Emperor Konstantinos X Doukas E / L XI
τοῦ Δοῦκα (BBÖ I.21-22, Polemis 12) (Konstantinos 10)
(Unspecified)
(null)
Narrative
(217)
Unassigned Activities
Authorship
(null)
Death
(13)
After this [making succession arrangements], he departed, after being emperor for seven years with an additional half, while having lived for sixty or even something beyond this
Zonaras 18.9.24
Died after a long illness and was buried not where one would expect (Mangana?) but his body was carried out of the Golden Gate on a boat to a monastery dedicated to Hagios Nikolaos and was buried in a sepulchre prepared for someone else
εἴς τινα σορὸν προκατεσκευασμένην ἑτέρῳ ἐναπετέθη. Attaleiates: History 92.4-10 / 69.9-13
Died after falling ill and was buried at the monastery of Moliboton
τὸν βίον ἐξάγεται. Glykas 606.18-20
Died and was succeeded by
Romanos 4
Diogenes
τελευτήσαντος. Kekaumenos 220.8-9
Died at the age of 60 after an illness which lasted from October to May and was buried at the monastery of St Nicholas at Molyboton
ἐτῶν ὢν ἑξήκοντα καὶ μικρόν τι πρός. Skylitzes Continuatus 118.2-18
Died in the palace
Date: on May 23 of the 5th indiction in the year 6575 ???? ?? ?, ??????????? ? ?, ????? ,???? ? Kleinchroniken 52.2, 160.17, 170.2
He died consumed by disease
νόσῳ δαπανηθεὶς ἐτετελευτήκει. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 4.2
He died having reigned for seven years
ἐπὶ ἑπτὰ ἔτεσι τοῖς πᾶσιν ἐννόμως τὴν βασιλείαν Ῥωμαίων ἰθύνας τὸν βίον καὶ οὗτος κατέλυσε. Bryennios 85.11-12
τὸ θνητὸν καὶ γηγενὲς ἀπεφορτίσθη βάρος. Manasses, Chronicle 6345-6346a
He died in May, and his son,
Michael 7
, succeeded to the empire
Date: May in mense Maii . Lupus protospatharius 59.42-43
He died, and was succeeded by the emperor Romanos Diogenes
. Anonymus Barensis 153
He recovered from his illness but soon after his body began to fail and he gradually drew near to death; he entrusted everything to
Eudokia 1
...; after entrusting the children to her ... he lived for a short time and died
μετ’ οὐ πολὺ δὲ δαπανᾶσθαι τὸ σῶμα ἀρξάμενος. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 27.1-8
While residing there [Serdica]
Romanos 4
Diogenes made preparations for usurpation after he had learned of his death
Zonaras 18.10.14
Description
(74)
He was like Achilles, born of famous ancestors but outdoing them by his own deeds: so too his family won renown from his deeds; his family heritage was brilliant, yet more brilliant what came from his own nature and principles of conduct
ὁ δὲ περὶ αὐτοῦ λέγειν προθέμενος ᾽Αχιλλέα τοῦτον οὐκ ἀπεικότως ἐρεῖ· ... λαμπρὰ μὲν καὶ τὰ παρὰ τοῦ ἄνω γένους, λαμπρότερα δὲ καὶ τὰ παρὰ τῆς ἰδίας φύσεώς τε καὶ προαιρέσεως. Psellos: Chronographia VII 84.1-14
So as not to be judged by his own brilliance, like a sun he put a cloud before himself
ἵνα μηδὲ κατὰ τὴν οἰκείαν αὐγὴν νομίζοιτο, ὥσπερ τις ἥλιος νέφος ἑαυτοῦ προεβάλλετο. Psellos: Chronographia VII 85.8-9
Michael 61
speaks of him on the basis of his own perceptions and opinions, not from hearsay; others may boast of his many great successes, but for
Michael 61
one thing balances all this -
... αὐτὸς περὶ πάντων αἰσθήσεσιν αὐταῖς καὶ γνώμαις ἀκριβωσάμενος· ὁ μὲν γὰρ σεμνυνέσθω πολλοῖς καὶ καλοῖς κατορθώμασι, ἐμοὶ δὲ ἓν τοῦτο ἀντὶ πάντων ἀρκεῖ. Psellos: Chronographia VII 86.1-4
He wanted to live in privacy and scorned illustrious offices; he dressed casually, equipped in country style, but as with lovely women this unassuming dress did not mask his good looks but showed them off more brilliantly
ἐβούλετο ... κεκρύφθαι ἐφ’ ἑαυτοῦ, καὶ τῶν ὑπερηφάνων δεινῶς κατεφρόνει ἀρχῶν, ἀτημελέστερόν τε ἠμφίεστο καὶ ἀγροικότερον διεσκεύαστο, ... οὕτω δὴ κἀκεῖνον οὐκ ἔκρυπτε μᾶλλον ... ἢ λαμπρότερον ἀπεδείκνυε. Psellos: Chronographia VII 87.1-9
This most god-like emperor
