MODALITÀ DI ACCESSO ED ESERCIZIO DEL POTERE A BISANZIO

Abstract

The ideology of imperial power during the late Byzantine age shows an element of predestination in the choice of the new emperor, above all through rhetoric sources such as enchomiastic speeches. This meant that the criterion of imperial power’s legitimisation was gradually diverted from popular election/acclamation to dynastic succession.

Keywords

• ideology and legitimisation
• imperial power
• late Byzantine age