Isaakios Komnenos entered city in triumph; he was crowned & proclaimed emperor by patriarch

Summary:
[Psellos provides privileged access to the private beginnings of a day of public celebration, suspect like all his claims to be close to emperors]. Everyone was ordered to prepare to move to the City. Psellos spent an anxious night, expecting to be killed. Before sunrise Isaakios suddenly rode out on horseback. The three imperial ambassadors followed him, sat with him during the preparations, and in a way legitimised his taking of power. Psellos and Isaakios discussed the conduct of the embassy, the fickleness of fortune, the best way to rule, and then he revealed his plans to all the ambassadors. Psellos received promotion to proedros. As the sun reached its zenith, the imperial galley appeared. Isaakios, strewn with flowers and amidst loud applause, embarked and crossed with the fleet to Constantinople. He entered the city acclaimed with shouts, trumpets and other instruments, and was received at the palace late in the afternoon. The city population and many from outside the city, turned out in force, with extravagant celebrations. With a large escort he made a splendid procession to Hagia Sophia, received the crown from the hands of the patriarch Michael Keroularios and left the church wearing it. [Sources differ whether the coronation took place on the same day, or on the morrow.] 
Dates:
1057 September 1 
Emperor Isaakios I Komnenos (Isaakios 1)
  • Crossed with the entire fleet to Constantinople, entered the city acclaimed with shouts and accompanied by trumpets and other instruments, and was received at the palace late in the afternoon (at the beginning of the month of September of the 11th indiction (1057):σεπτεμβρίου μηνὸς τῆς ια ´ ἰνδικτιῶνος ἐνισταμένου) καὶ τοῦτον ὑποδέχονται τὰ βασίλεια περὶ δείλην ὀψίαν Attaleiates: History 59.15-19 / 46.1-4
  • With a numerous escort he made a splendid procession to the great church (Hagia Sophia), received the crown from the hands of the patriarch (Michael 11), and left the church crowned (the day after his arrival at Constantinople:τῇ δ ᾿ ἐπαύριον) μετὰ πολλῆς προσελθὼν τῆς δορυφορίας Attaleiates: History 59.19-22 / 46.4-6
  • Entered the palace late in the afternoon and the following day he made a procession to the great church (Hagia Sophia) where he was crowned by the patriarch (Michael 11) and proclaimed emperor of the Romans (on September 1 (1057):πρώτην ἄγοντος τοῦ Σεπτεμβρίου μηνός) Skylitzes 500.88-93
  • The city multitude poured out to meet the new emperor (Isaakios 1), and made his entrance to the imperial city most distinguished (:) Zonaras 18.3.28
  • His eyes filled with tears at Michael 61's words; he said he preferred his earlier insolence to his present flattery; he would begin by naming him, his chief friend, president of the senate (:) τὰ πρῶτα γάρ σε τῶν φίλων ποιοῦμαι Psellos: Chronographia VII 42.1-6
  • The entire population of the City poured out to meet him with torches and perfumes, all joining in celebrations and dancing, treating his imperial entry like an epiphany of the Deity (:) ξύμπαντες δὲ συνπανηγυρίζοντες καὶ πέριξ ἐπισκιρτῶντες Psellos: Chronographia VII 40.1-6
  • As he and Michael 61 talked the sun reached its zenith and the gulf to be crossed appeared; when the imperial galley arrived strewn with flowers he embarked to applause and made his triumphal progress from the Sea of Marmara to the palace (:) ἄνθεσί τε καταπαττόμενος καὶ φωναῖς εὐφήμοις κατακροτούμενος Psellos: Chronographia VII 42.6-11
