Secret response of Isaakios (I) to the ambassadors of Michael VI

Summary:
When the assembly broke up, Isaakios received Psellos, Leichoudes and Alopos in private. He asked for, and was given, sworn assurances that a private message would be conveyed secretly to Michael VI. He said he was content for now to be kaisar, but asked for a promise that Michael VI would leave the empire to him, confirm promotions already made, and allow him to give other posts. He asked, for his men, that Leon Paraspondylos be removed from government, as formerly hostile and now suspected. He asked the envoys to dine with him, and they admired his manners which were not tyrannical, but very friendly. He said he asked concessions for his men, not himself. If they were granted he would go at once to Michael VI and honour him as emperor and father, coming without suspicions, arriving on the third day with a small bodyguard, not seeking a lavish reception. But as his men did not want agreement, he would write two letters, one for his men to read, one secret for Michael VI. At dawn they received his second letter secretly and sailed for Byzantium, reaching the palace harbour at daybreak 
Dates:
1057 
Emperor Isaakios I Komnenos (Isaakios 1)
  • When the assembly broke up, he received the ambassadors (Konstantinos 13 , Theodoros 106, Michael 61) in private, saying, "If you will satisfy me that you will convey a secret to the emperor (Michael 6), I will tell you what has lain hidden in my heart" (:) Zonaras 18.3.6
  • When the ambassadors (Konstantinos 13, Theodoros 106, Michael 61) affirmed that they would preserve all that was secret undivulged, he said that the rank of kaisar was sufficient for him now and he did not seek the imperial one (:) Zonaras 18.3.7
  • Asked for assurance from Michael 6 that he would give him some share of imperial power, so that he could honour certain people with lesser dignities and appoint some to military commands: if this were accomplished he would make a treaty and come (:) Zonaras 18.3.8
  • In addition he also asked that the man who administered public affairs (Leon 62) desist from the administration, since he was uncongenial to him and to those with him (:) Zonaras 18.3.10
  • Said, "Because these things will not satisfy the masses, I will inscribe two letters to the ruler (Michael 6), and in one I will win the soldiery with demagogic arts, but in the other I will write the secrets" (:) Zonaras 18.3.9
  • After saying these things and entrusting the letters to them (Konstantinos 13, Theodoros 106, Michael 61), he urged them to depart (:) Zonaras 18.3.11
  • He asked another favour for his men, that Leon 62 be removed from government, as formerly very hostile and now suspected; he asked Michael 61, Konstantinos 13 and Theodoros 106 to dine with him, and next day secretly convey his instructions (:) τὴν αὔριον ἐντεῦθεν ἀπάραντες τὰ ἐντεταλμένα μοι ἀπορρήτως διακομίσατε Psellos: Chronographia VII 32.25-30
  • Michael 61, Theodoros 106 and Konstantinos 13 dined with him and admired his manners which were not tyrannical, but very friendly; at dawn they received his second letter secretly and sailed for Byzantium, reaching the palace harbour at daybreak (:) ἀγάμενοι ἔτι τῶν κρατίστων ἠθῶν Psellos: Chronographia VII 33.1-9
  • He said he asked concessions for his men, not himself; if granted he would go at once to Michael 6 and honour him as emperor and father; but as his men did not want agreement he would write two letters, one for his men to read, one secret (:) ταῦτα δὲ οὐκ ἐμοῦ χάριν, ἀλλὰ τῶν πλειόνων αἰτῶ Psellos: Chronographia VII 32.19-25
  • He ordered Michael 61, Konstantinos 13 and Theodoros 106 to say that he would come to Michael 6 without any suspicion, arriving on the third day with a small bodyguard; so trusting was he that he did not seek a lavish reception (:) τοσοῦτον δὲ αὐτῷ τὸ περιὸν τῆς πρὸς βασιλέα πίστεως Psellos: Chronographia VII 34.16-23
  • When Michael 61, Konstantinos 13 and Theodoros 106 swore secrecy, he said he was content to be kaisar, but asked for a promise that Michael 6 would bequeath the empire to him, not reverse promotions he made, and allow him to dispense other posts (:) οὐ ζητῶ νῦν τὸ βασίλειον κράτος, ἀρκεῖ μοι τὸ σχῆμα τοῦ καίσαρος Psellos: Chronographia VII 32.10-19
  • He honoured Michael 61 and dismissed the assembly; he took aside Michael 61, Theodoros 106 and Konstantinos 13, saying he was in the army's power; if they swore to carry his unspoken wishes to Michael 6, he would reveal his secret thoughts (:) ἐξαγγελῶ ὑμῖν αὐτίκα τὰ τῆς ἐμῆς ψυχῆς κρύφια Psellos: Chronographia VII 32.1-10
