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“At first the emperor treated the man with indifference. In fact, he only appeared at court every now and then after the ceremony of ablution. It was typical of the emperor though, that as time passed he should take more pleasure in his babblings, till he reached a point where he found himself unable to be parted from the fellow. Consequently there was no time set apart for his foolery: even when Constantine was holding audience, appointing magistrates, or carrying out any of his other public duties, the man was there with him, showing off his natural defect and generally acting the clown. Indeed, there can be no doubt but that the emperor encouraged him. He went further: he made a new man of him, an imitation of the great men of the realm, and this street-lounger was translated to the centre of Roman government. He was rapidly promoted to positions of honour, took his place with the chief officers of state, had permission to go anywhere, and was appointed captain of the emperor’s bodyguard. With characteristic lack of courtesy he did not confine his visits to his master to any fixed time, but suited his own convenience. He would go up to him, kiss him on breast and face alike, speak to him without first being addressed himself, and then, breaking into a wide grin, sit down on the same couch, and squeeze the emperor’s feeble hands between his own, an action that pained him, yet at the same time gave him pleasure”.
“At that time he used to sleep beside the emperor, and suddenly, in the middle of the night, he got up, roused him from a deep sleep, and gave way to uncontrollable demonstrations of joy. Constantine, who was by no means displeased at being awakened in this manner, asked him what was the matter and why he was so exultant. The clown put his arms round the emperor’s neck and kissed him, over and over again, on the face ‘Sir,’ said he, ‘he has been found - the horse that I lost! It is a eunuch that rides him now, a wrinkled old chap, too old for riding. Please let me take a horse now from the palace and bring him here to you, and the mount with him.’ At these words the emperor laughed most gaily. 'Ah well,’ he replied, 'you have my permission to go – but mind you come back as quickly as possible, and tell me all about it when you find him.’ So off he went, without more ado, to enjoy the pleasures he had in mind”.
“Such an influence did this scoundrel exert over Constantine that he almost put in his hands supreme power. He used to call him 'his sweet boy’, and made him a leading member of the Senate. The 'sweet boy’ was in reality a thorough rascal and good-for-nothing, but the emperor looked upon his every word and deed as divinely inspired”.
Michael Psellos, Chronographia, (1017-1078)

Description

“At first the emperor treated the man with indifference. In fact, he only appeared at court every now and then after the ceremony of ablution. It was typical of the emperor though, that as time passed he should take more pleasure in his babblings, till he reached a point where he found himself unable to be parted from the fellow. Consequently there was no time set apart for his foolery: even when Constantine was holding audience, appointing magistrates, or carrying out any of his other public duties, the man was there with him, showing off his natural defect and generally acting the clown. Indeed, there can be no doubt but that the emperor encouraged him. He went further: he made a new man of him, an imitation of the great men of the realm, and this street-lounger was translated to the centre of Roman government. He was rapidly promoted to positions of honour, took his place with the chief officers of state, had permission to go anywhere, and was appointed captain of the emperor’s bodyguard. With characteristic lack of courtesy he did not confine his visits to his master to any fixed time, but suited his own convenience. He would go up to him, kiss him on breast and face alike, speak to him without first being addressed himself, and then, breaking into a wide grin, sit down on the same couch, and squeeze the emperor’s feeble hands between his own, an action that pained him, yet at the same time gave him pleasure”.
“At that time he used to sleep beside the emperor, and suddenly, in the middle of the night, he got up, roused him from a deep sleep, and gave way to uncontrollable demonstrations of joy. Constantine, who was by no means displeased at being awakened in this manner, asked him what was the matter and why he was so exultant. The clown put his arms round the emperor’s neck and kissed him, over and over again, on the face ‘Sir,’ said he, ‘he has been found - the horse that I lost! It is a eunuch that rides him now, a wrinkled old chap, too old for riding. Please let me take a horse now from the palace and bring him here to you, and the mount with him.’ At these words the emperor laughed most gaily. 'Ah well,’ he replied, 'you have my permission to go – but mind you come back as quickly as possible, and tell me all about it when you find him.’ So off he went, without more ado, to enjoy the pleasures he had in mind”.
“Such an influence did this scoundrel exert over Constantine that he almost put in his hands supreme power. He used to call him 'his sweet boy’, and made him a leading member of the Senate. The 'sweet boy’ was in reality a thorough rascal and good-for-nothing, but the emperor looked upon his every word and deed as divinely inspired”.
Michael Psellos, Chronographia, (1017-1078)