V O R T R A G
Paolo Cesaretti (University of Bergamo)
Dienstag, 28. Mai 2019 um 18.30 Uhr
Postgasse 7, 1. Stiege, 3. Stock – 1010 Vienna, Austria
Theophano Martinakia was born in Constantinople in 866-7, married to emperor Leo VI in 881-2 after a bride-show, became Augusta from 883, and died between 893 and 897. Her historical figure can be reconstructed with the help of hagiographical, historiographic, liturgical, and ceremonial sources as well as iconographical evidence. Since she did not produce a male heir to Leo VI and therefore did not contribute to the success of the Macedonian dynasty, what “powers behind the scene” were at work to transform this first and unhappy wife of Leo VI into a sort of patron saint of the dynasty? Why is she commemorated by the Orthodox Church on December 16th? The intent of this lecture is to provide a possible contribution to the solution of this intriguing historical enigma, by a thorough reconsideration of the sources, not only in a chronological perspective but also in the light of the different viewpoints they reflect.
Gäste sind herzlich willkommen!
!!! Ort: Postgasse 7, 1. Stiege,3. Stock – 1010 Vienna, Austria !!!
