Empress Zoe L X / M XI
Ζωή (Zoe 1)
Permalink:
http://db.pbw.kcl.ac.uk/pbw2011/entity/person/108519
Narrative
(324)
1025
Certainty: 1
Inadequate plans of Konstantinos VIII for the future of his daughters
Certainty: 1
1028
Certainty: 3
Romanos (III) married Zoe
Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3
Konstantinos VIII, suddenly ill, chose Konstantinos Dalassenos as son-in-law & successor
Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3
Konstantinos VIII turned to Romanos Argyros as successor: his wife became a nun
Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3
Romanos (III) married Zoe
Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3
Death of Konstantinos VIII; accession of Romanos III
Certainty: 3
1029
Certainty: 1
When his efforts to beget an heir failed, Romanos visited Zoe less often, making her hate him
Certainty: 1
Certainty: 2
Expulsion of Theodora from palace to Petrion
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 1
Ioannes (orphanotrophos) introduced Michael (IV) to Romanos III, who kept him at court
Certainty: 1
1030
Certainty: 1
Zoe made advances to Michael (IV); Ioannes (orphanotrophos) encouraged him to respond
Certainty: 1
Certainty: 1
Zoe's affair with Michael (IV) flourished & all but Romanos knew of it
Certainty: 1
1031
Certainty: 3
Empress Zoe had her sister Theodora tonsured in the Petrion to stop her plotting
Certainty: 3
1032
Certainty: 2
Further plot of Konstantinos Diogenes & Theodora betrayed; suicide of Konstantinos
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 1
Romanos was warned of danger from Zoe's affair by his sister Poulcheria; but she soon died
Certainty: 1
1033
Certainty: 1
Michael (IV) denied (perjurously) that he was Zoe's lover; hence perhaps his epilepsy
Certainty: 1
1034
Certainty: 2
Romanos III very ill, perhaps poisoned by Ioannes (orphanotrophos) or Zoe
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 3
Romanos III, after distributing pay to senators, was murdered in the bath at Blachernai
Certainty: 3
Certainty: 2
Zoe, Romanos' nurse, knowing how ill he was, did not grieve for him unduly but got on with her duty
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 3
The patriarch Alexios I was induced by surprise & donations to marry Zoe to Michael
Certainty: 3
Certainty: 2
Zoe ignored her advisers' warnings against Michael (IV) & made him emperor
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Conventional hexameter epitaph for Romanos, with grieving wife: he distributed gold & died in bath
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Zoe brought her father's eunuchs to the palace & prepared to rule
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Michael IV for a time was respectful of Zoe, but he soon changed his ways
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Ioannes the orphanotrophos removed Zoe's eunuchs & maidservants, & shut her in her quarters
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 1
Konstantinos (IX) Monomachos fell under suspicion of aiming at the throne
Certainty: 1
1036
Certainty: 1
Zoe (probably) adopted Michael (V) as kaisar, son & heir: ceremony at Blachernai church
Certainty: 1
1038
Certainty: 2
Failed attempt by Zoe to poison Ioannes orphanotrophos
Certainty: 2
1040
Certainty: 2
Worsening sickness of Michael IV all but ended his sexual relations with Zoe
Certainty: 2
1041
Certainty: 2
Zoe heard of Michael's retirement & went on foot to see him, but he shut her out
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 3
Zoe may have decided the empire needed a man's strength, & adopted Michael (V)
Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3
Zoe succeeded Michael IV & proclaimed Michael V, after solemn promises of obedience
Certainty: 3
Certainty: 2
Michael V was for a time subservient to Zoe, but he soon began to ignore her
Certainty: 2
1042
Certainty: 2
Banishment of Ioannes orphanotrophos & others by Zoe (&/or Michael V)
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Michael V made eunuchs of those he wished to punish, especially in his own family
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Michael V was persuaded by his brothers to think of banishing Zoe
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 3
Michael V banished Zoe to Prinkipo
Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3
Kabasilas was sent to bring Theodora to Hagia Sophia
Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3
Michael V's announcement shouted down the next day: proclamation of Zoe & Theodora
Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3
Theodora was brought from the Petrion by Michael V's enemies & Zoe returned by Michael himself
Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3
Even with empress(es) present, people insulted Michael & howled him down in Hippodrome
Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3
The rioting involved all sections of the population, most conspicuously the women
Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3
Zoe, wishing to rule alone, was forced to accept Theodora as colleague
Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3
