Open AccessAutocrate negli encomi imperiali di Michele Psello (1018-1081)
Author(s) -
Frederick Lauritzen
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
zbornik radova vizantološkog instituta/zbornik radova vizantološkog instituta
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2406-0917
pISSN - 0584-9888
DOI - 10.2298/zrvi1249113l
Subject(s) - emperor , meaning (existential) , term (time) , delegation , adjective , power (physics) , philosophy , theology , literature , linguistics , history , law , ancient history , art , epistemology , political science , physics , noun , quantum mechanics
In the imperial encomia of Michael Psellos (1018-1081?) the terms αυτοκράτωρ and βασιλευς are not equivalent and the former appears quite rarely. One may deduce that αυτοκράτωρ is not a generic term but has a specific meaning which indicates that the emperor has delegated his executive power to a minister. The term βασιλευς, instead, simply indicates an emperor. The term αυτοκράτωρ was used mainly when the μεσάζωυ was Constantine Leichoudes (1042-1050). Therefore the term αυτοκράτωρ actually indicates not only the delegation of executive power to a μεσάζωυ but also that a certain cultural current was present at court to which belonged Psellos. Moreover, the term αυτοκράτωρ is employed as an adjective with moral connotations. Such an understanding of the meaning of αυτοκράτωρ implies that the encomia were written for the person of the emperor but also included the culture of his μεσάζωυ