Certainty: 2 Quarrel with Rus' merchants in Constantinople: murder of a distinguished man. Jaroslav, ruler of the Rus', son of Vladimir I, had been preparing a huge fleet to attack Constantinople. The trigger for the beginning of the expedition was the death of a prominent Scythian (Rus') merchant in Constantinople, one of those who died in a violent quarrel between Rus' traders and Romans. Jaroslav gathered all his forces immediately, including his allies from the islands of the northern ocean, and sailed against Constantinople with 100,000 men in monoxyla
Certainty: 3 Basilieos Theodorokanos arrived in Italy as katepano to capture Maniakes with local aid: but he had left. Basilieos Theodorokanos arrived in Italy as katepano to capture Maniakes with the aid of Argyros. They moved on Otranto, Theodorokanos by sea and Argyros by land. But Maniakes had already crossed the Adriatic and was in Bulgaria
Certainty: 3 Maniakes crossed to Dyrrachion & won a first battle. Georgios Maniakes revolted in Italy, then crossed to Serbia. He did not change his mind when the emperor wrote to him. His formidable army and reputation cowed most Byzantine commanders, though he fought and won a battle against the doux of the West. He approached the main imperial army at Ostrobos
Certainty: 2 Battle of Ostrobos: sudden death of Georgios Maniakes at moment of victory. Georgios Maniakes pitched his camp two days away from Thessalonike and attacked the great imperial camp at Ostrobos late in the afternoon. He had a battle-hardened army. The enemy ranks were more spectators than opponents. He fought at the head of his troops and whoever was injured by his sword escaped with half or more of their body maimed, for he was known to be invincible and firm. He caused great harm to the emperor's soldiers, terrified them with his irrestistible attacks and blows, and had almost won the battle, acclaimed by most of the enemy soldiers, but in the end fell off his horse. He remained lying on the ground. His opponents thought this was a trick until they realised the truth, approached and found him covered in blood and injured, and thus he lost the battle. As his squire was not there, his horse ran free between the armies. His head was removed and sent to Stephanos Pergamenos, who sent it on to Konstantinos IX. There were many stories claiming that his death was the result of divine intervention; the identity of the man who killed him was still unknown as Psellos wrote
Certainty: 2 Collapse of Maniakes' rebellion after his death; triumph of Konstantinos IX (& Stephanos Pergamenos). When Maniakes' men realised their leader had fallen, they were seized by terror and scattered. Parts of his army departed for their own homelands unnoticed, but the greatest number went over to the imperial side. Konstantinos IX fixed his enemy's head high up in the great hippodrome, so that all might see it even from far off in the open air. Stephanos Pergamenos, having in effect defeated and killed Maniakes, entered the agora (at Constantinople) in triumph on a white horse, and was splendidly honoured by Konstantinos IX, thus causing the envy of many. His light-armed troops in front of the procession, fully armed but not in formation, were followed by picked cavalry in full armour and in military order. Maniakes' troops were not ordered, but seated backwards on asses, their heads shaved, wearing a shameful necklet of refuse. After them came his head, paraded a second time, and other belongings. The empresses Zoe and Theodora watched the triumph, sitting high in front of the Chalke, on each side of Konstantinos IX
Certainty: 1 Epitaph in the persona of the dead Georgios Maniakes. Georgios Maniakes' hexameter epitaph stated that his prowess lay in the tomb with him, as it lived on in his sinews and refused to revive as a separate body from his
Certainty: 2 Konstantinos IX began Mangana monastery near Skleraina's house. Konstantinos IX was said to have begun building the Mangana monastery because of his beloved Skleraina, so that he might visit her continually on the pretext of the construction of the sanctuary, since she was then residing in the nearby house of the Kynegion. At first his visits were furtive, but later he became shameless. Even Zoe's supporters, when they realised what was happening, helped in the charade. He pulled down the previous structure on the Mangana site and built on the ruins, at first modestly, but later on an excessive scale
Certainty: 3 Death of patriarch Alexios Stoudites; gold found at his monastery. The patriarch Alexios Stoudites died, after enjoying the patriarchal throne for eighteen years. He was succeeded by Michael Keroularios. In his monastery there were found twenty-five kentenaria of gold, stored in the treasuries there. It was appropriated by the emperor Konstantinos IX
Certainty: 3 Sending of imperial instruction to concentrate troops against Russian invasion. The Rus' had planned to attack Michael IV, but were ready, after two changes of emperor, in the time of Konstantinos IX. Jaroslav, their ruler, constructed a huge fleet of small boats, which arrived immediately after the defeat of Maniakes. Konstantinos had a makeshift fleet, made up of warships and merchantmen, which he prepared with quantities of Greek fire
Certainty: 3 Appointment of Michael Keroularios as patriarch. Konstantinos IX had given Michael Keroularios full access to the palace, made him synkellos (?), and restored him and his family to the social and financial position which they had lost, making him one of his most admired courtiers. At the death of Alexios Stoudites, he had Keroularios appointed patriarch of Constantinople; while others had other candidates, his thoughts were immediately and unchangeably set in this direction, and he overcome MichaelÂ’s initial reluctance. Keroularios was enthroned brilliantly, found his own unique way of subduing himself to the demands of his position, and felt that he had been chosen by God, so that he had no need to show favour to Konstantinos IX but to reform him
