Beginning of rule of Konstantinos X

Summary:
[Psellos gives himself a very large role in the transition from Isaakios I to Konstantinos X, and there is no way of checking his account.] Konstantinos, summoned as Isaakios was apparently dying, stood blushing with his usual modesty. He was more saddened by Isaakios' illness than pleased at his own accession. Only Psellos dared array him in the imperial insignia, with the permission of the senate. He seated him on the imperial throne, put on the purple sandals, and other ceremonies for a new ruler followed. When Konstantinos saw Psellos leading the homage, he at once rose from the throne and embraced him. Later he asked him to make an appropriate speech. Konstantinos maintained this close relationship with Psellos 
Dates:
1059 November 23 
Empress Eudokia Makrembolitissa (Eudokia 1)
  • Was proclaimed Augousta (:) Zonaras 18.9.19
Emperor Isaakios I Komnenos (Isaakios 1)
  • After applause mingled with tears and an acclamation, as if being initiated in sacred rites and wondrous mysteries Konstantinos 10 stood respectfully and modestly beside him; this marked the beginning of his reign (:) σὺν αἰδοῖ καὶ κόσμῳ παρειστήκει τῷ αὐτοκράτορι Psellos: Chronographia VII 90.1-6
  • When summoned to him as he was apparently breathing his last, Konstantinos 10 stood blushing, his eyes filled with his usual modesty, his hands beneath his robe as was his habit (:) τὰς ἐσχάτας, ὡς ἐδόκει, ἀναπνοὰς τῷ Κομνηνῷ ἀναπνέοντι Psellos: Chronographia VII 89.1-5
Emperor Konstantinos X Doukas (Konstantinos 10)
  • Was not pleased as much by his accession to the throne as he was saddened by the weakening of Isaakios 1 through the severity of his illness (:) Psellos Oratoria minora 17.31-33
  • No one dared to array him in the imperial insignia, but Michael 61 spoke freely and the senate conceded: he seated him on the imperial throne, put on the purple sandals and the other ceremonies for a new ruler followed (:) οὐδεὶς δὲ τῶν πάντων ἐθάρρει τοῖς βασιλικοῖς τοῦτον κοσμῆσαι συμβόλοις Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 11.3-11
  • After applause mingled with tears and an acclamation, as if being initiated in sacred rites and wondrous mysteries he stood respectfully and modestly beside Isaakios 1; this marked the beginning of his reign (:) σὺν αἰδοῖ καὶ κόσμῳ παρειστήκει τῷ αὐτοκράτορι Psellos: Chronographia VII 90.1-6
  • Michael 61 did not deceive him, having been attached to him from the first, having encouraged, strengthened, cheered him in despair, promised to share danger, won over Konstantinos 13, and did all that time and friendship asked (:) αὐτὸς ἂν εἰδείης ὡς τὰ πρῶτα συνεπεφύκειν Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 10.9-16
  • Then he asked Michael 61 to say something suitable to the occasion (of his accession) and dismissed the assembly (:) κἀμέ τινα τῷ καιρῷ πρόσφορα ἐπιτρέψας εἰπεῖν Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 14.14-15
  • Now that he was fully emperor and established on the throne, with the curtain still drawn, with only Michael 61 beside him, he raised his hands above his head, his eyes full of tears and gave thanks to God, making this first dedication (:) καὶ τοῦτο πρῶτον αὐτῷ καθιέρωσε Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 14.2-7
  • When he saw Michael 61 leading the homage, he at once rose from the throne and embraced him; tears filled his eyes and he he did not know what to do; he pledged such great favours, more than he could fulfil, but did execute most of them (:) με λαμπρῶς ἀγκαλίζεται Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 12.1-6
  • He succeded to the imperial throne (: ) Lupus protospatharius 59.30
  • Michael 61was never distanced from him, but had a special place beside him when he sat on the throne, was in his company for conversation, shared the same table and received indescribable favours (:) οὗ μηδὲ βραχύ τι ἀπολελείμμην, ἀλλὰ περὶ αὐτὸν ὑπὲρ τοὺς ἄλλους εἱστήκειν Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 1.8-12
  • He was remembered as having specially trusted Michael 61, making him guardian of his friends and relations and, on his accession, having made him a regular guest at the imperial table, calling him father and uncle (:) ὁ πρὸ μικροῦ τεθνηκὼς βασιλεύς Psellos Letters (Gautier) 35.52-57
Konstantinos III Leichoudes, patriarch of Constantinople (Konstantinos 13)
  • Michael 61 won him over to Konstantinos 10 (:) μετήνεγκά σοι τὸν ἀρχιερέα Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 10.14-15
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • He was never distanced from Konstantinos 10, but had a special place beside him when he sat on the throne, he was in Konstantinos' company for conversation, shared the same table and received indescribable favours (:) ἀδιηγήτων χαρίτων ἀπέλαβον Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 1.8-12
  • Now that he was fully emperor and established on the throne, with the curtain still drawn, and only Pellos beside him, Konstantinos 10 raised his hands above his head, his eyes full of tears and gave thanks to God, making this first dedication (:) εἱστήκειν δὲ μόνος αὐτὸς ἀγχοῦ ἐπὶ δεξιᾶς Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 14.2-7
  • Konstantinos 10 asked him to say something suitable to the occasion (of his accession) and dismissed the assembly (:) κἀμέ τινα τῷ καιρῷ πρόσφορα ἐπιτρέψας εἰπεῖν Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 14.14-15
  • He often tried to cure Konstantinos 10 (of wilfulness), but he was forthright and inexorable (:) καίτοι πολλάκις αὐτὸς ἐπειράθην ἐξελεῖν ἀπὸ τούτου δὴ τοῦ βασιλέως τὸ νόσημα Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 18.12-14
  • Psellos did not deceive Konstantinos 10, who knew how he was attached to him from the first; he encouraged, strengthened, cheered him in despair, promised to share danger, won over Konstantinos 13, and did all that time and friendship asked (:) ἐγὼ δέ σοι οὐκ ἐψευσάμην τὸν φίλον Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 10.9-16
  • No one dared to array Konstantinos 10 in the imperial insignia, but Psellos spoke freely and the senate conceded: he seated Konstantinos on the imperial throne, put on the purple sandals, and the other ceremonies for a new ruler followed (:) εἰ μὴ αὐτὸς παρρησίᾳ χρησάμενος ... ἐπὶ τοῦ θρόνου τε καθίζω τοῦ βασειλίου Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 11.3-11
  • He would not boast of helping, but Konstantinos 10 knows how he resisted opposition and assisted when things were going well; such was his zeal that he took the helm in high seas and skilfully brought him into the imperial harbour (:) ἐγὼ μὲν οὐδὲν ἂν εἴποιμι, μὴ γὰρ τοσοῦτον καυχήσαιμι Psellos: Chronographia VII 91.1-9
  • When Konstantinos 10 saw him leading the homage, he rose from the throne and embraced him, with tears in his eyes, not knowing what to do; he pledged great favours, more than he could fulfil, but did execute most of them (:) τοσαύτας μοι καθωμολόγησε χάριτας καὶ ἐν τοσαύταις ἐποιήσεν ὅσαις οὐκ ἂν μὲν ἐξήρκεσεν Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 12.1-6