Bride-show explained

The bride-show (Greek, Modern (1453-);: δείχνουν οι νύμφες|deichnoun hoi nymphes; Russian: смотр невест|smotr nevest) was a custom of Byzantine emperors and Russian tsars to choose a wife from among the most beautiful maidens of the country.^{[1] [2]} A similar practice also existed in Imperial China.

See also

• Beauty pageant
• Book of Esther

Further reading

• Afinogenov, D. "The Bride-show of Theophilos: Some notes on the Sources", Eranos 95. 1997, pp. 10–18.
• Rydén, Lennart. "The Bride Shows at the Byzantine Court - History or Fiction?" Eranos 83, 1985, pp. 175–191.
• Treadgold, W. T., "The Bride-shows of the Byzantine Emperors", Byzantion 49. 1979, pp. 395–413.
• Bourboulis, Photeine, “The Bride-Show Custom and the Fairy-Story of Cinderella.” In P. P. Bourboulis, Studies in the History of Modern Greek Story-Motives. Thessaloniki, 1953. Pp. 40–52.

Notes and References

1. Book: Bushkovitch . Paul . Succession to the Throne in Early Modern Russia: The Transfer of Power 1450–1725 . 18 March 2021 . Cambridge University Press . 978-1-108-47934-9 . 61 . en.
2. Book: Martin . Russell E. . A Bride for the Tsar: Bride-Shows and Marriage Politics in Early Modern Russia . 15 June 2012 . Cornell University Press . 978-1-5017-5665-8 . 23–27 . en.