οὗτος ... ὁ θειότατος βασιλεύς. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 2.1
His total life-span was sixty and a bit years
ἐξηκοντούτης καὶ μικρόν τι πρὸς τὸν ὅλον τῆς ζωῆς χρόνον γενόμενος. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 27.8-9
His resignation of the rank of kaisar after
Isaakios 1
was established on the throne makes one admire him more ... his character was unparalleled
ἵνα τις ἐπὶ πλέον τὸν ἄνδρα θαυμάσειεν, ... τοσοῦτον τὸ εἰς ἦθος ἀσύγκριτον τοῦ ἀνδρός. Psellos: Chronographia VII 88.15-20
There was one plot against him and he was rescued from one disaster; the rest of his reign he spent in tranquillity and contentment, leaving behind royal sons just like their father, bearing his stamp in soul and body
ἅπαξ μὲν ἐπιβουλευθεὶς καὶ τοῦ κλύδωνος ἁρπαγείς, τὸν δὲ λοιπὸν τῆς ἀρχῆς χρόνον ἀθορύβως καὶ εὐθύμως διενεγκὼν καὶ βασιλέας υἱεῖς τῷ βίῳ καταλιπὼν πατρῴζοντας ἀκριβῶς .... Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 28.3-7
Blessed (had died by the time Kekaumenos -Anonymus 274- was writing his Strategikon)
τοῦ μακαρίτου. Kekaumenos 204.33, 208.9, 216.20
Thereby he wooed these two things for himself, avoidance of further expenditure on campaigns, and personal peace and total leisure for the accumulation of wealth
δύο ταῦτα ἐντεῦθεν μνώμενος ἑαυτῷ, τό τε μὴ πλείω δαπανᾶν ἐν ἐκστρατείαις καὶ τὸ αὐτὸς ἠρεμεῖν καὶ σχολάζειν ὡς ἐπίπαν τῇ τῶν χρημάτων συλλογῇ. Zonaras 18.8.19
In accordance with the dispositions of the dead emperor (
Konstantinos 10
) the empress
Eudokia 101
and his sons (
Andronikos 62
,
Konstantios 61
,
Michael 7
) were heirs of the empire
κατὰ γοῦν τὰς τοῦ τελευτήσαντος βασιλέως διαταγὰς ἡ τε βασιλὶς Εὐδοκία καὶ οἱ παῖδες ἐκείνου τῆς βασιλείας ἦσαν διάδοχοι. Zonaras 18.10.1
Reigned for 7 (and a half?) years
ἔτη ζ´. Glykas 459
Considered his wife (
Eudokia 1
) to be most wise, capable of raising their children, and most competent in administrative matters
σωφρονεστάτῃ τε νομιζομένῃ τἀνδρὶ καὶ παιδοτροφῆσαι ἀκριβεστάτῃ καὶ πρὸς τὸ τὰ κοινὰ διοικεῖν ἱκανωτάτῃ. Skylitzes Continuatus 118.15-17
But since their family was long ago exterminated root and branch, when Konstantinos had attempted usurpation while Konstantinos Porphyrogennetos was emperor ..., and no male survived, the ancestors of
Konstantinos 10
were descended on the female side
ἀλλὰ τοῦ γένους ἐκείνων πάλαι πανοικὶ ἐξολοθρευθέντος, ὅτε Κωνσταντῖνος τυραννίδι ἐπικεχείρηκεν, ... καὶ μηδένος ἄρρενος περιλειφθέντος, ἐκ θηλείας οἱ τούτου κατήγοντο πρόγονοι. Zonaras 18.8.13
Hence he is not considered a pure Doukas, but of mixed descent and with an adulterated kinship to the Ducas family
ὅθεν οὐδὲ Δοῦκας λελόγιστο καθαρός, ἀλλ᾿ ἐπίμικτος καὶ κεκιβδηλευμένην ἔχων τὴν πρὸς τοὺς Δούκας συγγένειαν. Zonaras 18.8.14
Was pious in matters relating to God, fair by disposition, a lover of justice, but sluggish and dull in intellect
ἦν δὲ ἀνὴρ τὰ πρὸς θεὸν εὐσεβής, τὸ ἦθος ἐπιεικής, δικαιοσύνης ἐραστής, τὴν γνώμην δὲ νωθρὸς καὶ ἀμβλύς. Zonaras 18.8.15
Delighted in those men who attested in their life to their piety, but was extraordinarily devoted to money and devised means to come into possession of many treasures
χαίρων τοῖς ἐπὶ βίου μαρτυρουμένοις σεμνότητι, ἐκτόπως δὲ ἐρασιχρήματος καὶ πόρους ἐπινοῶν ὅπως αὐτῷ γένοιντο πολλοὶ θησαυροί. Zonaras 18.8.15
Being niggardly and parsimonious, he resolved to himself not to clash with foreign nations in battles, but by gifts and other acts of goodwill to win them over and reconcile them to the Roman realm
γλίσχρος δὲ τυγχάνων καὶ φειδωλὸς ἔθετο παρ᾿ ἑαυτῷ μὴ μάχαις πρὸς τὰ ἔθνη συρρήγνυσθαι, ἀλλὰ δώροις καὶ φιλοφροσύναις ἄλλαις αὐτὰ οἰκειοῦσθαι καὶ καταλλάττειν τῇ ῾Ρωμαίων ἀρχῇ. Zonaras 18.8.18
His wife Eudokia bore to him three sons, two of them,
Michael 7
and
Andronikos 62
