Emperor Konstantinos IX Monomachos E / M XI
Κωνσταντίνου τοῦ Μονομάχου ملك الروم (DO III.39.10, IV.1.21) (Konstantinos 9)
(Unspecified)
(null)
Narrative
(677)
Before 1025
Unassigned Activities
Authorship
(null)
Death
(21)
Theodora 1
respected him even after his death, remembering his noble deeds and wanting to neglect none of his decisions - but she failed; hence most of his achievements were destroyed
πλεῖστα ὦν ἐκεῖνος ἐπεπραχει διέφθαρτο. Psellos: Chronographia VIa 15.5-9
As
Michael 61
put on the divine habit shortly before Monomachos' death, many people surmised
Michael 61
's thinking - that he knew this was the moment and retired for that reason
πρὸ βραχέος τινὸς καιροῦ τῆς τοῦ Μονομάχου ἀποβιώσεως. Psellos: Chronographia VIa 10.2-6
Described as dead in chrysobull of
Konstantinos 10
τοῦ ἐν μακαρία τῆ λήξει βασιλέως. Lavra 197.44
Despairing of life he lay like a sacrificed ox longing to die, but did not consult
Theodora 1
about the future: hiding his plan from her he secretly sought a successor; but his plan could not remain secret and was reported to
Theodora 1
οὐκ ἦν τὸ σκέμμα λαθεῖν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 202.1-6
Died
obiit. Lupus protospatharius 59.23
Died after a reign of 12 years and 7 months
Date: on January 7 (or 8) of the 8th indiction in the year 6563 ?????????? ? ?, ??????????? ? ?, ????? ,???? ? Kleinchroniken 159.12, 167.14
Died after a reign of 13 years, was not remembered well
Եւ սա այսպիսի գնացիւք վարեալ զկեանս իւր՝ վախճանեցաւ...ոչինչ բարի յիշատակաց արժանի եղեալ։. Aristakes 95.21-23 (88)
Died and was buried at Mangana
Date: on January 11 of the 8th indiction in the year 6563 (11.1.1055) ???? ??? ?? ? ??? ??????????? ?????, ??? ? ? ???????????, ??? ,???? ? ?????ἀποθανὼν ἐν τοῖς Μαγγάνοις ταφῆς ἔτυχε τῆς τυχούσης. Skylitzes 478.92-93
Died and was buried in his monastery (Mangana)
θνήσκει καὶ παρὰ τῇ διαληφθείσῃ μονῇ θάπτεται. Glykas 599.9-10
Died at his private dwelling and not at the palace, and was buried in the church which he had founded (Hagios Georgios of Mangana)
καὶ τῷ παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἀνεγερθέντι ναῷ τὸν νεκρὸν καταθέμενος. Attaleiates: History 47.12-15 / 36.3-5
Everything came to absolutely nothing: when he died,
Anonyma 210
was again considered a hostage and
Romanos 62
's fire kindled only phantoms
ἀτελέστατα ἐγεγόνει πάντα· ὅ τε γὰρ αὐτοκράτωρ ἐτεθνήκει. Psellos: Chronographia VI 155.20-4
He died at Constantinople, and
Theodora 1
was chosen in his place
. Anonymus Barensis 152
He died unwillingly, lying sick and alone for a little before death, essentially having lost the empire, abandoned by all his family, since everybody had passed over to the side of
Theodora 1
, who did not spend timne with him
Psellos Keroularios 357
He died, sent swiftly to the tomb by the abominable gout
παλαμναῖαι νόσοι. Manasses, Chronicle 6224-6227a
He fell sick and died, in circumstances of which
Michael 61
says nothing; save that the event seems to take place between the moment when he gave the sick Psellos leave to go to Olympos and the moment of his departure
Psellos Xiphilinos 421
He was distressed to hear of
Theodora 1
's return and his illness increased; as he could neither recover nor make an intelligent plan, he plunged into thought, closed his eyes and his mind and tongue strayed
οὔτε τῆς νόσου ἀνενεγκεῖν οὔτε βουλὴν συνετωτάτην βουλεύσασθαι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 202.12-16
On becoming empress
Theodora 1
... tragically articulated to
Michael 61
her sufferings under him
ἐκτραγῳδεῖ μὲν καὶ ἃ παρὰ τοῦ γαμβροῦ πεπόνθει. Psellos: Chronographia VIa 13.4-6
Shortly before his death it happened that
Michael 61
renounced the wordly life
οὐ πρὸ πολλοῦ τῆς τοῦ βασιλεύοντος τελευτῆς. Psellos: Chronographia VIa 13.2-4
Then after a recovering a little and realizing what a bad state he was in, full of indignation he relinquished his soul
βραχύ τι ἀνενεγκὼν καὶ γνοὺς ὅπη κακοῦ ἐτύγχανεν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 202.15-17
When
Theodora 1
's proclamation became known to him it increased his suffering; after living on for a short time, enough to grieve and be dismayed at events, he departed, after being emperor for twelve years
Zonaras 17.28.21
When he departed life, the power passed to
Theodora 1
ἐπεὶ δὲ τὸν βίον οὗτος ἀπέλιπεν. Psellos: Chronographia VIa 1.1-2
Description
(165)
Blessed (had died by the time when
Theodora 1
issued her decree concerning a dispute between
Tornikios 102
and the monastery of Iveron over the metochion of Melissourgeion)
τοῦ μακαρίτου. Iveron 2.77.3, 2.78.28
In the flower of youth and from a magnificent family
τοῦ τε ἄνθους τῆς ἡλικίας καὶ τῆς τοῦ γένους μεγαλοπρεπείας. Psellos: Chronographia VI 15.14-15
Michael 61
had written many praises of him before this work and the public admired the extravagance of the panegyrics; he was not lying in this praise, but others mistook what he was doing
ἐπεὶ ... πρὸ τῆσδε τῆς πραγματείας πολλοὺς ἐκείνῳ καὶ καλοὺς λόγους πεποίημαι, καὶ τάς γε ὑπερβολὰς τῶν ἐγκωμίων ἐθαύμασαν οἱ πολλοὶ, καὶ οὐκ ἐψευσάμην τὸν ἔπαινον, ἀλλὰ τοὺς ἄλλους ἔλαθον οὕτω ποιῶν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 25.6-10
Michael 61
would have wished that his emperor (
Konstantinos 9
), if none of the others, had had a blameless lot, but events do not proceed according to our desires
ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν ἐβουλόμην, εἰ καὶ μηδέ τῳ τῶν πάντων, ἀλλὰ τῷ γε ἐμῷ αὐτοκράτορι τοῦτο προσεῖναι τὸ μέρος, ἀλλ᾿ οὐχὶ κατὰ τὰς ἡμεδαπὰς αἱρέσεις αἱ τῶν πραγμάτων ἀκολουθίαι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 28.1-4
As
Michael 61
will conceal none of his nobler deeds but bring them into the open, so too if he has said anything in a different disposition, this too he will make clear in his account
ὥσπερ γὰρ οὐδέν σοι τῶν κρειττόνων συνεπικρύψομαι, ἀλλ᾿ εἰς τοὐφανὲς ἄξω, οὕτως εἴ τί σοι μὴ ἀπὸ τῆς αὐτῆς εἴρηται ἕξεως καὶ τοῦτο δὴ τῷ λόγῳ δῆλον ποιήσομαι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 28.7-9
A man with a relaxed brow pleased him, one ready to say something to please the spirit and foresee the more pleasing aspects of the future
κεχαρισμένος αὐτῷ ὁ τὰς ὀφρῦς διαλελυμένος, καὶ εἰπεῖν μὲν τι τῶν καθηδυνόντων ψυχὴν πρόχειρος, περὶ δὲ τῶν μελλόντων πραγμάτων τὰ χαριέστερα προμαντεύσασθαι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 34.4-7
As a healthy animal is not suddenly affected by the onset of future ills so, since the empire was not at all moribund but still vigorous, his negligence seemed trivial, until gradually the ill increased, peaked and overturned everything
... καὶ τούτῳ, οὐ πάνυ τι δυσθανατούσης τῆς βασιλείας, ἀλλ᾿ ἔτι πνεῦμα καὶ τόνον ἐχούσης, βραχύ τι τὸ κατολιγωρεῖν διεφαίνετο, ἕως ἂν κατὰ βραχὺ τὸ κακὸν αὐξηθὲν καὶ κορυφωθὲν τὸ πᾶν συνέτρεψε καὶ συνέχεεν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 48.1-7
Michael 61
's account of
Maria 64
terminated at the moment of her death;
Michael 61
will return again to him, and make him the subject of the present part of the history
ὁ μὲν οὖν περὶ ἐκείνης λόγος εἰς αὐτὸ δὴ τὸ μέρος τῆς ἐκείνης κατέληξε λήξεως· ἐπανιῶμεν οὖν αὖθις ἐπὶ τὸν αὐτοκράτορα, ὃν δὴ καὶ ὑπόθεσιν τοῦ παρόντος μέρους τῆς ἱστορίας ποιούμεθα. Psellos: Chronographia VI 71.10-13
He was cautious of
Euprepeia 61
; he did not love her as counsellor (?), but feared rather than cultivated her
ταύτην τοιγαροῦν εὐλαβεῖτο μὲν ὁ ἀδελφός, ..., οὐκ ἔστεργε δὲ παραγωγόν, ἀλλ᾿ ἐδεδίει μᾶλλον ἢ περιεῖπεν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 100.7-9
His prime and vigorous strength when first he became emperor was transformed to the opposite state; he did not preserve the good looks he had intact to the end, but like a sun hidden by clouds displayed to onlookers a dimmed physical brilliance
... ὅπως ἐκεῖνος ἔσχεν εὐθὺς βασιλεύσας τοῦ σώματος, ἐξ οἵας τε ἀκμῆς καὶ εὐτονωτάτης ἰσχύος εἰς ἐναντίαν ἕξιν μετήμειπτο, ὅπως τε ὥρας ἔχων ἀκριβῶς αὐτὴν μέχρι παντὸς οὐ διεσώσατο, .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 124.1-6
Although he had not seen
Michael 61
before coming to power, when he had once seen him he was so captivated by
Michael 61
's eloquence that he seemed to hang by the ears from
Michael 61
's tongue
ὅς γε οὔπω με πρὸ τοῦ κράτους ἑωρακώς, ἐπειδὴ ἅπαξ εἶδεν, οὕτω μου ἑαλώκει τῶν λόγων ὡς δοκεῖν ἐκ τῶν ὤτων τῆς ἐμῆς γλώττης ἐκκρέμασθαι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 161.26-8
[His dismissal of
Konstantinos 13
, etc.] is ambivalent, depending on individual viewpoint; but in other actions that
Michael 61
proposes to tell, he was not at all moderate, but vigorous, intense and sharp
ταῦτα μὲν οὖν ἀμφίλογα τῷ αὐτοκράτορι ... καὶ ὅσα περ ἄλλα ἐρεῖν προῄρημαι, οὐδέν τι μέτριον τῶν πάντων ἐποίει, ἀλλὰ πᾶσιν οἷς ἐβεβούλητο τόνους ἐδίδου καὶ ἀκμὰς καὶ ὀξύτητας. Psellos: Chronographia VI 182.1-5
Michael 61
was all things to him, living as a philosopher as far as possible, but accommodating himself skilfully to him; he was easily bored with his enthusiasms, wanted change, moving from high to low or a mixture of the two
παντοδαπὸς ... ἐκείνῳ ... τεχνικῶς δὲ πρὸς ἐκεῖνον μεθαρμοζόμενος· προσκορὴς γὰρ ὢν πρὸς ἅπερ ὥρμητο, ἐζήτει μεταβολάς, ἀπὸ τὴς ὑπάτης ... καταπίπτων ἐπὶ τὴν νήτην, ἢ καὶ τὴν σύγκρισιν ἀμφοῖν βουλόμενος. Psellos: Chronographia VI 197(2).2-6
He succeeded to power, taking over a state like an overloaded ship ... filled it brimful and sank it; he added more parts to its diseased body, introduced viler juices to its guts, deprived it of peaceful existence and all but drove it mad
ὅς δὴ ὥσπερ τινὰ φορτίδα ναῦν τὴν πολιτείαν καταλαβὼν ...περιχειλῆ πεποιηκὼς κατεβάπτισεν ... πλεῖστα περιθεὶς μέρη καὶ μέλη τῷ πάλαι διαφθαρέντι σώματι, καὶ χυμοὺς πονηροτέρους τοῖς σπλάγχνοις εἰσενεγκὼν .... Psellos: Chronographia VII 55.5-16
