Italics indicates a junior co-emperor, while underlining indicates a usurper. [21] Matthew of Edessa's account has Zoë poisoning Romanos. She was forcibly tonsured and sworn into a religious order. He succeeded his father Constantine VII in 959 at the age of twenty-one and died suddenly in 963. As he had no sons, Constantine hoped to continue the dynasty by marrying off one of his daughters. In 1041, Zoë was persuaded to adopt her dying husband's nephew, Michael Kalaphates. They took the throne the next day on her father's death. [5] Consequently, Zoë lived a life of virtual obscurity in the imperial gynaeceum (women's quarters) for many years. [47] The mob was only quieted by the appearance on a balcony of Zoë and Theodora, who reassured the people that they were not in any danger of assassination. Henry IV challenged Pope Gregory VII’s right to name bishops in the empire by deposing and replacing the bishop of … 385. He was the son of Leo VI the Sophos and Zoe. Constantine I (306 - 337 A.D.) by Hans A. Pohlsander SUNY Albany Introduction The emperor Constantine has rightly been called the most important emperor of Late Antiquity. [11][12] Zoe and Romanos married on 10 November 1028 in the imperial chapel of the palace. [2] In January 1002 she accompanied Arnulf back to Italy, only to discover when the ship reached Bari that Otto had died, forcing her to return home. Constantine VIII (Greek: Κωνσταντῖνος Η΄, Kōnstantinos VIII) (960 – 11 November 1028) was the Byzantine Emperor from 15 December 1025 until his death in 1028. [20] He died under mysterious circumstances a few days before the wedding was to take place, possibly poisoned by his own soon to be ex-wife. [20] The pair were married on 11 June 1042, without the participation of Patriarch Alexios, who refused to officiate over a third marriage (for both spouses). Constantine VII, like his father Leo VI, was “born in the purple” or porphyrogennetos.The phrase derived from the porphyry, a rare purple-laced marble, that was used in the chamber of the palace at Constantinople where Leo's birth, and many subsequent ones, took place. $5,198.80. [2], When Basil II died, Constantine VIII took the throne. Constantine VIII: Successor: Constantine IX & Theodora: Regent: Romanos III (1028–1034) Michael IV (1034–1041) Michael V (1041–1042) Theodora (1042–1050) Constantine IX (1042–1050) Born: c. 978 Constantinople (modren Istanbul, Turkey) Dee'd: June 1050 … Constantine had no interest in politics, statecraft or the military. [7] A second embassy sent in 1001, headed by Arnulf II, Archbishop of Milan,[8] was tasked with selecting Otto's bride from among Constantine's three daughters. Ruling with Theodora and Constantine IX: 1042–1050. [11][12] Zoe and Romanos married on 10 November 1028 in the imperial chapel of the palace. [36], Zoë immediately assumed power and tried to force Theodora back to her monastery, but the Senate and the people demanded that the sisters should jointly reign. Constantine was born in 718 CE as the son and successor to Emperor Leo III, a Syrian diplomat under Justinian II who had gone on to found the Isaurian dynasty which lasted until 802 CE. Once Michael V became emperor, he promptly exiled Zoë. [33] At an assembly in Hagia Sophia the people escorted a furious Theodora and proclaimed her empress along with Zoë. The sisters proceeded to administer the empire, focusing on curbing the sale of public offices and on the administration of justice. Romanos III Argyros(Greek: Ρωμανός Γ΄ Αργυρός; 968 – 11 April 1034), or Romanus III Argyrus, was Byzantine Emperorfrom 15 November 1028 until his death. He was succeeded by his son, Romanus II Romanus II, 939–63, Byzantine emperor (959–63), son and successor of Constantine VII. Names: 7 August 317: Flavius Julius Constantius; 8 November 324: Flavius Julius Constantius Caesar; 9 September 337: Flavius Julius Constantius Augustus 3 November 361: natural death Successor of: Constantine I the Great Relatives: After a two-month joint reign Zoë married a former lover who was installed as Constantine IX, transferring power to him, However, she continued to rule the empire as the heir to the empire and the emperor's wife as the Byzantine empress. (Constantine Palaeologus), d. 1453, last Byzantine emperor (1449–53), brother and successor of John VIII John VIII. [5] He proceeded to crown Michael as the new emperor of the Romans, to reign as Michael IV until his death in 1041. Nicholas Mystikos, Patriarch of