Tenth century. Byzantium, governed by the renowned Macedonian Dynasty, is at its peak. It is strong, it is wealthy, it is the most civilized state of the time. However, it also possesses another weapon: its princesses, a precious weapon used in very rare cases. Two such princesses are the porphyrogenita Anna, sister of Basil the Bulgar Slayer, who changed the fate and course of an entire people with her marriage, and Theophano, the brilliant daughter of the aristocrats of Asia Minor, who as empress of the Holy Roman Empire introduced the western world to Greek culture. Two admirable women who lived a life filled with doubts and fears, but also triumphs. Close to them, many of the most important figures of that era. Let us not forget: history and our life are nothing but a great adventure. . . [Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]