When Zoe and Theodora had settled once more on the throne as reigning Empresses, they continued to show favour to the regiment that had served them so well in their need. Psellus gives a description of their state receptions at which the Varangians were prominent among the guards on duty: ‘near them [the Empresses] were the staff-bearers and the sword-bearers, and the men who carry axes on their right shoulders [i.e. Varangians]’.

Zoe's third husband, Constantine IX Monomachos, was in no way the equal in abilities to his predecessor Michael IV, and the Empire was greatly weakened in his day through his reliance on civil servants. He was not, however, entirely destitute of military skill, and was obliged to defend his throne early in his reign against a formidable enemy. In April 1042 Maniaces had returned to Italy and began a ferocious campaign of reconquest for the Byzantines. On the fall of Michael V, however, his enemies regained power in Constantinople, and through the machinations of the Emperor's mistress's brother, Romanos Skleros, Maniaces was recalled to the City. His reaction was to have himself acclaimed Emperor and raise a revolt in the catepanate of Italy, but he did not have the success he had hoped for, as neither the Langobards under Argyros, son of Meles, nor the Normans of Calabria were willing to rally to his cause.