Michael (VI) Bringas (stratiotikos) as successor. Theodora reigned alone for one year and eight months. Around midday on the day of her death, the empire's high officials were concerned with the succession. They included Leon Paraspondylos, Manuel, droungarios of the vigla, Niketas Xylinites, logothetes of the dromos and Theodoros, domestikos of the scholai. They were scheming to appoint a new emperor who would retain and support them in prosperity. Psellos was also present, watching them playing cynically with the future of the empire. Before Theodora died they put Michael VI, who had taken an oath never to act without consulting them, on the throne, so that real power might be in their hands. Theodora agreed at once
Certainty: 3 Accession of Michael VI. Appointed to the throne by Theodoras eunuchs and the empress herself five days before her death, Michael VI reigned for one year and 11 days. Keroularios the patriarch discovered that Michaels succession was a fait accompli, and it was her household who invited him to her deathbed. He asked the dying empress whether this was her choice and she nodded, allowing him to crown Michael. This change of ruler was the only change, for all other officials and unofficial powerbrokers remained the same. Keroularios still had no real power
Certainty: 3 Death of Theodora. After a reign of two years, having reached old age, she fell ill, despite assurances from flattering monks that she would be immortal. A few days before her death, at the behest of her eunuch government, she summoned Michael VI, whom she proclaimed emperor
Certainty: 3 Death of Theodora.
Certainty: 2 Michael VI gave very generous promotions to civil aristocracy & promises to people. Michael VI promoted the senators indiscriminately to higher ranks and made unsuitable promises to the people. Psellos satirises his chaotic generosity by saying that he did not appoint people to the next rank up but raised them to the one above and the one above that; if someone came and sought a fourth, he met a ready ear; someone nudging him on the other side might get a fifth promotion
Certainty: 3 Death of Theodora.
Certainty: 3 Empress Theodora's investigation into Melissourgeion: the decision. Leon finally decided to to ratify ownership for Iveron, and sent his notarios Ioannes spatharokandidatos to do so. This too needed seven witnesses: Ioannes, nomikos of Hierissos; Nikephoros, presbyter and skeuophylax; Michael, domestikos of Hierissos; Theodoros, presbyter; Basileios, son-in-law of Manglabites; Georgios Polites; and Konstantinos, son-in-law of Brichotos. The document was finally signed by Leon himself
Certainty: 2 Katakalon Kekaumenos replaced as doux of Antioch by Michael Ouranos. Katakalon Kekaumenos happened to be doux of Antioch when Michael VI was proclaimed. He was removed from office and replaced by Michael's nephew Michael as magistros and doux of Antioch. The latter was given the surname Ouranos, so that he might appear to be descended from the famous old general Ouranos.
Certainty: 2 Michael VI granted (or confirmed) a solemnion of 80 nomismata for Vatopedi. Michael VI granted (or confirmed) a solemnion of 80 nomismata to the monastery of Vatopedi (on Athos)
Certainty: 3 Delegation of Athonite monks to Constantinople for the proclamation of Michael VI. Joseph Gematos, hegoumenos of Hagios Nikon, while visiting Constantinople shortly after the accession of Michael VI as part of a delegation of Athonite monks, complained to the emperor about the usurpation of a property of his monastery by the monks of Hagios Panteleemon Thessalonikeos. The emperor ordered the protomystikos Ioannnes Xeros to investigate
Certainty: 3 Dispute over ownership of metochion of Melissourgeion settled in favour of Iveron after rebellion by metochion monks. After the rebellion by the monks of the monastery of Melissourgeion, the empress Theodora issued an imperial order confirming to Iveron ownership of the monastery. Arsenios, hegoumenos of Iveron, appealed to Theodora and secured an order from her for Leon Thylakas, krites of Boleron, Strymon and Thessalonike, to summon the monks of Iveron and Melissourgeion and their supporters in order to investigate the affair. He called both groups of monks, examined the affair thoroughly, but faced difficulties and reported in writing to the empress. On receiving Leon's report on the problems met, she issued a second order (prostaxis) instructing him on how to deal with the affair. He replied by issuing an act (praktikon) describing in detail the actions he had taken