Konstantinos III Leichoudes, patriarch of Constantinople (Konstantinos 13)
  • When the ambassadors (Konstantinos 13, Theodoros 106, Michael 61) affirmed that they would preserve all that was secret undivulged, Isaakios 1 Komnenos said that the rank of kaisar was sufficient for him now and he did not seek the imperial one: in association with Theodoros 106 Alopos and Michael 61 Psellos (:) Zonaras 18.3.7
  • After saying these things and entrusting the letters to them (Konstantinos 13 Leichoudes, Theodoros 106 Alopos, Michael 61 Psellos), Isaakios 1 Komnenos urged them to depart: in association with Theodoros 106 Alopos, Michael 61 Psellos (:) Zonaras 18.3.11
  • Departed again, and Isaakios 1 Komnenos received the news gladly : in association with Theodoros 106 Alopos, Michael 61 Psellos (:) Zonaras 18.3.15
  • When the assembly broke up, Isaakios 1 received the ambassadors (Konstantinos 13, Theodoros 106, Michael 61) in private, saying, "If you will satisfy me that you will convey a secret to the emperor (Michael 6), I will tell you what has lain hidden in my heart": in association with Theodoros 106 Alopos and Michael 61 Psellos (:) Zonaras 18.3.6
  • When they swore secrecy, Isaakios 1 said he was content to be kaisar, but asked for a promise that Michael 6 would bequeath the empire to him, would not reverse promotions he made, and allow him to dispense other posts (:) ἡμῶν δὲ ἐπομοσάντων ἐν ἀπορρήτοις τὰς ἀπορρήτους γνώμας φυλάξαι Psellos: Chronographia VII 32.10-19
  • They dined with Isaakios 1 and admired his manners which were not at all tyrannical, but very friendly; at dawn he received his second letter secretly and sailed for Byzantium, reaching the palace harbour at daybreak: in association with Michael 61, Theodoros 106 (:) τὴν ἑτέραν ἐπιστολὴν εἰληφότες κρυφίως Psellos: Chronographia VII 33.1-9
  • Isaakios 1 honoured Michael 61 and dismissed the assembly; Isaakios took him aside, saying he was in the army's power; if he swore to carry his unspoken wishes to Michael 6, he would reveal his secret thoughts (:) εἰ δέ τινας ἀπορρήτους μοι γνώμας πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα διακομίσαι διόμνυσθε Psellos: Chronographia VII 32.1-10
  • Isaakios 1 asked them to dine with him, and next day secretly convey his messages (to Michael 6): in association with Michael 61, Theodoros 106 (:) τὴν αὔριον ἐντεῦθεν ἀπάραντες τὰ ἐντεταλμένα μοι ἀπορρήτως διακομίσατε Psellos: Chronographia VII 32.28-30
Leon Paraspondylos (Leon 62)
  • Isaakios 1 Komnenos in addition also asked that the man who administered public affairs (Leon 62) resign from the administration, since he was uncongenial to Isaakios 1 and to those with him (:) Zonaras 18.3.10
  • Isaakios 1 asked another favour for his men, that he be removed from government, as he was formerly very hostile to them and was now suspected (:) πρότερόν τε γὰρ δυσμενέστατος ἡμῖν ὦπται καὶ νῦν ὑποπτεύεται Psellos: Chronographia VII 32.26-8
Emperor Michael VI Stratiotikos (Michael 6)
  • Isaakios 1 Komnenos asked for assurance from him, "that he will never give the autocracy to another and that he will preserve for each of those with me whatever honours they have been granted for these things by me". (:) Zonaras 18.3.7
  • Isaakios 1 asked him for assurance that he would give him some share of imperial power, so that he could honour certain people with lesser dignities and appoint some to military commands: if this were accomplished he would make a treaty and come (:) Zonaras 18.3.8
  • Isaakios 1 Komnenos said, "Because these things will not satisfy the masses, I will inscribe two letters to the ruler (Michael 6), and in one I will win the soldiery with demagogic arts, but in the other I will write the secrets." (:) Zonaras 18.3.9
  • Isaakios 1 took aside Michael 61, Theodoros 106, Konstantinos 13, saying he was in the army's power; if they swore to carry his secret wishes to the emperor, he would reveal his unspoken thoughts (:) εἰ δέ τινας ἀπορρήτους μοι γνώμας πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα διακομίσαι διόμνυσθε Psellos: Chronographia VII 32.3-10
  • When Michael 61, Konstantinos 13, Theodoros 106 swore secrecy, Isaakios 1 said he was content to be kaisar, but asked that Michael 6 promise to bequeath the empire to him, not reverse his promotions, and allow him to dispense other posts (:) οὔτε ἑτέρῳ παραχωρήσει τοῦ κράτους ἐντεῦθεν ἀπιών Psellos: Chronographia VII 32.10-19
  • Isaakios 1 said he asked concessions for his men, not himself; if granted he would go at once to Michael and honour him as emperor and father (:) ἀφίξομαί τε αὐτίκα καὶ τῷ βασιλεῖ καὶ πατρὶ τὴν εἰωθυῖαν ἀποδώσω χάριν Psellos: Chronographia VII 32.19-21