A pious offspring (sc. of
Leon 29
), possessing an excellent character
religiosa et egregiae indolis proles. Leo IX ep. to Monomachos (Will) 85B.18-19
He was known for his generosity to churches and the people; the poor were satisfied by his gifts, and every sanctuary enjoyed his gold; his bounty was poured out to the unfortunate as if down secure channels
ἐπέγνων τούτου καὶ ναοὶ τὰς φιλοκόσμους χεῖρας, ἐπέγνων τούτου καὶ λαοὶ παλάμας φιλοδώρους, οἱ πένητες ἐξέπιον, ἤντλησαν ἀλλ’ εἰς κόρον, πᾶν τέμενος ἀπήλαυσεν ἀρδείας χρυσορρύτου. Manasses, Chronicle 6166-6172
He was naturally curious about sex and did not know how to alleviate his passion through the satisfaction of intercourse, but was constantly stirring up new waves of desire thinking of his first loves
φύσει δὲ ὢν περίεργος τὰ ἐρωτικὰ καὶ μὴ εἰδὼς τὸ πάθος εἰς εὐκολίαν διαλύσασθαι μίξεως, ἀλλ᾿ ἀεί τινα ἐπεγείρων κύματα ἐπὶ ταῖς πρώταις εὐναῖς. Psellos: Chronographia VI 151.5-8
He had a face in full flower and was like some spring fruit among contemporaries; his conversation was full of grace and his talk superior to others'
ἐπεὶ δὲ ἀνθοῦν εἶχε τὸ πρόσωπον καὶ οἷον ἐαρινή τις ὀπώρα τῷ καθ᾿ ἡμᾶς βίῳ ἐχρημάτιζε, χάριτός τε ἔμπλεω τὴν ὁμιλίαν ἐκέκτητο, ἐστωμύλλετό τε ὑπὲρ τοὺς ἄλλους, .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 16.5-9
He was like one who had put in at the port of the palace after great waves and tempest, that is the ills of his exile, and hence he needed absolute rest, absolute tranquillity
ἐδόκει γὰρ ἐκ κυμάτων πολλῶν καὶ κλύδωνος, φημὶ δὴ τῶν ἐν τῇ ὑπερορίᾳ δεινῶν, εἰς τοὺς λιμένας τῶν βασιλείων κατᾶραι, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο πάσης ἀναπαύλης, πάσης δὲ ἐδεῖτο ἀναψυχῆς. Psellos: Chronographia VI 34.1-4
Michael 61
will speak at some length about
Zoe 1
, while he is sleeping with
Maria 64
λεγέσθω γάρ τι πλέον περὶ αὐτῆς, ἕως ἂν τῇ σεβαστῇ αὐτοκράτωρ συναναπαύηται. Psellos: Chronographia VI 65.1-3
Nature bestowed on him in life marvellous beauty, so well proportioned and harmoniously fashioned that no contemporary compared with him; nature added to his fine proportions physical vigour, like a firm foundation to a fine building
ἄγαλμα κάλλους ἐκεῖνον ἡ φύσις τῷ βίῳ παρέδωκεν, οὕτω μὲν ἐμμελῶς συναρμόσασα, οὕτω δὲ εὐρύθμως ἀποτυπώσασα, ὡς μηδένα ἔχειν ... τὸν παρισούμενον, τῇ δὲ εὐαρμοστίᾳ καὶ εὐτονίαν ἰσχύος ἐπέθηκεν .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 125.1-5
His tongue was full of charm, he was easily moved to smile and his face was cheerful, not only in recreation, when it was necessary, but also when he was clearly serious; he mixed with men of simple character who had no deep-seated fear
εἶχε ... γλῶτταν χαρίτων μεστήν, εὐκίνητός τε ἦν πρὸς μειδίαμα, καὶ ἱλαρὸν εἶχε τὸ πρόσωπον ... καὶ τῶν ἠθῶν δ᾿ ἐκείνοις συνανεκίρνατο ὁπόσοις ἡ ἁπλότης συνέπρεπε καὶ τὸ δεινὸν κατεστοιβασμένον οὐκ ἦν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 33.1-6
This part of his life was brilliant and full of encomia; he did not boast to himself of his successes nor utter bragging words; while enjoying his achievements to the greatest degree he returned again to his own nature
λαμπρόν τι τοῦτο τὸ μέρος καὶ πλῆρες ἐγκωμίων ...· οὔτε γὰρ ἐπὶ τοῖς κατωρθωμένοις αὑτῷ ἐσεμνολόγει, οὔτε ἀλαζόνας ἠφίει φωνάς, ἀλλ᾿ ἀπολαύων τῶν πεπραγμένων ὅσον ἐξῆν, τῶν οἰκείων αὖθις ἠθῶν ἦν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 89.1-5
He was not watchful, but as if needing a respite after many struggles, he was negligent for the remaining time: because of this one trouble after another surged over him
ἐγρηγόρει δὲ οὐ μάλα, ἀλλ᾿ ὥσπερ ἐπὶ πολλοῖς ἀγῶσιν ἀναπαύλης δεόμενος, ἐπερραθύμει τῷ λείποντι μέρει, διὰ τοῦτο ἄλλο τι αὐτῷ ἐπ᾿ ἄλλῳ τῶν δεινῶν ἐπεκύμαινεν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 89.5-8
He did not know how to arrange himself to get proper rest in bed: every position was unbearable; his valets would prop his poor body; with difficulty finding a restful angle, they secured him, contriving that he be supported in that pose
οὐκ εἶχε δὲ ἐφ᾿ ὅτῳ σχηματισθεὶς ἀποχρώντως ἐπαναπαυθείη τῇ κλίνῃ, ἀλλὰ πᾶσα θέσις τούτῳ ἀντίθετος· ὅθεν οἱ κατευναστῆρες, ... ἀντιτεχνώμενοι τοῦτον, ὅπως ἂν ἐπὶ τοῦ σχήματος ἐκείνου στηρίζοιτο. Psellos: Chronographia VI 130.5-12
Michael 61
does not know how both to preserve historical truth and to apportion appropriate homage to him; but
Michael 61
's excessive precision in historical truth does in fact conserve a part of his high reputation
ἀλλ᾿ οὐκ οἶδ᾿ ὅπως ..., κἀκείνῳ τὸ εἰκὸς σέβας ἀπομερίσομαι· ἡ δέ γε τῆς ἐμῆς ἀκριβείας περὶ τὴν ἀληθῆ ἱστορίαν ὑπερβολὴ καὶ μοῖράν τινα ἐκείνῳ σῴζει τῆς κρείττονος ὑπολήψεως. Psellos: Chronographia VI 162.1-5
If by chance in the course of his imperial duties he spoke out harshly or threatened anyone with blows, he immediately blushed as if he were ashamed that he had spoken contrary to his habit
εἰ δέ πού τι καὶ δι᾿ οἰκονομίαν βασιλικὴν ἢ θρασυτέρᾳ ἐχρήσατο τῇ φωνῇ ἤ τισι πληγὰς ἐπηπείλησεν, αὐτίκα πως ᾐρυθραίνετο ὥσπερ αἰδούμενος ὅτι παρὰ τὸ σύνηθες φθέγξαιτο. Psellos: Chronographia VI 164.11-14
Indulged in the pleasures of eating and drinking, squandered the money collected from taxes on prostitutes, led a dissolute life and even brought in women from afar for his pleasure, being dissatisfied with those available at Constantinople
այլ միշտ ուտելեաց և ըմպելեաց պարապեալ, [...] զգանձսն զոր ժողովէր, ի բոզից ծախսն վճարէր. [...] այնքան պոռնիկ և բոզասէր էր՝ մինչզի [...] ի հեռաւոր աշխարհաց տայր ածել կանայս. Aristakes 95.7-17 (88)
Was ignorant about military matters and so generous and munificent that everybody enjoyed his favours
ἦν μὲν γὰρ ἀδαής, ὥς φασι, τὰ πολεμικά, τοσοῦτον δὲ μεγαλοπρεπὴς καὶ μεγαλόδωρος ὡς πάντας ἐπαπολαῦσαι τῶν χαρίτων αὐτοῦ. Glykas 593.18-20
Most pious
τοῦ εὐσεβεστάτου. Kekaumenos 86.1, 96.28
Ruled using persuasion rather than violence and reason rather than might
Mauropous: Orations 179.8
A peaceful emperor, he was gentle and kind, and hated massacres and murders
ὁ εἰρηνικὸς βασιλεύς, ὁ πρᾷος καὶ ἥμερος καὶ μισῶν τε σφαγάς τε καὶ φόνους. Mauropous: Orations 184.28
Then another further affliction too (this was a stinging in his side in breathing) made the end of life expected by him and by his co-powers
εἶτα καί τι ἕτερον ἐπισυμβεβηκός (τὸ δ᾿ ἦν ἐκ πνεύματος νυγμὸς περὶ τὴν πλευράν) προσδοκήσιμον ἐκείνῳ καὶ τοῖς αὐτῷ παραδυναστεύουσιν ἔθετο τὸ τέλος τῆς βιοτῆς. Zonaras 17.28.10
He was destined to be master of the sceptre ..., last offshoot in the order of descent from the root of the ancient Monomachoi
ἔμελλε δ᾿ ἄρα τῶν σκήπτρων ἐγκρατὴς ἔσεσθαι ..., ῥιζης ἀρχαίων τῶν Μονομάχων τελετυαῖος κατὰ τὴν οἰκείαν τάξιν βλαστός. Psellos: Chronographia VI 14.1-3
He was emperor for a longer time than those who ruled after
Basileios 2
and did more than the others, some things better than they, others much worse
χρόνον τε γὰρ πλείω τῶν μετὰ τὸν Βασίλειον ἀρξάντων βεβασιλεύκει, καὶ πλεῖστα τῶν ἄλλων ἐπεπράχει, τὰ μὲν ἐκείνων κρείττονα, τὰ δὲ καὶ χείρω κατὰ πολύ. Psellos: Chronographia VI 14.5-8
Through his family he held the highest place in the empire, he enjoyed abundant wealth, outstanding good looks and seemed to the most honoured families a suitable contestant for a marriage tie
οὗτος γὰρ γένους ἕνεκεν τὰ πρῶτα τῆς βασιλείας φερόμενος, πολλῷ τε πλούτῳ κομῶν, καὶ κάλλει διαπρεπὴς ὤν, ἀμφήριστος εἱς κηδείαν ταῖς ὑπερτίμοις ἔδοξε γενεαῖς. Psellos: Chronographia VI 15.6-8
How, for what reasons and by what fortunes he came to the imperial rule is narrated by
Michael 61
εἰρήσθω ὅπως κἀκ τίνων αἰτιῶν, τίσι τε χρησάμενος τύχαις ἐπὶ τὸ βασιλεύειν ἐλήλυθεν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 15.4-6
A very fine young plant in his family
τοῦτον τῷ γένει νεόφυτον κάλλιστον . Psellos: Chronographia VI 15.15-16
(His marriage to
Zoe 1
) saw the beginning and first establishment of imperial power for him ... but
Michael 61
will not yet speak of him
καὶ γίνεται ταῦτα ... ἀρχὴ δὲ τῷ Μονομάχῳ Κωνσταντίνῳ καὶ πρώτη τῆς βασιλείας κατάστασις ... ὁ δέ γε Κωνσταντῖνος, ἀλλὰ μήπω περὶ αὐτοῦ. Psellos: Chronographia VI 21.1-6
Michael 61
could not show ingratitude to him as
Konstantinos 9
honoured him extremely and raised him above others
ἐμοὶ οὐ διὰ ταῦτα ἀγνωμονητέον τῷ ὑπερβαλλόντως τετιμηκότι καὶ ὑπὲρ τοὺς ἄλλους ὑψώσαντι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 24.4-6
Michael 61
's wish was either to mention him in words of praise or to be silent about deeds of his which were not motivated by a praiseworthy intention
τὸ μὲν οὖν βουλόμενόν μοι ἢ ἐν τοῖς κρείττοσι λόγοις ἐκείνου μεμνῆσθαι, ἢ σεσιγῆσθαι τὰ ἐκείνου εἰ μὴ ἀπὸ τῆς κρείττονος ὥρμηνται ὑποθέσεως. Psellos: Chronographia VI 24.6-8
If
Michael 61
set out to praise his life, but then rejected the causes of praise and was clearly seen to have assembled topics for blame,
Michael 61
would be most malicious, like Herodotos, whose History tells the Greeks' worst deeds
εἰ μὲν προθέμενος τὸν ἐκείνου βίον ἐγκωμιάζειν, εἶτα τὰς τῶν κρειττόνων ἀφεὶς ἀφορμάς, τὰς τῶν χειρόνων ὑποθέσεις ἐφαινόμην συνειλοχώς, κακοηθέστατος ἂν εἴην, ὥσπερ δὴ ὁ τοῦ Λύξου .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 24.8-13
Had
Michael 61
seen that other emperors had done everything with the finest disposition and found favour in all things whereas his reign alone had the opposite character, he would have omitted his account of him
... ὅτι τῶν ἄλλων αὐτοκρατόρων ἀπὸ τῆς κρατίστης ἕξεως πάντα διαπεπραχότων καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν εὐδοκιμηκότων, τούτῳ μόνῳ ἡ βασιλεία ἀπὸ τῶν ἐναντίων κεχαρακτήρισται, ὑπερέβην ἄν τὸν ὑπὲρ ἐκείνου λόγον. Psellos: Chronographia VI 26.7-11
Since no one is unassailable and each is characterised by what is dominant, why should
Michael 61
be ashamed to declare anything that
Konstantinos 9
too had not done justly and fittingly?
