Zoe's affair with Michael (IV) flourished & all but Romanos knew of it

Summary:
The affair between Zoe and Michael (IV) was known to everybody in the palace, except, apparently, Romanos III - though it was said that he accepted this great passion of Zoe's to avoid other minor infidelities (cf rumours about Konstantinos Artoklines, who would be removed from the palace by Michael IV). The lovers were caught sharing the same bed, causing Michael great embarassment, but boasting from Zoe. Her ardour was increased by a desire to conceive a child, unlikely in one of her age. She dressed him in golden imperial robes and insignia and they played at sitting on the throne. When an elderly courtier was scandalised by this, Zoe told him to attach himself to Michael, as he was already de facto emperor, and would soon become so de iure 
Dates:
1030 (Uncertain) 
Konstantinos Artoklines, katepano (Konstantinos 112)
  • Michael 4 removed him from the palace and moved him away from the City on the pretext of a more august office (:) σχήματι σεμνοτέρας ἀρχῆς Psellos: Chronographia VI 13.8-9
Emperor Michael IV Paphlagon (Michael 4)
  • When the love burst out shamelessly, everyone in the palace knew of it: for their kisses had already had already ended in intercourse and they had been caught by many sleeping in one bed; he was ashamed, blushed and was fearful at the act: in association with Zoe 1 (:) ἀναιδῶς αὐτοῖς ἐκρηγνυμένου τοῦ ἔρωτος ... ὁ μὲν ᾐσχύνετό τε καὶ ἠρυθρία καὶ περιδεὴς ἐπὶ τῷ πράγματι ἦν Psellos: Chronographia III 19.23-30
  • (When Zoe 1 was caught in bed with him) she did not shrink back: embracing him before the eyes of all she kissed him and boasted that she had often taken her pleasure with him (:) ἡ δὲ οὔθ’ ὑπεστέλλετο, καὶ προσφῦσα ἐπὶ τοῖς πάντων κατεφίλησεν ὀφθαλμοῖς, καὶ ὄνασθαι τούτου πολλάκις ηὔξατο Psellos: Chronographia III 19.30-2
  • Zoe 1 adorned him like a statue and covered him in gold, making him dazzle with rings and gold-woven robes (:) τὸ μὲν οὖν περικαλλύνειν τοῦτον ὥσπερ ἄγαλμα καὶ καταχρυσοῦν, δακτυλίοις τε περιαστράπτειν καὶ χρυσοϋφέσιν ἐσθήμασιν Psellos: Chronographia III 20.1-3
  • Unknown to the world Zoe 1 sometimes seated him on the imperial throne alternately with herself, put a sceptre in his hand and once even honoured him with a diadem; doing this often, she did not escape the notice of Anonymus 7001 (:) ἐπὶ τὸν βασιλικὸν θρόνον ἐκάθιζεν ἐναλλάξ, σκῆπτρον ἐνεχείριζε, καί ποτε καὶ ταινίας ἠξίωσε Psellos: Chronographia III 20.4-6
  • When 'playing emperors', Zoe 1 would then embrace him again, call him her statue, the joy of her eyes, flower of beauty, comfort of her soul; doing this often, she was seen by Anonymus 7001 (:) ἐπιχυθεῖσα ἄγαλμά τε ἐκάλει καὶ ὀφθαλμῶν χάριν καὶ κάλλους ἄνθος καὶ ψυχῆς ἰδίαν ἀναψυχήν Psellos: Chronographia III 20.7-9
  • Zoe 1 bade Anonymus 7001 attach himself to him, since he was now de facto and would soon be de jure autokrator (:) ὡς νῦν τε ὄντος καὶ ἐσομένου καθαρῶς αὐτοκράτορος Psellos: Chronographia III 20.16-17
  • Had intercourse in secret with Zoe 1 who fell in love with him and pushed him to the throne while the emperor (Romanos 3) was slowly dying from poisoning (:) Glykas 584.20-585.4
  • Approached by Zoe 1 who wished to produce an heir for the empire, he had sexual intercourse in a dark corner with her, not so much because she was attracted by his good looks, but driven more by her desire to have his child (:) ᾠκειώσατό τε αὐτόν, ὡς προλέλεκται, καὶ σκοτίως ἐν παραβύστῳ ἐμίγνυτο Skylitzes 405.64-66
Poulcheria (Argyropoulina), sister of Romanos III (Poulcheria 101)
  • Kept watch on Zoe 1: in association with advisers of Romanos 3 (:) αὐτὴν ἐφυλάττοντο Psellos: Chronographia III 6.15-16
Emperor Romanos III Argyros (Romanos 3)
  • Not being a particularly jealous man he turned a deaf ear to talk (of an affair between Zoe 1 and Konstantinos 112) (:) οὐ πάνυ ζηλότυπος ὢν, καὶ πρὸς τὴν τοιαύτην φήμην λασιόκωφος γέγονεν Psellos: Chronographia 13.6-8