while he was still a civilian, but
Konstantios 61
when he was emperor and she had been proclaimed Augousta
Zonaras 18.9.19
An illustrious man whose family had the highest origins, going back to Andronikos and Konstantinos Doukas who feature large in the historians for their keen intellect and noble actions; he was no less proud of their successors
ἀνὴρ περιφανὴς μὲν καὶ τὰς πρώτας τοῦ γένους ἔχων ἀρχάς· εἰς γὰρ τοὺς Δούκας ἐκείνους τὸ γένος ἀνέφερε ...., οὐδὲν δὲ ἧττον καὶ ταῖς μετ’ ἐκείνους διαδοχαῖς ἐσεμνύνετο. Psellos: Chronographia VII 83.7-13
While still a private citizen, he rivalled the greatest emperors in his capacity to lead and brilliant family; he strove to live prudently, not be offensive to neighbours, nor treat anyone disdainfully, to appear most ready to obey emperors
...τὸ δ’ ὅπως ἂν εὐλαβῶς βιῴη καὶ μήτε γείτοσι φορτικὸς ὀφθείη ποτέ, μήτε τινὸς καθυπερηφανεύσοιτο, τοὶς δὲ βασιλεύσασι προχειρότατος εἰς ὑπακοὴν φαίνοιτο, ὑπὲρ τ’ ἄλλα πάντα ἐπραγματεύετο. Psellos: Chronographia VII 85.2-7
A man amazing in both appearance and reality, he thought less of others than of
Michael 61
, perhaps because he thought
Michael 61
's opinions more intelligent than the rest or found his character pleasing
τοιοῦτος ὁ θαυμάσιος οὗτος ἀνὴρ καὶ ὢν καὶ δοκῶν, τῶν μὲν ἄλλων ἦττον ἐφρόντιζεν, ἐμοὶ δέ, εἴτε τι καθεωρακὼς ἐν ταῖς γνώμαις τῶν γε λοιπῶν πλέον, εἰς σύνεσιν, εἴτε τῷ ἤθει μου ἀρεσκόμενος. Psellos: Chronographia VII 86.4-8
He was so attached to
Michael 61
and loved him so much more than others, that he hung upon his tongue and soul and entrusted to him his most precious possessions
οὕτω προσέκειτο καὶ οὕτω διαφερόντως τῶν ἄλλων ὑπερηγάπα, ὡς ἐξηρτῆσθαί μου καὶ τῆς γλώττης καὶ τῆς ψυχῆς, καὶ αὐτῷ δή μοι πιστεύειν τὰ τιμιώτατα. Psellos: Chronographia VII 86.8-11
Although
Isaakios 1
had been elected emperor, the lesser honour of kaiser was promised to him, but his eminent family and his most likeable character attracted people to wish him well
... τούτῳ δὲ ἡ τοῦ καίσαρος ἐλάττων τιμὴ κατεπήγγελτο, ἀλλα τὸ ὑπερέχον αὐτῷ τοῦ γένους καὶ τὸ ἐρασμιώτατον ἰδίωμα τῆς ψυχῆς εἰς εὔνοιαν ἀφείλκετο τοὺς πολλούς. Psellos: Chronographia VII 88.12-15
Events after his accession did not have a straightforward course, but some things went very well for him while others went athwart or even against him
τὰ δέ γε μετὰ ταῦτα οὐχ ἁπλῆν ἔχει τοῦ λόγου τὴν πρόσοδον, ἀλλὰ τὰ μὲν αὐτῷ εὐθύτατα συμβεβήκει, τὰ δὲ πλάγια ἢ ἀντίρροπα. Psellos: Chronographia VII 90.6-8
Michael 61
will describe his reign, the nature of his acts, his policies, his initial position and the ends he reached, his objectives, his successes, innovations, his admirable acts and those not so, his civil and military policies
ὁποῖον δὲ αὐτῷ καὶ τὸ κράτος καὶ ὁ τῶν πράξεων χαρακτήρ, τίνας τε γνώμας συνεισηνέγκατο τῇ ἀρχῇ, καὶ οἵας ἀρχὰς τεθεικὼς ἐφ’ οἷα τέλη διέδραμεν, οἷός τε αὐτῷ ὁ σκοπὸς τῆς ἡγεμονίας, .... Psellos: Chronographia VII 92.1-8
He was naturally adept in everything and had a natural ability for all imperial affairs
φύσεως δὲ τυχὼν πρὸς πᾶν ὁτιοῦν δεξιᾶς, πᾶσιν ἐπεφύκει βασιλικοῖς πράγμασιν. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 2.5-6
He was the most pious of all emperors, surpassing all in this respect
εὐσεβέστατος δὲ εἴπερ τις ἄλλος βασιλέων γενόμενος, κἀν τούτῳ τῷ μέρει πάντας ὑπερβαλλόμενος. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 3.8-10
He administered the realms for seven years and a bit and died from disease, leaving great competition for those who wished to praise him; he controlled his temper, did nothing spontaneously but everything by reason
..., ἀγῶνα μέγαν καταλιπὼν τοῖς ἐπαινεῖν αὐτὸν βουλομένοις· ὀργῆς τε καὶ κρείττων ἐγένετο, καὶ οὐδὲν ἀπὸ ταὐτομάτου , ἀλλὰ λογισμῷ ξύμπαντα ἔπραττεν. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 4.1-5