Constantinople was the principal regent until March 914. [5] Consequently, Zoë lived a life of virtual obscurity in the imperial gynaeceum (women's quarters) for many years. [14] Shortly afterwards, Theodora was accused of plotting to usurp the throne, first with Presian in 1030, followed by Constantine Diogenes, the governor of Sirmium, in 1031. [5] Theodora defied her father by refusing to marry Romanos, arguing that he was already married – his wife having been forced to become a nun to allow Romanos to marry into the imperial family[10]:465 – and that as third cousins they had too close a blood relationship for marriage to occur. [33], A delegation headed by Patrician Constantine Cabasilas[34] went to the monastery at Petrion to convince Theodora to become co-empress alongside her sister. The next day Constantine died and the newly-weds were seated on the imperial throne. With the help of his wife, Constantine VII succeeded in removing his brothers-in-law, and on January 27, 945, Constantine VII became sole emperor at the age of 39, after a life spent in the shadow. Basil died in 1025 when Zoë was 47. Emperor Constantine VIII (r. 1025-1028), brother, co-emperor, and successor of Basil II Emperor Romanos III Argyros (r. 1028-1034), 1st husband of Zoe, former Byzantine senator Emperor Michael IV the Paphlagonian (r. 1034-1041) She was the second daughter of Constantine VIII and his wife Helena. [48] Zoë recognised her own beauty and its use as a tool of statecraft. Romanos succeeded Constantine VII as sole emperor upon the latter's death in 959. He was the younger son of Emperor Romanos II and Empress Theophano. [21], Zoë and Michael were married on the same day that Romanos III died. [43] On the following day Constantine was formally proclaimed emperor together with Zoë and Theodora. [5] The next day they summoned the Patriarch Alexios I to officiate at the coronation of the new emperor. [5], Her preference was for Constantine Dalassenos, who had been her father's first choice as her husband back in 1028. Constantine was crowned co-emperor with his father in 720 CE. In fact, the gold coin standard would endure until the end of the long-lasting Byzantine Empire, and even after that, other nations in Europe would copy that method long afterward. [19], In early 1034 Romanos became ill and it was widely believed that Zoë and Michael were conspiring to have him poisoned. [26] Zoë was confined again to the palace gynaeceum, and kept under strict surveillance. She used magic charms, amulets, and potions, all without effect. [6], As an eligible imperial princess Zoë was considered a possible bride for the Holy Roman Emperor, Otto III, in 996. Gregory VII restricted the use of the title of “Pope” to the Roman bishop. [40], Theodora and Zoë appeared together at meetings of the Senate and gave public audiences, but it was soon apparent that their joint reign was under strain. [25] The disgruntled empress conspired against John but in vain. On 19 April 1042 the mob dethroned Michael V in support of not only Zoë, but also Theodora. His main interests lay in legal reforms, in the fair redistribution of land among the peasants, and in the encouragement of art and learning. [15] Zoë accused her of being part of the conspiracy, and Theodora was forcibly confined in the monastery of Petrion. He succeeded his father Constantine VII at the age of twenty-one and died suddenly four years later. [3] Another opportunity for Zoë to marry arose in 1028, when an embassy from the Holy Roman Empire arrived in Constantinople with a proposal for an imperial marriage. [39] Although contemporary historian Michael Psellus claimed the joint reign was a complete failure, John Scylitzes stated that they were very conscientious in rectifying the abuses of the previous reigns. [5][49] Zoë died on 11 June 1050 aged 72.