42

One of the most dramatic of such incidents occurred in 1042. The background to the affair was this. The emperor Constantine 139 Constantinople: Capital of Byzantium VIII (10258) had died leaving only three daughters. The eldest, Zoe, had then married a prominent nobleman, and her husband became emperor as Romanos III Argyros (102834). When he accidentally drowned in the bath (an accident that some said had been engineered by his wife), Zoe married again, this time to Michael IV (103441). When it looked as if he too would shortly pass away, Zoe, rather than looking for a third husband, instead adopted Michaels young nephew Michael Kalaphates. On the emperors death, Zoes adopted son became Michael V (10412), the idea being that he would rule alongside, and in deference to, the legitimate empress. This was considered to be only right, given Michael Vs humble origins: His father had earned his living by caulking the hulls of ships before they were launched into the Golden Horn. 43

Within a few months, however, the headstrong Michael V had grown tired of Zoes presence and decided to free himself of her tutelage. Aided and abetted by his uncle Constantine who held the office of Nobilissimos, he laid careful plans. Both the emperor and the Nobilissimos were well aware that their action might not go down well with all sections of Constantinoples population. There was a strong sense of loyalty to the Macedonian dynasty, from which Zoe was descended, and her sidelining might be resented. Michael therefore first tested the prevailing mood by processing publicly to Hagia Sophia on Easter Sunday. He was pleased to note a favourable reaction. Cheers greeted his appearance and silk carpets were strewn in his path. A procession to the church of the Holy Apostles the following Sunday brought forth a similar response. 44

Convinced now of the populaces personal loyalty to him, Michael acted swiftly. Guards were sent to Zoes room in the Great Palace. She was shorn of her hair and shipped off to a convent on the island of Prinkipo in the Sea of Marmara. The eparch or governor of the city of Constantinople, Anastasius, was despatched to the Forum of Constantine to read out a proclamation announcing the coup and promising that the people would reap great benefits from the change of regime. The announcement was greeted with stunned silence by the assembled crowd, until a single voice cried out: 140