ἐπεὶ δὲ οὐδείς ἐστι τῶν πάντων ἀνάλωτος, ἀλλ᾿ ὁ χαρακτὴρ ἑκάστῳ ἀπὸ τοῦ πλείονος, πῶς ἂν ἐξειπεῖν αἰσχυνθείην εἴ τι μὴ καὶ τούτῳ δικαίως καὶ προσηκόντως εἴργασται;. Psellos: Chronographia VI 26.8-11
My autokrator ... Most divine soul (address by
Michael 61
)
τῷ γε ἐμῷ αὐτοκράτορι ... θειοτάτη ψυχή. Psellos: Chronographia VI 28.2, 5
His first act (promotions and lavishness) was youthful folly, but ... none saw him boastful, nor of overbearing look, nor too proud speech, not malicious to those who had shown him little kindness before nor moderation regarding his power
...οὔτε ἀλάζων ὤφθη τισἰν, ..., ἀλλ᾿ οὐδ᾿ ὑπέρογκόν τι σεμνολογούμενος, οὐδὲ μνησικακήσας ἐκείνοις παρ᾿ ὧν οὔτε τι πρότερον πρᾳότερον ἔσχηκεν, ἀλλὰ καὶ πρὸς τὸ κράτος οὐ τῶν μετρίων τετύχηκεν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 31.1-7
Naturally suited as any man to win his subjects, he captured each by hunting them in his own way; he readily used artistry, without sophistry or dissimulation towards his captive, but was genuinely eager to capture by setting out to please
εὐφυέστατος δὲ εἴπερ τις ἄλλος ἑαυτὸν μεταθεῖναι τὸ ὑπήκοον γεγονώς, οἰκείως ἕκαστον ἥρει οἶς ᾔδει θηρώμενον, καὶ ῥᾷστα μετεποικίλλετο, ... φιλαηλήθως σπεύδων ἑλεῖν ἕκαστον ἀφ᾿ ὧν χαριεῖσθαι ἐκείνῳ ἠσπάσατο. Psellos: Chronographia VI 32.1-6
If someone approached him showing that his soul was preoccupied, as if he saw more than others and had come to ponder and consider with him matters of expediency, he thought him ill-mannered, of quite the opposite character mould to his own
... σύννουν ἐπιδεικνὺς τὴν ψυχήν, ὡς δή τι πλέον τῶν ἄλλων ὁρῶν καὶ ὡς ἥκοι φροντίσων ἐκείνῳ καὶ συνδιασκεψόμενος περὶ τῶν συνοισόντων, ... ἐναντιώτατα πρὸς τὸ ἦθος αὐτοῦ διαπεπλασμένον. Psellos: Chronographia VI 33.6-11
His associates changed to his way of thinking: if someone wished to impart some serious matter, he did not bring it up at once, but preceded it with pleasantries or entwined it in them, like a purgative amidst sweet things for an invalid
κἂν εἰ τις σπούδασμά τι γενναῖον ἐβούλετο παρεισενεγκεῖν, οὐκ εὐθὺς τοῦτο προὐτίθει, ἀλλ᾿ ἤ τινας παιδιὰς προλαμβάνων, ἢ ταύταις τοῦτο συναναπλέκων .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 33.11-16
He considered the rule as a rest from toils, fulfilment of desire, respite from exertion, as if he had put in to its port so that he might no longer be occupied with the business of steering, but enjoy the blessings of calm
κόπων ἀνάπαυσιν καὶ ἐφετοῦ ἀποπλήρωσιν καὶ συντονίας ἀνάπαυσιν τὴν ἀρχὴν ἡγησάμενος, καὶ ὥσπερ ἐπὶ τούτῳ καταπλεύσας ἵνα μηκέτι τὰ τῆς κυβερνήσεως ἐνεργοίη, ἀλλ᾿ ἀπολαύοι τῶν ἡσυχίας καλῶν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 47.5-8
The empire was not immediately destroyed, but as he was allotted in few cares, but more pleasures and enjoyments, many causes of disease took hold of the previously healthy body of the empire
ἀλλ᾿ οὔπω τοῦτο· καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς φροντίδων μὲν ὀλίγων μεταλαγχάνων, πλειόνων δ᾿ ἐρασμίων τε καὶ ἀπολαύσεων, πολλὰ δὴ νοσοποιὰ αἴτια τῷ τότε ὑγιεῖ τῆς βασιλείας προκατεβάλλετο σώματι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 48.7-10
No small part of his lack of moderation was due to the easy-going character of
Theodora 1
and
Zoe 1
, and his willingness to succumb like them to luxuries and laughter
γεγόνασι δὲ τούτῳ μερὶς οὐ μετρία πρὸς τὴν τοιαύτην ἀμετρίαν τὰ ῥᾴθυμα τῶν βασιλίδων ἤθη, καὶ τὸ κατ᾿ ἐκείνας ἐθέλειν εἰς τρυφὰς ἀνεῖσθαι καὶ γέλωτας. Psellos: Chronographia VI 49.1-3
He called it a service to share in the pleasures of
Theodora 1
and
Zoe 1
and wanted to oppose them in nothing but bring them all things pleasant
τὴν γοῦν κοινωνίαν τῶν ἀπολαύσεων θεραπείαν ἐκεῖνος ὠνόμαζε, καὶ ἐβούλετο μὲν οὐδὲν ἐκείναις ἐναντιώσασθαι, ἀλλὰ πᾶσαν ταύταις εἰσάγειν γλυκυθυμίαν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 49.3-6
He and
Maria 64
were so much in love that neither wished to be deprived of the other, even at times when they seemed to be unfortunate
εἰς τοσοῦτον δὲ ἔρωτος ἀλλήλοις ἀνεκεράσθησαν, ὡς μηδένα θατέρου μέρους ἐστερῆσθαι βούλεσθαι, μηδὲ ἐν οἷς κακοδαιμονεῖν ἐδόκουν καιροῖς. Psellos: Chronographia VI 51.1-3
Having put in after a great storm at the trouble-free shores and calm harbours of the empire, he did not wish to put to sea again, as
Michael 61
has often said, but to rule peacefully and not belligerently, like most previous emperors
ἐβούλετο ... ἐκ πολλοῦ κλύδωνος εἰς ἀλύπους ἀκτὰς καὶ λιμένας ἀκλύστους τῆς βασιλείας καθορμισάμενος, μὴ πάλιν ἀφεῖναι πρὸς πέλαγος· τοῦτο δέ ἐστιν εἰρηνικῶς, ἀλλ᾿ οὐ πολεμικῶς τὴν ἀρχὴν διεξάγειν .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 72.1-6
Michael 61
's account will keep to the sequence of events and make the first war organised against him first above the others in
Michael 61
's history
ὁ δὲ λόγος τῆς ἀκολουθίας τῶν πεπραγμένων ἐχόμενος τὸν πρώτως συστάντα τῷ αὐτοκράτορι πόλεμον πρῶτον τῆς ἱστορίας τῶν ἄλλων ποιήσεται. Psellos: Chronographia VI 74.1-4
Because he was frequently not horror-struck at events people were persuaded that he had learned the outcome of what had happened from some higher power and hence was scornful and completely disregarding
τὸ μὴ κατεστυγηκέναι αὐτὸν πολλάκις τὰ πράγματα τοὺς πολλοὺς ἔπειθεν, ὡς μεμαθήκει παρά του τῶν κρειττόνων τοῦ ἐπισυμβάντος τὴν τελευτήν, καὶ διὰ ταῦτα καταφρονοίη καὶ ὀλιγώρως ἔχοι παντάπασι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 97.26-30
When
Michael 61
says that he predicted or rejected something, people should not think
Konstantinos 9
had prophetic powers but see his words as typical of his character: God's will decides events
... ἵν᾿, ὁπότε λέγοιμι ἀφηγούμενος ὡς προειρήκει ἢ ἀπεγνώκει ταοῦτα ἢ ἐκεῖνα, μὴ μαντικὸν τὸν ἄνδρα ἡγήσωνται οἱ πολλοὶ, ἀλλὰ τοῦς μὲν λόγους συμφώνους τῷ ἐκείνου ἤθει νομίσωσι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 98.1-6
Nature did not put his strength in long hands nor in the greatness of other parts or limbs, but hid it in the depths of his heart, not in the visible parts of his body which were remarkable for beauty and harmony rather than unusual size
ταύτην δὲ τὴν ἰσχὺν οὐκ ἐν μήκεσι χειρῶν, οὐδὲ ἐν μεγέθεσι τῶν ἄλλων μερῶν ἢ μελῶν φέρουσα ἔκλεισεν, ἀλλ᾿ ἐν καρδίας, οἶμαι, βάθεσι κρύψασα, ἀφῆκε τοῦ σώματος τὰ φαινόμενα, .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 125.6-10
When nature had made each of his limbs in proportion to his whole body, head, hands, thighs and feet, she poured over each the appropriate hues, his head she made ruddy as the sun, his chest and stomach to his feet and his back purest white
... ἑκάστοις ἢ ἑκάστῳ τὰ προσήκοντα καταχεαμένη χρώματα, τὴν μὲν κεφαλὴν ἡλιῶσαν ἀπέδειξε καὶ πυρσήν, τὸ δ᾿ ὅσον ἐν στήθεσι καὶ γαστρὶ ἄχρι ποδῶν ... τῆς ἀκραιφνεστάτης λευκότητος .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 126.7-14
His character was equally harmonious: his tongue urbane in utterance, charm attended his conversation and if he smiled one saw at once the purest allures of the graces
ἐρρύθμιστο δὲ καὶ πρὸς ἐμμελὲς ἦθος, ἥ τε γὰρ γλῶσσα τούτῳ ἀστεῖον εἶχε τὸ φθέγμα καὶ ὁμιλοῦντι θέλγη προσείπετο, εἰ δέ γε προσμειδιάσειε, χαρίτων εὐθὺς εἶδες ἀκήρατα θήρατρα. Psellos: Chronographia VI 126.18-21
Within a year of his accession Nature who had seemed insatiable in her pleasure in beautifying him gave up in exhaustion, destroyed his strength and shattered his good looks
οὔπω δὲ χρόνος ἐναύσιος προβεβήκει, καὶ ἡ κοσμοῦσα τοῦτον φύσις πρὸς τοσοῦτον θαῦμα καὶ ἡδονὴν οἷον μὴ ἐξαρκέσασα, ἀλλ᾿ ἐνδοῦσα καὶ ἀτονήσασα, τήν τε ἰσχὺν ἐκείνῳ καθεῖλε καὶ τὴν ὥραν διεσείσατο. Psellos: Chronographia VI 127.1-5
His bodily elements or fundamental constituents became unstable and confounded, flowing now to his feet and joints, now to his hands, inundating his muscles and backbone, and like waves broke and shattered a vessel initially strong
αἱ τοῦ σώματος ἀρχαί, λέγω δὲ τὰς στοιχειώδεις συστάσεις, διαλυθεῖσαι καὶ συγχυθεῖσαι, καὶ νῦν περὶ τοὺς πόδας, ... αὖθις δὲ αὐτούς τε τοὺς τένοντας καὶ τὰ περὶ τὸν νῶτον ὀστᾶ κατακλύζουσαι, .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 127.6-11
Next the flux gradually approached his hands and then made an upward surge to his shoulders and finally occupied his whole body; then every limb was inundated by that terrible flux and lost its function
ἐκ τοῦ σχεδὸν ἐπὶ τὰς χεῖρας τὸ ῥεῦμα ἠλαύνετο, καὶ αὖθις ἐπ᾿ ὤμους ὥσπερ ἀνάρρουν ποιούμενον, καὶ τέλος ἅπαν τὸ σῶμα συγκατειλήφει· ἔνθεν τοι ἅπαν αὐτῷ μέλος ... ἀφῄρητο τὴν ἐνέργειαν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 128.8-12
His fibres and ligaments were displaced, his limbs ceased to move in harmony, lack of equilibrium and lethargy followed
τῶν τε ἰνῶν αὐτῷ καὶ τῶν συνδέσμων διασπασθέντων, τὰ μέλη τῆς ἁρμονίας μετέστησαν, οἷς ἀρρυθμίαι καὶ ἀτονίαι συνείποντο. Psellos: Chronographia VI 128.12-15
Michael 61
saw his well-formed fingers deny their proper shape, bent about into hollows and projections and quite incapable of grasping anything
εἶδον ἐγὼ τοὺς εὐφυεῖς ἐκείνῳ δακτύλους ἀπαρνησαμένους μὲν τὸ οἰκεῖον σχῆμα, ἀντικαμφθέντας δὲ εἰς εἰσοχάς τε καὶ ἐξοχάς, ὡς μηδὲ τοῦ τυχόντος περιδράττεσθαι δύνασθαι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 128.15-18
His feet were bent up, his knee like the point of an elbow and swollen, so he was unable to walk steadily nor stand completely upright; he was generally in bed and whenever he decided to give audience he had to be propped up and arranged
τῶν δὲ ποδῶν αὐτῷ συγκαμφθέντων, ὥσπερ τι ὠλέκρανον τὸ γόνυ ἐξώγκωτο· ... οὐδὲ στάσιμον εἶχε τὴν βάσιν, οὔθ᾿ ὅλως ἐξώρθωτο, ἀλλὰ κλινοπετὴς τὰ πολλὰ ἦν, ὁπότε δὲ χρηματίζειν αἱροῖτο, ξυναρμοζόμενoς .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 128.18-22
Michael 61
was amazed at his strength in enduring the extreme pains which afflicted him then: paralysis after paralysis overtook him and consumed the rest of his flesh while comletely dislocating what still remained
..., ὅπως τηνικαῦτα ἐξήρκει τοσαύταις περιωδυνίαις βαλλόμενος· πάρεσις γὰρ ἐπὶ παρέσει τοῦτον εὐθὺς κατελάμβανε, καὶ κατεδαπάνα μὲν τὸ λειπόμενον τῶν σαρκῶν, ἐξήρθρου δὲ παντάπασι τὸ ἔτι ἐχόμενον. Psellos: Chronographia VI 130.1-5
Not only change of position caused him pain, but even his tongue hurt when he talked; movement of the eyes stirred up the flux, so that he remained absolutely motionless and static
τῷ δὲ ἦν ἀλγεινὸν οὐ τὸ μετατίθεσθαι μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἡ γλῶττα ἄχθος ἐκείνῳ ὁμιλοῦσα ἐδίδου, καὶ ἡ τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν νεύσις μετεκίνει τὸ ῥεῦμα, ὅθεν παντάπασιν ἑαυτὸν ἀκίνητον ἐδίδου καὶ ἀρρεπῆ. Psellos: Chronographia VI 130.21-5
If one set aside all else and contemplated only (his attitude to his ill-health), one would truly call him a godly man
εἴ τις ἐκεῖνον τῶν ἄλλων ἀφεὶς ἐπὶ τούτου καταθεωρήσει τοῦ μέρους, θεῖον ὡς ἀληθῶς ἄνδρα κατονομάσειε. Psellos: Chronographia VI 131.13-15
He had set his heart in harmony with
Romanos 62
: he and Romanos yielded and were captive to one another
τὸν αὐτοκράτορα πρὸς τοῦτον μεθαροσάμενον τὴν ψυχήν· ἅτερος γὰρ θατέρῳ ἐνδόσιμος ἐγεγόνει καὶ ἁλωτός. Psellos: Chronographia VI 141.3-5
In
Michael 61
's view, it was most terrible that all knew about
Romanos 62
's hypocrisy, but were quite unable to denounce it: all were victims of (
Konstantinos 9
's folly and Romanos 62's public hypocrisy ...