[50]. Constantine VII, called Porphyrogennetos because he was born "in the purple" to a reigning emperor, was Roman Emperor and Caliph of Islam from 912 to 959. [41], Zoë then remembered the handsome and urbane[41] Constantine Monomachos, another former lover. [5] He proceeded to crown Michael as the new emperor of the Romans, to reign as Michael IV until his death in 1041. He was nominal co-emperor for 63 years, successively with his father; stepfather, Nikephoros II Phokas; uncle, John I Tzimiskes; and brother, Basil II. Constantine Monomachos was the son of Theodosios Monomachos, an important bureaucrat under Basil II and Constantine VIII. His reign as sole emperor lasted less than three years, from 15 December 1025 to 11 November 1028. [5] Almost immediately upon marrying Romanos the fifty-year-old Zoë tried desperately to become pregnant. John VIII Palaiologos named his brother Constantine XI, who had served as regent in Constantinople in 1437–1439, as his successor. In 945, Constantine expelled the sons of Romanus and began his personal rule. His death has been variously attributed to Zoë, her young lover, or both. Ring 962 – 15 December 1025 (co-emperor) 15 December 1025 – 11 November 1028 (sole emperor) They were married on the same day as the supposed murder, and he was crowned Emperor Michael IV on the following day. [41] After two months of increasing acrimony, Zoë decided to search for a new husband – thereby denying Theodora the opportunity to increase her influence. Skleraina was given the title of sebaste, ranking behind Zoë and Theodora, and was addressed as mistress or empress, like them. [37] As her first act Theodora was called upon to deal with Michael V. Zoë wanted to pardon and free Michael, but Theodora was clear and adamant. [9] The emperor's advisors preferred a weak ruler whom they could control and they persuaded him to reject Dalassenos after he had already been summoned to the capital. [27] Eager to ensure that power remained in his hands, John the Eunuch forced Zoë to adopt Michael, the son of his and Michael IV's sister. In practice Theodora was the driving force behind the joint administration. Born 650 Syria, Rashidun Caliphate Died 4 February 708 Rome, Byzantine Empire [25] The disgruntled empress conspired against John but in vain. [17] This failure to conceive helped alienate the couple, and soon Romanos refused to share the marriage bed with her. [6] Zoë convinced Romanos to appoint one of his own men as the chief of Theodora's household, with orders to spy on her. [5] Romanos Argyros, the urban prefect of Constantinople, was the next to be considered as a match. Zoë, aged 50, was married to Romanos Argyros. [20] According to court official and later chronicler Michael Psellus some of his retinue had "held his head for a long time beneath the water, attempting at the same time to strangle him". She operated a cosmetics laboratory in her rooms in the palace, where perfumes and unguents were constantly being prepared. As he had no sons, Constantine hoped to continue the dynasty by marrying off one of his daughters. [13], Spending years in the same restrictive quarters with her sister, Zoë had come to loathe Theodora. [11] Consequently, Constantine VIII chose Zoë to be Romanos's wife. Zoë, aged 50, was married to Romanos Argyros. Constantine was the fourth son of “Asia and Europe Commonly Called East and West: Constantinople and Geographical Imagination in Byzantium, Dimiter Angelov 3. [50], Ruling with Theodora and Constantine IX: 1042–1050, Last edited on 22 December 2020, at 18:07. [22] Although he initially refused to co-operate, the payment of 50 pounds of gold helped change his mind. [23][24], Although Zoë believed Michael would prove to be a more devoted husband than Romanos, she was mistaken. Constantine VI, (born 770—died after Aug. 15, 797), Byzantine emperor from 780 to 797, grandson of Constantine V.. At 10 years of age Constantine succeeded his father, Leo IV, under the guardianship of his mother, Irene.It was during her regency that the seventh ecumenical Council of Nicaea (787) reestablished the veneration of icons. Zoë was Porphyrogenita, "born into the purple"; this was the appellation for a child born in the capital to a reigning emperor. Zoë (zō`ē), c.978–1050, Byzantine empress (1028–50), daughter and successor of Constantine VIII.Zoë was first married when she was 50 years old at the request of her father to insure stability in the empire. After a two-month joint reign Zoë married a former lover who was installed as Constantine IX, transferring power to him, However, she continued to rule the empire as the heir to the empire and the emperor's wife as the Byzantine empress. [42] [6] Zoë convinced Romanos to appoint one of his own men as the chief of Theodora's household, with orders to spy on her. In the event she was carried forcibly back to the capital. [41] Zoë was still jealous of Theodora and had no desire to administer the empire; but she would not allow Theodora to conduct public business alone. Zoe Porphyrogenita (wife of Romanus III, Constantine IX, and Michael