  • His imperial adventus was celebrated not only by people, senate, farmers, and merchants, but also by philosophers, mountain-dwellers, hermits who lived in tombs and stylites (:) θαύματος ἐπλήρουν τὴν βασίλειον εἴσοδον Psellos: Chronographia VII 40.10-19
  • Everyone had been ordered to make ready to move to the City; before sunrise he suddenly rode out on horseback; Michael 61, Konstantinos 13 and Theodoros 106 also went forward, not immediately but behind Isaakios 1 (:) ἀθρόον ἱππασάμενος ἔξεισι Psellos: Chronographia VII 38.17-21
  • He was neither deceived nor elated at the vanities of his adventus, but at once suspicious of the peak of fortune; still reflecting he turned to Michael 61, saying this high fortune seemed perilous and he was not sure it would end happily (:) ὑπώπτευσέ τε αὐτίκα τὴν τῆς τύχης ἀκρότητα Psellos: Chronographia VII 41.1-7
  • Michael 61 expected to be summoned to explain to him his earlier advice; he summoned him when he no longer expected it and without rhetorical elaboration revealed his secrets and communicated his imperial cares (:) κοινωνὸν τῶν βασιλείων φροντίδων ποιεῖται Psellos: Chronographia VII 39.1-7
  • Michael 61 said if he changed his philosophical view, his soul puffed up by splendours, Justice would turn on him; if not, he should have courage: divinity does not envy its gifts but often grants brilliance a straight course (:) εἰ δ᾿ οὖν ἔχε θυμὸν ἀγαθόν, ὡς οὐ βασκαίνει τὸ θεῖον ἐν οἷς δίδωσιν Psellos: Chronographia VII 41.15-20
  • He asked Michael 61 how he might rule best and rival the greatest emperors; Psellos recovered confidence and talked at great length; greatly impressed, he persisted in questions and pondered the answers till the matter was clear to him (:) ἕως ἂν σαφῶς αὐτῷ τὸ ἐζητημένον ἐπαγγελθείη Psellos: Chronographia VII 39.8-14
  • Michael 61 asked him not to bear malice for the reckless speeches he made as ambassador: he was obedient to an emperor's will and did not betray his trust; he had spoken not from envy of Isaakios but loyalty to Michael 6 (:) οὐ τοίνυν σοὶ βασκαίνων, ἀλλ᾿ ἐκείνῳ προσκείμενος ἐποιούμην τοὺς λόγους Psellos: Chronographia VII 41.20-4
  • He then summoned Konstantinos 13 and Theodoros 106 as well as Michael 61 and communicated to them his immediate plans; this was their position when the sun rose (:) ὥσπερ τισὶ κοινωνοῖς τῶν γε πρώτων αὐτοῦ βουλευμάτων ἐχρῆτο δὴ καὶ συλλήπτορσιν Psellos: Chronographia VII 39.15-19
  • His army was triumphant in the blody struggle with the troops sent against him, and he was led into the city (Constantinople) by the patriarch who supportd him (Michael 11 Keroularios) and the city leaders, and he was enthroned (:) Aristakes 104.112
  • Michael 61 spent the night terrified of being sacrificed like a beast, knowing everyone was angry with him and afraid Isaakios would take revenge for his advice to remain a private citizen (:) ἐδεδίειν δὲ μάλιστα καὶ αὐτὸν δὴ τὸν κρατοῦντα Psellos: Chronographia VII 38.1-9
  • After the death (?) of the emperor Michael 6, Isaakios 1 Komnenos became emperor in his place (1059:1059) Lupus protospatharius 59.29
  • He succeeded to the throne as his predecessor Michael 6 became a monk (1058:1058) Anonymus Barensis 152
Konstantinos III Leichoudes, patriarch of Constantinople (Konstantinos 13)
  • Everyone had been ordered to make ready to move to the City; before sunrise Isaakios 1 suddenly rode out on horseback; he also went forward, not immediately but behind Isaakios: in association with Michael 61, Theodoros 106 (:) ἡμεῖς μὲν οὐκ εὐθὺς, κατόπιν δὲ τούτου προῄειμεν Psellos: Chronographia VII 38.17-21
