Psellos as an eyewitness, riding through the city

Summary:
Psellos first became aware of the revolt from inside the palace, where he worked as a secretary, and was dictating confidential letters in an outer portico. He heard a loud noise, and a messenger informed him what was happening. He mounted his horse to investigate, and found that it was the most momentous event of his history, an incredible upheaval. He was most impressed by the role of women, who were particularly angry at the insult to Zoe. He rode through the streets and reported what he saw 
Dates:
1042 
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • Long since under-secretary to the emperor (Michael 5) and recently initiated into the service of introductions πόρρωθεν ὑπογραμματεύων τῷ βασιλεῖ καὶ ἄρτι μεμυημένος τὰ προεισόδια Psellos: Chronographia V 27.7-8
  • He would have kept quiet about that great movement and upheaval if he had not known that he would have been silent about the most crucial event of his Chronography ὅθεν κἂν ἀπεσιώπησα τὴν μεγάλην ἐκείνην φορὰν καὶ συγκίνησιν, εἰ μή γε ᾔδειν τὸ καιριώτατον τῆς χρονογραφίας κατασιγάσας Psellos: Chronographia V 24.16-19
  • At the time when the mob rose against Michael 5 he was standing outside the palace entrance (:) ἐγὼ γοῦν τηνικαῦτα πρὸ τῶν βασιλείων εἱστήκειν εἰσόδων Psellos: Chronographia V 27.6-7
  • He was in the outer portico dictating some rather confidential letters when suddenly a cry like horses' hooves assailed them and the sound shook the hearts of many (:) με εἶχεν ἡ ἔξω στοὰ γραφάς τινας τῶν μυστικωτέρων ὑπαγορεύοντα Psellos: Chronographia V 27.8-11
  • Many thought this a foolish revolt, but he knew from what he had seen and heard before that the spark had burst into flame ...; at once he mounted his horse, went through the middle of the City and saw with his own eyes what now he he could scarcely believe (:) ἐγὼ δὲ συνεὶς ἐξ ὧν πρότερον τὰ μὲν ἑωράκειν, τὰ δὲ ἠκηκόειν Psellos: Chronographia V 27.13-20
  • He saw many women, whom none had previously seen outside the women's quarters, come out in public, shouting, beating their breasts and lamenting terribly at the suffering of Zoe 1 (:) ἐγὼ γοῦν πολλὰς ἑωράκειν, ἃς οὐδεὶς ἄχρι τότε τῆς γυναικωνίτιδος ἔξω τεθέαται, ... Psellos: Chronographia V 26.4-7
  • A messenger came (to him) saying that the whole people were roused against the emperor (Michael 5) and as if by one instruction were gathered together for the same purpose (:) ὥσπερ ὑφ’ ἑνὶ συνθήματι πρὸς τὴν αὐτὴν γνώμην συνείλεκται Psellos: Chronographia V 27.11-13