This amazing and remarkable emperor
τῷ θαυμασίῳ τούτῳ καὶ ὑπερφυεῖ αὐτοκράτορι. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 5.3
His family was fine and prosperous: everyone still talks of Andronikos, Konstantinos and Pantherios, his relatives on the male or female side; his immediate ancestors were also eminent, but he surpassed them, preeminent in all the virtues
... ὁ αὐτοκράτωρ οὗτος τοιαῦτα ἔχων τοῦ γένους παραδείγματα, οὐκ ἐμιμήσατο μόνον, ἀλλ’ ὥσπερ ἁμιλλησάμενος μακρῷ τοὺς προγόνους ὑπερεβάλλετο, διαπρεπὴς ἁπάσαις γενόμενος ἀρεταῖς. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 6.1-11
From his earliest youth he seemed suitable to be emperor and he undertook the task so well that no one blamed him; keeping himself distant from the idle talk and cleverness of the forum he lived generally in the country, busy on his estate
ἐπίδοξος δὲ εἰς βασιλείαν κατὰ πρώτην εὐθὺς ἡλικίαν γενόμενος, οὕτω τὸ πρᾶγμα μετεχειρίσατο εὖ, ὡς μηδένα τῶν πάντων μωμήσασθαι· τῆς γὰρ ἀγοραίου προπετείας καὶ κομψότητος μακρὰν ἑαυτὸν ποιησάμενος, .... Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 6.11-16
Michael 61
wished to introduce himelf into the history and share in his virtues
ἀλλ’ ἐνταῦθα τοῦ λόγου γενόμενος συνεισενεγκεῖν καὶ ἐμαυτὸν τῷ συγγράμματι βούλομαι καὶ τῶν ἐκείνου παραπολαῦσαι καλῶν. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 7.1-3
Divine and pure soul (apostrophe by
Michael 61
) ... friend
... τὸν φίλον, ὦ θεία καὶ καθαρωτάτη ψυχή. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 10.9-10
He had three sons and two daughters before his rule; of the boys,
Anonymus 7035
lived only a short time after his accession and died
τρεῖς μὲν οὖν αὐτῷ υἱεῖς πρὸ τῆς ἀρχῆς ἐγεγόνεισαν καὶ δύο θυγάτρια, καὶ τῶν μὲν ἀρρένων ὁ μέσος μετὰ τὴν ἀρχὴν ὀλίγον ἐπιβιοὺς ἀποθνῄσκει. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 20.5-8
Whereas other emperors rivalled or equalled him in other respects, the glory of God and the mystery of the ineffable dispensation of the Divine Word were in him beyond all expression, internal or external, simple or technical
τὰ ... ἄλλα τῷ βασιλεῖ δέξαιτ’ ἂν τὴν πρὸς ἑτέρους ἅμιλλάν τε καὶ σύγκρισιν, τὸ δὲ περὶ τὴν τοῦ θείου δόξαν καὶ μάλιστα τὸ περὶ τὸ τῆς ἀρρήτου οἰκονομίας τοῦ Θεοῦ Λόγου μυστήριον, λόγου κρεῖττον .... Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 24.1-6
He used to say of those who plotted against him that he would not deprive them of honour or money but would treat them as slaves not free men: "It is not I who have removed their freedom, but the law has banished them from the state"
εἴθιστο λέγειν περὶ τῶν ἐπιβουλευσάντων αὐτῷ, ὡς τιμῆς καὶ χρημάτων οὐκ ἀποστερήσοι τούτους, ἀντ’ ἐλεύθέρων δὲ ὡς ἀργυρωνήτοις αὐτοῖς χρήσαιτο· ἀφειλάμην δὲ οὐκ ἐγὼ τὴν ἐλευθερίαν αὐτούς, .... Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 29.3-8
To one who was studying the laws with the intention of doing wrong he said: "These laws are our ruin"
πρὸς δὲ τὸν τοὺς νόμους ἐξακριβούμενον ἐπὶ τὸ βούλεσθαι ἀδικεῖν· Οὗτοι, ἔφησεν, οἱ νόμοι ἡμᾶς ἀπολωλέκασιν. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 29.13-14
Ioannes 62
was not too bold and outspoken to him in the past or
Michael 7
subsequently
πρὸς τὸν ἀδελφὸν πρότερον καὶ τὸν ἀνεψιὸν ὕστερον τόλμαν ἔχων ἢ παρρησίαν· οὐ ...,. Psellos: Chronographia VIIc 16.21-3
He steered the imperial chariot in a moderate way ... keeping the boiling of arrogance under control, driving away from unforeseen crags and avoiding the dangers of clashing wheels.
... τὸ τέτρωρον τὸ χρύσεον ἴθυνεν ἀγχωμάλως ... ἀλλὰ καὶ θράσους τὸν βρασμὸν ὥσπερ ἀνασειράζων καὶ φεύγων τὸ κατὰ κρημνῶν ἐλαύνειν ἀπροόπτως καὶ τοὺς τῶν ἁματροχιῶν κινδύνους ὑπεκκλίνων. Manasses, Chronicle 6312-6319
He reigned for seven years.
