Empress Zoe, the Woman who Overthrew Byzantine Emperors

Empress Zoe Porphyrogenita is among the most intriguing female figures in Byzantine history. Her life and fascinating political strategies define “Byzantine intrigue,” with political machinations unparalleled to any other historical period.

Born into the imperial family, Empress Zoe held the title “porphyrogenita,” a Greek term meaning “born in the purple.” This was meant to designate her birth to a sitting emperor and seal her legitimacy and right to the throne so that no one would question her.

The Biography of Empress Zoe

The life of Byzantine Empress Zoe was defined to a great extent by her marriages. Zoe used them as political tools to uphold the imperial dynasty she belonged to—a practice not uncommon during Byzantine times.

Her first marriage was to Romanos III Argyros, which did not end happily. Romanos was a Byzantine noble and high-ranking official in Constantinople when the ailing Constantine VIII compelled him to divorce his wife and marry the emperor’s daughter, Zoe. Just three days after their marriage, Constantine passed away, and Romanos ascended the throne, as he was the husband of the Emperor’s daughter.

Despite having good intentions as emperor, Romanos, had an ineffective reign. He disrupted the tax system and weakened the Byzantine military with his decisions. His relationship with Zoe deteriorated, and he had to thwart multiple plots against his rule, including two involving his sister-in-law, Theodora.

Zoe did not remain subservient to him. Her childless and unhappy marriage to Romanos created instability in the empire as rumors about the dynasty’s future grew. Romanos died under suspicious circumstances after a six-year rule, allegedly being murdered. He was succeeded by his wife’s young lover, Michael IV.

People in Constantinople, back then, believed that his murder could have involved the cooperation of Zoe and her lover, who went on to become Emperor Michael IV.

The machinations of Empress Zoe and her relationship with Michael IV

Zoe’s relationship with Michael IV the Paphlagonian was difficult and complex.

While she remained supportive of him and his reign at first, she later found herself marginalized by his brother, John the Orphanotrophos, who dominated the government and the decisions of the Empire.

Zoe had had enough of John’s role in the government and helped others to overthrow him.
Zoe adopted Michael IV’s nephew, also named Michael, their sister’s son.After taking Holy Orders, Michael IV passed away on 10 December 1041, refusing to see his wife despite her desperate pleas for a final visit. His nephew then ascended the throne as Michael V Kalaphates.

However, later on, an attempt by Michael V to exile her to a monastery created a vast uprising in Constantinople. Michael V quickly exiled his uncle, John the Orphanotrophos, and later banished his adoptive mother, Zoe, accusing her of poisoning plots.

His actions sparked a massive revolt, with crowds demanding Zoe’s reinstatement. Though she was brought back, unrest escalated into violent clashes, leaving thousands dead. On April 21, 1042, Zoe’s sister Theodora was declared empress. Defeated, Michael fled to the Stoudion Monastery with his uncle, Constantine.

Zoe’s influence did not stop at her marriages. She arranged numerous coups, employing her birth into the imperial dynasty and her popular support to consolidate and regain power anytime she felt threatened.

Following the overthrow of Michael V in 1042, Empress Zoe briefly co-ruled the Byzantine Empire with her sister Theodora, marking a unique moment in Byzantine history as two women shared imperial power. During their short joint reign, they tried to reform the administration to combat corruption and strengthen everyday governance.

Zoe quickly grew disinterested in managing the day-to-day affairs of the state and turned her attention to finding a new husband to secure her position in the background of Byzantine politics. Zoe eventually married Constantine IX Monomachos, granting him significant administrative powers while maintaining her own influence as empress.

However, Constantine’s reign soon became controversial, particularly due to his decision to bring his long-time mistress, Maria Skleraina, to court, despite being married to Zoe. Maria was given an official position and was treated by Constantine Monomachos with great favor, which caused widespread outrage among the people at the time, as this was considered deeply unethical. The people got so angry, fearing for the fate of Zoe and her sister that the situation nearly led to a revolt in 1044. 

Zoe did not want the situation to escalate, fearing the consequences. Thus, she did her best to ease the unrest by publicly reassuring citizens that neither she nor her sister Theodora were in any danger and their position was safe in the court, despite the rumors to the contrary.  She remained empress until her death at the age of 72 in 1050, likely from a fever, spending her later years focused on her private life rather than the governance of the Empire.