Irlandos at 12:06, January 29, 2007

2007-01-29T12:06:54Z

Irlandos at 09:48, September 12, 2006

2006-09-12T09:48:50Z

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'''Theodora''' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: Θεοδώρα, ''Theodōra'', literally meaning "Gift of God"), lived 984 – after [[August 31]], [[1056]], ruled as [[Byzantine emperor|Byzantine Empress]] from [[January 11]], [[1055]] to after [[August 31]], [[1056]]. She was the daughter of [[Constantine VIII of the Byzantine Empire|Constantine VIII]] and Helena.

Possessed of a strong and austere character, the beautiful Theodora refused the hand of the heir-presumptive, [[Romanus III|Romanos Argyros]], who was married instead to her sister [[Zoe (empress)|Zoe]] in [[1028]]. Though living in retirement she excited Zoe's jealousy, and on a pretext of conspiracy with Presian of Bulgaria, she was confined in a monastery.

In [[April 19]], [[1042]] the popular movement which caused the dethronement of [[Michael V]] also led to Theodora's installment as co-empress with her sister. After two months of active participation in government she allowed herself to be virtually superseded by Zoe's new husband, [[Constantine IX]] Monomachos, on [[June 11]], 1042. Nevertheless, Theodora was considered as an empress alongside her sister and brother-in-law.

Upon Constantine's death on [[January 11]], [[1055]], and in spite of her seventy years of age, she reasserted her dormant rights with vigour, and frustrated an attempt to supersede her on behalf of the general Nikephoros Proteuon, governor of Bulgaria. By her firm administration she controlled the unruly nobles and checked numerous abuses; but she marred her reputation by excessive severity towards private enemies and the undue employment of menials for advisers, including her influential minister Leo Paraspondylos. Leo's faction was interested in maintaining its control of government through the aging empress, while the patriarch [[Michael Cerularius|Michael Keroularios]] advocated Theodora advancing a subject to the throne through marriage, something which would have assured the succession. Theodora became gravely ill on [[August 31]], [[1056]] and died a few days later, in early September. Having no children and being the last member of her dynasty, she had chosen one of her favorites, the former military minister [[Michael VI]] Bringas, as her successor on the recommendation of Leo. But Michael VI, not being related to the great [[Macedonian dynasty]] that had ruled the [[Byzantine Empire]] for a period of 189 years did not receive universal support. This resulted in a series of conflicts for the throne between various noble families that lasted from 1056 till 1081.

==References==
* ''The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium'', Oxford University Press, 1991.

{{start box}}
{{succession box | before=[[Constantine IX]] | title=[[Byzantine Emperor|Byzantine Empress]] | years=1055–1056 | after=[[Michael VI]]}}
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{{Credit wikipedia}}

[[Category:984 births]]
[[Category:1056 deaths]]
[[Category:Macedonian dynasty]]
[[Category:Byzantine emperors]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:06, January 29, 2007
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−	'''Theodora''' ([[Greek language\|Greek]]: Θεοδώρα, ''Theodōra'', literally meaning "Gift of God"), lived 984 – after [[August 31]], [[1056]], ruled as [[Byzantine emperor\|Byzantine Empress]] from [[January 11]], [[1055]] to after [[August 31]], [[1056]]. She was the daughter of [[~~Constantine VIII of the Byzantine Empire\|~~Constantine VIII]] and Helena.	+	'''Theodora''' ([[Greek language\|Greek]]: Θεοδώρα, ''Theodōra'', literally meaning "Gift of God"), lived 984 – after [[August 31]], [[1056]], ruled as [[Byzantine emperor\|Byzantine Empress]] from [[January 11]], [[1055]] to after [[August 31]], [[1056]]. She was the daughter of [[Constantine VIII]] and Helena.

	Possessed of a strong and austere character, the beautiful Theodora refused the hand of the heir-presumptive, [[Romanus III\|Romanos Argyros]], who was married instead to her sister [[Zoe (empress)\|Zoe]] in [[1028]]. Though living in retirement she excited Zoe's jealousy, and on a pretext of conspiracy with Presian of Bulgaria, she was confined in a monastery.		Possessed of a strong and austere character, the beautiful Theodora refused the hand of the heir-presumptive, [[Romanus III\|Romanos Argyros]], who was married instead to her sister [[Zoe (empress)\|Zoe]] in [[1028]]. Though living in retirement she excited Zoe's jealousy, and on a pretext of conspiracy with Presian of Bulgaria, she was confined in a monastery.

Theodora (11th century) - Revision history

Irlandos at 12:06, January 29, 2007

Irlandos at 09:48, September 12, 2006