Power and Subversion in Byzantium Papers from the Forty-third Spring Symposium of Byzantine Studies, Birmingham, March 2010 Edited by Dimiter Angelov and Michael Saxby Power and SubverSion in byzantium Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies Publications 17 Power and SuBverSion in Byzantium Papers from the Forty-third Spring Symposium of Byzantine Studies, university of Birmingham, march 2010 edited by dimiter angelov and michael Saxby First published 2013 by Ashgate Publishing Published 2016 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN 711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017, USA Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business Copyright © Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies 2013 dimiter angelov and michael Saxby have asserted their moral right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the editors of this work. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. British Library Cataloguing in Publication data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data Spring Symposium of Byzantine Studies (43rd : 2010 : Birmingham, england) Power and subversion in Byzantium : papers from the 43rd Spring Symposium of Byzantine Studies, Birmingham, march 2010 / edited by dimiter angelov and michael Saxby. pages cm. — (Publications of the Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies) includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978–1–4724–1228–7 (hardcover : alk. paper) – ISBN 978–1–4724–1668–1 (ebook) — ISBN 978–1–4724–1669–8 (epub) 1. Byzantine Empire – Politics and government – Congresses. 2. Byzantine empire – intellectual life – Congresses. 3. Byzantine literature – History and criticism – Congresses. 4. Subversive activities – Byzantine empire – Congresses. 5. dissenters – Byzantine empire – Congresses. i. angelov, dimiter, 1972– editor of compilation. ii. Saxby, michael, 1942– editor of compilation. iii. title. DF552.S68 2010 949.5’02–dc23 2013010548 ISBN 9781472412287 (hbk) ISBN 9781315601809 (ebk) SoCiety For tHe Promotion oF Byzantine StudieS – PuBLiCation 17 Contents List of Illustrations   vii Contributors   xi Abbreviations   xv 1. Dimiter G. Angelov Power and subversion in Byzantium: approaches and frameworks   1 Part I: The Politics of Subversion 2. Vasiliki Penna and Usurpers and rebels in Byzantium: Cécile Morrisson image and message through coins   21 3. Anthony Kaldellis How to usurp the throne in Byzantium: The role of public opinion in sedition and rebellion   43 4. Demetrios Kyritses The imperial council and the tradition of consultative decision-making in Byzantium (eleventh to fourteenth centuries)   57 5. Kostis Smyrlis Financial crisis and the limits of taxation under Andronikos II Palaiologos (1282–1321)   71 6. Michael Angold The political arts at the late Palaiologan court (1402–1453)   83 Part II: Art and Subversion 7. Liz James ‘The world turned upside down’: Art and subversion in Byzantium   105 From Power and Subversion in Byzantium, ed. Dimiter Angelov and Michael Saxby. Copyright © 2013 by the Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies. Published by Ashgate Publishing Ltd, Wey Court East, Union Road, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7PT, Great Britain. v vi PoWER AnD SUBVERSIon In ByzAnTIUM 8. Antony Eastmond ‘It began with a picture’: Imperial art, texts and subversion between East and West in the twelfth century   121 Part III: Philosophy 9. Börje Bydén ‘no prince of perfection’: Byzantine anti-Aristotelianism from the patristic period to Pletho   147 10. Maria Mavroudi Pletho as subversive and his reception in the Islamic world   177 Part IV: Literature and Subversion 11. Paul Magdalino Generic subversion? The political ideology of urban myth and apocalyptic prophecy   207 12. Dimitris Krallis Harmless satire, stinging critique: notes and suggestions for reading the Timarion   221 13. Margaret Mullett How to criticize the laudandus   247 14. Athanasios Angelou Subversion and duplicity in the Histories of John Kantakouzenos   263 15. Margaret Alexiou Afterword – Literary subversion in Byzantium: A partial and personal perspective   281 Index   289 List of Illustrations 2.1 Solidus, Basiliscus and his son Marcus (475–6). Dumbarton Oaks Collection, 1948.17.1265.D2012. © Dumbarton Oaks, Byzantine Collection, Washington, DC   23 2.2 Solidus, Leo II and his father Zeno (474). Dumbarton Oaks Collection, 1948.17.1239.D2012. © Dumbarton Oaks, Byzantine Collection, Washington, DC   24 2.3 Solidus, Phokas (602–10). Dumbarton Oaks Collection, 1958.116.D201. © Dumbarton Oaks, Byzantine Collection, Washington, DC   25 2.4 Follis, Herakleios’ revolt (608–10) . KIKPE Collection, Athens   26 2.5 Solidus, Herakleios, beginning of the reign (610–41). Dumbarton Oaks Collection, 1948.17.1980.D2012. © Dumbarton Oaks, Byzantine Collection, Washington, DC   27 2.6 Solidus, Herakleios (610–41). Dumbarton Oaks Collection, 1948.17.2005.D2012. © Dumbarton Oaks, Byzantine Collection, Washington, DC   27 2.7 Solidus, Leontios (695–8). Dumbarton Oaks Collection, 1956.23.36.D2012. © Dumbarton Oaks, Byzantine Collection, Washington, DC   29 2.8 Solidus, Artavasdos (741/2–742/3). American Numismatic Society, 1949.12.1.300   29 2.9 Solidus, Michael II and Theophilos (821–9). Dumbarton Oaks Collection, 1948.17.2599.D2012. © Dumbarton Oaks, Byzantine Collection, Washington, DC   31 2.10 Solidus, Leo V (813). American Numismatic Society, 1968.131.254.300   31 From Power and Subversion in Byzantium, ed. Dimiter Angelov and Michael Saxby. Copyright © 2013 by the Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies. Published by Ashgate Publishing Ltd, Wey Court East, Union Road, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7PT, Great Britain. vii viii POWER AND SUBVERSION IN ByZANTIUM 2.11 Solidus, Constantine VII (945). Dumbarton Oaks Collection, 1948.17.3075.D2012. © Dumbarton Oaks, Byzantine Collection, Washington, DC   32 2.12 Solidus, Romanos I (921) ). Dumbarton Oaks Collection, 1948.17.3061.D2012. © Dumbarton Oaks, Byzantine Collection, Washington, DC   32 2.13 Solidus, Nikephoros II Phokas (963–9). Dumbarton Oaks Collection, 1948.17.3128.D2012. © Dumbarton Oaks, Byzantine Collection, Washington, DC   33 2.14 Solidus, Isaac I Komnenos (1057–9). Athens Numismatic Musuem, 1907/8 KB 401   33 2.15 Solidus, Isaac II Angelos (1185–95). Dumbarton Oaks Collection, 1948.17.3530.D2012. © Dumbarton Oaks, Byzantine Collection, Washington, DC   34 2.16 Centenionalis, Magnentius (350–53). KIKPE Collection, Athens   37 2.17 Follis, Vetranio (350). Dumbarton Oaks Collection, 1948.17.666.D2012. © Dumbarton Oaks, Byzantine Collection, Washington, DC   37 2.18 Solidus, Procopius (365–6). Dumbarton Oaks Collection, 1948.17.813.D2012. © Dumbarton Oaks, Byzantine Collection, Washington, DC   37 2.19 Solidus, Mezezius (668). Ex Gemini, Auction II (11.1.2006), lot 531   39 7.1 The Veroli Casket (Victoria and Albert Museum, London)   107 7.2 The Veroli Casket (back)   108 7.3 The Ascension of Neophytos, 1183, the Enkleistra of Neophytos, Paphos, Cyprus (photo: Liz James)   115 7.4 Gold solidus of Empress Eirene (The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham)   117