Page 25 - All About History - Issue 59-17

theodora empress provided
The reluctant
stability for the
PorPhyrogenIta Byzantine Empire
MaceDoNiaN DyNasty c.980-1056
Empress Theodora was more suited to governing
than her sister Zoë, which was proven when she
had Michael V blinded to stop him reclaiming
power. She lived with her sister’s jealousy for
years and was confined to a monastery during
the Romanos’ reign. When Zoë was restored to
the throne, Theodora was reluctantly crowned
beside her. After the deaths of
Zoë and her husband, their The Zöe was 50 years old
when she married
co-ruler Constantine IX, Romanos.
A determined monarch, Theodora ruled alone name
Basil II was popular
among his people and the Macedonian ‘Porphyrogenita’
dynasty ended
with her. means ‘born into the
BasIl II MaceDoNiaN DyNasty 958-1025 purple’ — it refers to
Basil the Bulgar-Slayer earned his name after conquering
Bulgaria. Merciless and brutal, he blinded the 15,000 Bulgarian the fact that Zoë and
soldiers that he captured. In a macabre gesture, he left one eye Theodora were born Zoë
for every hundred men, so they could lead the others home.
Basil was popular with the army, which he joined on campaign to a reigning PorPhyrogenIta
instead of barking orders from the safety of his palace. Basil was emperor MaceDoNiaN DyNasty c.978-1050
a shrewd ruler, limiting the power of wealthy landowners after As a daughter of Constantine VIII, Zoë
they dared to revolt against him. Despite numerous military Zoë was 50 was next in the Byzantine line of succession. She
years old
campaigns, the economy flourished throughout his reign, and when she was known for having numerous love affairs and
when he died the empire was left with a vast territory. married was rumoured to have killed her first husband,
Romanos
Romanos III, either by drowning or poisoning him.
She married her lover, Michael, on the very same
Andronicus day but was then removed from political power
was a womaniser until his death as he was afraid that she would
and had numerous turn on him. An uprising against his heir and
nephew, Michael V, led to Zoë being restored to
affairs, including with the throne alongside her sister Theodora, who
Manuel’s niece Theodora promptly took control. A vain woman, Zoë had little
interest in governing but resented Theodora for her
Komnene, the widow authority and ability to rule.
of King Baldwin III

andronIcus I Initally popular, of Jerusalem alexIos III John V Palaeologus
Palaiologos DyNasty 1332-91
coMnenus brutality quickly aNgelos DyNasty Although not a murderous man, John’s reign was dominated
Andronicus’s
c.1153-1211
KoMNeNoi DyNasty cemented his Alexios overthrew his by violence and rebellion. Ascending to the throne as a young
own downfall
John weathered
boy, the empire was
c.1118-85 younger brother Isaac plunged into a civil repeated usurpation
Andronicus overthrew Empress Maria II, who he blinded war over his regency. attempts from his
because of her unpopular favouritism and imprisoned. A John managed to own family
towards Latins — she was the wife weak and extravagant overthrow his regent,
of his deceased cousin Manuel I Alexios’ reign was disastrous, man, Alexios spent his father’s old aide,
and regent for her son Alexios II. driving the empire into the ground money like water and a few years later
Andronicus forced Alexios to sign his depleted the treasury. His ability to govern was following a second
mother’s death warrant and eventually poor and he relied heavily on his capable wife, civil war. He was
had the boy killed. His accession Euphrosyne. It all fell apart when Isaac’s son and deposed twice — first
sparked a widespread massacre of Alexios’ nephew, the future Alexios IV, appealed by his son and then
Latins within Constantinople, which to the Fourth Crusade for their help in restoring by his grandson. John
he did nothing stop. Initially popular, him to the throne. The empire was easy pickings managed to regain the
Andronicus became tyrannical and for the Crusaders as Alexios’ poor governance throne both times but © Mary Evans Picture Library, Getty Images
the population revolted. He attempted had left it in a complete state. Alexios fled abroad was forced to appease
to escape but was ultimately captured, in the night and later died in a monastery. his sons with titles.
tortured and killed.

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