τὸ δέ γε δεινότερον, ὅτι πάντες μὲν ᾔδειμεν τὴν ὑπόκρισιν, ἐλέγχειν δὲ τὴν ὑπόκρισιν, πολλοῦ γε καὶ δεῖ, βασιλικῆς τε ἀλογίας καὶ ὑποκρίσεως ἐκκειμένης ἐτυγχάνομεν ὄντες θηράματα, .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 143.9-14
Comparing him with great past leaders,
Michael 61
knows that he is inferior in bravery, but greater in the other virtues by the extent to which he ceded to them in that virtue
ἔγωγ᾿ οὖν πρὸς ἐκείνους συγκρίνων τουτονὶ τὸν μέγιστον αὐτοκράτορα, ἐλάττονα μὲν πρὸς ἀνδρίαν οἶδα, μείζονα δὲ τοῖς ἄλλοις καλοῖς ἤ ὅσῳ τοῦ λοιποῦ μέρους τῶν καλλιστείων ἐκείνοις παρακεχώρηκεν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 164.1-4
When he acted as judge, winner and loser were indistinguishable: the winner went away beaming while the loser, who even before the verdict did not expect to win, yet received interest and so went away victorious contrary to expectation
δικάζοντι δὲ οὔτε τὸ κρατοῦν μέρος οὔτε τὸ καταψηφισθὲν διεδείκνυτο, ... θάτερον δὲ τοῖν μεροῖν πρὶν ἄρα καὶ γνοίη τὴν ἧτταν οὐχὶ κρατήσειν ἤλπιζεν, ἀλλὰ μετὰ προσθήκης λαμβάνον, ἐξῄει παρ᾿ ἐλπίδα νενικηκός. Psellos: Chronographia VI 165.1-6
Very many plotted against him, most planning assassination, but his wish was to veil their audacity and converse in the usual way, as if he know nothing of their outrageous acts or had immediately forgotten their shamelessness
... τὸ μὲν βουλόμενον ἐκείνῳ ἦν συγκαλύψειν ἐκείνοις τὴν τόλμαν καὶ κατὰ τὸ σύνηθες διαλέγεσθαι, ὡς μηδὲν ἐγνωκότι τῶν τετολμημένων, ἢ ὡς εὐθὺς τῆς ἀναιδείας ἐκείνων ἐπιλελησμένῳ. Psellos: Chronographia VI 166.1-6
When his advisers and those who had freedom to speak with him tried to stir him to anger, saying that he would perish soon if he did not stand and defend himself against the audacious, he was more for a triumph than a precise trial
ἐπεὶ ... πρὸς ὀργὴν αὐτὸν ἀνηρέθιζον, ὡς αὐτίκα διαφθαρησόμενον, εἰ μὴ πρὸς ἄμυναν τῶν τολμησάντων διανασταίη, τοῦ θριάμβου πλέον ἐκεῖνος ἢ τῆς ἀκριβοῦς βασάνου ἐγίγνετο. Psellos: Chronographia VI 166.6-10
He appointed judges and spoke in fine words about [the conspirators'] daring - and how slick was his tongue, flowing in a great stream: but when he saw they were terrified he ended with a brief defence, as a joke, and at once let them off
... τὴν τόλμαν μεγαληγορήσας, οἷος ἐκεῖνος τὴν γλῶτταν εὔστροφος καὶ πολλῷ ῥέων τῷ ῥεύματι, ..., εἴς τινα βραχεῖαν καταλήγων ἄμυναν, καὶ ταύτην σὺν παιδιᾷ διατάξας, εὐθὺς ἠφίει τῆς τιμωρίας. Psellos: Chronographia VI 166.10-15
Michael 61
has never seen a soul more sympathetic than his, either in the past or in anyone today, nor a soul more generous and more becoming to an emperor
συμπαθεστέραν γοῦν ἔγωγε ψυχὴν οὔτε πρὶν ἑωράκειν, οὔτε νῦν ἐν οὐδενὶ τῶν πάντων κατανοῶ, ἀλλ᾿ οὐδὲ φιλοτιμοτέραν ἢ βασιλεῖ πρέπουσαν μᾶλλον. Psellos: Chronographia VI 169.1-3
If he loved someone, his love had no measure; if he was angry with someone he would tell with heavy spirit in tragic tones the ills that afflicted him and fabricate others; if he felt affection no one could imagine the excess of his feeling
εἴ γοῦν ἐρῴη τινός, οὐκ εἶχεν αὐτῷ μέτρον ὁ ἔρως, εἴ γε μηνιῴη τινὶ, τὰ μὲν αὐτῷ τῶν προσόντων κακῶν ἐπετραγῴδει βαθυθυμότερον, τὰ δ᾿ ἀνέπλαττεν, εἰ δὲ καὶ ἀγαπῴη, οὐκ εἶχέ τις ... . Psellos: Chronographia VI 182.5-9
He had an inconsistent temperament and was not wholly consistent, but he desired to make his own rule most renowned and did not entirely fail in this objective
ἑτερογνώμων δὲ τὴν ψυχὴν ὢν καὶ μὴ πάντη ἑαυτῷ ὅμοιος, τὸ μὲν κρατος αὑτῷ ὀνομάστατον προεθυμεῖτο ποιήσασθαι, καὶ μέντοι γε καὶ τοῦ σκοποῦ οὐ πάντη διήμαρτε. Psellos: Chronographia VI 189.1-4
Michael 61
was afraid when he saw his fickleness, harrying one person after another like a soldier in war
ἔδεισα γοῦν τὸ τοῦ ἀνδρὸς εὐμετάβολον ὁρῶν, ὥσπερ ἐν πολέμῳ ἄλλον ἐπ᾿ ἄλλῳ ἀγόμενον καὶ φερόμενον. Psellos: Chronographia VI 191.8-10
He ruled for twelve years; his public deeds were largely distinguished and he set no less an example as regards character for those who wish to live very well: apart from his quick temper he was in other respects the most humane of men
πλεῖστα μὲν εὐδοκιμηκὼς τοῖς πολιτικαῖς πράξεσιν, οὐκ ἐλάττω δὲ κἂν τοῖς ἤθεσιν ἀφεὶς παραδείγματα τοῖς ἄριστα βιοῦν ἐθέλουσιν· εἰ γάρ τις ἀφέλοι τῆς ὀξείας ῥοπῆς, τό γε λειπόμενον ... φιλανθρωπότερος. Psellos: Chronographia VI 203.1-7
He was called Konstaninos Euergetes by the masses
Κωνσταντῖνος ὁ Εὐεργέτης (οὕτω γὰρ παρὰ τοῖς πλείοσι κατωνόμασται). Psellos: Chronographia VII 55.4-5
All tongues raised him to the throne, some pronouncing like an oracle, others speaking more moderately: for he feared not his enemies, but his admirers; he shut them from all access routes to himself, but they boldly scorned the obstacles
... ἐδεδίει γοῦν οὗτος οὐ τοὺς ἀπεχθανομένους αὐτῷ, ἀλλὰ τοὺς προστεθειμένους, καὶ πᾶσαν μὲν αὐτοῖς πρὸς αὐτὸν φέρουσαν ὁδὸν ἀπέφραττεν, οἱ δὲ μαχιμώτατοί τε ἦσαν ... καὶ τῶν ἐμποδίων κατατολμῶντες. Psellos: Chronographia VII 87.9-15
Truly the head of the Monomachos family
Κωνσταντῖνος δὲ οὗτος ἦν, τοῦ τῶν Μονομάχων γένους ὡς ἀληθῶς τὸ κεφάλαιον. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 7.13-14
Michael 61
maintains, with God as his witness, that although he was afflicted and overwhelmed by such great ills and so absolutely wretched he never uttered a word of blasphemy against God
τοσούτοις κακοῖς διαντλούμενός τε καὶ κυμαινόμενος καὶ οὕτως ἀθλίως ἔχων παντάπασιν . Psellos: Chronographia VI 131.1-4
He had reigned for 12 years
ἔτεσι δυοκαίδεκα τὸ κράτος διιθύνας. Manasses, Chronicle 6227b
Konstantinos 9
's (refusal to make use of guards) demonstrated his noble character, but gave an opening to those who wished to attack him; it was certainly the beginning of very many ills
τοῦτο δὲ χρηστὸν μὲν τρόπον κατηγορεῖ, ἐνδόσιμον δὲ τοῖς ἐπιχειρεῖν ἐθέλουσι γίγνεται. ... ἀμέλει καὶ πλείστων τοῦτο κακῶν ἐγεγόνει ἀρχή. Psellos: Chronographia VI 133.11-134.2
As if he had inherited rule on these terms, he thought he was not emperor for the day on which he did not show some clemency or exhibit some generous thought
ἐκεῖνος γὰρ ὥσπερ ἐπὶ τούτοις τὸ βασιλεύειν λαχὼν οὐδ᾿ εἶναι τὴν ἡμέραν ἐκείνην βασιλεὺς ἐδόκει ἐν ᾗ μήτε τι φιλάνθρωπον ἐνεδείξατο μήτε τι τῆς φιλοτίμου παρεγύμνωσε γνώμης. Psellos: Chronographia VI 169.3-6
An aristocrat, a native of the city (Constantinople)
ἀριστοκρατικὸν ἄνδρα καὶ θρέμμα τῆς πόλεως. Attaleiates: History 18.6 / 15.2-3
Proved to be more generous than his predecessor (
Michael 5
)
Εὐεργετικώτερος δὲ τοῦ προβασιλευκότος ὁ Μονομάχος ἀποδειχθείς. Attaleiates: History 18.11 / 15.6
A statesman, he was of noble birth, generous and keen on showing kindness, took care of wars and resisted the enemy, but had a penchant for the good life and did not refrain from sex, enjoyed jokes and the performances of jesters, as well as idleness
πλείονι δὲ ῥοπῇ τῆς τρυφῆς ἀντεχόμενος, καὶ τῶν ἀφροδισίων μὴ ἀπεχόμενος. Attaleiates: History 47.15-21 / 36.5-11
Liked to build new structures in various places, and to busy himself with the restoration of others
καὶ ἀνοικοδομὰς συνεχεῖς ἔχων ἐν ταύταις φροντίδας κατεκένου συχνάς. Attaleiates: History 47.22-48.3 / 36.12-14
He was naturally inclined to accomplish big things and was full of imperial grace
φύσει δὲ μεγαλουργὸς ὢν καὶ βασιλικῶν χαρίτων ἀνάπλεως. Attaleiates: History 48.11-12 / 36.21
It was said that his death was caused by divine intervention because he attempted to alter the good order of just government
οὐρανία πληγὴ τοῦτον ἐκ μέσου πεποίηκε. Attaleiates: History 51.10-12 / 38.22-23
He was a distinguished man before he became emperor, but after that event he became a ruler of incomparable distinction
πάντων βασιλέων ἐν πᾶσι κεκρατηκώς. Psellos Leichoudes 399
He was more of a philosopher than Marcus Aurelius, sitting Michael 063 on the throne, asking him questions and taking notes, and pardoning and covering with kisses a convicted rebel who had planned to kill him
Psellos Xiphilinos 421
His standard was described in two lines (by
Michael 61
?) as showing St Georgios, the emperor on horseback, carrying a spear and pursuing the barbarians
... εἰς τὸ φλάμουλον τοῦ Μονομάχου ἔχον ἱστορημένον τὸν ἅγιον Γεώργιον, τὸν βασιλέα ἔφιππον, φέροντα λόγχην καὶ τοὺς βαρβάρους διώκοντα. Psellos Poema 27 (tit.)