Michael Psellos visited Michael V at Stoudios church
Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3
The people demanded violent punishment for Michael V: Zoe demurred, but Theodora gave the order
Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3
Michael V & his uncle Konstantinos were both dragged from the Stoudios church & blinded
Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3
Zoe from the palace went to kiss Theodora from Hagia Sophia, confirming double rule
Certainty: 3
Certainty: 2
Michael V blinded at orders of Zoe & Theodora; Konstantinos IX succeeded (general factoids)
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Poem of Christophoros Mitylenaios on Michael V, deposed & blinded for banishing Zoe
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Reign of Zoe & Theodora: first decisions
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Reign of Zoe & Theodora: mechanics of rule by two empresses
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Reign of Zoe & Theodora: military men (Nikolaos, Konstantinos Kabasilas, Georgios Maniakes)
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Reign of Zoe & Theodora: finding an emperor
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Konstantinos (IX) Monomachos recalled from exile & given a brilliant entry to Constantinople
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Konstantinos (IX) married to Zoe by Stypes, priest of Nea, not by the patriarch
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 3
Konstantinos IX crowned emperor by the patriarch
Certainty: 3
Certainty: 2
Konstantinos IX celebrated his return from exile with Zoe & Theodora
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Konstantinos IX persuaded Zoe to recall Maria Skleraina, at first to modest housing
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 1
Chrysobull of Zoe & Theodora for Nea Mone (Chios)
Certainty: 1
1043
Certainty: 2
Collapse of Maniakes' rebellion after his death; triumph of Konstantinos IX (& Stephanos Pergamenos)
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Konstantinos IX began Mangana monastery near Skleraina's house
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Psellos wrote Orationes panegyricae 2 for Konstantinos IX, with summary of recent history
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Reluctant entry of Ioannes Mauropous to court of Konstantinos IX
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Konstantinos IX persuaded Zoe to let Skleraina move into palace
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Maria Skleraina was given the title "sebaste" by Zoe, at Konstantinos' suggestion
Certainty: 2
1044
Certainty: 3
Riot against Skleraina during a procession was stopped by appearance of Zoe & Theodora
Certainty: 3
Certainty: 1
Accomodation arrangements for the emperor, two empresses & sebaste in the palace
Certainty: 1
Certainty: 0
Zoe's superstitions & perfume-making increase
Certainty: 0
1045
Certainty: 1
Illness & death of Skleraina
Certainty: 1
1046
Certainty: 1
Second trial of Lazaros of Philippopolis sought to overturn the verdict of the first
Certainty: 1
1047
Certainty: 2
Siege of Constantinople by Leon Tornikios, who won several skirmishes
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Tornikios had the city at his mercy, but did not take it; fortune turned against him
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 0
Donations to Hagios Michael of Sosthenion by Konstantinos IX & Zoe
Certainty: 0
Certainty: 0
Donation to Mangana by Konstantinos IX & Zoe
Certainty: 0
1048
Certainty: 1
Psellos wrote Oratio Panegyrica 5 for Konstantinos IX
Certainty: 1
1049
Certainty: 1
Success of Romanos Boilas as a court buffoon
Certainty: 1
1050
Certainty: 2
Zoe was buried in a most beautiful tomb
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Konstantinos IX was deeply moved by Zoe's death
Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2
Konstantinos openly recognised his mistress (an Alan princess), naming her sebaste
Certainty: 2
1053
Certainty: 1
Psellos wrote to Ioannes Mauropous on behalf of an old man, & mocked Ioannes for wanting to return to the capital
Certainty: 1
1054
Certainty: 2
Psellos' return to court after tonsure, & its uncomfortable results
Certainty: 2
Unassigned Activities
Death
(14)
Description
(120)
Romanos 3
despised her, refrained from intercourse with her and was altogether averse to associating with her
καταπεφρονήκει μὲν τῆς βασιλίδος Ζωῆς, ἀπείχετό τε τῆς πρὸς αὐτὴν μίξεως καὶ πάντη ἀποστρόφως πρὸς τὴν κοινωνίαν εἶχεν. Psellos: Chronographia III 17.6-8
Anonymus 7001
was her family servant
θεράπων αὐτῆς πατρῷος. Psellos: Chronographia III 20.12
Cause (with
Michael 4
) of the death of
Romanos 3
ἡ τοῦ θανεῖν αἰτία ἐκεῖνοι γεγόνασιν. Psellos: Chronographia 26.9
... she was without help, bewitched by the sorcery (of
Anonymi 6008
and
Ioannes 68
), or rather tricked and captivated by their wiles and trickery and converted to their wishes
ἐν ἐρημίᾳ τε οὖσαν τοῦ βοηθήσοντος καὶ τοῖς γοητεύμασιν ἐκείνων καταθελχθεῖσαν, ἢ μᾶλλον ταῖς μηχαναῖς τούτων καὶ τοῖς κλέμμασι κλαπεῖσαν καὶ συνειληθεῖσαν καὶ πρὸς τὰ ἐκείνων μετατεθεῖσαν θελήματα;. Psellos: Chronographia V 4.12-16
