Macedonian dynasty explained

The Macedonian dynasty (Greek: Μακεδονική Δυναστεία) ruled the Byzantine Empire from 867 to 1056, following the Amorian dynasty. During this period, the Byzantine state reached its greatest extent since the Early Muslim conquests, and the Macedonian Renaissance in letters and arts began. The dynasty was named after its founder, Basil I the Macedonian who came from the theme of Macedonia.

Origins

The dynasty's ethnic origin is unknown, and has been a subject of debate. During Basil's reign, an elaborate genealogy was produced that purported that his ancestors were not mere peasants, as everyone believed, but descendants of the Arsacid (Arshakuni) kings of Armenia, Alexander the Great and also of Constantine the Great.[1] [2] Some Persian writers such as Hamza al-Isfahani[3] or Al-Tabari, called Basil a Saqlabi, an ethnogeographic term that usually denoted the Slavs, but it can be interpreted as a generic term encompassing the inhabitants of the region between Constantinople and Bulgaria.[4]

Thus, claims have been made for the dynasty's founder (Basil I) being of Armenian,[5] Slavonic,[6] [7] or "Armeno-Slavonic" descent from his paternal side.

The author of the only dedicated biography of Basil I in English has concluded that it is impossible to be certain what the ethnic origins of the emperor were, though Basil was definitely reliant on the support of Armenians in prominent positions within the Byzantine Empire.

List of rulers

Non-dynastic

Family tree

See also

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Book: Treadgold, Warren T.. A History of the Byzantine State and Society. 1997. Stanford University Press. 978-0-8047-2630-6. 457. en.
  2. Book: Leo VI. Imperium Byzantinum, Imperator 865–912. Oraison funèbre de Basile I.. 1932. Pont. Inst. Orientalium Stud. 1073789498.
  3. Book: Tobias, Norman. Basil I, founder of the Macedonian Dynasty : a study of the political and military history of the Byzantine Empire in the Ninth century . 2007 . . . 978-0-7734-5405-7 . 166873121.
  4. January 2001. The Reign of Leo VI (886–912): Politics and People. Shaun Tougher. Speculum. 76. 1. 236–238. 10.2307/2903773. 2903773. 0038-7134.
  5. Peter Charanis.Studies on the demography of the Byzantine empire: collected studies Variorum Reprints, 1972 p. 223 [360]:"Thus, every emperor who sat on the Byzantine throne the accession of Basil I to the death of Basil II (867–1025) was of Armenian or partially Armenian origin. But besides the emperors there were many others among the military and political leaders of Byzantine during this period who were Armenians or of Armenian descent"
  6. . Tobias is referring to the writings of Hamza al-Isfahani, a 10th-century Persian scholar.
  7. .
  8. Chris Wickham, The Inheritance of Rome