The Death of Byzantine Emperors: An Overview

The death of a Byzantine emperor marked not only the end of a reign but also the beginning of new political and historical developments within the empire. As such, it is consistently recorded in Byzantine historiography. However, while the fact of an emperor’s death is well documented, far less attention is given to the circumstances of their death—whether by disease, murder, or other causes—and even less to their final moments. These last moments, when described, are typically framed as the final significant action, gesture, or spoken words of the emperor, as deemed important by the author. Some historians provide detailed accounts, while others are more succinct, depending on literary genre, access to sources, and personal objectives in writing history. The present paper forms part of my second book, The Process of Dying in Byzantium, which explores what we know about the final acts performed by emperors before death. The primary criterion for the selection of 48 cases is the emperor’s awareness of their impending death. So, what do dying emperors do? They may prepare a will, receive baptism, appoint a successor, utter curses against individuals or sacred figures, express regret for past actions, invoke the Virgin Mary (particularly in cases of violent death), deliver speeches or advice to their successor, or appeal to the Senate to safeguard their family’s future. These final acts reflect not only personal anxieties and political strategies but also broader cultural and religious values surrounding death in Byzantine society.