Certainty: 3 Encomium of patriarch Michael Keroularios, the day after his election. Christopher of Mytilene wrote an encomium of the patriarch Michael Keroularios, the day after his election [It is so lacunose that it is hard to understand]
Certainty: 2 Psellos wrote Orationes panegyricae 2 for Konstantinos IX, with summary of recent history. As soon as Konstantinos IX became emperor, Psellos was recommended to him, though they had not met. All Konstantinos' bodyguard knew of his eloquence. He became his servant in all things, was ranked in the higher order and entrusted with the most honoured tasks. Psellos was ignorant of nothing, neither of things done openly nor secretly. He was employed in the palace at the age of 25. An early task (perhaps an application piece?) was Orationes panegyricae 2, a summary of recent history, from Basileios II to the defeat of Georgios Maniakes
Certainty: 3 Blinding of Ioannes orphanotrophos (by men of Theodora?). Ioannes orphanotrophos was blinded at the village of Marykaton. Skylitzes is uncertain who was responsible: some say Theodora without the consent of Konstantinos IX, or as other claim, the emperor himself, who bore a grudge against him for having banished him
Certainty: 3 Death of Ioannes orphanotrophos. The blinding of Ioannes orphanotrophos was particularly violent and he died a few days afterwards
Certainty: 2 Psellos took over a house vacated by Konstantinos (X): beginning of their friendship. Psellos needed a more brilliant way of life and a better house, like that of Konstantinos (X). Konstantinos IX was energetic on Psellos' behalf and arranged an exchange of houses, which united Psellos and Konstantinos (X) in friendship. This was increased by their mutual love of eloquence. They met often, and Psellos praised Konstantinos.
Certainty: 2 Reluctant entry of Ioannes Mauropous to court of Konstantinos IX. Pellos wanted to introduce all his learned friends to imperial service. Ioannes Mauropous was the most reluctant, but eventually he had a successful interview with Konstantinos IX and Zoe. Mauropous wrote epigrams to commemorate the occasion
Certainty: 2 Rus' ships on way to Constantinople tried foraging near Varna: Katakalon Kekaumenos drove them off. Katakalon Kekaumenos drove away the Rus' who ravaged the territory under his authority near Varna on their way to Constantinople, and forced them to return to their ships. He watched over the coast (and on their way back he would attack them again)
Certainty: 2 Onset of Konstantinos IX's gout. Within a year of his succession, Konstantinos IX became crippled with gout, from which he would suffer for the rest of his life. Gout had stopped him taking the field against Maniakes. At times his hands and feet were almost useless, as was plain to close confidants like Psellos. He had to be supported by grooms on horseback in public processions, which he performed out of a sense of duty. He was also at times afflicted by crippling diarroea. But he was careful not to make the extent of his distress visible to others
Certainty: 3 Failed plot of Stephanos Pergamenos in favour of Leon, strategos of Melitene. Konstantinos IX feared that Stephanos Pergamenos, the leader of the army which defeated Georgios Maniakes, might use the success against himself, who had sent him. He would potentially be a more serious usurper than Maniakes, given his vast army and probable immediate success. Stephanos was accused of plotting against Konstantinos IX and planning to place on the throne Leon, strategos of Melitene. He had his properties confiscated, was tonsured and banished. Lambros, father of Leon, was accused of being an accomplice: he was tortured cruelly, had his eyes gouged out, and was paraded through the agora
Certainty: 3 Rus' naval attack on Constantinople: failure to reach a diplomatic solution. Men were sent as emissaries to Jaroslav of Rus' with a message from Konstantinos IX asking him to lay down his arms, promising to make amends for the murder of the prominent trader, and urging him not to break the long-lasting peace. But they were received arrogantly and dismissed dishonourably. They were sent again when Jaroslav's fleet had anchored at Pharos. They were once again dismissed, with Jaroslav's envoys requesting 3 pounds of gold for each of his men (and/or a thousand staters for each of his ships) in order to lay down their arms. These proposals were simply aimed at justifying the war. They were not even given a reply and the two sides prepared for war
Certainty: 3 Rus' naval attack on Constantinople: battle of Pharos. Konstantinos IX, when some 400 Russian ships arrived in the Sea of Marmara, gathered all the fighting ships and other war vessels, established infantry positions along the nearby coastline, and on a Sunday he sent out his forces. Psellos stood near him as the Rus' lined up their ships, watching from a distance what was going on, from a hill which sloped gently towards the sea. Jaroslav ranged his ships in a continuous line from one coast to the other, ready to attack or defend, a sight which terrified all who saw it. When much of the day had passed and the RusÂ’ remained quiet and did not break their formation, the emperor ordered Basileios Theodorokanos to take three of the warships and launch missiles against them, in order to draw them into battle. Basileios advanced into their midst instead, burnt seven ships with Greek fire, and sunk three with their crews. He jumped onto a Russian ship, captured it, and slew or overpowered its crew, overawed by his courage. Since the attack was so successful with three warships, the emperor signalled to some of the others to put out. Seeing them approach the barbarians abandoned the fight and broke formation, backed water and began to flee. A storm completed the rout. The Byzantine fleet remained there for two days before returning to the capital