Certainty: 2 Michael VI, being old, revived many customs which had fallen out of use & seemed ridiculous. Michael VI, being very old, revived many redundant and useless practices: for example, he ordered the cleaning of the Strategion for which he was derided, and appointed shorthand writers instead of senators to public posts
Certainty: 2 Death of Petrus, archbishop of Cosenza (Calabria). Petrus, the archbishop of Cosenza in Calabria, died
Certainty: 2 Turkish general Amertikes joined Michael VI. Michael VI received the Turkish commander Amertikes with great honours as an ally in Constantinople
Certainty: 2 Failed attempt of Theodosios Monomachos to seize throne. When Theodosios Monomachos heard of the accession of Michael VI, he protested, as the closest relative of the deceased Konstantinos IX. He decided to claim the throne as his inheritance before considering the difficulties involved. He summoned his kin, servants, neighbours and supporters, left his house near the Leomakellon late in the afternoon, and marched through the Plateia to the palace, complaining to bystanders about the injustice he suffered and claiming the throne. He turned back from the palace on learning that the Roman and Varangian guards were gathering in opposition, and went to Hagia Sophia instead, expecting the patriarch Keroularios, clergy and people to proclaim him emperor. He broke into the Praitorion and Chalke prisons setting free the prisoners as allies. Keroularios and his clergy shut the gates of Hagia Sophia against him. He was abandoned by his supporters, alone with his son near Hagia Sophia, where he was arrested and banished to Pergamon. The event spawned a popular line: "The moron Monomachus did whatever crossed his mind"
Certainty: 2 Psellos wrote Orationes Panegyricae 15 &16 for Leon Paraspondylos. In one speech, using a characterisation rather than an encomium, Psellos pictured Leon Paraspondylos as a heroic and inflexible ideal. In another, he agreed to a request from Leon to write an encomium for St Gregorios Thaumatourgos, after an elaborate double humility topos. He expressed great inferiority both to the saint and to Leon
Certainty: 1 The life of Nikolaos, epi ton deeeon, was changed by his wife's rich dowry. He received a rich dowry from his wife - 40 litrai, and as its appendages the estate of Phlorion and an unfashionable house in Bykinon, near the hippodrome. Before he was working as a hypogrammeteus with poor prospects. But his new wealth brought him access to the palace, a richer house and way of life, treating his two step-daughters as his own. He gave them rich monetary dowries but kept the poorer property (including Phlorion) for himself. They were kept quiet with plenty of cash
Certainty: 1 Ioannes Xiphilinos charged Psellos with following Plato more than Christ, receiving a long & fierce reply. Psellos defended himself at length against the charge of Ioannes Xiphilinos that he followed Plato more than Christ, with references to Ioannes' (lost) accusation and earlier letters, which leave some passages obscure. He reminded Ioannes of the fulfilment of their plans to be tonsured and their time together on Olympos. He attacked Ioannes' ignorance, stressed the role of Platonism in the formation of Christian doctrine but finally declared all the ancients inferior to the Bible
Certainty: 1 Psellos advised a newly-chosen kathegoumenos on Olympos how to carry out his duties. Psellos wrote to a monk recently installed as kathegoumenos on Olympos. He offered congratulations, advice not to be too strict and a question: was he frightened or pleased with the promotion? If he was frightened, that would give better prospects for the future
Certainty: 1 Psellos congratulated Romanos Skleros on the birth of a new grandson. Psellos greeted both his masters: first Romanos, with many virtues, hunting wild beasts on his estates, whom Psellos had praised before and would do so again, free now from the slur of flattery. Romanos was to hug Psellos' young master his baby grandson. May the boy follow family role-models (whom Psellos had not seen), growing easily through teething etc. to become a splendid adult