Engagement of Michael Psellos' adopted daughter (c. 9 years old) to Elpidios Kenchres (c. 18)

Summary:
Psellos, having years before adopted a daughter (Euphemia?), began to feel a true parental bond with her, having now no other child; in view of the unpredictability of life, he wanted to set her up well in the present and for the future. Thus before she reached puberty and marriageable age, he betrothed her to Elpidios, son of Ioannes Kenchres, protospatharios, a teenager twice her age [e.g. 16-8]; this was a common practice. He betrothed her not only out of general forethought, but because he was close to the emperor Konstantinos IX, and wanted to use his position to help her before a change in circumstances made this impossible. He chose Elpidios as son-in-law after researching many other aristocratic sons 
Dates:
1053 
Elpidios Kenchres, affianced son-in-law of Michael Psellos (Elpidios 2101)
  • He was chosen as son-in-law, after some research, by Michael 61, and betrothed to his adopted daughter Euphemia 103, whom Michael wanted to set up while still in favour with Konstantinos 9; the girl was half his age [e.g. 16-8] (:) διπλᾶ τῇ μνηστῇ ἔτη βιώσαντα Psellos Hypomnema 28-53
Euphemia, adopted daughter of Michael Psellos (Euphemia 103)
  • She was betrothed, not only out of common parental forethought, but because her adoptive father was close to the emperor Konstantinos 9, and wanted to use his position to help her before some change in circumstances made this impossible (:) Psellos Hypomnema 39-53
  • Before she reached puberty and marriageable age, Michael 61, after some research, betrothed her to Elpidios, 101 (son of Ioannes 2104, protospatharios), who was a teenager twice her age [e.g. 8-16]; this was a common practice (:) Psellos Hypomnema 28-38
Emperor Konstantinos IX Monomachos (Konstantinos 9)
  • Because Michael 61 was close to him in imperial service and unsure of the future, Michael decided to use his position to help his adopted daughter Euphemia 103, before some change in circumstances made this impossible (:) Psellos Hypomnema 39-53
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • Having years before adopted a daughter Euphemia 103, he began to feel a true parental bond towards her, having now no other child; in view of the unpredictability of life, he wanted to set her up well in the present and for the future (:) Psellos Hypomnema 18-28
  • Thus before Euphemia 103 reached puberty and marriageable age, he betrothed her to Elpidios, son of Ioannes Kenchres, protospatharios, who was a teenager twice her age [e.g. 16-8]; this was a common practice (:) διπλᾶ τῇ μνηστῇ ἔτη βιώσαντα Psellos Hypomnema 28-38
  • He betrothed his adopted daughter not only out of general forethought, but because he was close to the emperor Konstantinos 9, and wanted to use his position to help her before some change in circumstances made this impossible (:) Psellos Hypomnema 39-53