  • As his under-secretary, Konstantinos 112 was seen by him to be adept in administration (:) ὑπογραμματεύων δὲ τῷ βασιλεῖ ῾Ρωμανῷ, οὐκ ἐκείνῳ μόνῳ προσήκων ὦπτο τοῖς πράγμασιν Psellos: Chronographia VI 13.3-6
  • Became as it were pimp and cuckold to Zoe 1 and Michael 4 (:) οἷον προαγωγὸς ἀμφοῖν ... καὶ ὁμευνέτης Zonaras 17.13.16
  • Pitying Michael 4 for his suffering, Romanos 3 thought even more that the stories were untrue and supposed that a man in this state could neither love nor be loved (:) Zonaras 17.13.21
Empress Zoe (Zoe 1)
  • At first those in the palace were suspicious, but later when the love burst out shamelessly, everyone knew of it: for their kisses had already ended in intercourse and they had been caught by many sleeping in one bed: in association with Michael 4 (:) ἀναιδῶς αὐτοῖς ἐκρηγνυμένου τοῦ ἔρωτος Psellos: Chronographia III 19.23-9
  • When found in bed with Michael 4, she did not shrink back: embracing him before the eyes of all she kissed him and boasted that she had often taken her pleasure with him (:) ἡ δὲ οὔθ’ ὑπεστέλλετο, καὶ προσφῦσα ἐπὶ τοῖς πάντων κατεφίλησεν ὀφθαλμοῖς, καὶ ὄνασθαι τούτου πολλάκις ηὔξατο Psellos: Chronographia III 19.30-2
  • Adorned Michael 4 like a statue and covered him in gold, making him dazzle with rings and gold-woven robes (:) τὸ μὲν οὖν περικαλλύνειν τοῦτον ὥσπερ ἄγαλμα καὶ καταχρυσοῦν, δακτυλίοις τε περιαστράπτειν καὶ χρυσοϋφέσιν ἐσθήμασιν Psellos: Chronographia III 20.1-3
  • Unknown to the world she sometimes seated Michael 4 on the imperial throne alternately with herself, put a sceptre in his hand and once even honoured him with a diadem (:) ἡ δὲ λανθάνουσα τοὺς πολλούς Psellos: Chronographia III 20.4-6
  • When 'playing emperors', she would then embrace Michael 4 again, call him her statue, the joy of her eyes, flower of beauty, comfort of her soul (:) ἐπιχυθεῖσα ἄγαλμά τε ἐκάλει καὶ ὀφθαλμῶν χάριν καὶ κάλλους ἄνθος καὶ ψυχῆς ἰδίαν ἀναψυχήν Psellos: Chronographia III 20.7-9
  • When Anonymus 7001 saw the extraordinary sight of her seating Michael 4 on the throne, he had almost expired, so shocked was he at the show; she summoned him at his last gasp, and reassured him in his confusion (:) ἀνεκαλέσατό τε ... κατέστησε Psellos: Chronographia III 20.13-16
  • She bid Anonymus 7001 attach himself to Michael 4, since he was now de facto and would soon de iure be autokrator (:) τούτου ἐξαρτᾶσθαι ἐκέλευεν, ὡς νῦν τε ὄντος καὶ ἐσομένου καθαρῶς αὐτοκράτορος Psellos: Chronographia III 20.16-17
  • Her love was not consummated in secret, but it was as if it took place legally: in association with Michael 4 (:) ἦν ὁ ἔρως οὐκ ἀφανῶς τελούμενος, ἀλλ’ ὥσπερ ἐπὶ νόμοις γινόμενος Psellos: Chronographia III 23.21-2
  • Romanos 4 knew that she was a great lover, as it were bursting with passion, and to prevent her being shared among many, did not resent her relationship with one man (Michael 4); while pretending not to see he satisfied her passion ... μάλα ἐρῶσαν ὥσπερ δὴ καὶ σφριγῶσαν περὶ τὸ πάθος, καί, ἵνα μὴ πρὸς πολλοὺς διαχέοιτο, οὐ μάλα τὴν πρὸς ἕνα ... ἐδυσχέραινεν ὁμιλίαν, ἀλλὰ σχηματιζόμενος παρορᾶν ἀπεπλήρου τὸ πάθος τῇ βασιλίδι Psellos: Chronographia III 23.8-11
  • Her love for Michael 4 went as far as intercourse, and as time went on the affection for him almost burst out into the open (:) Zonaras 17.13.13
  • Some say that Romanos 3 was not unaware of the love, but that the empress Zoe 1 was aroused and in a state of sexual madness, and that he tolerated her partiality for Michael 4, feigning ignorance lest she associate with more men εἰσὶ δ ᾿ οἳ λέγουσι μὴ ἀγνοῆσαι τὸν βασιλέα τὸν ἔρωτα, *** δ ᾿ ὅτι σφριγᾷ ἡ βασίλισσα καὶ περὶ τὰ ἀφροδίσια μέμηνε, τῆς πρὸς τὸν Μιχαὴλ αὐτῆς ῥοπῆς ἠνείχετο, ὑποκρινόμενος ἄγνοιαν, ἵνα μὴ πλείοσιν ὁμιλοίη Zonaras 17.13.22