Abstract
The reign of Michael III (840-867), the last member of the Amorian dynasty, constitutes one of the most successful eras of Byzantine history. The regency of Theodora, Michael III’s mother, marks the end of the iconoclast period and the official restoration of icon veneration, which took place on 11 March 843 and is still celebrated by the Eastern Orthodox Church as the Feast of Orthodoxy. Next, during Michael III’s sole reign, the secular education in the Byzantine capital is revitalized; Bardas founds a school in Magnaura where, among others, Leo the Philosopher taught.At the same time, the patriarchate of Constantinople, with Photios on its head, expands its spiritual and religious influence on neighboring and distant peoples; the remarkable missionary work of the brothers Konstantinos (Cyril) and Methodios takes place, Bulgaria converts to Christianity, and the first steps of the Christianization of Rhos are being made. The patriarchate of the Byzantine capital also protects its ecc ...
The reign of Michael III (840-867), the last member of the Amorian dynasty, constitutes one of the most successful eras of Byzantine history. The regency of Theodora, Michael III’s mother, marks the end of the iconoclast period and the official restoration of icon veneration, which took place on 11 March 843 and is still celebrated by the Eastern Orthodox Church as the Feast of Orthodoxy. Next, during Michael III’s sole reign, the secular education in the Byzantine capital is revitalized; Bardas founds a school in Magnaura where, among others, Leo the Philosopher taught.At the same time, the patriarchate of Constantinople, with Photios on its head, expands its spiritual and religious influence on neighboring and distant peoples; the remarkable missionary work of the brothers Konstantinos (Cyril) and Methodios takes place, Bulgaria converts to Christianity, and the first steps of the Christianization of Rhos are being made. The patriarchate of the Byzantine capital also protects its ecclesiastical independence and jurisdictional limits against the unprecedented claims of pope Nicholas, who sought to become the ultimate judge in all ecclesiastical affairs in both East and West. Simultaneously, numerous inscriptions both in Constantinople and in the empire’s provinces testify the large scale of Michael III’s renovative (re)building projects.The successful military expeditions of Petronas, Bardas’ nephew and strategos of the Thracesian theme, and of Michael III, are also of particular importance; not only were the Byzantines able to check the advance of the Arab raids, but they also established themselves as the supreme authority in the area.In this respect, it becomes apparent that the reign of Michael III is a prosperous and dynamic period, with the empire showing signs of rebirth and growth in almost every area. Yet, despite these brilliant achievements, the personality of Michael III is not compatible with the general progress of the empire. In the narratives of Genesios, Theophanes Continuatus and Vita Basilii, Michael III is described as a worthless and indifferent emperor towards the affairs of the empire; a sovereign so extravagant that he brought the empire on the verge of financial breakdown. He damaged the imperial dignity as his sole interests were horseracing and drinking bouts with his detestable companions. Apparently, his love for wine was so great that during his sole reign, he was almost constantly drunk. And, during his state of drunkenness he was behaving like a tyrant and ordered absurd and unjust punishments to his subjects.Purpose of the dissertation is to provide (i) a thorough and objective presentation of the image and work of Michael III; (ii) a critical presentation and evaluation of the sources that relate to his reign; (iii) a comprehensive analysis of all the aforementioned archaeological evidence; (iv) a critical approach and presentation of Michael III’s private life and personality, based on both the written sources and the archaeological evidence; (v) the official epistolography of Michael III’s sole rule (primarily Michael III and Photios’ letters to pope Nicholas and Boris); (vi) Byzantium’s attempt to expand, during the concerned period, its religious and political influence in Armenia; (vii) Michael III’s image on the Slavonic and Russian apocryphal interpolated historiography that refers to his achievements; (viii) a detailed presentation of the campaigns that took place during the regency of Theodora and Michael III’s sovereign and, lastly, a detailed analysis (ix) of the financial status of the empire during 842-867. Ultimate goal is to provide an impartial study of Michael III’s reign and character based on scientific criteria and research.
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