Macedonians and the Roman Idea of Translatio Tradition in Byzantium (13th–15th Centuries)

The paper will deal with the use of the name Macedonia and Macedonians by the Byzantine authors from the 13th to the 15th century and how it reflected the Roman idea of translatio tradition. The analysis will encompass how these names incited the memory of Alexander the Great and Philip II and how those famous ancient kings incited patriotism, especially among the citizens of Thessalonica. This tradition complemented the notion of Thessalonica being the “first city in the land of the Macedonians”, which was continuously nurtured by the citizens since the antiquity. The Macedonian terminology in the period under consideration also echoed the famous era of the Byzantine Macedonian dynasty, serving as a reminder of glorious times personified by Basil II who also connected with the Macedonian name and tradition. Facing with the attack of the Turks, the Byzantine emperor Manuel II Palaiologos in his motivating speech before the Thessalonians, reflected that their fatherland was that of Philip and Alexander, while John VI Kantakouzenos was encouraged to show to the Turks that “you are Macedonians, and that only the age distinguishes you from Alexander. Thus, it is not surprising that after conquering the Byzantine territory and most of Macedonia, Tsar Stefan Dušan apart from the tsar the Serbs, the Bulgars, the Hungarians, the Dalmatians, the Arvanites, the Hungaro-Vlachs, titled himself as “Tsar of Macedonians”. The presentation will show that the name Macedonians and the Roman idea of translatio tradition in Byzantium had a strong influence on the identity of the inhabitants of Macedonia.