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • An envoy of the emperor (Michael 6) to Komnenos (Isaakios 1), he was considered to be the most distinguished man of his time in wisdom and eloquence πρεσβευταὶ βασιλέως...ἐπὶ σοφίᾳ καὶ λόγου δυνάμει τῶν κατὰ τὴν ἡμέραν ἐκείνην ἀνθρώπων διαφέρειν δοκοῦντες, καὶ ἀσυγκρίτως ὁ Ψελλός Skylitzes 496.81-86
  • After saying these things and entrusting the letters to them (Konstantinos 13 Leichoudes, Theodoros 106 Alopos, Michael 61 Psellos), Isaakios 1 Komnenos urged them to depart: in association with Konstantinos 13 Leichoudes, Theodoros 106 Alopos (:) Zonaras 18.3.11
  • When the assembly broke up, Isaakios 1 received the ambassadors (Konstantinos 13, Theodoros 106, Michael 61) in private, saying, "If you will satisfy me that you will convey a secret to the emperor (Michael 6), I will tell you what has lain hidden in my heart": in association with Konstantinos 13 Leichoudes and Theodoros 106 Alopos, (:) Zonaras 18.3.6
  • When the ambassadors (Konstantinos 13, Theodoros 106, Michael 61) affirmed that they would preserve all that was secret undivulged, Isaakios 1 Komnenos said that the rank of Kaisar was sufficient for him now and he did not seek the imperial one: in association with Konstantinos 13 Leichoudes and Theodoros 106 Alopos, (:) Zonaras 18.3.7
  • Isaakios 1 asked them to dine with him, and next day secretly convey his instructions to Michael 6: in association with Konstantinos 13, Theodoros 106 (:) τὴν αὔριον ἐντεῦθεν ἀπάραντες τὰ ἐντεταλμένα μοι ἀπορρήτως διακομίσατε Psellos: Chronographia VII 32.28-30
  • They dined with Isaakios 1 and admired his manners, which were not at all tyrannical, but very friendly; at dawn they received Isaakios 1's second letter secretly and sailed for Byzantium, reaching the palace harbour at daybreak: in association with Theodoros 106, Konstantinos 13 (:) τὴν ἑτέραν ἐπιστολὴν εἰληφότες κρυφίως Psellos: Chronographia VII 33.1-9
  • Isaakios 1 honoured him and dismissed the assembly; Isaakios took them aside, saying he was in the army's power; if they swore to carry his unspoken wishes to Michael 61, he would reveal his secret thoughts: in association with Theodoros 106, Konstantinos 13 (:) πολλοῖς με τετιμηκὼς ἐγκωμίοις Psellos: Chronographia VII 32.1-10
  • When they swore secrecy, Isaakios 1 said he was content to be kaisar, but asked for a promise that Michael 6 would bequeath the empire to him, not reverse his promotions, and allow him to dispense other posts: in association with Konstantinos 13, Theodoros 106 (:) ἡμῶν δὲ ἐπομοσάντων ἐν ἀπορρήτοις τὰς ἀπορρήτους γνώμας φυλάξαι Psellos: Chronographia VII 32.10-19
Theodoros (Leon) Alopos, envoy of Michael VI to Isaakios Komnenos (Theodoros 106)
  • When the ambassadors (Konstantinos 13, Theodoros 106, Michael 61) affirmed that they would preserve all that was secret undivulged, Isaakios 1 Komnenos said that the rank of Kaisar was sufficient for him now and he did not seek the imperial one: in association with Konstantinos 13 Leichoudes and Michael 61 Psellos (:) Zonaras 18.3.7
  • When the assembly broke up, Isaakios 1 received the ambassadors (Konstantinos 13, Theodoros 106, Michael 61) in private, saying, "If you will satisfy me that you will convey a secret to the emperor (Michael 6), I will tell you what has lain hidden in my heart": in association with Konstantinos 13 Leichoudes and Michael 61 Psellos (:) Zonaras 18.3.6
  • Isaakios 1 honoured Michael 61 and dismissed the assembly; Isaakios took them aside, saying he was in the army's power; if they swore to carry his unspoken wishes to Michael 6, he would reveal his secret thoughts (:) εἰ δέ τινας ἀπορρήτους μοι γνώμας πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα διακομίσαι διόμνυσθε Psellos: Chronographia VII 32.1-10
  • When they swore secrecy, Isaakios 1 said he was content to be kaisar, but asked for a promise that Michael 6 would bequeath the empire to him, not reverse his promotions, and allow him to dispense other posts: in association with Michael 61, Konstantinos 13 (:) ἡμῶν δὲ ἐπομοσάντων ἐν ἀπορρήτοις τὰς ἀπορρήτους γνώμας φυλάξαι Psellos: Chronographia VII 32.10-19
  • They dined with Isaakios 1 and admired his manners which were not at all tyrannical, but very friendly; at dawn they received Isaakios' second letter secretly and sailed for Byzantium, reaching the palace harbour at daybreak: in association with Michael 61, Konstantinos 13 (:) τὴν ἑτέραν ἐπιστολὴν εἰληφότες κρυφίως Psellos: Chronographia VII 33.1-9