ἐν ἑπταρίθμοις ἔτεσι Ῥωμαίων βασιλεύσας. Manasses, Chronicle 6346a
At home he was a charming father to his children, playing with them happily, smiling at their baby-talk, often romping with them, seeking a good education and training for them
Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 20.1-5
He was passionate about religion: whenever
Michael 61
expounded the divine mystery, his spirit rejoiced, his whole body shook with joy and he wept floods; if ever he had leisure from public cares he turned to holy books
ἐγεγήθει τε τὴν ψυχὴν καὶ ὑπὸ χαρμονῆς τὸ σῶμα συνεκεκλόνητο. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 24.6-12
Used to say about those plotting against him that he did not wish to deprive them of their dignities and money but treat them as slaves rather than free men, adding that it was the laws of the state and not himself that took away their freedom
ἀντ᾿ ἐλευθέρων δὲ ὡς ἀργυρωνήτοις χρήσαιτο. Skylitzes Continuatus 118.18-21
Being brave, he said to someone claiming he would protect the emperor with his own body in battle that he might as well wound him after he had fallen, and to one who studied the law wishing to commit an injustice he said that those laws were harmful
καὶ εἰ βούλοιό γε πεσόντι ἐπένεγκε πληγὴν καὶ αὐτός. Skylitzes Continuatus 118.23-119.4
An associate of
Isaakios 1
Komnenos, he was very close to him by virtue of his office and because of their friendly and family relations, he was dedicated to him and enjoyed his benevolence
ὡς καὶ τῆς φιλίας καὶ τῆς ἀξίας καὶ τῆς ἀγχιστείας ἐγγύτατος. Attaleiates: History 56.14-17 / 42.26-43.3
Was aware of
Isaakios 1
Komnenos's plan to seize the throne and helped him in every way
συνίστωρ καὶ συναγωνιστὴς περὶ τὴν τῆς βασιλείας κατάκτησιν. Attaleiates: History 69.10-12 / 53.1-2
Approachable and modest, he was against corporal punishment, was also pious, cared enormously for the poor, took care of monks, and feared God, but these virtues benefitted only himself and those close to him
τῷ ἔχοντι μόνῳ τὴν ὄνησιν ἐπιφέρειν ἐδοκιμάζοντο. Attaleiates: History 76.12-77.2 / 58.8-18
His greed, his concern with increasing state revenues even through spurious means, his intervening in the judiciary and his neglect of the army harmed almost all the subjects of the empire, but were said to be a result of his advisors' influence
καὶ τὸ κατ᾿ ἐξουσίαν δικαστικόν. Attaleiates: History 77.2-19 / 58.18-59.5
Before his accession to the throne he was generous, enormously benevolent, and devoted to charity
ἄφθονον τὰ πάντα καὶ ἀπειρόκακον. Attaleiates: History 77.13-16 / 59.1-3
During his reign the empire of the Romans both experienced ills but also escaped from great danger, and disasters were attributed to his vices, while successes were ascribed to his virtues
καὶ πληγαὶ τῇ Ῥωμαίων προσετρίβησαν γῇ, καὶ ἀπαλλαγὴ πάλιν κινδύνου μεγίστου. Attaleiates: History 86.14-19 / 65.10-14
He was a meek and good emperor, who could, nevertheless, be obstinate at times
ὡς πράῳ καὶ ἀγαθῷ βασιλεῖ. Psellos Xiphilinos 421
A pacifist emperor, whose son,
Michael 7
, had tried to inherit his character and policies
Psellos Letters (Sathas) 143-144.385-392
It was typical of him to show sympathy more in his face (with change of expression and colour) than in documents he sent
Psellos Letters (K - D) 56, 88.26-89.1
One of the generals of the East
τοὺς ἑῴους στρατηγούς. Skylitzes 483.21
Michael 61
, after curtailing his account of him as far as is reasonable and giving the narrative its usual scale, will then speak more exacty about his family, his house, his character, likes and dislikes both before and after his rule
... ἀκριβέστερον ὕστερον ἐρῶ καὶ ἑρμηνεύσω ὁποῖον μὲν αὐτῷ τὸ γένος, ὁποῖον δὲ τοῦ οἴκου τὸ σχῆμα, οἷον δὲ καὶ τὸ ἧθος, καὶ τίνων μὲν ἤρα, τίνων δὲ ἀπείχετο καὶ πρὸ τῆς ἀρχῆς καὶ μετὰ τὴν ἀρχήν. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 1.1-6
Michael 61
is particularly well qualified to talk about him, since
Michael 61
praised him as an ordinary citizen and admired when he became emperor
περὶ τίνος γὰρ ἄλλου τῶν βασιλέων μακρότερον διηγήσωμαι, ὅν και ἰδιώτην ὄντα ἐπῃνεσα, καὶ βαισλέα γεγονότα ἐθαύμασα. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 1.6-8
Reigned for 7 years, and was a reasonable and moderate man
ἔτη ζ´, ἐπιεικὴς ἀνὴρ καὶ μέτριος. Glykas 604.10-11
Exceedingly pious, he took care of monks and the poor, disapproved of corporal punishment, remained idle in other matters, was very sparing and keen to enrich the treasury, and intervened in trials
καὶ περὶ τὸ σῶμα ἧττον κολαστικός, πρὸς ἄλλο τι ἀμβλὺς ἐτύγχανε καὶ νωθρός, φειδωλὸς δὲ εἰσάγαν καὶ ποριστικὸς καὶ τῶν δημοσίων χρημάτων αὐξητικός. Skylitzes Continuatus 112.11-16
