“ Though living in retirement she excited Zoë’s jealousy, and on a pretext of conspiracy was confined in a monastery. In 1042 the popular movement which caused the dethronement of Michael V. also led to Theodora’s instalment as joint-empress with her sister. After two months of active participation in government she allowed herself to be virtually superseded by Zoë’s new husband, Constantine IX. Upon his death in 1054, in spite of her seventy years, she reasserted her dormant rights with vigour, and frustrated an attempt to supersede her on behalf of the general Nicephorus Bryennius. ”