Dispute between Theodora & Michael Keroularios over female rule of Empire

Summary:
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 
Dates:
1056 
retinue and household of Theodora who guided her rule (Anonymi 7011)
  • The situation needed an eminent man knowledgeable in politics and precise in imperial letters, but Theodora 1 entrusted this post to none of them, knowing that such a one would at once be ousted through the envy of his peers (:) τῶν μὲν περὶ αὑτὴν οὐδενὶ ταύτην τὴν τάξιν ἐπίστευεν Psellos: Chronographia VIa 6.1-5
Michael I Keroularios, patriarch of Constantinople (Michael 11)
  • Theodora 1 changed her view because he did not tolerate Roman affairs being led 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 (:) θυμοῦ ἐν τοῖς τοιούτοις πιμπλάμενος καὶ παρρησιαζόμενος τὴν ἀλήθειαν Psellos: Chronographia VIa 17.6-12
  • Although Theodora 1 was friendly and respectful to him before she came to power, when she was clearly installed as empress she became hostile and turned away from him (:) ἀπηχθάνετό τε καὶ ἀπεστρέφετο Psellos: Chronographia VIa 17.1-6
  • He gave Theodora 1 advice at the beginning of her reign, and at first she followed it; then, following her advisers, she began to disregard him, so that he claimed that the state needed a male ruler’s mind and spirit (:) ἄρρενος, ἔφη, δεῖσθαι τὸ κράτος καὶ φρενὸς καὶ ψυχῆς Psellos Keroularios 357-358
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • When he saw Theodora 1 installing people in holy sees and talking tediously about these appointments, he could not contain himself, but secretly murmured and criticised the business to those whom he trusted (:) λάθρα τε ὑπετονθόρυζον, καὶ οἷς εἶχον θαρρεῖν καθηπτόμην τοῦ πράγματος Psellos: Chronographia VIa 16.1-5
  • He was amazed when Theodora 1 appointed bishops, since he knew that she was very reverent in divine affairs, but love of imperial power persuaded her even to break the law (:) ἐθαύμαζον δὲ εἰδὼς ἐκείνην εὐλαβεστάτην περὶ τὰ θεῖα τυγχάνουσαν Psellos: Chronographia VIa 16.5-7
Empress Theodora (Theodora 1)
  • Michael 61 was amazed when Theodora 1 appointed bishops, since he knew that she was very reverent in divine affairs; but love of imperial power persuaded her even to break the law (:) ὁ τῆς αὐτοκράτορος ἀρχῆς ἔρως ἀνέπειθε καὶ παρανομεῖν Psellos: Chronographia VIa 16.5-7
  • Although she was friendly and respectful to Michael 11 before she came to power, when she was securely installed as empress she became hostile and turned away from him (:) οἰκειότατα προσκειμένη καὶ σεβομένη Psellos: Chronographia VIa 17.1-6
  • The people found her defence persuasive and all who had meantime sharpened their tongues kept silent; although it was thought improper for a woman to rule, there were no revolts and the empire prospered (:) ἔδοξε γοῦν πιθανῶς πρὸς τὸ πλῆθος ἀπολογήσασθαι Psellos: Chronographia VIa 3.8-4.12
  • She had no wish to seat any man at all on the imperial throne, but she herself by ruling over everything was allotted the strength of power undivided; she was strengthened in this resolve by Anonymi 7011 (:) τὴν τοῦ κράτους ἀμέριστον ἰσχὺν ἐκληρώσατο Psellos: Chronographia VIa 1.11-16
  • When Michael 61 saw her installing prelates on holy sees and talking tediously about these appointments, he could not contain himself, but secretly murmured and criticised the business to those whom he trusted (:) τὰς τοιαύτας προχειρίσεις ... γλωσσαλγοῦσαν Psellos: Chronographia VIa 16.1-5
  • She changed her view because Michael 11 did not tolerate Roman affairs being led 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 (:) ἴσως μὲν οὖν καὶ μετέθετ᾿ ἂν τὴν ἀρχὴν Psellos: Chronographia VIa 17.6-12
  • At the beginning of her reign she followed the advice given her by Michael 11; then, following her advisers, she began to disregard him, so that he claimed that the state needed a male ruler’s mind and spirit (:) ἄρρενος, ἔφη, δεῖσθαι τὸ κράτος καὶ φρενὸς καὶ ψυχῆς Psellos Keroularios 357-358