Mother and empress (to
Michael 5
)
τῆς μητρὸς καὶ δεσπότιδος. Psellos: Chronographia 41.11-12
She tipped the scales towards whatever she wanted, her hand was ready with equal passion for both things, that is death and life; in this respect she was like the waves of the sea, which raise up a ship and plunge it down again
ἐπιρρεππὴς ἦν πρὸς ὅ τι καὶ βουληθείη, καὶ τὴν χεῖρα πρὸς ἄμφω ἡτοίμαστο κατὰ τὸ ἴσον ὀξύτατα, θάνατον φημὶ καὶ ζωήν, καὶ ἐῴκει ... κύμασι θαλαττίοις καὶ ἀπαιωροῦσι τὴν ναῦν καὶ αὖθις βαπτίζουσιν. Psellos: Chronographia 4.7-11
She had a passion for gold, not for having it or storing it away but so as to divert its stream to others, and also for Indian spices, especially those woods that retained their natural moisture, dwarf olive and white bay
ἡ μὲν χρυσίου πολλοῦ ἥττητο, οὐχ ἵνα ἔχοι ἢ θησαυρίζοι, ἀλλ᾿ ἵνα εἰς ἄλλους μετοχετεύοι τὸ ῥεῦμα, καὶ τούτων δὴ τῶν ἰνδικωτάτων ἀρωμάτων ... μάλιστα τῶν ἔτι τὴν φυσικὴν λιβάδα μὴ ἀπολιπόντων ξύλων. Psellos: Chronographia 62.1-6
Having reached this point in his account of her,
Michael 61
wil return again to
Maria 64
and
Konstantinos 9
ἐς τοσοῦτον γοῦν τῇ βασιλίδι ἀγαγόντες τὸν λόγον. ἐπανακαλέσωμεν αὖθις εἰς τὴν σεβαστὴν καὶ τὸν αὐτοκράτορα. Psellos: Chronographia 68.1-3
Although she was past seventy, she had no wrinkle in her face, but bloomed as she had in her youthful beauty; her hands were not without tremors, she had spasms and her back had become bent
ἑβδομηκοστὸν δὲ ἤδη ὑπερβᾶσα ἔτος ... ῥυτίδα μὲν οὐκ εἶχεν ἐπὶ τοῦ προσώπου, ἀλλ ᾿ ἤνθει ὡς ἐπὶ νέῳ τῷ κάλλει· τῶν δέ γε χειρῶν οὐκ ἀτρόμως εἶχεν, ἀλλ ᾿ ἐκεκλόνητο, συνεκεκύφει δὲ καὶ τὸ νῶτον. Psellos: Chronographia 168.7-11
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 case, his -her predecessor - and
Zoe 1
οὐδὲν οὕτως ἐπιλησμονέστατον χρῆμα ὡς ἄνθρωπος ὑφ ᾿ ἑτέρου βασιλεύειν λαχὼν, μᾶλλον δὲ περὶ τὸν εὐεργετικώτατον ἀγνωμονέστατος, καὶ τοῦτο ... καὶ τῶν περὶ τὴν ἀδελφὴν παραδειγμάτωνεἰς βεβαίωσιν δόξης ἔχουσα. Psellos: Chronographia 1.6-10
Ioannes 68
feared for the realm, lest the emperor
Michael 4
might suddenly die and it should come to her as its heir
Zonaras 17.16.7
Was open-handed and regal in conduct
τὴν χεῖρά τε ἀφειδὴς καὶ βασιλικὴ τὴν προαίρεσιν. Zonaras 17.20.13
Romanos 4
knew that she was a great lover, as it were bursting with passion, and to prevent her being shared among many, did not resent her relationship with one man (
Michael 4
); while pretending not to see he satisfied her passion
... μάλα ἐρῶσαν ὥσπερ δὴ καὶ σφριγῶσαν περὶ τὸ πάθος, καί, ἵνα μὴ πρὸς πολλοὺς διαχέοιτο, οὐ μάλα τὴν πρὸς ἕνα ... ἐδυσχέραινεν ὁμιλίαν, ἀλλὰ σχηματιζόμενος παρορᾶν ἀπεπλήρου τὸ πάθος τῇ βασιλίδι. Psellos: Chronographia III 23.8-11
Michael 61
will speak at some length about her, while
Konstantinos 9
is sleeping with
Maria 64
λεγέσθω γάρ τι πλέον περὶ αὐτῆς, ἕως ἂν τῇ σεβαστῇ αὐτοκράτωρ συναναπαύηται. Psellos: Chronographia 65.1-3
She had an unstinting hand, such as to drain dry in a day a sea full of gold dust
ἡ μὲν ἀφειδὴς ἦν τὴν χεῖρα καὶ οἵα θάλατταν αὐθημερὸν ἐξαντλῆσαι ψηγμάτων χρυσῶν περιπλήθουσαν. Psellos: Chronographia 4.13-15
Konstantinos 9
called it a service to share in her pleasures and those of
Theodora 1
and he 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 49.3-6
Theodora 1
, as she was enjoying what she wanted, was less concerned than she (about
Maria 64
)
ἡ ἀδελφὴ δὲ, ἀπολαύουσα ὦν ἐβούλετο, τῆς ἀδελφῆς ἐφρόντιζεν ἔλαττον. Psellos: Chronographia 62.12-13
She abstained totally from women's work, never busying her hands with the spindle nor applying herself to weaving nor anything else; she even scorned royal ornaments, if not in her prime certainly in old age she abandoned any will to please
ἐκείνη γυναικείων μὲν παντάπασιν ἔργων ἀπείχετο, ...· κατωλιγώρει δὲ καὶ βασιλείων καλλωπισμῶν, εἰ μὲν καὶ ἐν ὥρᾳ τῆς ἀκμῆς οὐκ οἶδα, παρηκμακυῖα δ ᾿οὖν τὸ φιλότιμον ἅπαν κατέλυσεν. Psellos: Chronographia 64.1-6
If she and
Theodora 1
were inside the rooms allotted them, with one putting her seal on a stream of gold, the other cleaning out the bed of the stream, this replaced all pleasure for them
εἰ δὲ ἔνδον εἶεν τῶν ἀποτετμημένων αὐταῖς οἰκημάτων, καὶ ἡ μὲν τὸ χρυσοῦν ῥεῦμα ἐπισφραγίζοι, ἡ δὲ τὴν ὁδὸν διακαθαίροι τῷ ῥεύματι, τοῦτο αὐταῖς ἀντὶ πάσης ἀπολαύσεως ἦν. Psellos: Chronographia 64.23-6
As those who are united to God through contemplation or go further and, truly inspired, cling only to the object of their perfect desire and hang upon it, so the warmest reverence for God truly united her with the first and purest light
... ἀκριβῶς ἐνθεάσαντες, τοῦ τελείου μόνον ἐφετοῦ ἔχονται, κἀκεῖθεν ᾐώρηνται, οὕτω δὴ καὶ ταύτην τὸ περὶ τὸ θεῖον θερμότατον σέβας τῷ πρώτῳ καὶ ἀκραιφνεστάτῳ φωτὶ ἀκριβῶς ... συνεκέρασεν. Psellos: Chronographia 65.5-10
She completely neglected bodily adornments and did not wear gold-tissued robes, nor diadems or ornaments about her neck; but she did not dress coarsely, but covered her body in light clothing
τῶν δέ γε περὶ τὸ σῶμα καλλωπισμῶν ἠμέλει παντάπασι, καὶ οὔτε χρυσοπάστῳ ἐχρῆτο στολῃ῀ οὔτε ταινίαις, ἢ κόσμοις περιδεραίοις, ἀλλ ᾿ οὐδὲ φορτικῶς ἠμφίεστο, ἀλλ ᾿ ἐλαφρᾷ τῇ στολῇ τὸ σῶμα περιεκάλυπτε. Psellos: Chronographia 168.11-14