  • Isaakios 1 then summoned them and communicated to them his immediate plans; this was their position when the sun rose (:) ὥσπερ τισὶ κοινωνοῖς τῶν γε πρώτων αὐτοῦ βουλευμάτων ἐχρῆτο δὴ καὶ συλλήπτορσιν Psellos: Chronographia VII 39.15-19
  • Isaakios 1 sat with them during the preparations, and in this way laid hold of power legitimately (:) ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς δὴ τῆς ἑτοιμασίας παρακαθίσας ἡμῖν Psellos: Chronographia VII 42.11-13
Emperor Michael VI Stratiotikos (Michael 6)
  • Michael 61 asked Isaakios 1 not to bear malice for the reckless speeches he had made as ambassador: obedient to he emperor's will he did not betray his trust; he spoke not from envy of Isaakios but loyalty to him (:) οὐ τοίνυν σοὶ βασκαίνων, ἀλλ᾿ ἐκείνῳ προσκείμενος ἐποιούμην τοὺς λόγους Psellos: Chronographia VII 41.20-4
  • He died (?), and Isaakios 1 Komnenos became emperor in his place Lupus protospatharius 59.29
  • He became a monk, as Isaakios 1 succeeded to imperial power (1058:1058) induerat monachicum Anonymus Barensis 152
Michael I Keroularios, patriarch of Constantinople (Michael 11)
  • Crowned Komnenos (Isaakios 1) in Hagia Sophia (:) διὰ χειρὸς τοῦ πατριάρχου Attaleiates: History 59.21-22 / 46.5-6
  • Crowned Komnenos (Isaakios 1) emperor from the ambo of the great church (Hagia Sophia) (on September 1 (1057):πρώτην ἄγοντος τοῦ Σεπτεμβρίου μηνός) Skylitzes 500.91-94
  • Supported Komianos (Isaakios 1) and with the city leaders allowed him into the city (Constantinople) and enthroned him (:) Aristakes 104.112
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • As he and Isaakios 1 talked the sun reached its zenith and the gulf to be crossed appeared; when the imperial galley arrived Isaakios, strewn with flowers and applauded, embarked and made his triumphal progress to the palace (:) Psellos: Chronographia VII 42.6-11
  • While all slept he awaited death alone, terrified by any sound near his tent; towards dawn he recovered a bit, thinking it less terrible to die by day; peeping from his tent he saw fires, torches round the imperial quarters and great bustle (:) μόνος ἐγὼ τοὺς σφαγέας ἀνέμενον Psellos: Chronographia VII 38.9-17
  • Everyone had been ordered to make ready to move to the City; before sunrise Isaakios 1 suddenly rode out on horseback; he also went forward, not immediately but behind Isaakios 1: in association with Konstantinos 13, Theodoros 106 (:) ἡμεῖς μὲν οὐκ εὐθύς, κατόπιν δὲ τούτου προῄειμεν Psellos: Chronographia VII 38.17-21
  • Isaakios 1 was ... at once suspicious of the peak of fortune; still reflecting Isaakios turned to him, saying this high fortune seemed perilous and he was not sure it would end happily (:) δοκεῖ μοι, φησί, ὦ φιλόσοφε, σφαλερὸν εἶναι τοῦτο δὴ τὸ ἄκρον εὐτύχημα Psellos: Chronographia VII 41.1-7
  • Isaakios 1 sat with them during the preparations, and in this way laid hold of power legitimately: in association with Theodoros 106, Konstantinos 13 (:) ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς δὴ τῆς ἑτοιμασίας παρακαθίσας ἡμῖν Psellos: Chronographia VII 42.11-13
  • He said favourable beginnings did not always end badly, nor can Fate be changed; if a man betters himself, he is defeating destiny, according to the Hellenes; Christians hold that nothing is fated but outcomes correspond to preceding deeds (:) τὰ τέλη ταῖς προλαβούσαις πράξεσιν ἀνάλογα Psellos: Chronographia VII 41.7-14