Described as dead at the time of the letter
μακαρίτης. Psellos Letters (Sathas) 165.423
His family had brought together
Anna 2101
and
Michael 61
Psellos Letters (K - D) 60, 93.17-18
He had another good quality, one which
Michael 61
did not normally praise, but which he held in particular esteem; anyone who wishes may judge: he was utterly without precaution for himself
εἴ τις ἐκεῖνον τῶν ἄλλων ἀφεὶς ἐπὶ τούτου καταθεωρήσει τοῦ μέρους, θεῖον ὡς ἀληθῶς ἄνδρα κατονομάσειε. Psellos: Chronographia VI 132.1-4
He did not sow the seeds of benevolence in a fertile soul for it to produce an immediate crop of goodwill, nor did that soul generate a crop of thankfulness more eagerly than he strove to sow the earth 'fertile and rich'
οὐδ᾿ εἰς ψυχὴν, ..., εὔγεω τὰ τῆς εὐεργεσίας κατεβάλλετο σπέρματα, ὡς εὐθὺς τὸν τῆς εὐγνωμοσύνης στάχυν ἀναδιδόναι, οὐδὲ μᾶλλον ..., ἢ ὁ οὖτος σπείρειν πεφιλοτίμητο τὴν ἐρίβωλον γῆν καὶ πίειραν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 169.7-11
Delighted in
Romanos 62
Boilas as in no one else, and if he heard him speaking faultily or inarticulately he considered that man's nonsense beyond all pleasure
τῷ τοιούτῳ τοίνυν ἀνδρὶ ὡς οὐδενί τῳ ὁ βασιλεὺς ἥδετο, καὶ εἰ διημαρτημένα καὶ ἀδιάρθρωτα ἤκουε φθεγγομένου αὐτοῦ, ὑπὲρ πᾶσαν ἠγεῖτο τὰς ἐκείνου φλυαρίας γλυκυθυμίαν. Zonaras 17.27.5
Another man, admiring the clear beauty of his works, will wonder at his great achievements and say all he can to persuade the hearer: his great intelligence in dividing his life between business and pleasure, without one impeding the other
...θαυμάσει τῆς μεγλαουργίας τὸν αὐτοκράτορα καὶ ἐρεῖ ὁπόσα τὸν ἀκροατὴν πείθειν οἰηθείη, ὅτι τοσοῦτον ἦν αὐτῷ τὸ περιὸν τῆς συνέσεως, ὡς καταμερίζειν τὸν βίον σπουδῇ τε καὶ παιδιᾷ, .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 175.4-9
He thought nothing need be added to the serious, which was adorned with its own beauty; but he tinted pleasure with a flowery dye, an august dress; his intelligence allowed him to pile one thing upon another and defeat industry with reason
... τὴν δέ γε παιδιὰν κατεχρώννυεν ἀνθηρῷ βάμματι, μᾶλλον δὲ σεμνῷ κατεποίκιλλε σχήματι, καὶ ἐξαρκεῖ τοῦτο εἰς σύνεσιν, ἄλλ᾿ ἐπ᾿ ἄλλοις ἐπιτιθέναι, καὶ τῇ φρονήσει τὴν φιλεργίαν νικᾶν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 175.9-13
His fields were not worked or ploughed, his creations came from nothing with their own qualities like those of the first Creator; he conquered the seasons in swift change, and through his clever formulations had no need of hands to farm
... ὥσπερ ἐξ οὐκ ὄντων κατὰ τὸν πρῶτον δημιουργὸν μετὰ τῶν ποιοτήτων οὐσιοῦν τὰ ποιήματα, τάς τε ὥρας νικᾶν τῷ ἑτοίμῳ τῆς μεταθέσεως, καὶ γεωργικῶν μὴ δεῖσθαι χειρῶν τῇ ἀγχινοίᾳ τῆς πλάσεως. Psellos: Chronographia VI 175.13-18
He miraculously created there and then whatever he chose, so that people were incredulous that what was yesterday a plain and the day before a hill appeared as a plot of land
θαυματουργεῖν ἄντικρυς ὁπόσα ἐκείνῳ ἐδόκει, ὡς ἀπιστεῖν τοὺς πολλούς, ὅτι τὸ χθιζὸν ὁρῶσι πεδίον καὶ τὸ πρότριτα γηλόφον τριταῖον γήπεδον καταφαίνεται. Psellos: Chronographia VI 175.18-20
His looks were said to be those of Achilles or Nireus, but whereas poetry was scarcely adequate to describe them, nature shaped and polished him in reality, skilfully smoothed and embellished him, by her art surpassing the poet's effort
ἐκείνους μὲν ἡ ποιητικὴ γλῶσσα ... μόλις ἐξήρκεσε, τοῦτον δὲ ἡ φύσις ὡς ἀληθῶς πλάσασά τε καὶ ἀποξέσασα, καὶ ὥσπερ εὐτέχνως τορεύσασα καὶ καλλύνασα τῇ ... εὐτεχνίᾳ τὴν μαγικὴν ἀγωνίαν ὑπερεβάλλετο. Psellos: Chronographia VI 126.1-7
Despite his abuses he was also remembered for his good deeds and his fondation of the monastery and hospice at Mangana and his grants to the great church (Hagia Sphia) were praiseworthy
ἐπαίνων οὐκ ἀμοιροῦσι. Glykas 598.6-11
Still aflame for love after the death of
Zoe 1
ἔτι φλεγμαίνων περὶ τοὺς ἔρωτας. Zonaras 17.28.3
Gout at first brought movement of fluid to his feet, so that his legs were incapacitated for walking and standing
ἣ πρότερον τοῖς ποσὶν ἐκείνου τοῦ ῥεύματος ἐπήνεγκε τὴν φοράν, ὥστε τὰς βάσεις αὐτῷ πρὸς πορείαν καὶ στάσιν ἀδυνατεῖν. Zonaras 17.28.6
Michael 61
was not very enthusiastic (to write) about contemporary topics, especially because he knew that in many matters he would deal with
Konstantinos 9
and he would be ashamed not to offer complete eulogy to him
... οὐ πάνυ τι περὶ τὰς καθ᾿ ἡμᾶς ὑποθέσεις ἐσπούδασα, καὶ μάλισθ᾿ ὅτι περ ἐν πολλοῖς τοῦ αὐτοκράτορος Κωνσταντίνου καθάψεσθαι ᾔδειν, ὑπὲρ οὗ αἰσχυνοίμην ἂν, εἰ μὴ πᾶσαν εὐφημίαν τούτῳ συνεισενέγκαιμι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 23.1-5
(
Michael 61
did not want) to entrust to the people's ears a distorted narrative, nor make a source of defamation a theme that he had had for praise, nor whet against him the tongue that
Michael 61
had refined through his encouragement
... ὃν ὑπόθεσιν εἰς λόγους ἔσχηκα κρείττονας, τοῦτον εἰς χείρονας κτήσασθαι ἀφορμήν, καὶ ἣν ἐκάθηρα γλῶτταν ἀφ᾿ ὧν ἐκεῖνός με πρὸς τοῦτο παρώρμησε, ταύτην ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ θήξασθαι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 23.12-16
He did not at all understand the nature of monarchy, neither its obligation to be profitable to the subjects, nor that the soul must be constantly vigilant to improve the management of affairs
οὐ πάνυ τι τὴν φύσιν τῆς βασιλείας ὁ αὐτοκράτωρ οὗτος κατείληφεν, οὔθ᾿ ὅτι λειτουργία τίς ἐστι λυσιτελὴς εἰς τὸ ὑπήκοον, οὔθ᾿ ὅτι ἐγρηγορυίας δεῖται ἀεὶ ψυχῆς πρὸς τὴν βελτίονα τῶν πραγμάτων διοίκησιν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 47.1-4
His hands and fingers in particular were in proportion, but had strength beyond their proportion: there was no object soft or hard that was not easily crushed when gripped by his hands: if he crushed someone's arm, it hurt for days
αἱ γάρ τοι χεῖρες αὐτῷ καὶ μάλισθ᾿ οἱ δάκτυλοι συμμέτρως ἔχοντες, παρὰ τὴν συμμετρίαν τὴν ῥώμην ἐσχήκασι, καὶ οὐδὲν ἦν τι σῶμα ..., ὃ μὴ ῥᾷστα ταῖς ἐκείνου χερσὶ συσφιγγόμενον διεθρύπτετο .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 125.10-15
He is said to have been an excellent horseman, a very fast runner, supple, light and quite unmatched in the pentathlon; such was his strength, physical agility and swiftness of foot
... αὐτὸν καὶ ἱππάσασθαι κάλλιστα, καὶ δρομικώτατον ἀνθρώπων γενέσθαι, εὔστροφόν τε καὶ κοῦφον καὶ ὅλως πρὸς τὸ πένταθλον ἀπαράμιλλον· ἰσχύος μὲν δὴ οὕτως εἶχε καὶ σώματος εὐκινησίας καὶ ποδῶν ὠκύτητος. Psellos: Chronographia VI 125.15-19
When he was in his prime and his limbs not yet grown weak, anyone looking at him would have compared his head to the sun's beauty, his hair gleaming like its rays, the rest of his body to purest translucent crystal
ὁπότε δὴ ἀκμαίως εἶχε καὶ οὔπω αὐτῷ τὰ μέρη παρείθησαν, κάλλεσι μὲν ἂν ἡλίου τὴν κεφαλὴν εἴκασεν, οἷα δή τισιν ἀκτῖσι ταῖς θριξὶ διαλάμπουσαν, κρυστάλλῳ δὲ τὸ λοιπὸν σῶμα τῷ καθαρωτάτῳ καὶ διαυγεῖ. Psellos: Chronographia VI 126.14-18
Michael 61
's account will set out the origins of the evil (of
Romanos 62
's revolt), the extent of its progress and how he (
Konstantinos 9
) suffered misfortune and prospered again against hope
δηλώσει δὲ ὁ λόγος ὅθεν τε ἤρξατο τὸ κακὸν καὶ ἐφ᾿ ὅσον κεχώρηκε, καὶ ὅπως ἀτυχήσας ὁ βασιλεὺς παρ᾿ ἐλπίδας αὖθις εὐτύχηκεν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 138.4-6
He had a spirit which enjoyed all play and he wished to be amused constantly, but neither the sound of an organ, the melody of flutes, a harmonious voice, dancing, mimes, nor any other such thing soothed him
ἱλαρὸν εἶχεν ὁ αὐτοκράτωρ πρὸς πᾶσαν παιδιὰν τὴν ψυχὴν καὶ ἐβούλετο ψυχαγωγεῖσθαι ἀεί, παρεμυθεῖτο δὲ τοῦτον οὔτε ὀργάνου φωνὴ, ..., οὐκ ὀρχήματα, οὐχ ὑπορχήματα, οὐδέ τι ἄλλο τῶν οὕτως ἐχόντων. Psellos: Chronographia VI 138.6-11
Zoe 1
was already past the age for sexual relations, but desire still burned in him; his Sebaste (
Maria 64
) was dead and in his conversations about love he strayed into many fantasies and strange formulations
... τῷ δέ γε βασιλεῖ τὰ τῆς ἐπιθυμίας ἐφλέγμαινεν· ἤδη γὰρ καὶ ἡ Σεβαστὴ τούτῳ τετελευτήκει, καὶ ὀαρισταίνων περὶ τὸν ἔρωτα ἐπὶ πολλὰς πεπλάνητο φαντασίας καὶ ἀνατυπώσεις ἀτόπους. Psellos: Chronographia VI 151.1-5
Master and emperor (to
Michael 61
)
τῷ ἐμῷ δεσπότῃ καὶ βασιλεῖ. Psellos: Chronographia VI 154.4
Zoe 1
did not share the cares of empire with him, wishing to be completely free of such toils
τῶν μέντοιγε βασιλικῶν φροντίδων οὐδ᾿ ἐκοινώνει τῷ αὐτοκράτορι, ἀλλ᾿ ἐβούλετο πάντη ἄσχολος εἶναι τῶν περὶ ταῦτα πόνων. Psellos: Chronographia VI 159.1-3
In defending his shortcomings,
Michael 61
asks if any man, particularly any emperor, was seen with his head crowned with the diadem of encomium for all of his deeds
τίς δὲ τῶν πάντων ἀνθρώπων, ἵν᾿ ὑπὲρ τῶν ἐκείνου ἐλαττωμάτων ἀπολογίσωμαι, ὤφθη τῶν πράξεων ἀναδεδεμένος τὴν κεφαλὴν ἐγκωμιαστικῷ διαδήματι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 162.11-15
Successor of
Romanos 3
Romani successorem. William of Tyre bk. 1, 6.11
If someone had a speech impediment and could not pronounce words correctly or another simply gibbered, uttering whatever came to him, these things pleased him exceedingly, and in short linguistic error was an object of amusement for him
εἰ δέ τῳ ἡ γλῶττα ἐδέδετο φυσικῶς καὶ ὀρθοεπεῖν οὐκ ἠδύνατο, ἢ εἴ τις ἕτερος ἁπλῶς ἐφλυάρει τὸ ἐπιὸν ἅπαν φθεγγόμενος, ταῦτα ἐκεῖνον ὑπερφυῶς ηὔφρανεν, καὶ ὅλως τὸ διημαρτημένον, .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 138.12-15
His wastefulness and pretensiousness marked the beginning of the empire's decline, although he did accomplish some noteworthy deeds too, like the foundation of the monastery and hospices for the poor and the elderly at Mangana
οὐ μήν γε καὶ παντάπασι πράξεων ἀγαθῶν ἐστέρητο. Skylitzes 476.55-477.63
Michael 61
is aware that to some later historians his indiscriminate bestowal of honours will be a source of panegyric
καὶ οὐκ ἀγνοῶ, ὅτι τισὶν ὕστερον συγγραφεῦσιν ἀφορμὴ τοῦτο ἐγκωμίου γενήσεται τῷ ἀνδρί. Psellos: Chronographia VI 30.5-6
He was good at staging shows and making a big thing of it
οἷα ἐκεῖνος σκηνὰς πλάττειν εἰδὼς καὶ μεγαληγορεῖν ἐν τοῖς πράγμασιν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 87.4-5
Michael 61
considers [his landscaping activities] far from the range of his good qualities, as was his puerile behaviour towards a certain lad (
Ioannes 115
)
πόρρω τοῦ κύκλου τῶν ἐκείνων ταῦτα ποιοῦμαι καλῶν, ὣσπερ δὴ καὶ ἅπερ ἐπεπράχει μειρακιωδῶς περί τι μειράκιον. Psellos: Chronographia VI 177.2-4
Tasted of learning only with his fingertip as the saying goes
αὐτὸς τῶν λόγων ἄκρῳ μόνῳ δακτύλῳ τὸ τοῦ λόγου γευσάμενος. Zonaras 17.20.5
Michael 61
would be ungrateful and entirely unreasonable if he did not repay in very small part, by showing gratitude through his writings, the things he had received from him, some in actual deeds, others as a means to improvement
ἀγνώμων γὰρ ἂν εἴην καὶ πάντη ἀλόγιστος, εἰ μὴ ὧν ἐκεῖθεν τὰ μὲν ἐν αὐτοῖς ἔργοις, τὰ δὲ εἰς ἀφορμὴν κρειττόνων ἔσχηκα, πολλοστὸν ἀντιδοίην μέρος, τὴν διὰ τῶν λόγων εὐγνωμοσύνην. Psellos: Chronographia VI 23.5-8