IV), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zoë_Porphyrogenita&oldid=995749297, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 22 December 2020, at 18:07. Her father ascended the Byzantine throne as Constantine VIII. At official events Skleraina took position immediately behind the sisters. Cartography and the Ottoman Imperial Project in the Sixteenth Century, Pınar Emiralioğlu 4. [14] Shortly afterwards, Theodora was accused of plotting to usurp the throne, first with Presian in 1030, followed by Constantine Diogenes, the governor of Sirmium, in 1031. He was brought for an audience before the Empress, but during their conversation his independent and forceful manner displeased Zoe, and he was dismissed from her presence. In a sense, Otto I was the successor to both Constantine and Charlemagne. A gold Byzantine nomisma coin depicting Emperor Constantine VII (r. 945-959 CE) and his son and successor Romanos II (r. 959-963 CE). Constantine II was the first king of Alba, he ruled from the year 900 until his abdication in 943.He was the son of Áed, king of Scots who ruled from 877-878. Basil was succeeded by Constantine VIII (reigned 1025–28) and by Constantine's daughter Zoë Zoë , c.978–1050, Byzantine empress (1028–50), daughter and successor of Constantine VIII. [38], Officially Zoë was the senior empress, and her throne was situated slightly in front of Theodora's on all public occasions. ]—died Nov. 9, 959), Byzantine emperor from 913 to 959. His writings are one of the best sources of information on the Byzantine Empire and neighbouring areas. (en) 25بك المحتوى هنا ينقصه الاستشهاد بمصادر. [42] Of noble family, he was a prefect of Constantinople when he was compelled by the dying emperor, Constantine VIII, to marry his daughter Zoe and to become his successor. In 1041, Zoë was persuaded to adopt her dying husband's nephew, Michael Kalaphates. He was nominal co-emperor for 63 years, successively with his father; stepfather, Nikephoros II Phokas; uncle, John I Tzimiskes; and brother, Basil II. When he acceded, the Byzantine Empire had been reduced by the Turks to the city of Constantinople. [20] The pair were married on 11 June 1042, without the participation of Patriarch Alexios, who refused to officiate over a third marriage (for both spouses). Zoë was born when her father Constantine was nominal co-emperor to his brother, Basil II. Reign December 15, 1025 – November 11, 1028 Full name Constantine VIII) Predecessor Basil II Successor Romanos Argyros. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com: accessed ), memorial page for Constantine VII (2 Sep 905–9 Nov 959), Find a Grave Memorial no. She was the second daughter of Constantine VIII and his wife Helena. Several months later, Constantine VII crowned his own son Romanos II co-emperor. [5], In the eyes of the public however, Constantine IX's preferential treatment of Skleraina was a scandal, and eventually rumours began to spread that Skleraina was planning to murder Zoë, and possibly Theodora. Arnulf therefore selected the attractive 23-year-old Zoë, to which Basil II agreed. Constantine had no sons, so shortly before his death he married his daughter Zoë to his chosen successor, Romanos Argyros Constantine was finalizing a series of coin reforms initially begun by Emperor Diocletian, and the gold coin standard would continue long after Constantine’s death. By the rules of the Orthodox Church her next marriage, her third, was the last she was permitted. With the help of his wife, Constantine VII succeeded in removing his brothers-in-law and on January 27, 945, Constantine VII was once again sole emperor at the age of 39, after a life spent in the shadow. [18] Romanos limited his wife's spending and paid her little attention. Constantine XI (Constantine Palaeologus), d. 1453, last Byzantine emperor (1449–53), brother and successor of John VIII John VIII (John Palaeologus), 1390–1448, Byzantine emperor (1425–48), son and successor of Manuel II. ... One Exarch excused himself from this task, but his successor carried it out in 653. Constantine VIII on the reverse o this histamenon coin, wi croun, pelled labarum an akakia. [35] After crowning the two empresses the mob stormed the palace, forcing Michael V to escape to a monastery. [19], In early 1034 Romanos became ill and it was widely believed that Zoë and Michael were conspiring to have him poisoned. Eight years later, Zoë died aged 72. 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