  • He said if Isaakios 1 changed his philosophical view, his soul elevated by splendours, Justice would turn on him; if not, he should have courage: divinity does not envy its gifts but often grants brilliance a straight course (:) πολλοῖς καὶ πολλάκις κατ᾿ εὐθεῖαν ἤνεγκε τὴν γραμμὴν τῆς λαμπρότητος Psellos: Chronographia VII 41.15-20
  • Isaakios 1 asked him how he might rule best and rival the greatest emperors; he recovered confidence and talked at great length; Isaakios, greatly impressed, persisted in questions and pondered his answers till the matter was clear (:) ἐγὼ δ᾿ ἐπὶ τούτοις θαρρήσας, ἔμπνους τε γίνομαι τὴν ψυχήν Psellos: Chronographia VII 39.8-14
  • Isaakios 1, his eyes filling with tears at his words, said he preferred his earlier insolence to the present flattery; Isaakios would begin with Psellos, whom he considered his chief friend and would name him president of the senate (:) μᾶλλον, ἔφη, ἐφίλουν τότε τὴν σὴν γλῶτταν ὑβρίζουσαν, ἢ νῦν εὐφημοῦσάν τε καὶ θωπεύουσαν Psellos: Chronographia VII 42.1-6
  • Isaakios 1 then summoned Konstantinos 13 and Theodoros 106 as well, and communicated to them his immediate plans; this was their position when the sun rose (:) ὥσπερ τισὶ κοινωνοῖς τῶν γε πρώτων αὐτοῦ βουλευμάτων ἐχρῆτο δὴ καὶ συλλήπτορσιν Psellos: Chronographia VII 39.15-19
  • He asked Isaakios 1 not to bear malice for the reckless speeches he made as ambassador: he was obedient to an emperor's will and did not betray his trust; it was not from envy of Isaakios but loyalty to Michael 6 that he spoke (:) καί μοι μὴ μνησικακήσῃς ὧν πρεσβεύων ἰταμώτερον εἰρήκειν πρὸς σέ Psellos: Chronographia VII 41.20-4
  • He expected to be summoned to explain to Isaakios 1 his (earlier) advice; Isaakios summoned him after he had ceased to expect it and without rhetorical elaboration revealed his secrets and communicated his imperial cares (:) κοινωνὸν τῶν βασιλείων φροντίδων ποιεῖται Psellos: Chronographia VII 39.1-7
  • How could he in brief words describe the great marvel (of Isaakios 1's adventus)? He has taken part in many imperial processions and been present at religious ceremonies, but never seen such brilliance ἀλλὰ πῶς ἂν ὑμῖν ἐν βραχεῖ τὸ πολὺ διηγησαίμην τοῦ θαύματος. ἐγωγ᾿ οὖν καὶ βασιλείοις πομπαῖς πολλαῖς ἐντετυχηκὼς, καὶ πανηγύρεσι θειοτέραις παραγενόμενος, οὔπω τοιαύτην ἐθεασάμην λαμπρότητα Psellos: Chronographia VII 40.7-10
Theodoros (Leon) Alopos, envoy of Michael VI to Isaakios Komnenos (Theodoros 106)
  • Everyone had been ordered to make ready to move to the City; before sunrise Isaakios 1 suddenly rode out on horseback, and they also went forward, not immediately but behind Isaakios: in association with Michael 61, Konstantinos 13 (:) ἡμεῖς μὲν οὐκ εὐθύς, κατόπιν δὲ τούτου προῄειμεν Psellos: Chronographia VII 38.17-21
  • Isaakios 1 sat with them during the preparations, and in this way laid hold of power legitimately: in association with Michael 61, Konstantinos 13 (:) ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς δὴ τῆς ἑτοιμασίας παρακαθίσας ἡμῖν Psellos: Chronographia VII 42.11-13
  • Isaakios 1 asked them to dine with him, and next day secretly convey his instructions (to Michael 6): in association with Michael 61, Konstantinos 13 (:) τὴν αὔριον έντεῦθεν ἀπάραντες τὰ ἐντεταλμένα μοι ἀπορρήτως διακομίσατε Psellos: Chronographia VII 32.28-30
  • Isaakios 1 then summoned them and communicated to them his immediate plans; this was their position when the sun rose (:) ὥσπερ τισὶ κοινωνοῖς τῶν γε πρώτων αὐτοῦ βουλευμάτων ἐχρῆτο δὴ καὶ συλλήπτορσιν Psellos: Chronographia VII 39.15-19