He devoted part of his life to amusements: to others neither the name nor the thing changed, but for him amusement seemed a serious business and he coloured it with dignity
ἐδίδου καὶ τῇ παιδιᾷ μερίδα τοῦ βίου τινά, καὶ τοῖς μὲν ἄλλοις οὔτε τοὔνομα οὔτε τὸ πρᾶγμα ταύτης ἠλλάττετο. ἐκείνῳ δὲ σπούδασμά τε ἐδόκει καὶ σεμνότητι κατεχρώννυτο. Psellos: Chronographia VI 173.6-9
The account of him seems in some ways contradictory, changing and turning about as he did; but
Michael 61
has compiled it truthfully, not rhetorically, making it like he was and sympathetic to him as emperor
ὁ περὶ αὐτὸν λόγος δοκεῖ πως ἑαυτῷ ἐναντιοῦσθαι, μεταβαλλόμενος ἐκείνῳ καὶ συμπεριτρεπόμενος, σύγκειται δὲ ἀληθῶς, οὐ ῥητορικῶς, πρὸς ἐκεῖνον ἀφομοιούμενος καὶ συμπαθαινόμενος οἷον τῷ βασιλεῖ. Psellos: Chronographia VI 203.7-11
Romanos 62
Boilas was so close to him that he had every opportunity to gain access to and encounter him
καὶ οὕτως διὰ ταῦτα τῷ βασιλεῖ προσῳκείωτο ὡς πάντα καιρὸν εἶναι αὐτῷ τῆς πρὸς ἐκεῖνον εἰσόδου καὶ τῆς ἐντεύξεως. Zonaras 17.27.6
If when
Michael 61
examines openly even seemingly bad deeds, the shining virtue of his good deeds is preserved and the good outweighs the bad, then he will excel all emperors whose panegyrics are suspect, more plausible than true
... πῶς οὐχὶ πάντας ἐκεῖνος ὑπερβαλεῖται τοὺς αὐτοκράτορας, ὧν ἐγκωμιαζομένων ὕποπτος ὦπται ἡ εὐφημία καὶ τοῦ πιθανοῦ μᾶλλον ἢ τοῦ ἀληθοῦς ἐχομένη. Psellos: Chronographia VI 162.5-11
He was naturally quick, but shrewd as anyone with an exceptional memory; he was so much in control of his irascibility as to seem endowed with meekness distinctively above others
ὀξὺς γὰρ τὴν φύσιν ὤν, ἀγχίνους τε εἴ τις ἄλλος καὶ μνήμων διαφερόντως, τοσοῦτον τῆς θυμοειδοῦς ἐκράτει κινήσεως, ὡς δοκεῖν ἐξαίρετον τῶν ἄλλων λαχεῖν τὴν πρᾳότητα. Psellos: Chronographia VI 164.4-7
Michael 61
realised that he was like a charioteer restraining a spirited horse: the blood rushed to his face, his body, suddenly stirred in anger, recovered itself yet more quickly and he immediately turned to reason
ἐμὲ γοῦν οὐκ ἐλάνθανεν ὥσπερ τις ἡνίοχος τὸν θυμικὸν ἵππον ἀνακρουόμενος· ἐξανθῆσαν αὐτῷ τὸ αἶμα ἐπὶ τῆς ὄψεως, τό τε σῶμα ἀθρόως αὐτῷ κινηθὲν καθίστατο ἀθροώτερον καὶ τῷ λογισμῷ εὐθὺς μετεβάλλετο. Psellos: Chronographia VI 164.7-11
Not a long time had been measured out from the time he gained control of the Roman hegemony when the disease of gout afflicted him
οὐ μακρὸς ἐξεμετρήθη χρόνος, ἐξ ὅτου τῆς ἡγεμονίας τῶν Ῥωμαίων γέγονεν ἐγκρατής, καί οἱ νόσος ἀρθρῖτις ἐνέσκηψεν. Zonaras 17.28.6
Those who reckon dispassionately will judge that man responsible for the domination of the eastern region by a barbarian spear
Zonaras 17.27.21
He and
Anonyma 6006
Skleraina were so immersed in one another and their love so burned that unless were with one another they thought they wer enot living and could not endure
οὕτω δ᾿ ἀλλήλοις ἐνετετήκεσαν καὶ οὕτω σφίσιν ὁ ἔρως ἐγκέκαυτο ὡς εἰ μὴ συνεῖεν ἀλλήλοις, μηδὲ ζῆν δοκεῖν μηδ᾿ ἀνέχεσθαι. Zonaras 17.20.12
As time went on the affliction flowed to his hands, then it was conveyed to his shoulders and finally his whole body was awash with fluid, weakened and dislocated, since the fluid became enclosed in the cavities of the joints
καὶ ταῖς χερσὶν ἐπερρύη τὸ αἴτιον· εἶτα καὶ τοῖς ὤμοις ἐπήνεκτο, καὶ τέλος ὅλον αὐτῷ τὸ σῶμα τῷ ῥεύματι κατεκλύζετο καὶ παρεῖτο καὶ ἐξηρθροῦτο, τοῖς τῶν ἄρθρων κοιλώμασιν ἐγκλειομένου τοῦ ῥεύματος. Zonaras 17.28.9
Reigned with
Zoe 1
and
Theodora 1
, his deeds are narrated in the Chronographia of
Michael 61
Χρονογραφία πονηθεῖσα τῷ ... Μιχαήλ, ἱστοροῦσα τὰς πράξεις τῶν βασιλέων, ..., τοῦ σὺν αὐταῖς Κωνσταντίνου τοῦ Μονομάχου. Psellos: Chronographia Introduction 1-9
His illness did not begin all at once, but his feet first suffered the flow of liquids; he at once became bed-ridden; if he had to walk, he was as it were incapable of self-motion
ἤρξατο μὲν οὖν τὸ κακὸν οὐκ ἀθρόον εὐθύς. ἀλλ᾿ οἱ πόδες πρότερον τὴν τῶν ῥευμάτων ῥυμὴν ὑπήνεγκαν· καὶ αὐτίκα κλινήρης τε ἐγεγόνει, καὶ εἴ πού τις ἀνάγκη βαδίζειν, οἷον ἑτεροκίνητος. Psellos: Chronographia VI 128.1-4
His illness was cyclic: the flux seemed to descend for the same number of days as his immobility lasted; then the intervals diminished and the intermissions became short
καὶ ἦν τοῦτο κύκλος τις καὶ περίοδος, καὶ ἐδόκει τὸ ῥευμα ἐν τοῖς αὐτοῖς ἀριθμοῖς ἡμερῶν καταβαίνειν, καὶ ἠρίθμητο ἡ ἀκινησία, εἶτα δὴ καὶ ὑπεδίδου τὰ διαστήματα, καὶ οὐ μακρὰ ἐγεγόνει τὰ διαλείμματα. Psellos: Chronographia VI 128.4-8
Wishing to seem generous and liberal, but not pursuing the virtue as he ought, he turned it into vice
οὗτος ὁ βασιλεὺς φιλότιμος δοκεῖν ἐθέλων καὶ ἐλευθέριος, μὴ μετίων δὲ τὴν ἀρετὴν ὡς ἐχρῆν, εἰς κακίαν ταύτην μετήνεγκεν. Zonaras 17.27.16
If he had need to move, either he advanced painfully supported by others or he was even entirely propelled by external forces
εἰ δέ ποτε κινήσεως ἀνάγκην ἔσχηκεν, ἢ πρός τινων ἐπιστηριζόμενος προέβαινε δυσχερῶς ἢ καὶ πάμπαν ἑτεροκίνητος ἦν. Zonaras 17.28.8
Did not love his sister
Euprepeia 61
but heeded her because of her superior intelligence
ἥ τῷ ἀδελφῷ στερκτέα οὐκ ἦν, ηὐλαβεῖτο δ᾿ αὐτὴν διὰ τὸ περιὸν τῆς φρονήσεως. Zonaras 17.23.7
Instead of magnificence he rolled over into prodigality, providing public funds neither for the people whom he should, nor in the amount he should, nor at the time he ought
ἀντὶ γὰρ μεγαλοπρεπείας εἰς ἀσωτίαν μετακεκύλιστο, οὔτε οἷς ἔδει παρέχων τὰ δημόσια χρήματα οὔτε ὅσαπερ ἔδει οὔθ᾿ ὅτε χρεών. Zonaras 17.27.17
So his body grew weary before long
ἔκαμνεν οὖν οὕτω πρὸ μακροῦ τὸ σῶμα τῷ βασιλεῖ. Zonaras 17.28.9
It was said by many people that although many dangers would rear up against him, both from the barbarians outside and from subjects, all would vanish since some favourable fortune assisted him, easily terminating every uprising
... ἐλέγετο γοῦν ὡς πολλὰ μὲν μέλλει ἐπαναστήσεσθαι τῷ βασιλεῖ τούτῳ δεινά, ..., φροῦδα δὲ πάντα γενήσεσθαι, τύχης τινὸς δεξιᾶς συναντιλαμβανομένης τῷ αὐτοκράτορι καὶ πᾶσαν ἐπανάστασιν ῥᾷστα διαλύουσης. Psellos: Chronographia VI 96.3-10
Michael 61
knew of no power of divination in him and attributed (his optimism) to an easy-going and carefree spirit
ἐγὼ δὲ οὐδεμίαν μαντείας ἀφορμὴν παρὰ τῷ ἀνδρὶ ἐπιστάμενος, ψυχῆς τοῦτο ῥᾳθύμου καὶ ἀφρόντιδος τίθεμαι. Psellos: Chronographia VI 97.1-3
He provided abundant material for an encomium, and
Michael 61
would have contributed many fine words to the feast of honour, since the encomiast passes over any bad points in his honorand and weaves his praise from what is good
πολλῶν γὰρ ἄν εὐπόρησα καὶ καλῶν λόγων εἰς εὐφημίας ἔρανον, ὧν ἐκεῖνος δαψιλεῖς ἐδίδου τὰς ἀφορμάς· ὁ μὲν γὰρ ἐγκωμιάζων ... ἐκ τῶν σπουδαιοτέρων ἐκείνῳ πλέκει τὸν ἔπαινον. Psellos: Chronographia VI 161.4-8
If the historian were permitted to return a favour from goodwill or generosity of soul to one who had been kind to him and for this reason to distort his account, no one would have glorified him with words of praise before
Michael 61
εἴ γε δι᾿ εὔνοιαν ἢ ψυχῆς εὐγενείαν δοθείη τῷ ἱστοροῦντι τῷ εὐνοϊκῶς πρὸς αὐτὸν σχόντι ἀντιχαρίζεσθαι ..., τίς ἄν πρὸ ἐμοῦ ἕτερος ταῖς ἐκ τῶν λόγων εὐφημίαις τουτονὶ τὸν αὐτοκράτορα κατέκοσμησεν .... Psellos: Chronographia VI 161.22-6
[His landscaping enterprises] and everything associated with them seem to
Michael 61
perhaps not worthy of 'a counsellor, to whom the people and so many cares have been entrusted' in Kalliope's words
ταῦτα τοιγαροῦν και ὅσα τούτοις ἕπεται ἐμοὶ μὲν ἴσως οὐ βουληφόρῳ ἀνδρὶ προσήκοντα φαίνεται, ᾧ λαοί τ᾿ ἐπιτετράφαται καὶ τόσσα μέμηλε, κατὰ τὴν ποιητικὴν Καλλιόπην. Psellos: Chronographia VI 175.1-4
Theodora 1
knew that no being is so forgetful as a man who has been allocated power by another, and indeed that he is most ungracious to his greatest benefactor, having confirmation from her own situation,
Konstantinos 9
's and
Zoe 1
's
οὐδὲν οὕτως ἐπιλησμονέστατον χρῆμα ὡς ἄνθρωπος ὑφ᾿ ἑτέρου βασιλεύειν λαχών, μᾶλλον δὲ περὶ τὸν εὐεργετικώτατον ἀγνωμονέστατος, καὶ τοῦτο ἐξ ἑαυτῆς τε καὶ τοῦ πρότερου ... εἰς βεβαίωσιν δόξης ἔχουσα. Psellos: Chronographia VIa 1.6-10
Though rumoured to be ignorant of war, he was magnificent, openhanded, charming, splendid, convivial and gentle, sending forth streams of generosity
αἱ φῆμαι δὲ μορφάζουσι τοῦτον τὸν Μονομάχον τῶν μὲν μαχίμων ἀδαῆ καὶ τῆς ὁπλοφορίας, τὰ δ’ ἄλλα μεγαλοπρεπῆ, φιλόδωρον, ἀστεῖον, λαμπρόψυχον, φιλόκοσμον, ἐπιεικῆ τοὺς τρόπους, φιλοδωρίας θάλασσαν. Manasses, Chronicle 6157-6165
He had an extremely painful physical condition, suffering great pain in his feet from gout, an illness which severely restricted him
ἄγαν πονήρως τῆς σαρκὸς εἶχε τῆς χωματίνης∙ ποδάγρας γὰρ βαρύτησιν ἐσφίγγετο τοὺς πόδας ὡς ποδοκάκαις ἰσχυραῖς, ὥσπερ ἀλυκτοπέδαις. Manasses, Chronicle 6185-6187
Was both well born, among the distinguished, related by marriage to the emperor
Romanos 3
through his niece (for he united with her in his second marriage) and exceedingly brilliant in youthful good looks
ἄνδρα καὶ εὐγενέτην καὶ τῶν ἐπισήμων καὶ κηδεστὴν τῷ βασιλεῖ ῾Ρωμανῷ ἐπ᾿ ἀδελφόπαιδι χρηματίσαντα (ταύτῃ γὰρ κατὰ δευτέρους γάμους ὡμίλησε) καὶ τὴν ὥραν ὑπέρλαμπρον. Zonaras 17.20.11
For a certain time he masked his love [for
Maria 64
Skleraina] and as it were blushed at what was happening
μέχρι μὲν οὖν τινος ἐσκηνοποίει τὸν ἔρωτα καὶ ὥσπερ ἠρυθρία πρὸς τὸ γινόμενον. Zonaras 17.21.20
Did not treat
Leon 61
Tornikios as a relative of his, but indeed he even hated the man
πρὸς ὃν ὁ βασιλεὺς οὔτε ὡς αὐτῷ προσήκοντα διετέθειτο, ἀλλὰ μέντοι καὶ ἀπηχθάνετο τῷ ἀνδρί. Zonaras 17.23.6
Michael 61
repeatedly rejected history-writing because of him, not in the least wishing to attribute blame to him and reveal in his account any actions not to his credit which it is right should pass unnoticed
διὰ τοῦτον γοῦν ἐγὼ τὸν ἄνδρα τὴν ἱστορίαν ἀπεπεμπόμην ἀεί, ἥκιστα βουλόμενος προστρίψασθαί τινα μῶμον αὐτῷ, καί τινα τῶν οὐ καλῶς αὐτῷ πεπραγμένων καὶ ἅ λανθάνειν καλὸν ἀνακαλύψαι τῷ λόγῳ. Psellos: Chronographia VI 23.8-11
After completing his account of
Zoe 1
,
Michael 61
returns again to him, adding that he (
Michael 61
) had not wished to write a history and be called a lover of truth at this point, but to compose encomia for him
ἐγὼ δὲ τὸν περὶ τῆς βασιλίδος συντελέσας λόγον, ἐπὶ τὸν βασιλέα αὖθις ἐπάνειμι, τοσοῦτον ἐπειπών· ἐβουλόμην μὴ ἱστορεῖν, μηδὲ φιλαλήθης ἐνταῦθα κατονομάζεσθαι, ἀλλ᾿ ἐγκώμια τῷ αὐτοκράτορι τούτῳ ποιεῖν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 161.1-4
Was in exile for the whole period of
Michael 4
's reign and had not found the second Michael (
Michael 5
) better disposed
ἦν τὸν ἅπαντα χρόνον τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ Μιχαὴλ ὑπερόριος καὶ οὐδὲ τοῦ δευτέρου Μιχαὴλ εὐμενεστέρου τετύχηκεν. Zonaras 17.20.15
Reigned for 12 (and a half?) years together with
Zoe 1
Κωνσταντῖνος ὁ μονομάχος σὺν τῇ Ζωῇ ἔτη ιβ´. Glykas 459, 593.17-18
The first counsellor, bearer and much-desired enforcer of peace and concord [sc. after many years of discord]
primus pacis et concordiae monitor, portitor et exoptatus exactor. Leo IX ep. to Monomachos (Will) 85B.11-12
Dignity/Office
(49)
Augoustos
αὔγουστος.
