Theodora Porphyrogenita

Theodora was the youngest daughter of Emperor Constantine VIII. After her father died in 1028, her older sister Zoë took the throne with a succession of husbands who kept Theodora under watch. Two plots failed, and in 1031 she was packed off to an island monastery in the Sea of Marmara. A decade later the people of Constantinople revolted against Michael V and demanded Theodora return to rule alongside Zoë. After 65 days Zoë married Constantine IX, who took over imperial duties while Theodora withdrew to a convent following Zoë's death in 1050. When Constantine died, the 74-year-old empress ca…