3.37 FC – Crown and Nimbus: The Byzantine Sovereigns at the Threshold of the Sacred

The Byzantine sovereign, embodying a multifaceted persona, stands as the quintessential element of the empire. His military leadership significantly influenced the trajectory of Byzantine history; his governance, in both domestic and international affairs, shaped the empire’s position within the broader Mediterranean context; and his engagement with religion profoundly affected the spiritual life of the Orthodox Church. In both his person and his various representations – literary, visual, and symbolic – the Rhomaioi identified their main point of reference. Although frequently perceived as a static and immutable figure, the image of the Byzantine sovereign evolved over time in response to shifting socio-political and religious landscapes, even beyond the borders of 1453. One of the most compelling aspects of this evolution is located at the intersection of the sacred and the secular, particularly in the emperors’ distinctive association with sanctity – whether formally endorsed by the Church or manifested through more fluid, unofficial processes. This panel aims to examine this nuanced aspect of imperial identity that has remained largely underexplored, particularly in light of the influential yet now dated scholarship of G. Dagron. To this end, it investigates, on the one hand, the various strategies employed by emperors and empresses to associate their authority and public image with notions of sanctity, thus embedding their legacy within the collective identity of the Rhomaioi (these strategies include the promotion of personal piety and virtuous conduct, the sanctification of ancestors and kin, and the incorporation of their memory into official records). On the other hand, the panel considers the impact of such sacral associations on the broader populace. It explores how the interplay between historical fact and legend shaped the popular reception of Byzantine emperors, ultimately securing their enduring place within the cultural and spiritual heritage of Byzantine and Modern Greek civilization.