'The glory of ruling makes all things permissible' : power and usurpation in Byzantium : some aspects of communication, legitimacy, and moral authority
In Byzantium, usurpation was made possible by the conflict between hereditary-dynastic and meritocratic-republican theories of rulership. Legitimacy was founded upon subjective notions of idealized moral-behavioural norms drawn from the imperial virtues and Christian ideology. Authority could be challenged when it was perceived to deviate from these norms. Investitures transformed a usurper from a private individual to an emperor on the basis of ratification by popular consent. The historic ritual of reluctance allowed emperors to present themselves as âmoral idealsâ at the moment of proclamation, ridding them of blame for a usurpation. Guilt and sin were inevitable byproducts of usurpation, but imperial repentance facilitated an expiation and legitimized imperial authority in relation to moral ideals. On occasion a usurperâs successors would perform repentance on his behalf, freeing the dynasty from the sins of its foundation. The treatment of defeated usurpers could take a variety of forms: reconciliations enabled a peaceful âhealingâ of the community. Political mutilations transformed the victimâs appearance and rendered him âotherâ in an attempt to demonstrate his immorality and illegitimacy.
Davidson, Alistair James
D051 Ancient History
'The glory of ruling makes all things permissible' : power and usurpation in Byzantium : some aspects of communication, legitimacy, and moral authority. In Byzantium, usurpation was made possible by the conflict between hereditary-dynastic and meritocratic-republican theories of rulership. Legitimacy was founded upon subjective notions of idealized moral-behavioural norms drawn from the imperial virtues and Christian ideology. Authority could be challenged when it was perceived to deviate from these norms. Investitures transformed a usurper from a private individual to an emperor on the basis of ratification by popular consent. The historic ritual of reluctance allowed emperors to present themselves as âmoral idealsâ at the moment of proclamation, ridding them of blame for a usurpation. Guilt and sin were inevitable byproducts of usurpation, but imperial repentance facilitated an expiation and legitimized imperial authority in relation to moral ideals. On occasion a usurperâs successors would perform repentance on his behalf, freeing the dynasty from the sins of its foundation. The treatment of defeated usurpers could take a variety of forms: reconciliations enabled a peaceful âhealingâ of the community. Political mutilations transformed the victimâs appearance and rendered him âotherâ in an attempt to demonstrate his immorality and illegitimacy.
the glory ruling make thing permissible power usurpation byzantium aspect communication legitimacy moral authority byzantium usurpation make_possible conflict hereditary dynastic republican theory rulership legitimacy found_upon subjective notion moral behavioural norm draw imperial virtue christian ideology authority could challenge perceived deviate norm transform private_individual emperor basis popular consent historic ritual reluctance allow emperor present moral ideal moment proclamation rid blame usurpation guilt sin inevitable usurpation imperial repentance facilitate legitimize imperial_authority relation moral ideal occasion successor would perform repentance behalf free dynasty sin foundation treatment defeat could take variety form reconciliation enable peaceful healing community political transform victim appearance render attempt illegitimacy