Was severe and terrible to wrong-doers, eradicating outbursts of injustice, but to those wronged he was friendly and nice, and to the former emperor (
Isaakios 1
) he was not ungrateful
τοῖς μὲν ἀδικοῦσι ἐμβριθής τις ἐφαίνετο καὶ δεινός, τὰ τῆς ἀδικίας ἐκκόπτων ὁρμήματα, τοῖς δ᾿ αὖ ἀδικουμένοις προσφιλής τε καὶ χαριέστατος. Bryennios 83.22-85.3
Felt affection for Nikoulitzas (
Nikoulitzas 101
) and trusted his words
προσεπάθει αὐτῷ καὶ ἐπίστευε τοῖς λόγοις αὐτοῦ. Kekaumenos 204.34
Married
Eudokia 1
before becoming emperor
ἔτι ἰδιωτεύων ἠγάγετο. Skylitzes Continuatus 118.6
Used to pride himself on ancestors called by the name of "doukai" from of old, namely Andronikos, and Pantherios and in addition Konstantinos
οὗτος ὁ βασιλεὺς ηὔχει μὲν ὡς ἐπὶ προγόνοις τοῖς πάλαι τῇ τῶν δουκῶν κεκλημένοις ἐπωνυμίᾳ, τῷ Ἀνδρονίκῳ δηλαδὴ καὶ τῷ Πανθηρίῳ καὶ ἐπὶ τούτοις τῷ Κωνσταντίνῳ. Zonaras 18.8.12
In
Michael 61
's view it was by divine intervention that he did not gain power then (when
Isaakios 1
did) but later, so that he was raised to the summit of imperial power not by usurpation but by legitimate means
ἐγὼ δὲ τοῦτο τοῖς γενομένοις προστίθημι, ὅτι θεῖον ἄρα ἦν καὶ τὸ μὴ τότε γενόμενον καὶ τὸ νῦν γεγονός, ἵνα μὴ ἐκ τυραννικῶν προθύρων, ἀλλ’ ἐκ ἐννόμων ἀδύτων εἰς τὴν τῆς βασιλείας ἀναχθείη περιωπήν. Psellos: Chronographia VII 88.20-4
Michael 61
often tried to cure him (of wilfulness) but he was forthright and inexorable
καίτοι πολλάκις αὐτὸς ἐπειράθην ἐξελεῖν ἀπὸ τούτου δὴ τοῦ βασίλεως τὸ νόσημα· ἀλλ’ ἦν αὐθέκαστος περὶ τοῦτο καὶ ἀπαραίτητος. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 18.12-14
He had a noble spirit and to anyone who said that he would gladly shield him with his own body in battle, he would say: "Excellent - and if you like give me a wound yourself too when I've fallen"
γενναῖος δὲ ὢν τὴν ψυχὴν πρός τινα εἰρηκότα ὡς αὐτὸς ἂν ἡδέως μαχόμενος ἐκείνου τὸ ἴδιον σῶμα προβάλλοιτο· Εὐφήμει, εἶπεν, καὶ εἰ βούλοιό γε πεσόντι ἐπένεγκε πληγήν τε καὶ αὐτός. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 29.9-13
Michael 7
looked to him as a model: even though surpassing him in many things Michael professed to be inferior in everything
ἐς παράδειγμα τὸν πάτερα βλέπει καὶ πολλὰ τῶν ἐκείνου ὑπερβαλλόμενος, ἡττᾶσθαι πάντων ὁμολογεῖ. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 7.6-7
Michael 61
was a prominent orator, renowned for his eloquence rather than his family; he also loved rhetoric passionately and this was the starting-point of their friendship and intimacy
ἤνθουν μὲν τηνικαῦτα ἐπὶ τοὺς λόγους ἐγώ, ..., λόγων δὲ ἐραστὴς ἐκεῖνος εἴπερ τις ἄλλος θερμότατος· τοῦτο οὖν μοι πρῶτον ἀφορμὴ φιλίας πρὸς ἐκεῖνον ἐγεγόνει καὶ οἰκειότητος. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 7.3-7
A man abounding in virtues
ἄνδρα πολλοῖς κομῶντα πλεονεκτήμασι. Bryennios 83.13
A military commander famous for his nobility and courage
οἱ τοῦ στρατοῦ ἡγούμενοι καὶ γένει καὶ ἀνδρείᾳ ὠνομασμένοι. Skylitzes 483.1-2
The Chronographia of
Michael 61
narrates the deeds of emperors up to his proclamation
Χρονογραφία πονηθεῖσα τῷ ... Μιχαήλ, ἱστοροῦσα τὰς πράξεις τῶν βασιλέων, ... καὶ ἕως τῆς ἀναρρήσεως Κωνσταντίνου τοῦ Δούκα. Psellos: Chronographia Introduction 1-13
A money-loving person, he preferred money to everything else
ἦν γάρ, ὡς ἔφημεν, φιλοχρήματος καὶ τὸν ὀβολὸν παντὸς προτιμῶν. Skylitzes Continuatus 114.19-20
Michael 61
does not know if any emperor lived a more glorious life than he or died more happily
οὐκ οἶδα γοῦν εἴ τις ἐκείνου τοῦ βασιλέως ἢ εὐκλεέστερον τὸν βίον διήγαγεν, ἢ εὐδαιμονέστερον ἐτεθνήκει. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 28.1-3
Descended from the Doukas clan, from the East
οἱ ἐκ τοῦ γένους ἑῴων τοῦ δουκὸς καταγόμενοι. Skylitzes 483.8-9
Dignity/Office
(33)
Autokrator
αὐτοκράτωρ. Kleinchroniken 161.21
αὐτοκράτορος. Psellos Oratoria minora 16.1, 18.56
αὐτοκράτωρ. Lavra 196.1
Basileus
βασιλέως. Iveron 2.90.2
βασιλεῖς Κωνσταντινουπόλεως. Glykas 459
βασιλέως. Kekaumenos 204.33
βασιλέα. Kleinchroniken 160.15
βασιλέως. Psellos Oratoria minora 16.4-17.5, 18.56
βασιλέα προχειρίζεται. Skylitzes Continuatus 108.18
βασιλέα. Attaleiates: History 69.8-10 / 52.25
τῷ βασιλικῷ ταινιώματι στεφανοῖ. Bryennios 83.14-15
τῇ βασιλείᾳ. Zonaras 18.7.4
βασιλέα. Zonaras 18.7.7
τὸν βασιλεύοντα. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 13.6
βασιλεύς. Lavra 196.1, 210.4
βασιλέως. Vatopedi 99.8
βασιλέα. Psellos Epiphanios 1-31
βασιλέα. Oath of Eudokia Tit., 29
βασιλεύς.
Seal 0
βασιλεύς.
Seal 0
βασιλεύς.
Seal 0
βασιλεύς.
Seal 0
βασιλέως.
Seal 0
βασιλεως.
Seal 0
Despotes
δεσπότην. Oath of Eudokia 5
δεσπότου.