Seal 0
Auguste. Leo IX ep. to Monomachos (Will) 89B.12
Augustus. Humbert, Commemoratio 152B.6
Autokrator
αὐτοκράτωρ. Mauropous: Orations 37
αὐτοκράτορος. Psellos: Chronographia VI 23.3; 28.2; 47.1-2; etc.
αὐτοκράτωρ.
Seal 0
αὐτοκράτωρ.
Seal 0
αὐτοκράτωρ.
Seal 0
αὐτοκράτορα. Synodal edict (1054) 160.22, 167.20
Basileus
βασιλέως. Iveron 2.77.3, 2.78.28, 2.113.7
στέφεται. Skylitzes 423.48
βασιλεῖς Κωνσταντινουπόλεως. Glykas 459
βασιλέως. Kekaumenos 86.1, 96.28-29, 100.11, 236.27
βασιλέα. Kleinchroniken 143.68, 159.11, 167.14
βασιλέως. Lazaros of Galesion 540D
βασιλεύς. Mauropous: Orations 37
τῷ βασιλεῖ. Skylitzes Continuatus 167.14
τοῦ βασιλέως. Attaleiates: History 18.19 / 15.12-13
τῷ τότε βασιλεῖ. Bryennios 99.2
τὴν ἐπὶ τῷ βασιλείῳ στέφει μεταχειρίζεται. Zonaras 17.20.19
βασιλεύς. Psellos: Chronographia VI 15.1; 44.2; 48.7; etc.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ. Lavra 191.84-85, 197.44
agebat in sceptris. William of Tyre bk. 1, 6.12-13
յաթոռ թագաւորութեան. Aristakes 52.8 (42)
βασιλέως. Kastamonitou 29.20
βασιλέως. Protaton 225.10, 238.53
τοῦ βασιλέως. Vatopedi 117.5
βασιλείας. Psellos Leichoudes 399
βασιλεῖ. Psellos Xiphilinos 421
βασιλεύσων. Psellos Keroularios 323
βασιλέα. Xeropotamou 48.11-12
βασιλεύς.
Seal 0
βασιλεύς.
Seal 0
βασιλέως. Petros of Antioch ep. synod. Antioch (Michel, "Botschaft") 117.6-7, 117.24
βασιλέως. Manasses, Chronicle 6199
Despotes
δεσπότου.
Seal 0
δεσπότου.
Seal 0
δεσπότης. Manasses, Chronicle 6151
Emperor
imperatori. Anonymus Barensis 151
imperatori. Leo IX ep. to Monomachos (Will) 85A.12
imperatoris. Humbert, Commemoratio 152A.13
Krites of Hellas
δικαστὴν Ἑλλήνων. Skylitzes 432.38
Krites of Opsikion
κριτῇ τοῦ ᾿Οψικίου.
Seal 0
Logothetes of the herds
λογοθέτῃ τῶν ἀγελῶν.
Seal 0
Megas chartoularios
μεγάλῳ χαρτουλαρίῳ.
Seal 0
Notarios
νοταρίῳ.
Seal 0
Protonotarios of Boukellarion
πρωτονοταρίῳ τῶν Βουκελλαρίων.
Seal 0
Protospatharios
πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ.
Seal 0
πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ.
Seal 0
Education
(2)
Although by no means a devotee of letters and possessing no skill in eloquence, he nevertheless admired such men and assembled in the palace the most eloquent men from every place, of whom most were in extreme old age
λόγοις δὲ οὐ πάνυ καθωμιληκώς, οὐδέ τινα ἕξιν κτησάμενος λογιότητος, ἀλλ᾿ ὅμως ἐζήλου τοῦτο τὸ μέρος, καὶ τοὺς ἐλλογιμωτέρους πανταχόθεν συνήνεγκεν εἰς τὰς βασιλείους αὐλάς. Psellos: Chronographia VI 35.1-5
Tasted of learning only with his fingertip as the saying goes
αὐτὸς τῶν λόγων ἄκρῳ μόνῳ δακτύλῳ τὸ τοῦ λόγου γευσάμενος. Zonaras 17.20.5
Ethnic label
(null)
Second Name
(33)
Monomachos
Μονομάχου. Iveron 2.77.3, 2.78.28, 2.113.7
Μονομάχον. Skylitzes 423.34
μονομάχος. Glykas 459, 593.6
Μονομάχου. Kekaumenos 86.1-2, 96.29, 100.11, 236.27
Μονομάχου. Kleinchroniken 142.67, 159.11, 167.14
Μονομάχου. Lazaros of Galesion 540D
Μονομάχος. Mauropous: Orations 17, 24
τοῦ Μονομάχου. Skylitzes Continuatus 106.7
τὸν Μονομάχον. Attaleiates: History 18.5 / 15.2
Μονομάχον. Zonaras 17.20.10, 17.20.19, 17.21.1, etc.
Μονομάχου. Psellos: Chronographia Introduction 8
Μονομάχων. Psellos: Chronographia VI 14.3; 21.3; 203.1; etc.
Μονομάχον. Psellos: Chronographia VII 55.5
ΜΟΝΟΜΑΧΟΣ. Lavra 192.85, 197.45, 210.4
Monomachus. William of Tyre bk. 1, 6.12
Մոնոմախ. Aristakes 51.23 (41)
Μονομάχου. Protaton 225.10, 238.53
Μονομάχου. Vatopedi 117.5
Μονομάχων. Psellos Xiphilinos 421
Μονομάχος. Psellos Keroularios 323
Μονομάχῳ. Psellos Letters (Sathas) 115.359 tit.
Μονομάχου. Nea Mone, Miklosich-Müller 5.1, 5.8
Monomacho. Annales Barenses 56.20
Monomachus. Lupus protospatharius 58.27
Monomacho. Anonymus Barensis 151
Μονομάχον. Christophoros of Mitylene 54 t
Μονομάχῳ.
Seal 0
Μονομάχῳ.
Seal 0
Μονομάχῳ.
Seal 0
Μονομάχῳ.
Seal 0
Monomachi. Humbert, Commemoratio 150A.2
Monomacho. Leo IX ep. to Monomachos (Will) 85A.13
Μονομάχον. Manasses, Chronicle 6140
Kinship
(45)
brother of
Euprepeia 61
(ἀδελφῆς). Psellos: Chronographia VI 52.8; 101.6
(ἀδελφαί). Psellos: Chronographia VI 100.1-2
ἀδελφός. Psellos: Chronographia VI 100.8; 100.10; 100.18
(ἀδελφὴ). Psellos: Chronographia VI 150.1-5
(ἡ ὁμαίμων). Zonaras 17.23.7
τῷ ἀδελφω. Zonaras 17.23.7, 17.23.9
(τῆς ἀδελφῆς). Zonaras 17.23.10
brother of
Helena 7001
(ἀδελφαί). Psellos: Chronographia VI 100.1-2
(ἀδελφῆς). Psellos: Chronographia VI 116.1; 184.2
brother of
Maria 20115
(αὐταδέλφῃ).
Seal 0
brother-in-law of
Theodora 1
γαμβροῦ. Psellos: Chronographia VIa 13.5
(cognata). Lupus protospatharius 59.12
cousin of
Theodosios 103
(ἐξάδελφος). Zonaras 18.1.10
husband of
Anonyma 6006
συνήφθη. Psellos: Chronographia VI 15.20
(γαμετῆς). Psellos: Chronographia VI 50.4
ταύτῃ ... κατὰ δευτέρους γάμους ὡμίλησε. Zonaras 17.20.11
(ἡ δευτέρα σύνοικος). Zonaras 17.20.10
husband of
Anonyma 7004
(γυναῖκα). Psellos: Chronographia VI 15.10
husband of
Zoe 1
συνάπτεται εἰς κοινωνίαν γάμου. Skylitzes 423.45
(συνάπτεται). Glykas 593.14-15
(συζυγέντα). Kleinchroniken 143.68, 167.14
(παραχωρεῖ πάλιν τῆς συζυγίας). Attaleiates: History 18.8 / 15.4
(ὁμευνέτιδι). Psellos: Chronographia VI 49.8
τελεῖται ...ἡ ἱεροτελεστία ἡ γαμική. Zonaras 17.20.18
νυμφεύεται πρὸν γάμον. Manasses, Chronicle 6153
husband (third) of
Zoe 1
այր իւր. Aristakes 52.7 (42)
secundum. Lupus protospatharius 59.11
kin of
Leon 61
ἐκοινώνει συγγενείας καὶ αἵματος. Mauropous: Orations 181
συγγενία. Attaleiates: History 22.5 / 18.2
ἐξανέψιός τις ἐκ μητρικῆς ... ῥίζης. Psellos: Chronographia VI 99.2-3
(μητρόθεν κατὰ γένος προσῆκε). Zonaras 17.23.2
τῶν γάρ τις τοῦ κατ᾿ ἐκεῖνον γένους. Psellos Keroularios 346
kin of
Nikolaos 2106
ἐκ τῆς αὐτῆς ῥίζης τῷ βασιλεῖ. Psellos Nikolaos of Horaia Pege 815
kin of
Theodosios 103
ἐγγύτητα ἔχοντι αἵματος. Skylitzes 481.54-55
lover (husband) of
Anonyma 210
ὁμευνέτιν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 154.7
lover of
Maria 64
(ἐπαλλακεύετο). Skylitzes 427.61
εἰς παρανομωτάτην ἑαυτῷ μετῆξε συμβίωσιν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 50.9-10
(τὴν ἐρωμένην). Psellos: Chronographia VI 55.14; 57.6; 63.11
(ξυνευνέτιδι). Zonaras 17.21.21
nephew of
Anonymus 199
(τοῦ πατραδέλφου). Skylitzes 481.43-44
nephew (by marriage) of
Romanos 3
κηδεστὴν ...ἐπ᾿ ἀδελφόπαιδι. Zonaras 17.11.20
son of
Theodosios 103
παῖς. Psellos: Chronographia VI 14.2
son of
Theodosios 109
(հայր). Aristakes 51.24 (41)
(πατρός). Psellos Orationes panegyricae II, 551-552
son-in-law of
Anonymus 7012
κηδευθεὶς. Psellos: Chronographia VI 15.9-11
Language Skill
(null)
Location
(98)
Ani
demanded from
Gagik 101
the surrender of Ani զԱնի. Aristakes 62.9 (51)
did not manage to capture but convinced Anomymus 64 to surrender the city of Ani Ἀννίον. Attaleiates: History 79.14 / 60.14
Antioch (on the Orontes)
like his father,
Theodosios 109
, was originally from Antioch (on the Orontes) ἡ τοῦ Θεοῦ πόλις. Psellos Orationes panegyricae VI, 57-58
Armenia
confirmed by chrysobull the properties of
Xachik 101
in Armenia Հայս. Aristakes 83.12 (74)
Athos, Mount
sent
Kosmas 101
to Athos, Mount ἐκεῖσε. Protaton 225.28, 236.22
Athos: Great Lavra
entrusted to
Ioannes 368
the guardianship of the monastery of Great Lavra αὐτήν. Lavra 191.39
Athos: Vatopedi
granted a solemnion of 80 nomismata to the monastery of Vatopedi τοῦ Βατοπεδίου. Vatopedi 117.3
Bessai (near Ephesos)
granted to
Lazaros 104
some land at Bessai (near Ephesos) τῶν Βεσσῶν. Lazaros of Galesion 584E
issued a chrysobull granting wheat to Nea Mone from the estates of Bessai (near Ephesos) τῶν Βησσῶν. Nea Mone, Gedeon 429
Bjni (Armenia)
was handed by Grigor (
Gregorios 127
) the keys of Bjni (Armenia) Բջնոյ. Aristakes 62.15 (51)
Boukellarion
was protonotarios of Boukellarion Βουκελλαρίων.
