Palaeologan Chrysobulls of Michael VIII

Postgraduate Thesis uoadl:2775492 453 Read counter

Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Βυζαντινή Ιστορία
Library of the School of Philosophy
Deposit date:
2018-06-25
Year:
2018
Author:
Gkenakou Afroditi
Supervisors info:
Μανιάτη-Κοκκίνη Τριανταφυλλίτσα, Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια Ιστορίας του Βυζαντινού Κράτους του Τμήματος Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών
Μεργιαλή-Σαχά Σοφία, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια Ιστορίας του Βυζαντινού Κράτους του Τμήματος Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών
Κόλιας Ταξιάρχης, Καθηγητής Βυζαντινής Φιλολογίας του Τμήματος Φιλολογίας του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών
Original Title:
Τα χρυσόβουλλα Μιχαήλ Η΄ Παλαιολόγου
Languages:
Greek
Translated title:
Palaeologan Chrysobulls of Michael VIII
Summary:
This dissertation, after a short introduction to the main historic, war and diplomatic events of the late 13th century, studies and analyses with a historic and diplomatic view, the chrysobulls of emperor Michael Palaeologos (1259-1281) dating between 1259 and 1280. These are 22 documents concerning monasteries, churches, individuals, as well as the agreement/ compromise with the Western Ecclesia before the Synod of Lyon.
Michael VIII, through these documents promoted affairs he had planned and wished to realise, like the confirmation and augmentation of monastery properties, the Unity of Ecclesiae, arrangements of the Ecclesia of Bulgaria and the finances of Agia Sophia’s church. He would also intervene in the attribution of justice in the monasteries of Agion Oros and in tax distribution.
The existence of so many chrysobulls to ecclesiastic institutions proves his constant concern towards the monastic communities of the empire. The documents also show Michael VIII’s particular connection with certain monasteries. The chronology proves that during the period before and after the Lyon Synod, 1274, no letters to monasteries are dispatched, which means that he cannot be accused of trying through amenities to win monastic favour.
Τhe chronologic sequence of the documents, shows that on the part of the monasteries there was communication among them, one monastery followed the example of the other in confirming estate properties and tax exemptions.
The imperial secretariat of Michael VIII was functionally intense and impeccable. The material used for the documents shows that funds were limited. It was staffed with cultivated, learned personnel, familiar to Michael VIII, who were educated in the environment of the Empire of Nicaea.
The preambles of the documents under study oppose to H. Hunger’s conclusions about the standardisation of the documents' preambles and reveal an imperial secretariat respecting but not limited by secretarial formalities, functioning freely and being able to create a new subject matter according to context, as is the case particularly with the preambles.
In these documents Michael VIII appears generous to his amenities, supportive to state institutions, proceeds freely and with clear targets in his choices, without being bound by diplomatic terms and obligations. He chooses to give a personal tone with philosophical and poetic tones, often with manifestations of faith. The state kept under control, under his vigilant eye and he under the watch-ful gaze of God as he said. These facts prove him a leader who leaves nothing in their fate but acts with a plan and with persistence to his targets.
Main subject category:
History
Keywords:
Michael VIII Palaeologos, chrysobulls, the preambles of the chrysobulls.
Index:
No
Number of index pages:
0
Contains images:
No
Number of references:
336
Number of pages:
115
ΤΑ ΧΡΥΣΟΒΟΥΛΛΑ ΜΊΧΑΗΛ Η΄ ΠΑΛΑΙΟΛΟΓΟΥ - Κείμενο OpenDocument.pdf (2 MB) Open in new window