Seal 0
Doux
δοὺξ. Psellos: Chronographia VII 83.6; 84.10
Emperor
imperator. Lupus protospatharius 59.30
Proedros
πρόεδρος. Glykas 604.10
πρόεδρον. Skylitzes Continuatus 108.20-21, 111.9
τὸν πρόεδρον. Attaleiates: History 69.10 / 52.26
πρόεδρος. Zonaras 18.8.1
Vestarches
βεστάρχης. Attaleiates: History 56.17 / 43.1
Education
(3)
Although not acquainted with literature, he loved it and revered the learned, and said that he wished rather to be known for literature than for his rule
λόγοις δὲ οὐχ ὡμιληκὼς ἠγάπα τούτους καὶ τοὺς λογίους ἐσέβετο, καὶ ἔλεγε βούλεσθαι μᾶλλον ἐκ λόγων ἢ τῆς βασιλείας γνωρίζεσθαι. Zonaras 18.9.26
He had read through the entirety of divine Scripture and knew not only the text set out but also the deeper divine meaning
ἅπαν δὲ τὸ τῆς θείας Γραφῆς βάθος ἀναλεξάμενος, οὐ τὸ ἐκκείμενον μόνον ἠπίστατο, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸ βαθὺ καὶ θειότερον. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 24.9-11
He was extraordinarily devoted to learning and used to say: "Would that I were known for this rather than for being emperor"
τοῖς δὲ λόγοις ἐξόχως προσκείμενος· ὤφελον, ἔλεγεν, ἐκ τούτου ἢ τῆς βασιλείας γνωρίζεσθαι. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 29.8-9
Ethnic label
(null)
Second Name
(23)
Doukas
Δοῦκας. Skylitzes 396.23
τοῦ δουκός. Skylitzes 483.9
Δοῦκας. Glykas 459, 604.11
Δοῦκα. Kekaumenos 204.33
Δούκαν. Kleinchroniken 52.1, 143.72, 145.76, 160.15, 161.21, 167.17, 170.2
Δούκα. Psellos Oratoria minora 16.1
Δούκας. Skylitzes Continuatus 108.21
Δούκας. Attaleiates: History 56.17 / 43.2
Δούκα. Bryennios 83.12
Δούκας. Zonaras 17.14.24, 18.7.4, 18.7.7, etc.
Δούκα. Psellos: Chronographia Introduction 13
Δούκας. Psellos: Chronographia VII 83.9
Δούκᾳ. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 8.9; 9.5
Δούκας. Lavra 196.1
Δούκαν. Vatopedi 99.12
Δούκαν. Oath of Eudokia Tit., 6, 29
Ducos. Lupus protospatharius 59.30
Δούκας.
Seal 0
Δούκας.
Seal 0
Δούκας.
Seal 0
Δούκας.
Seal 0
Δούκαν. Manasses, Chronicle 6272
Doukitzes
Doukizzi. Anonymus Barensis 152
Kinship
(70)
brother of
Ioannes 62
ἀδελφόν. Glykas 608.14
ἀδελφόν. Skylitzes Continuatus 118.9
αὐτάδελφος. Attaleiates: History 74.5, 168.15 / 56.17, 125.4
ἀδελφόν. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 26.1-4
ἀδελφὸν. Psellos: Chronographia VIIc 16.21
ἀδελφὸν. Zonaras 18.9.25
τἀδελφοῦ. Psellos Eirene 164
ἀδελφόν. Psellos Letters (Sathas) 151.400
ταὐτόσπορος. Manasses, Chronicle 6423
brother of
Maria 20115
(αὐταδέλφῃ).
Seal 0
brother-in-law of
Eirene 20117
ὁ τοῦ ἀνδρὸς ἀδελφός. Psellos Eirene 169
father of
Andronikos 62
(παῖδες). Glykas 606.21
(παῖδες). Skylitzes Continuatus 118.5
(υἱοῖς). Zonaras 18.9.19
(τέκνων). Oath of Eudokia 57
(βασιλέως υἱός). Psellos Andronikos 165.12
father of
Anna 101
(παῖδες). Glykas 606.21-607.1
(παῖδες). Skylitzes Continuatus 118.5
(τῶν θυγατέρων ... θατέρα). Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 20.8-10
father of
Anonymi 2105
(τὰ ἐκ τῆς σῆς ὀσφύος). Psellos Orationes panegyricae IX, 48-50
(ἑπταρίθμοις δὲ παισί). Manasses, Chronicle 6320
father of
Anonymus 7035
(τῶν μὲν ἀρρένων (υἱῶν) ὁ μέσος). Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 20.6-7
father of
Konstantios 61
(παῖδες). Glykas 606.21
(παισίν). Kleinchroniken 170.2
(παῖδες). Skylitzes Continuatus 118.5
(τοῖς ἐξ αὐτῶν γεννηθεῖσιν). Attaleiates: History 73.17 / 56.7-8
(τοῖς παισί). Bryennios 85.13-14
(παιδίον). Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 21.2
(υἱοῖς). Zonaras 18.9.19
(υἱὸν). Zonaras 18.19.21
(τέκνων). Oath of Eudokia 56-57
father of
Michael 7
(παῖδες). Glykas 606.21
(τῷ υἱῷ). Kleinchroniken 144.72, 145.76, 160.17, 161.21, 170.2
(παῖδες). Skylitzes Continuatus 118.5
(τοῖς ἐξ αὐτῶν γεννηθεῖσιν). Attaleiates: History 73.17 / 56.7-8
(τοῖς παισί). Bryennios 85.13-14
(ὁ πρώτως ἀποτεχθείς). Psellos: Chronographia VII 6.25-6
πατρὸς. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 6.29
(τὸν πρῶτον ... τῶν υἱέων). Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 21.6-7
πατέρα. Psellos: Chronographia VIIc 7.6
(υἱοῖς). Zonaras 18.9.19
πατρὶ. Zonaras 18.16.3, 18.17.7