Seal 0
Chios
issued a chrysobull attaching to Nea Mone the Jews of Chios τὴν Χίον. Nea Mone, Gedeon 413
Chrysopolis (Bithynia)
sent a 15,000-strong Pecheneg army across to Chrysopolis (Bithynia) ἐν Χρυσοπόλει. Skylitzes 460.95
sent Pechenegs across to Chrysopolis (Bithynia) Χρυσόπολει. Zonaras 17.26.20
Constantinople
after his victory over the Scythians returned to Constantinople εἰς τὸ Βυζάντιον. Skylitzes 432.95
drew up his ships in the harbour on the other (Asiatic) side Constantinople ἐπὶ τοῦ κατ᾿ ἀντιπέραν λιμένος. Psellos: Chronographia VI 93.10-13
organized the defences of Constantinople τὴν πόλιν. Mauropous: Orations 185.34
sent his troops to face those of the rebel
Leon 61
outside Constantinople ἐξ αὐτῆς. Attaleiates: History 23.9-10 / 19.1
was born and raised in Constantinople τῆς πόλεως. Attaleiates: History 18.6 / 15.3
was driven by
Michael 4
from Constantinople τῆς Πόλεως. Psellos: Chronographia VI 17.6-7
was greeted with great splendour when he came near to Constantinople Πόλεως. Psellos: Chronographia VI 19.1-6
Constantinople: Angouria
issued a chrysobull granting to the monks of Nea Mone a building in the area of Angouria τῶν Ἀγγουρίων. Nea Mone, Miklosich-Müller 5.6
Constantinople: Blachernai
sat on a balcony of the palace at Blachernai τῶν ἀνακτόρων. Psellos: Chronographia VI 109.4
took his soldiers outside the walls through the gate of Blachernai τῶν ἐν Βλαχέρναις πυλῶν. Skylitzes 440.21
watched the rebel troops pillaging the countryside from the acropolis at Blachernai Βλαχέρναις. Attaleiates: History 23.23-24.1 / 19.12
Constantinople: Chalke
joined the public procession to venerate the 40 Martyrs at the Christ of Chalke τὸν Χριστὸν τὸν Χαλκοῦν. Glykas 595.16
left the palace and reached the church of the Saviour at the Chalke τὸν ἐν τῇ Χαλκῇ...ναὸν τοῦ σωτῆρος. Skylitzes 434.55-56
presided over the triumph at church of the Saviour in Chalke τοῦ ἐν τῇ Χαλκῇ λεγομένῃ τοῦ Σωτῆρος ναοῦ. Zonaras 17.22.19
presided over the triumph from the prison of the Chalke τῆς οὕτως λεγομένης Χαλκῆς φυλακῆς. Psellos: Chronographia VI 88.2-5
Constantinople: Great Palace
escaped the wrath of the crowds and returned to the Great Palace τὰ βασίλεια. Skylitzes 434.64
intended to venerate the 40 martyrs and left with a large retinue the Great Palace τοῦ παλατίου. Skylitzes 434.55
returned (after celebrating a triumph) to the palace τὰ βασίλεια. Psellos: Chronographia VI 88.8
returned from the sea in triumph to the palace τὰ βασίλεια. Psellos: Chronographia VI 96.2
was brought by
Zoe 1
to the palace τὰ βασίλεια. Psellos: Chronographia VI 15.3
was forced by the angry mob to return to the Great Palace ἐν βασιλείοις. Glykas 596.3
was taken on a dromon by
Stephanos 102
to the Great Palace τὰ βασίλεια. Skylitzes 423.44
with a brilliant escort he entered the palace τὰ βασίλεια ... ἄδυτα. Psellos: Chronographia VI 19.12-13
Constantinople: Great Palace, Elephantine
jailed
Kegen 101
in the Great Palace, Elephantine ἐν τῇ Ἐλεφαντίνῃ. Skylitzes 466.62
Constantinople: Hagia Sophia
granted an allowance and lavish gifts to Hagia Sophia τῇ μεγάλῃ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐκκλησίᾳ. Glykas 598.10
instituted daily services and offered precious sacred vessels to Hagia Sophia τὴν τοῦ θεοῦ μεγάλην ἐκκλησίαν. Skylitzes 477.63
instituted daily services at Hagia Sophia τῆς ἁγίας Σοφίας. Mauropous: Orations 24
Constantinople: Hippodrome
raised the head of
Georgios 62
on high in Hippodrome τὸ θέατρον. Zonaras 17.22.18
received
Baltzar 102
in the Hippodrome τὸ ἱπποδρόμιον. Skylitzes 465.49
Constantinople: Mangana
built (the monastery of) Mangana τὴν τῶν Μαγγάνων οἰκοδομῶν. Zonaras 17.27.18
built a church and a hospital at the monastery where he was later buried at Mangana τὸ περικαλλὲς ἱερὸν...τοῦ ἐν μάρτυσι περιωνύμου ἁγίου Γεωργίου. Attaleiates: History 48.5-6 / 36.15-16
founded a monastery at Mangana τὰ Μάγγανα. Glykas 597.20
founded a monastery dedicated to the saint and martyr Georgios at the so-called Mangana τὰ λεγόμενα Μάγγανα. Skylitzes 476.44-45
founded a school of law within the compound of his shrine of Saint Georgios at Mangana τὸν ἐκεῖσε ναόν. Mauropous: Orations 198.10
founded a shrine dedicated to Saint Georgios at Mangana τὸν ἐκεῖσε ναόν. Mauropous: Orations 198.9
he constructed a splendid complex of buildings for St Georgios at the Mangana τῷ θείῳ χριστομάρτυρι τῷ τροπαιοφοροῦντι. Manasses, Chronicle 6180-6182
longed for death at the palace of Mangana τὰ ἐν τοῖς Μαγγάνοις βασίλεια. Zonaras 17.28.19
made a donation to Saint Georgios of Mangana τοῦ τροπαιοφόρου. Mauropous: Orations 37
remained bed-ridden at the monastery he founded at Mangana τῇ παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ δομηθείσῃ μονῇ. Glykas 598.21
was buried at Mangana ἐν τοῖς Μαγγάνοις. Skylitzes 478.92-93
was buried in the monastery at Mangana παρὰ τῇ διαληφθείσῃ μονῇ. Glykas 599.10
was staying during his illness at his monastery of Mangana τῶν Μαγγάνων. Skylitzes 477.80
Constantinople: Sergios and Bakchos
sent gifts on their feastday to Sergios and Bakchos τῶν ἁγίων Σεργίου καὶ Βάκχου. Mauropous: Orations 33
Constantinople: Stoudios
was present at a meeting in the monastery of Stoudios monasterium Studii. Humbert, Commemoratio 151A.3
Cyprus
brought back to servitude Cyprus τὴν νῆσον. Zonaras 17.22.22
Damokrania
was brought to the church of the Archangel at Damokrania ἐν Δαμοκρανείᾳ. Skylitzes 423.41
Damokrania: Archangel
was encountered by
Stephanos 102
at the church of the Archangel τὸν ἐν Δαμοκρανείᾳ τοῦ ἀρχιστρατήγου ναὸν. Zonaras 17.20.17
Euphrates
waged war against the barbarians beyond the Euphrates τὸν Εὐφράτην. Mauropous: Orations 179.7
Hellas
was appointed judge (krites) of Hellas Ἑλλήνων. Skylitzes 432.38
Helos (Patras?)
donated to the sebaste (
Anonyma 210
?) the estate of Helos (Patras?) τοῦ Ἕλους. Nea Mone, Gedeon 429
issued a chrysobull granting wheat to Nea Mone from the estates of Helos (Patras?) τοῦ Ἕλους. Nea Mone, Gedeon 429
Iberia (theme)
disbanded the 50,000-strong army of Iberia (theme) Ἰβηρικόν. Glykas 598.4
disbanded the army of Iberia (theme) τὸν Ἰβηρικόν. Skylitzes 476.51
Kalothekia (Thrakesion)
confirmed the purchase by Nea Mone of the estate of Kalothekia (Thrakesion) Καλοθηκίων. Nea Mone, Gedeon 405
Koile Syria
was praised for success gained by peaceful methods in Koile Syria Κοίλην Συρίαν. Psellos Orationes panegyricae VI, 168-170
Melitene
offered to
Gagik 101
in exchange for Ani the city and region of Melitene զՄելիտինէ. Aristakes 62.9 (51)
Mesopotamia
granted Grigor (
Gregorios 127
) villages and towns in Mesopotamia (theme) միջագետաց. Aristakes 62.17 (51)
Mitylene
he was exiled to Mitylene νῆσος φαύλη. Psellos Orationes panegyricae II, 563-566
He was recalled by
Zoe 1
from Mitylene, where he had been exiled Λεσβόθεν. Manasses, Chronicle 6139-6141
was banished by the orphanotrophos (
Ioannes 68
) to Mitylene τὴν Μιτυλήνην. Glykas 593.7
was banished to and then recalled from Mitylene Μιτυλήνῃ. Kleinchroniken 142.67, 159.12
was banished to Mitylene τὴν νῆσον Μιτυλήνην. Skylitzes 423.35
was banished to Mitylene Λέσβον. Zonaras 17.20.13
was exiled by
Michael 4
to Mitylene Μυτιλήνη. Psellos: Chronographia VI 17.8
was living in exile on Mitylene τὴν Μιτυλήνην. Lazaros of Galesion 579B
was recalled by
Zoe 1
from Mitylene Λεσβόθεν. Glykas 593.11
Nea Mone, Chios
established an annual grant of 72 nomismata for the monastery of Nea Mone, Chios Νέαν Μονήν. Nea Mone, Miklosich-Müller 5.1
issued a chrysobull attaching the Jews of Chios to Nea Mone, Chios τῇ Μονῇ. Nea Mone, Gedeon 413
issued a chrysobull banning the dispatch of exiles to Nea Mone, Chios Μονήν. Nea Mone, Gedeon 430
issued a chrysobull concerning the residence at Constantinople of the monks of Nea Mone, Chios Νέᾳ Μονῇ. Nea Mone, Miklosich-Müller 5.5-6
issued a chrysobull confirming the purchase of the estate of Kalothekia by Nea Mone, Chios τῆς Νέας. Nea Mone, gedeon 405
issued a chrysobull granting wheat from the estates of Bessai to Nea Mone, Chios Μονήν. Nea Mone, 429
issued a chrysobull granting wheat from the estates of Helos to the monastery of Nea Mone, Chios τῇ Μονῇ. Nea Mone, Gedeon 429
issued a chrysobull offering protection to the monastery of Nea Mone, Chios Νέα. Nea Mone, Miklosich-Müller 5.3
paid the expenses of the monastery of Nea Mone, Chios τῆς ἁγίας Νέας μονῆς. Kleinchroniken 142.67
Opsikion
was krites of Opsikion ᾿Οψικίου.
Seal 0
Pharos (on Bosporos)
faced the invading Rus' [not at the forum but] at Pharos (on Bosporos) ἔν γε τῷ φόρῳ. Glykas 595.9
sailed to meet the Scythian (Rus') fleet at Pharos (on Bosporos) Φάρῳ. Skylitzes 431.62
Rousion (Thrace)
was said to have obtained a true copy of the bull of excommunication of 1054 from Rousion (Thrace) civitate Russorum. Humbert, Commemoratio 152B.17
Samos (Aegean)
was on his way to exile at Samos (Aegean) ἐς Σάμωνα. Kleinchroniken 142.67
Sely(m)bria (Thrace)
summoned back the legates
Frederick 101
,
Humbert 101
and
Petros 148
from Selymbria Solembria. Humbert, Commemoratio 152A.18
Sosthenion (on Bosporos)
made several donations to the monastery of Saint Michael at Sosthenion (on Bosporos) τῆς μονῆς τῆς τιμίας τοῦ Σωσθενίου. Mauropous: Orations 39
Taranta (near Tephrike)
granted to
Xachik 101
2 monasteries in Taranta (near Tephrike) Տարնտայ. Aristakes 83.13 (74)
Trani (Italy)
bribed
Argyros 10101
to change sides while the latter was besieging Trani Trani. Annales Barenses 56.16-19
Occupation/Vocation
(null)
Possession
(3)
A private dwelling (at Constantinople) where he died
ἐν ἰδιοκτήτοις οἴκοις. Attaleiates: History 47.13 / 36.4
A reliquary of the True Cross (for which
Ioannes 289
Mauropous wrote an epigram)
τὴν θήκην τοῦ τιμίου ξύλου τοῦ βασιλέως. Mauropous: Orations 34
An elephant and a giraffe, which he had received from an Arab embassy
ἐλέφαντα. ... τὴν ἐν τῇ παρδάλει ... κάμηλον, ἢ τὴν ἐν τῇ καμήλῳ ἔλαφον. Psellos Orationes panegyricae I, 267, 278-279
Religion
(null)
Eunuchs
(null)
Alternative Name
(null)