Reigned for 4 months together with
Michael 5
ἡ Ζωὴ σὺν τῷ Μιχαὴλ τῷ καλαφάτῃ μῆνας δ ´. Glykas 459
Was called the heir (of her father's throne) and their mother by the populace in the forum of Constantine
κληρονόμον καὶ μητέρα ἡμῶν. Glykas 591.6
Reigned together with
Michael 4
for 7 years
Κρατεῖ δὲ ὁ Μιχαὴλ σὺν τῇ Ζωῇ ἔτη ζ ´. Glykas 585.21
(When she married
Romanos 3
),
Zoe 1
was was fifty and past her prime, her womb without moisture for reception of semen
ἡ βασιλὶς ᾗ συνῴκιστο πεντηκοντοῦτις ἦν καὶ ὑπέρακμος καὶ ἄνικμος τὴν νηδὺν πρὸς σπερμάτων ὑποδοχὴν . Zonaras 17.13.2
She had relinquished envy now as she was past her prime and was no longer enraged with
Maria 64
, nor was she quick to anger with the passion of jealousy, which had dissipated with time
... τὸ ζηλότυπον ἤδη διὰ τὴν τῆς ἡλικίας παρακμὴν καταλύσασα, οὐκ ἔτι πρὸς αὐτὴν ἐμηνία, οὐδὲ δυσόργως εἶχε τὸ πάθος τῆς βασκανίας, ὑποσυληθεῖσα τῷ χρόνῳ. Psellos: Chronographia 62.9-12
Truly in love (with
Michael 4
) ... past her prime
ὡς ἀληθῶς ἐρῶσα ... ταύτης παρηκμακυίας. Psellos: Chronographia 19.20-1
Did not have the courage to oppose the wishes of
Ioannes 68
and
Michael 4
, and was in any case placid and amenable in opinion
ἡ δὲ μήτ ᾿ ἀντειπεῖν θαρροῦσα τοῖς ἐκείνων θελήμασι καὶ ἄλλως εὔκολος οὖσα καὶ τὴν γνώμην εὐάγωγος. Zonaras 17.16.10
But then, not enduring to extend the pretence for long,
Michael 4
changed his ways and grew suspicious of
Zoe 1
εἶτα οὐκ εἰς μακρὸν ἐκτεῖναι τὴν προσποίησιν ἀναχόμενος μεθαρμόττεται καὶ ὑποπτεύει αὐτὴν. Zonaras 17.14.9
When captivated by love for
Michael 4
, her soul was ravaged by fire, and the sight of his beauty each day gradually inflamed the fire
τούτου τῷ ἔρωτι ἁλοῦσα ἡ βασιλὶς ἐπυρπολεῖτο τὴν ψυχὴν καὶ τὸ πῦρ τὸ ἐκείνου κάλλος καθ ᾿ ἑκάστην ὁρώμενον ὑπανέφλεγε. Zonaras 17.13.10
Theodora 1
was less beautiful than she
τὴν δὲ ὥραν ἐλάττων τῆς ἀδελφῆς. Psellos: Chronographia II 5.11-12
Romanos 3
provoked her to hatred, both because the imperial line, in her person, was being disdained, but especially because of her desire for intercourse, which was not due to her age, but to the soft life in the palace
τὴν δὲ ἀνηρέθιζε μὲν πρὸς μῖσος καὶ τὸ βασίλειον γένος τοσοῦτον ἐπ’ ἐκείνῃ καταφρονούμενον, μάλιστα δὲ ἡ περὶ τὴν μῖξιν ἐπιθυμία, ἣν εἰ καὶ διὰ τὴν ἡλικίαν εἶχεν, ἀλλὰ διά γε τὴν ἐν βασιλείοις τρυφήν. Psellos: Chronographia III 17.8-11
According to
Anonymus 7002
,
Romanos 3
wished to be persuaded that she was not erotically attached to
Michael 4
ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐβούλετο μὲν ὡσανεὶ πεπεῖσθαι μὴ ἔχειν τὴν βασιλίδα ἐρωτικῶς πρὸς τὸν Μιχαὴλ. Psellos: Chronographia 23.6-7
By another account,
Romanos 3
was tolerant of her erotic notion or possession, but Pulcheria (101) and all who at that time happened to be party to
Poulcheria 101
's secrets were enraged
ὁ μὲν βασιλεὺς εὔκολος πρὸς τὴν ἐρωτικὴν ὑπόληψιν ἢ κατάληψιν ἦν, ἐμεμήνει δὲ ἣ τε ἀδελφὴ Πουλχερία καὶ ὅσοι τηνικαῦτα κοινωνοὶ τῶν ἀπορρήτων ἐκείνῃ ὄντες ἐτύγχανον. Psellos: Chronographia 23.11-15
Mother and empress
τὴν μητέρα καὶ βασιλίδα. Psellos: Chronographia 23.7
Michael 5
was enraged with her
ἐλύττα κατὰ τῆς βασιλίδος. Psellos: Chronographia IV 28.19
... her easily-won soul ... mother and sovereign (to
Michael 5
)
τὴν εὐάλωτον ἐκείνης ... ψυχὴν ... τῇ μητρὶ καὶ δεσπότιδι. Psellos: Chronographia V 4.2-4
For a time
Michael 5
was humble: "the empress" ... "my mistress" ... "as I am her slave" ... "whatever decision she makes"
ἡ βασιλίς ... ἡ ἐμὴ δεσπότις ... ὡς ἐώνημαι ταύτῃ ... ἣν ἄν θεῖτο ψῆφον. Psellos: Chronographia V 5.9-10
Empress and mother of
Michael 5
contrary to propriety and reason
βασιλίδι καὶ παρὰ τὸν προσήκοντα λόγον ἐκείνου μητρι. Psellos: Chronographia 16.11-12
The imperial patrimony came down to her from the fifth generation
ἐκ γὰρ πενταγονίας ὁ βασίλειος αὐτῇ κλῆρος κατήγετο. Psellos: Chronographia 22.6-7
(She said) she resembled
Basileios 2
ὅτι σοι καὶ τὴν θέαν εἶχον παρόμοιον. Psellos: Chronographia V 22.13
She who alone is noble in spirit and physically lovely, she who alone of all women is free, sovereign over her whole family, who most lawfully holds the lot of empire [cry of women supporting her]
ἡ μόνη καὶ τὴν ψυχὴν εὐγενὴς, καὶ τὴν μορφὴν εὐειδής ... ἠ μόνη τῶν πασῶν ἐλεύθερα, ἡ τοῦ ξύμπαντος γένους δεσπότις, ἡ τὸν κλῆρον τῆς βασιλείας ἐννομώτατα ἔχουσα. Psellos: Chronographia 26.9-12
Her father (
Konstantinos 8
) was emperor, and his father (
Romanos 2
), and again his father (
Konstantinos 13
) [cry of women supporting her]
ἧς καὶ ὁ πατὴρ βασιλεὺς καὶ ὁ ἐκεῖνον φὺς καὶ ὁ τοῦτον αὖθις ἀποτεκών. Psellos: Chronographia 26.12-13
Well born
τῆς εὐγενοῦς. Psellos: Chronographia 26.14
Envy divided her and
Theodora 1
, with Zoe in a greater and Theodora in a lesser position, but nevertheless Theodora retained an outward appearance of majesty
φθόνος τὰς ἀδελφὰς διελών, τὴν μὲν ἐν μείζονι, τὴν δ᾽ ἐν ἐλάττονι μέν, σεμνοτέρῳ δὲ ὅμως κατέσχε προσχήματι. Psellos: Chronographia 34.18-20
Theodora 1
was contented with the decision (to exile her) and upset neither by her change of dress nor her separation from
Zoe 1