Certainty: 2 Rus' naval attack on Constantinople: events following battle at Pharos. Basileios Theodorokanos was left together with Nikolaos, domestikos of the scholai and parakoimomenos by Konstantinos IX, in command of two tagmata and the hetaireiai, in order to protect the coast and prevent a landing of barbarians. Further away, Katakalon Kekaumenos met the Rus' along the coast of Varna, returning from their failed attack. He defeated them, killed many, captured 800 and sent them to the emperor in fetters
Certainty: 3 Violent storm destroyed vineyards. No persons mentioned
Certainty: 2 Konstantinos IX persuaded Zoe to let Skleraina move into palace. Konstantinos IX wanted to put aside the concealment and live with Maria Skleraina as his wife, and so he asked Zoe to let her move to the palace. He even made a contract of friendship and organised an imperial pavilion for it, where uneasy senators came as witnesses. Konstantinos sent continual gifts to Maria, and provided her with the means to make gifts to others. She knew of Zoe's passion for money and Theodora's passion for her darics. When the people saw her for the first time walking together with Zoe and Theodora, a great flatterer quietly quoted the Homeric phrase 'No cause for anger', without completing the line (a reference to the first appearance of Helen in Troy). Maria noted the comment, asked its significance, and rewarded the speaker. Psellos was captivated by Maria, who asked him mythological questions, and took an intelligent interest in his answers
Certainty: 2 Maria Skleraina was given the title "sebaste" by Zoe, at Konstantinos' suggestion. Since Konstantinos IX wished it, Zoe and Theodora honoured Maria Skleraina with the new dignity of 'sebaste', which before had had an exclusively imperial reference
Certainty: 1 Rise of Konstantinos Leichoudes to become the mesazon of Konstantinos IX. When Konstantinos IX became emperor, he felt that it was time to relax from the pressures of his exile. He was very willing to pass the imperial duties to others, especially Konstantinos Leichoudes, in whose hands the empire prospered. Leichoudes gradually became prominent and was elevated to the most conspicuous position in the empire (mesazon). He would often give the impression in public that he was consulting the emperor, when in fact he was not. But then Monomachos became jealous and, as if the empire had been transferred to Leichoudes, was unable to bear it
Certainty: 1 List of Iveron chrysobulls prepared by the local krites Ioannes. Ioannes asekretis, krites of Boleron, Strymon and Thessalonike, issued an act referring to a chrysobull of Basileios II, whereby Iveron had been granted 40 paroikoi and 60 households exempt from taxes. He also made a list of the chrysobulls (of Iveron) with a description of each donation
Certainty: 1 Local krites Ioannes issued an act about tax obligations of Saviour at Hierissos. Ioannes asekretis, krites of Boleron, Strymon and Thessalonike, issued an act concerning the tax obligations of the metochion of the Saviour belonging to the monastery of Kaliourgou, in the territory of the kastron of Hierissos
Certainty: 1 Pechenegs under Kegen defeated the Uzes (Oghuz) near Danube. The Pechenegs were attacked by the Uzes (Oghuz) near the Danube, and their leader Tyrach would not face them. He hid in the marshes near the Danube. Another Pecheneg leader, Kegen, defeated the Uzes in several ambushes
Certainty: 1 Leon Tornikios adopted as a candidate for the throne by the army of Macedonia. Leon Tornikios was a relative of the imperial family. When he reached maturity and showed some strength of character, the army of Macedonia became firm in his support, looking for opportunities to revolt. They missed chances, through his absence or lack of specific motivation
Certainty: 0 Christodoulos (later of Patmos) visited Jerusalem & settled for a time in Palestine. Christodoulos moved from place to place, looking for somewhere to settle, looking for more complete isolation. He visited Palestine in pilgrimage to the Holy Places and spoke with the luminaries there, and then moved to the most desolate areas of the country and settled for a time
Certainty: 1 Disagreements on Mt Galesion, especially over building work. Kosmas, the monk who had betrayed to the metropolitan of Ephesos the measures Lazaros was taking against him, was aware of Lazaros' benevolence, and so won forgiveness. He returned to the monastery, but continued to spread rumours against Lazaros. Eventually he would die unrepentant away from the monastery. Lazaros directed from his pillar the construction of a refectory, and when the monk Matthaios protested that it was unnecessary, and that they would be chased away anyway after his death by the villagers of Galesion, he predicted that the community would survive. Lazaros also planned to add more cells on the western side of the monastery. This was opposed by many of the brothers, who asked Matthaios to speak to him about it. He managed to persuade Lazaros to give up the plan, though it would be carried out after his death