πατρὸς. Zonaras 18.17.3
πατρός. Lavra 210.4
(τέκνων). Oath of Eudokia 55-56
(filius). Lupus protospatharius 59.42
(παῖς). Manasses, Chronicle 6510
father of
Theodora 101
(παῖδες). Glykas 606.21-607.1
(παῖδες). Skylitzes Continuatus 118.5
father of
Zoe 101
(παῖδες). Glykas 606.21-607.2
(παῖδες). Skylitzes Continuatus 118.5
(τῶν θυγατέρων ἡ τελευταία). Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 20.8-9
(θυγάτηρ). Zonaras 18.19.9
(θυγατρός). Christos Philanthropos, note 35
grandfather of
Konstantinos 62
υἱόν γεννηθέντος ... . Tornikes, Georgios 251.21
husband of
Anonyma 113
(γυναῖκα). Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 6.16-20
husband of
Eudokia 1
(γυναῖκα). Kleinchroniken 143.72, 160.17
(σύνοικος). Bryennios 85.13
(τῇ γυναικί). Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 27.3
ἀνδρός. Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 1.1-2
(ἡ῾ σύνοικος). Zonaras 18.9.19
θείαν συζυγίαν. Psellos Keroularios 381
συλλέκτρου
. Manasses, Chronicle 6340
husband (first) of
Eudokia 1
(ἠγάγετο). Glykas 606.21
(ἠγάγετο). Skylitzes Continuatus 118.6
(σύζυγος). Skylitzes Continuatus 119.5
σύνευνος. Attaleiates: History 56.18, 168.14-15 / 43.2, 125.4
kin of
Isaakios 1
τῆς ἀγχιστείας ἐγγύτατος. Attaleiates: History 56.16-17 / 43.1
son-in-law of
Konstantinos 63
ἐπὶ θυγατρὶ γαμβρός. Skylitzes 396.22-23
(ὁ ἐπὶ θυγατρὶ κηδεστὴς). Zonaras 17.14.24
Language Skill
(null)
Location
(23)
Athyras (Thrace)
encamped at Choirobakchoi, opposite Athyras τοῦ Ἀθύρος. Attaleiates: History 85.4 / 64.8
Choirobakchoi
encamped near Choirobakchoi Χοιροβάκχους. Zonaras 18.9.7
left Constantinople and encamped at Choirobakchoi τὸπον οὕτω καλούμενον Χοιροβάκχους. Attaleiates: History 85.4 / 64.9
marched with 150 soldiers to Choirobakchoi εἰς Χοιροβάκχους. Glykas 605.9
pitched camp with his small army at a place called Choirobakchoi τὸν τόπον ὃς Χοιροβάκχοι καλεῖται. Skylitzes Continuatus 115.8
Constantinople
decided to campaign against the Uzes and left Constantinople τῆς βασιλευούσης. Attaleiates: History 85.3 / 64.8
learnt of the destruction of the Uzes and returned to Constantinople τῆς βασιλίδος. Attaleiates: History 86.8 / 65.5
Constantinople: Golden Gate
was carried after his death on a boat to a monastery outside the Golden Gate τῆς χρυσῆς πόρτης. Attaleiates: History 92.7 / 69.11
Constantinople: Great Palace
died in the Great Palace τῷ Παλατίῳ. Kleinchroniken 170.2
judged that he must depart directly to the Great Palace τῶν ἀνακτόρων. Zonaras 18.8.6
was crowned in the Great Palace τῷ Παλατίῳ. Kleinchroniken 170.2
was expected to depart by sea (from the Mangana) for the Great Palace τὸ μέγα ἀνάκτορον. Zonaras 18.8.4
after the expedition against the Uzes returned to the palace τὰ ἀνάκτορα. Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 23.5-6
arrived safely when the rebellion broke out at the palace τοῖς ἀνακτόροις. Attaleiates: History 74.5 / 56.16
Constantinople: Hagia Sophia
took an oath in Hagia Sophia ἐν τῇ μεγάλῃ...ἐκκλησίᾳ. Skylitzes 487.18
Constantinople: Hagios Nikolaos Molybistes
was buried at the monastery of Hagios Nikolaos Molybistes Μολιβωτόν. Glykas 606.20
was buried at the monastery of Hagios Nikolaos Molybistes ἐν τῇ μονῇ τοῦ ἁγίου Νικολάου, ἣ καλεῖται Μολυβωτόν. Skylitzes Continuatus 118.3-4
was buried in the monastery of Hagios Nikolaos Molybistes φροντιστήριον ἐπ ᾿ ὀνόματι τοῦ ἁγίου Νικολάου. Attaleiates: History 92.8 / 69..12
Constantinople: Mangana
followed the established custom and visited the shrine of Hagios Georgios at Mangana εἰς τὸ τοῦ ἁγίου φοιτᾶν μαρτύριον. Attaleiates: History 71.23 / 55.2
was in the palace of Mangana (palace) τοῖς βασιλείοις τῶν Μαγγάνων. Zonaras 18.8.4
went to pay his respects on the feastday of St George at Mangana τὰ Μάγγανα. Skylitzes Continuatus 111.19
went to venerate St George at the monastery of Mangana τῶν Μαγγάνων. Glykas 604.14-15
Macedonia
granted to some Uzes lands in Macedonia τῆς μακεδονικῆς. Skylitzes Continuatus 116.6
Occupation/Vocation
(null)
Possession
(null)
Religion
(null)
Eunuchs
(null)
Alternative Name
(null)
Uncertain Ident
(2)