ἔστεργεν οὖν ἡ Θεοδώρα τὰ δόξαντα καὶ οὔτε τὴν μεταμφίασιν ἐδυσχέραινεν οὔτε τὸ πρὸς τὴν ἀδελφὴν ἀκοινώνητον. Psellos: Chronographia 35.1-3
Older (than
Theodora 1
)
διὰ τὴν πρεσβυγένειαν� ἡ τὴν ἡλικίαν πρεσβεύουσα ἀδελφὴ. Psellos: Chronographia 51.2-3; 51.6
In
Michael 61
's opinion, neither she nor
Theodora 1
had a mind suited for rule: they did not know how to administer nor use solid arguments on politics, often mixing the trivialities of the women's quarters with serious imperial matters
... οὔτε γὰρ οἰκονομεῖν ᾔδεσαν οὔτε στερροτέροις λογισμοῖς χρῆσθαι περὶ τὰ πράγματα, τὰ πλεῖστα δὲ τὰ τῆς γυναικωνίτιδος παίγνια τοῖς βασιλικοῖς κατεκίρνων σπουδάσμασι. Psellos: Chronographia 5.1-3
The trait today praised by many, that she was glad to give to many unsparingly over long time, gave rise to praise in those who received because they did well, but was the prime cause of the utter ruin and final destruction of Roman fortune
πολλοῖς καὶ ἐπὶ πολλοῖς χρόνοις ἀφθόνως διδοῦσα ἐξήρκεσε, τοῖς μὲν εἰληφόσιν ... τὸ δὲ τὰ πάντα διαλυμηνάμενον καὶ τὴν �Ρωμαίων τύχην εἰς τὸ ὕστατον καθελὸν, οὐδὲν ἄλλο ἢ τοῦτο πρωταίτιον γέγονεν. Psellos: Chronographia 5.6-12
Her difference from
Theodora 1
in appearance was even greater than that in character: she was naturally fuller-figured, but she did not rise tall in stature; her eyes were large, divided by imposing brows
... ἡ μὲν γὰρ τῷ χρόνῳ πρεσβεύουσα περιπληθεστέρα τὴν φύσιν ἐτύγχανεν οὖσα, καὶ τὴν ἡλικίαν οὐ πάνυ ἀναδεδράμηκεν, ὀφθαλμός τε αὐτῆ, μέγας ὑπὸ βλοσυρᾷ τῇ ὀφρύϊ διέσχιστο. Psellos: Chronographia 6.1-
Her nose fell in a slight curve, but not too curved; she had golden hair, her entire body shone with whiteness; the length of her years was indicated by few signs
ἡ ῥὶς ἀπεκρέματο βραχύ τι καμπτομένη καὶ ὅσον μὴ κάμπτεσθαι, τήν τε κόμην εἶχε ξανθὴν καὶ τὸ σῶμα δι�ὅλον λάμπον λευκότητι· αἱ δὲ τῶν χρόνων αὐτῇ περίοδοι ἐν ὀλίγοῖς τισὶ συμβόλοις ἀπεσημαίνοντο. Psellos: Chronographia 6.5-9
Anyone who looked at the fine harmony of her limbs without knowing who she was would have said that she was till young: no part of her body was wrinkled, but it was all smooth and taut, with no loose wrinkles anywhere
εἰ δέ τις αὐτῇ τὴν εὐρυθμίαν τῶν μελῶν διαθρήσειε, ..., ἡβῶσαν ἄρτι προσεῖπεν· ἐρρυσσοῦτο γὰρ οὐδὲν αὐτῇ μέρος τοῦ σώματος, ἀ`λλὰ λεῖον τὸ ξύμπαν καὶ ἀποτετάμενον, καὶ ῥυτὶς οὐδαμοῦ χαλαρά. Psellos: Chronographia 6.9-11
The noble empress
τὴν εὐγενῆ βασιλίδα. Psellos: Chronographia 18.1
(Her marriage to
Konstantinos 9
) saw the end for her and
Theodora 1
of acting for themselves and holding absolute power in government ... After ruling together for three months, she and Theodora ended their rule
γίνεται ταῦτα ταῖς μὲν βασιλίσσαις τέλος τοῦ δι᾿ ἑαυτῶν τοι ποιεῖν καὶ αὐτοκρατεῖν ἐν τοῖς πράγμασιν ... Αἱ μὲν οὖν τρίτον μῆνα συνάρξασαι παύονται τῆς ἀρχῆς. Psellos: Chronographia VI 21.1-5
The money which
Basileios 2
had stored up in the palace by great sweat and toil became the plaything of
Maria 64
,
Theodora 1
and her, given and received as presents or channelled elsewhere: soon it was all used up and wasted
ἔνθεν ἃ πολλοῖς ἱδρῶσι καὶ πόνοις ὁ βασιλεὺς Βασίλειος ἐν τοῖς βασιλείοις ἀπεθησαύριζε, ταῦτα εἰς ἰλαρὰν ἐκείναις προέκειτο παιδιάν· ἄλλα γὰρ ἐπ᾿ ἄλλοις ἠμείβετό τε καὶ ἀντεδίδοτο, .... Psellos: Chronographia 63.1-5
Both she and
Theodora 1
seemed naturally odd: they scorned fresh air, splendid dwellings, meadows, parks - none of these charmed them
ἀλλόκοτος γὰρ αὐτῇ τε καὶ τῇ ἀδελφῇ ἡ φυσις ἐδόκει· ὀλιγώρως εἶχον καὶ εὐπνουστέρου ἀέρος, καὶ οἰκήματος λαμπροτέρου, καὶ λειμώνων, καὶ παραδείσων, καὶ οὐδὲν αὐτὰς τῶν τοιούτων ἔθελγεν. Psellos: Chronographia 64.20-3
While not finding much else to praise in her, ...
Michael 61
continued to admire one thing, that in her love of God she surpassed all women and all males
... ἕν τοῦτο θαυμάζων διατελῶ, ὅτι δὴ φιλοθείᾳ πάσας μὲν γυναῖκας, πᾶσαν δὲ φύσιν ὑπερεβάλλετο ἄρρενα. Psellos: Chronographia 65.1-5
The name of God alone was always on her tongue
οὐδὲν γὰρ ὅτι μὴ τὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ ὄνομα διὰ παντὸς ἐπὶ γλώσσης ἐκείνῃ. Psellos: Chronographia 65.11-12
Elder (of
Konstantinos 8
's two surviving daughters)
τῆς μείζονος. Psellos: Chronographia 144.4
Foolish woman
τὸ τῶν γυναικῶν ἐκείνων ἀβέλτερον. Psellos: Chronographia 144.11
After her death the great simplicity of
Romanos 62
led him to initiate great evils
ἐπεὶ δὲ ἀπεληλύθει τῶν τῇδε ἡ βασιλὶς. Psellos: Chronographia 145.1-4
When old she was not very steady in her thinking; she did not wander in her mind or depart from it, but she was absolutely ignorant of affairs and absolutely corrupted by an imperial lack of taste
ὡς δ ᾿ οὖν γηράσασα ἦν οὐ πάνυ τι εἶχε τοῦ φρονήματος ἐρρωμένως· λέγω δὲ οὐκ ὡς περὶ `παραφόρου ταύτης ἀδαοῦς, ὑπὸ βασιλικῆς δὲ ἀπειροκαλίας διεφθαρμένης παντάπασιν. Psellos: Chronographia 167.1-5
Her reverence for God was an exception to (her lack of taste):
Michael 61
cannot blame her for excess in this; this virtue in her was unsurpassed - she depended wholly on God, deriving everything from him and attributing everything to him
ὑπεξῃρήσθω δὲ ταύτης τὸ περὶ τὸ θεῖον σέβας, ..., ἀνυπέρβλητον δὲ αὐτῇ τὸ ἀγαθὸν τοῦτο ἐτύγχανεν ὂν, ἐξεκρέματο γὰρ ὅλη τοῦ θείου καὶ πάντα ἐκεῖθεν εἷλκέ τε καὶ ἐνόμιζεν. Psellos: Chronographia 167.8-11
