Ioannes (orphanotrophos) introduced Michael (IV) to Romanos III, who kept him at court

Summary:
Ioannes the orphanotrophos had been a servant of Romanos III before his accession. Once Romanos became emperor, Ioannes introduced to him his brothers Michael, Niketas and Konstantinos, especially Michael, whom Romanos, after a brief interview, appointed as attendant of the bed-chamber, as if deliberately exposing his empress Zoe to the young man's charms. He sometimes asked Michael to come and massage his feet, when in bed with Zoe. As a money-changer by trade, Michael is said to have found an opportunity to debase the coinage. He was to become Zoe's lover and the future Michael IV 
Dates:
1029 (guess) 
Ioannes the Orphanotrophos, brother of Michael IV (Ioannes 68)
  • After Romanos 3 began to rule, Ioannes 68 recommended to him his brother Michael 4, to be taken on by him; Romanos appointed the young man among the attendants of the bedchamber (:) παρέστησε τῷ ῾Ρωμανῷ προσληφθησόμενον ὑπ᾿ αὐτοῦ· ὁ δὲ τοῖς θαλαμηπολοῦσι τὸν νεανίαν κατέταξε Zonaras 17.13.9
Emperor Michael IV Paphlagon (Michael 4)
  • Being a money-changer he adulterated coins and after meeting the emperor (Romanos 3) through his brother Ioannes 68 he was promoted, and became the object of the empress (Zoe 1)'s affection (:) τὰ ἀργύρια ἐκιβδήλευον Skylitzes 390.77-83
  • After Romanos 3 began to rule, Michael 4 was recommended by his brother Ioannes 68 to Romanos to be taken up by him, and he appointed the young man among the attendants of the bedchamber (:) παρέστησε τῷ ῾Ρωμανῷ προσληφθησόμενον ὑπ᾿ αὐτοῦ· ὁ δὲ τοῖς θαλαμηπολοῦσι τὸν νεανίαν κατέταξε Zonaras 17.13.9
  • At Romanos 3's wish Ioannes 68 brought him to Romanos to see, when he was seated with the empress (Zoe 1); when the two entered, Romanos took one look, asked some brief questions and bade them go (:) ἅπαξ ἰδὼν καὶ βραχέα ἅττα ἐρωτήσας, ἑξιέναι μὲν παρακελεύσατο Psellos: Chronographia III 18.15-17
  • Zoe 1 questioned Ioannes 68 about his brother Michael 4 (:) Zonaras 17.13.11
Emperor Romanos III Argyros (Romanos 3)
  • Met the brothers of Ioannes 68 (Michael 4, Niketas 104, Konstantinos 64, Georgios 106) and promoted Michael 4 (:) ὑπὸ τοῦ βασιλέως ἄρχων προὐβέβλητο τοῦ πανθέου Skylitzes 390.80-81
  • When, after Romanos 3 began to rule, Ioannes 68 recommended his brother Michael 4 to Romanos 3, Romanos 3 appointed Michael 4 among the attendants of the bedchamber (:) Zonaras 17.13.9
  • At his wish Ioannes 68 brought Michael 4 to him for him to see when he was seated with the empress (Zoe 1); when the two entered, he took one look, asked some brief questions and bid them go: in association with Zoe 1 (:) οὕτω δόξαν ἐκείνῳ ... ἅπαξ ἰδὼν καὶ βραχέα ἅττα ἐρωτήσας, ἑξιέναι μὲν παρακελεύσατο Psellos: Chronographia 18.15-17
  • 1043 summary: his popular reputation was ruined by his connection with the menial, evil and uneducated tribe of Paphlagonians, who before were unseen, but now came to power through him; he met them through Ioannes 68, a gifted Paphlagonian (:) Psellos Orationes panegyricae II, 222-242
  • He made Michael 4 servant of the bedchamber and, so that Michael could do this, deliberately betrothed away his wife (Zoe 1) to him (:) ἐξεπίτηδες, ἵνα τοῦτο ποιῇ, τὴν γυναῖκα τούτῳ κατεμνηστεύετο Psellos: Chronographia III 21.11-12
  • Even when Romanos 2 lay in bed with the empress Zoe 1, Michael 4 was summoned to the bed and commanded to rub his feet. (:) Zonaras 17.13.15
  • Often when sleeping with the empress (Zoe 1), she swathed in purple on the point of getting into bed, he would call for Michael 4 by himself and bid him grasp and massage his feet (:) μόνον τε τοῦτον ἐκάλει καὶ τῶν ποδῶν ἐπαφᾶσθαι καὶ ἀνατρίβειν τούτῳ προσέταττε Psellos: Chronographia III 21.7-11
Empress Zoe (Zoe 1)
  • Romanos 3 made Michael 4 servant of the bedchamber and, so that Michael could do this, he deliberately betrothed her away to him (:) ἐξεπίτηδες, ἵνα τοῦτο ποιῇ, τὴν γυναῖκα τούτῳ κατεμνηστεύετο Psellos: Chronographia III 21.11-12
  • When Romanos 3 was seated with her, at his wish Ioannes 68 brought Michael 4 for him to see; when the two entered, Romanos took one look, asked some brief questions and bid them go (:) τῷ βασιλεῖ τῇ βασιλίδι συγκαθημένῳ Psellos: Chronographia III 18.15-17