Theodora (11th Century) - Return To Power

Return To Power

Zoe died in 1050 and Constantine IX died on 11 January 1055. As Constantine lay dying, he was persuaded by his councilors, chiefly the logothetes tou dromou John, to ignore the rights of Theodora and to pass the throne to the doux (Duke) of Bulgaria, Nikephoros Proteuon. However, their plans were preempted by Theodora, who, in spite of her seventy years of age, vigorously reasserted her dormant rights to rule. She was brought out of her retirement in a convent, convened the Senate and was proclaimed "emperor" by the imperial guard shortly before Constantine's death.

A purge of senior officials and the leadership of the European military units followed. Nikephoros Bryennios, whom the western tagmata apparently wanted to proclaim emperor instead, was also dismissed and exiled on Theodora’s orders, after which she confiscated his estates and banished his supporters from court.

Her second period of rule proceeded where the first left off. By her firm administration she controlled the unruly nobles and checked numerous abuses; but she damaged her reputation by excessive severity toward private enemies and the undue employment of menials for advisers, including her influential minister Leo Paraspondylos. Military and court offices were filled by her household eunuchs, and even able commanders such as Isaac Komnenos were replaced by minor functionaries. Determined to centralize as much power in her hands as possible, she presided in person in the Senate, and heard appeals as supreme judge in civil cases. Her appointment of clerics offended the Patriarch Michael Keroularios, who considered this the duty of men, not women.

Inevitably, Leo Paraspondylos's faction was interested in maintaining its control of government through the aging empress, while the patriarch Michael Keroularios advocated that Theodora advance a subject to the throne through marriage to her, something which would have assured the succession. This was not accomplished.

Theodora became gravely ill with an intestinal disorder in late August 1056, and died a few days later, on 31 August 1056, at the age of 76. Having no children and being the last member of her dynasty, she had chosen one of her favorites, the former military finance minister, Michael VI Bringas, as her successor on the recommendation of her chief minister, Leo Paraspondylos. Hoping to recover her health, Theodora made her chosen successor swear that he would always obey her orders while she was alive. In the end he would not have to obey her long, as Theodora survived his nomination for a few hours only.

As Michael VI was not related to the Macedonian dynasty that had ruled the Byzantine Empire for 189 years, he did not receive universal support. This lack of support resulted in a series of conflicts for the throne among various noble families that lasted from 1056 until 1081 until the arrival of the Komnenian dynasty.