As she knew that
Konstantinos 8
was unsparing in removing eyes, scarcely had someone committed the least crime than he was led off to this punishment; had
Konstantinos 9
not refused to concede, many would have been blinded for no reason
..., οὐκ ἔφθη τις τὸ βραχύτατον πλημμελήσας καὶ ἐπι τὴν τοιαύτην ἀπήγετο βάσανον, καὶ εἰ μὴ ὁ αὐτοκράτωρ οὐ ξυνεχώρει τὸ ἔργον, πολλοῖς ἂν ἐπ ᾿ οὐδενὶ λόγῳ ἐξεχύθη τὰ ὄμματα. Psellos: Chronographia 167.20-5
If anyone enthusiastically recounted to her the great deeds of her family, especially those of
Basileios 2
, she was delighted and her spirits immediately lifted
εἰ δέ τις αὐτῇ κατὰ σπουδὴν τὰ τοῦ γένους διεξῃ´ει καλὰ, καὶ μάλιστα ὁπόσα ὁ θεῖος Βασίλειος, ἠγάλλετό´ τε καὶ αὐτίκα μετέωρος ἦν τὴν ψυχήν. Psellos: Chronographia 168.4-7
Roared like a lioness over her companion in her den (after the fall of
Michael 5
)
մռնչեալ մատակ առիւծն ի վերայ ընկերին ի խշտիս իւր. Aristakes 52.2 (42)
She longed to give birth to heirs and strove to be called a mother; like a tree watered by two gardeners that ran the risk of remaining withered and leafless
καὶ παίδων δὲ διαδοχῆς καὶ τοκετοῦ διψῶσα καὶ γλιχομένη τεκνουργὸς ἀκοῦσαι παιδομήτωρ (ὑπὸ δυοῖν γὰρ κηπευτῶν ὡς δένδρον ποτισθεῖσα ἄχλοος ἐκινδύνευεν, ἄφυλλος, αὖος μένειν). Manasses, Chronicle 6134-6137
An adulteress (referring to her relationship with
Michael 4
while
Romanos 3
was still alive)
τὴν μοιχάδα. Glykas 587.19
Described by the angry mob protesting against Skleraina (
Maria 64
, mistress of
Konstantinos 9
) as their mother, born in the purple
αἱ μάνναι ἡμῶν αἱ πορφυρογέννητοι. Glykas 595.19-20
Legitimate heir to the throne and sovereign, she suffered greatly and unjustly, according to the crowd protesting against her banishment, being subjected to the cruel insolence of
Michael 5
(Kalaphates)
τὰ ἔσχατα πάσχουσαν ἀδίκως παρὰ τοῦ ἐπεισάντου. Attaleiates: History 15.23-16.1 / 13.1-3
She was the tallest, most beautiful and most strong-minded of the children of
Konstantinos 8
Psellos Orationes panegyricae II, 192-195
The first empress
τὴν πρώτην βασιλίδα. Psellos: Chronographia 36.7
Thought that she had planned excellently and appropriated the whole power for herself and would have
Michael 4
as her servant; but it turned ot rather differently
Zonaras 17.14.7
For a time
Michael 4
gave the appearance of retaining his disposition towards her and of gratifying her and doing the things which were pleasing to her
μέχρι μὲν γάρ τινος ἐσχηματίζετο τηρεῖν πρὸς τὴν βασιλίδα διάθεσιν καὶ ταύτῃ χαρίζεσθαι καὶ τὰ ἐκείνῃ θυμήρη ποιεῖν. Zonaras 17.14.8
Some say that
Romanos 3
was not unaware of the love, but
that the empress
Zoe 1
was aroused and in a state of sexual madness, and that he tolerated her partiality for
Michael 4
, feigning ignorance lest she associate with more men
εἰσὶ δ ᾿ οἳ λέγουσι μὴ ἀγνοῆσαι τὸν βασιλέα τὸν ἔρωτα, *** δ ᾿ ὅτι σφριγᾷ ἡ βασίλισσα καὶ περὶ τὰ ἀφροδίσια μέμηνε, τῆς πρὸς τὸν Μιχαὴλ αὐτῆς ῥοπῆς ἠνείχετο, ὑποκρινόμενος ἄγνοιαν, ἵνα μὴ πλείοσιν ὁμιλοίη. Zonaras 17.13.22
Reigned for 12 (and a half?) years together with
Konstantinos 9
Κωνσταντῖνος ὁ μονομάχος σὺν τῇ Ζωῇ ἔτη ιβ ´ ´. Glykas 459
Of carefree temperament
ἀνειμένων οὔσαις ἠθῶν. Zonaras 17.21.4
The mother who had not plotted ... she who knew nothing hitherto of
Michael 5
's audacities ... she who had been born in her bedchamber
τῆς μηδὲν ἐπιβουλευσάσης μητρὸς ...μηδὲν τέως τῶν τολμωμένων εἰδυῖαν ... (τοῦ κοιτωνίσκου) τὴν ἐγγενῆ. Psellos: Chronographia 21.3, 4-5
Michael 61
was was not without pain concerning her (treatment by
Michael 5
)
οὐ γὰρ ἦν ἐπὶ τῇ βασιλίδι ἀναλγητος. Psellos: Chronographia 40.2
The plant (of her family) blossomed and put out so many shoots, each with royal fruit, that it was not possible to compare others with it either in beauty or grandeur (in
Michael 61
's view)
οὕτω τὸ φυτευθὲν ἐξηνθήκει καὶ τοσαύταις προὐβάλλετο βλάστας, καὶ ἑκάστην μετὰ τοῦ βασιλείου καρποῦ, ὡς μὴ ἔχειν ἑτέρας ἀντισυγκρῖναι ταύταις, οὔτε πρὸς κάλλος οὔτε πρὸς μέγεθος. Psellos: Chronographia 1.10-13
Some thought her more suited to power (than
Theodora 1
), since she had previously already held the august rank and had unsurpassed ambition
τοῖς δὲ ἡ ἑτέρα τῶν ἀδελφῶν καταλληλότερα ἐδόκει τῷ κράτει, ὡς καὶ τὸ σεμνότερον ἤδη προειληφυῖα καὶ τὸ φιλότιμον ἀνυπέρβλητον ἔχουσα. Psellos: Chronographia 11.5-8
No small part of
Konstantinos 9
's lack of moderation was due to the easy-going character of her and
Theodora 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 τρυφὰ`ς ἀνεῖσθαι καὶ γέλωτας. Psellos: Chronographia 49.1-3
She was already past the age for sexual relations, but desire still burned in
Konstantinos 9
ἔξωρος ἤδη πρὸς συνουσίαν ἀνδρὸς ἡ βασιλὶς, τῷ δέ γε βασιλεῖ τὰ τῆς ἐπιθυμίας ἐφλέγμαινεν. Psellos: Chronographia 151.1-3
If she had been graced with intellectual advantage, her mind did not preserve it untainted, but by demonstrating it more than necessary she revealed that it was not eagerness for distinction but lack of taste
εἰ δέ που καὶ ψυχικῷ προτερήματι ἐκεκόσμητο, ἀλλ ᾿ οὐδὲ τοῦτο διέσωσεν αὐτῇ καθαρὸν ἡ γνωμη, ἀλλὰ πλέον ἢ δεῖ ἔχειν ἐπιδεικνυμένη, οὐ φιλότιμον ἀλλ ᾿ ἀπειρόκαλον τοῦτο ὑπέφαινεν. Psellos: Chronographia 167.5-8
Most generous of all women, for this reason she squandered everything, as this virtue had no limit in her: she at once counted out the money and with the other hand invoked the Lord for the one receiving it
φιλοτιμοτάτη δὲ γενομένη πασῶν γυναικῶν, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο πάντα συνδιαφθείρουσα, ὅτι μὴ μέτρον εἶχε ταύτῃ τὸ καλὸν, ὁμοῦ τε τὰ χρήματα ἀπηρίθμει καὶ θατέρᾳ χειρὶ ἐδεξιοῦτο τῷ κρείττονι κατὰ τοῦ λαμβάνοντος. Psellos: Chronographia 168.1-4
She clung to and put all her energy into one thing - making sacrifice to God, not so much through praise, verbal offerings and penitence, but through spices and all that comes to our shores from India and Egypt
ἑνὸς δὲ μάλιστα εἴχετο καὶ περὶ τοῦτο σπουδὴν ἐτίθετο πᾶσαν, θυσίαν προσάγειν Θεῷ, οὔ φημι τοσοῦτον τὴν δι ᾿ αἰνέσεως λογικης τε προσαγωγῆς καὶ ἐξομολογήσεως, ἀλλὰ τὴν δι ᾿ ἀρωμάτων .... Psellos: Chronographia 149.5-9
She did not share the cares of empire with
Konstantinos 9
, wishing to be completely free of such toils; nor did she care about the things that occupy women, the loom, distaff, wool or weaving
τῶν ... βασιλικῶν φροντίδων οὐδ ᾿ ἐκοινώνει τῷ αὐτοκράτορι, ἀλλ ᾿ ἐβούλετο πάντη ἄσχολος εἶναι τῶν περὶ ταῦτα πόνων· οὐδὲ τῶν ὅσα γυναῖκας περὶ αὑτὰ ἀσχολεῖ, ἱστόν φημι καὶ ..., οὐδὲ τούτων ἐφρόντιζεν. Psellos: Chronographia 149.1-5
Romanos 3
was more than ten years older than her
πλέον γὰρ ἢ δέκα ἔτεσι τὴν τῆς βασιλίδος ἡλικίαν ὑπεραναβεβήκει. Psellos: Chronographia II 5.21-3
Michael 61
did not know if any other family was loved by God as much as that of
Theodora 1
and her, and he was amazed on reflecting that their roots were fixed and planted not lawfully, but by slaughters and bloodshed
οὐ γὰρ οἶδα εἴ τι ἕτερον γένος ὡς τὸ περὶ ἐκείνας ἠγάπηται τῷ Θεῷ καὶ θαυμάζω κατανοῶν ὅτι μὴ ἐννόμως αὐταῖς τῆς ῥίζης παγείσης καὶ φυτευθείσης, ἀλλὰ φόνοις καὶ αἵμασιν. Psellos: Chronographia 1.6-9
It was whispered by some that rule was more suited to
Theodora 1
[than to
Zoe 1
] because
Theodora 1
was the cause of the overthrow of the tyrant (
Michael 5
)
Zonaras 17.20.4
Seeing that Romanos [lived a separate life and forgot that he was married to a wife] who was still rather young, was agitated by some mean and villainous thoughts
καὶ βλέπουσα τὸν Ῥωμανὸν καθ’ ἑαυτὸν βιοῦντα καὶ μηδὲ μιμνησκόμενον ὡς δέδεται γυναίῳ καὶ συνοικοίη γαμετῇ, καὶ ταῦτα νεαζούσῃ, φαύλαις τισὶ καὶ μοχθηραῖς ἐννοίαις ἐσοβεῖτο. Manasses, Chronicle 5978-5981
Adulteress
τὴν μοιχαλίδα. Skylitzes 397.69
Called the first heir (to the throne of her father
Basileios 2
) and their mother by the crowds gathered at the forum of Constantine to listen to the declaration of
Michael 5
announcing her banishment, read by
Anastasios 101
τὴν ἀρχέγονον καὶ κληρονόμον καὶ ἡμετέραν μητέρα Ζωήν. Skylitzes 418.27-28
Middle daughter of
Konstantinos 8
[unnamed]
τὴν μέσην τῶν θυγατέρων. Psellos: Chronographia 9.12-13
Most beautiful of
Konstantinos 8
's daughters [unnamed]
ἡ καλλίστη τῶν τοῦ Κωνσταντίνου θυγατέρων. Psellos: Chronographia 10.24-5
After surviving long enough to see her marriage (to
Romanos 3
)
Konstantinos 8
quit life, leaving the power to
Romanos 3
[unnamed]
τοσοῦτον ἐπιζήσας ὅσον αἰσθέσθαι τῆς συνοικήσεως, μεταλλάττει τὸν βίον, τῷ κηδεστῇ �Ρωμανῷ τὸ κράτος καταλιπών. Psellos: Chronographia 10.24-6
Two things irritated her more than others: the ruler (
Romanos 3
) did not love her and she was not able to spend unstintingly: for he closed the treasuries to her and sealed off their wealth and she lived on a fixed allowance of money
... τό τε μὴ ἐρᾶν αὐτῆς τὸν κρατοῦντα καὶ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν ἀφθόνως χρῆσθαι τοῖς χρήμασιν· ἐπέκλεισε γὰρ αὐτῇ τὰ ταμεῖα καὶ τοὺς θήσαυροὺς ἐπεσφράγισε, καὶ πρὸς διαμεμετρημένην ἔζη χρημάτων ἐπίδοσιν. Psellos: Chronographia 6.9-13
She was furious with
Romanos 3
and the advisers whom he used in restricting her spending; they knew this and kept watch on her the more, especially
Poulcheria 101
μεμήνει γοῦν αὐτῷ τε καὶ τοῖς ὅσοις συμβούλοις ἐχρῆτο περὶ τὸ πρᾶγμα· οἳ δὲ τοῦτο ἠπίσταντο καὶ πλέον αὐτὴν ἐφυλάττοντο, καὶ μᾶλλον ἡ ... Πουλχερία. Psellos: Chronographia 6.14-16
When
Michael 4
won control of power, for a short time he as it were made a jest of imperial rule, partly surrendering to time and the unexpected outcome of things, partly pleasing her and devising amusements and diversions for her
τὴν βασιλείαν, ἵν � οὕτως εἴπω, διέπαιξε, τὰ μὲν τῷ καιρῷ διδοὺς καὶ τῇ ἀδοκήτῳ ἐκβάσει τοῦ πράγματος, τὰ δὲ τῇ γυναικὶ χαριζόμενος καὶ οἷον θυμηδίας αὐτῇ καὶ ἀναπαύλας προσμηχανώμενος. Psellos: Chronographia 9.2-7
All were favourably disposed to her as a woman and heir to the power, and she had won the hearts of all by her unsparing gift-giving (according to
Ioannes 68
)
τὸ σύμπαν εὐνοϊ�κώτερον πρὸς αὐτὴν ἔσχεν, ἅτε γυναῖκα καὶ κληρονόμον τοῦ κράτους, καὶ τῇ ἀφειδείᾳ τῶν δώρων τὰς τῶν πάντων ὑποποιησαμένην ψυχάς. Psellos: Chronographia 22.15-18
She was easy-going in her views and unable to oppose in any way (according to
Ioannes 68
)
εὔκολος τε οὖσα ταῖς γνώ´μαις καὶ μηδ � ὁτιουν῀ ἀντειπεῖν ἔχουσα. Psellos: Chronographia 22.22-3
Said to rank even with angels, since, I believe, from her tomb due to a certain dampness a fungus grew up, and this was called a sign dispensed from above, so that it might not be unknown that she was drawn up in company with the spritual powers
λέγεται ... ἀγγέλοις αὐτὴν παρεξισοῦν, ἐπειδή που τοῦ μνήματος ἐκείνης μύκης ἔκ τινος ὑγρότητος ἀνεβλάστησε, καὶ τοῦτο καλεῖν σημεῖον ἄνωθεν οἰκονομηθέν, ἵνα μὴ ἀγνοῆται ἡ βασιλὶς ταῖς νοεραῖς συντεταγμένη δυνάμεσι. Zonaras 17.28.2
Her existence stretched out more than seventy years
ὑπὲρ γὰρ τὰ ἑβδομήκοντα ἔτη παρεξετάθη αὐτῇ τὸ βιώσιμον. Zonaras 17.28.1
Successor to
Michael 5
, born in the purple, lady, her deeds are narrated in the Chronographia of
Michael 61
Χρονογραφία πονηθεῖσα τῷ ... Μιχαὴλ, ἱστοροῦσα τὰς πράξεις τῶν βασιλέων, ..., τῶν ἑξῆς ... πορφυρογεννήτων τῆς τε κυρᾶς Ζωῆς .... Psellos: Chronographia 1-8
Romanos 3
, who married her at his proclamation to power, seemed not to recognise that she had passed beyond the time of pregnancy, her womb already dry for childbirth (for she was fifty when betrothed to him)
οὐδὲ τοσοῦτον διαβλέπειν ἐδόκει ὡς ἡ τοῦ Κωνσταντίνου θυγάτηρ, ᾗ συνῴκησεν εἰς τὸ κράτος ἀναρρηθείς, τὸν τοῦ κύειν ὑπεραναβεβήκει χρόνον (πεντηκοστὸν γὰρ ἔτος εἶχε ... ὁπηνίκα κατηγγυήθη τῷ ῾Ρωμανῷ). Psellos: Chronographia II 5.4-9
Basileios 2
felt affection and strong love for her,
Eudokia 101
and
Theodora 1
, but took no more noble care for them; while guarding the power for his brother (
Konstantinos 8
) he put their care in his hands
ἠγάπα ... καὶ δεινῶς ἔστεργεν, οὐδὲν δέ τι γενναιότερον περὶ τούτων ἐφρόντισεν ... ἐπ’ ἐκείνῳ τὴν περὶ τούτων φροντίδα ἔθετο. Psellos: Chronographia II 4.10-13
If someone on seeing her suddenly pretended to fall down as if struck by lightning (a trick often played) he was at once presented with gold chains; but if he used too many words of thanks, he was bound again with iron chains
εἰ γοῦν τις αὐτὴν ἀθρόον ἰδὼν ὑπεκρίθη τὸ πεσεῖν ἐξ ἀστραπῆς ὥσπερ πληγεὶς ..., χρυσοῖς εὐθὺς ἐδεδώρητο ἀποδέσμοις· εἰ δὲ πλείοσι λόγοις εὐχαριστίας ἐχρήσατο, σιδηροῖς αὖθις καταδεῖτο δεσμοῖς. Psellos: Chronographia 167.16-20
It was her wish not to admit her sister (
Theodora 1
) as partner in the power; for she was extraordinarily jealous
ἦν μὲν οὖν αὐτῇ τὸ βουλόμενον μὴ προσήσεσθαι τοῦ κράτους κοινωνὸν τὴν ὁμαίμονα· ἐζηλοτύπει γὰρ ἐκτόπως. Zonaras 17.19.24
Basileios 2
died without having made any provision in the manner of an emperor for her,
Eudokia 101
and
Theodora 1
οὐδὲν περὶ τούτων φρονήσας βασιλικώτερον ἀπελήλυθεν. Psellos: Chronographia II 5.12-13
Michael 4
feigned a disposition and look of goodwill towards her for a time, but after a short period had elapsed he changed completely and gave back wicked return for her goodwill and favour towards him
τῆς πρὸς αὐτὸν εὐνοίας καὶ χάριτος πονηρὰς ἀντιδίδωσιν ἀμοιβὰς. Psellos: Chronographia IV 6.1-4
Michael 61
declines to praise or blame
Michael 4
's changed attitude to her: his hatred for his benefactress and unfeeling behaviour is not good, but his fear that she might engulf him in similar evils (to
Romanos 3
) is to be praised
... τὸ μὲν γὰρ μισεῖν τὴν εὐεργέτιδα καὶ ἀγνωμόνως πρὸς ταύτην φέρεσθαι οὐκ ἐν καλοῖς τίθεμαι, τὸ δὲ δεδίεναι περὶ ταύτῃ μὴ τοῖς ἴσοις καὶ τοῦτον περιβαλεῖ κακοῖς οὐκ ἔχω μὴ ἐπαινεῖν. Psellos: Chronographia IV 6.5-8
In general her lifestyle was sometimes mild and lax, sometimes too harsh and tense: these characteristics alternated for no reason in a brief moment regarding the same person
ὁ δέ γε λοιπὸς αὐτῇ βίος πῆ μὲν ἁπαλός τε καὶ ἔκλυτος, πῆ δὲ σκληρὸς ἄγαν τι τοῦ χρόνου ἐπὶ ταὐτοῦ τὰ ἰδιώματα διηλλάττετο. Psellos: Chronographia 167.13-16
Tme had carried away the envy in her now that she was beyond her prime, and her experience of trials made her more moderate
ὅ τε γὰρ χρόνος παρήνεγκεν αὐτῇ τὸ ζηλότυπον, ἤδη τυγχανούσῃ παρήλικι, καὶ οἱ συμβεβηκότες αὐτῇ πειρασμοὶ μετριωτέραν εἰργάσαντο. Zonaras 17.21.16
Second of the daughters of
Konstantinos 8
ἡ δευτέρα τῶν θυγατέρων τοῦ Κωνσταντίνου. Zonaras 17.10.22
Most well-born
τὴν εὐγενεστάτην. Psellos: Chronographia 21.6
The elder, she had a mind more ready with ideas, but a tongue slower in conversing (than
Theodora 1
)
ἡ μὲν πρεσβυτέρα τὴν ἡλικίαν Ζωὴ ἑτοιμοτέρα ἦν τὴν ψυχὴν πρὸς ἐνθύμημα, βραδυτέρα δὲ τὴν γλῶτταν πρὸς ὁμιλίαν. Psellos: Chronographia 4.2-4
Konstantinos 9
reigned with her and
Theodora 1
τοῦ σὺν αὐταῖς Κωνσταντίνου τοῦ Μονμάχου. Psellos: Chronographia Introduction 8-9
Michael 61
does not know well what
Zoe 1
was like in her youth, except from hearsay
Ἐκείνη γὰρ ὅπως εἶχεν ἐφ ᾿ η῞βης οὔπω σαφῶς οἶδα, εἰ μὴ ὅσον ἀκοῇ μεμαθηκὼς. Psellos: Chronographia 166.5-7
She was in any case amenable
ἄλλως εὐάγωγον οὖσαν. Zonaras 17.18.7
Second and middle daughter (of
Konstantinos 8
), who was seen by
Michael 61
when she had already grown old, she was most imperial in character, most brilliant in form and most magnificent and awesome in mind-set [unnamed]
ἡ δὲ μετ� ἐκείνην καὶ μέση, ..., καὶ τὸ ἦθος βασιλικωτάτη, καὶ τὸ εἶδος λαμπροτάτη, καὶ τὴν γνώμην μεγαλοπρεπεστάτη τε καὶ αἰδέσιμος . Psellos: Chronographia 5.5-8
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