Abstract
In this article, the writer first explains that the Byzantine emperor was the protector of the Christian faith and depicted as being the only legitimate ruler on earth, to coincide with the notion that Byzantium was the only legitimate empire on earth. The writer maintains that this ideology was never contested within the Orthodox faith, precisely because of the power constructed by the image of the emperor. This essay examines how this image of the Byzantine emperor was created. The paper includes color figures.

From the Paper
"Continually, the image of the emperor is associated, and his position solidified, by the blessing of God on his leadership. John Mauropous praised the emperor Constantine IX for his blessed divinity when a cross appeared in the sky to aid in bringing victory against the Pechenegs in 1046-7. It was essential that the reign of the Byzantine emperor was judged to be upon the approval of God. Consequently, there was a need for the image of the emperor to be permeated with divine connotations. If the emperor was to be seen as God's agent on earth, and is portrayed in this manner, then it was an imperative of the emperor to act in a manner that justified this ideology. Byzantium, in other words, required the emperor to be the epitome of Christian ideals and virtues since it is God who divinely chose the emperor."

Tags:Byzantine, Commonwealth, Emperor, God, sacred, ideology

Abstract
This paper explores and seeks to understand how political reasoning and spiritual thought were inseparably bound together in the Orthodox missionaries' minds because of the principles upon which the Byzantine Commonwealth was based. The paper discusses the motivations behind the Byzantine missions to the Slavic world, specifically those made by Cyril and Methodius in 862AD into Moravia, which saw the birth of Orthodox Christianity in the Balkans along with the introduction of a new language that still exists today in the Slavic world. The paper also offers detailed analysis into the concept of "oikoumene," which was the fundamental principle of the Byzantine Commonwealth. The paper concludes that the mission to the Slavs was of vital importance to the world of Byzantium, as it not only provided protection to the northern frontier of the empire, but more importantly, it advanced the work of God on earth - the divinely appointed aim of any emperor of Constantinople.

From the Paper
"Now we reach the whole purpose of the Byzantine mission to the Slavs, because to enter this community of shared beliefs was to put you in subordination to God. Plus, in the eastern world, God had a representative on earth to do his work, namely the divinely appointed emperor of Byzantium. This community, also known as the oikoumene, encompassed all of the Orthodox faith, not in constitutional law but because of a collective commitment to God's appointed being on earth. With a successful Byzantine mission there is an inseparability of conversion to Christianity and obedience to the Byzantine emperor. Since the function of the emperor was to carry out God's plan, then the Byzantine mission was part of this work. To bring the nations of the world into the oikoumene under the protection of the Byzantine emperor was the ultimate purpose of Byzantium and exactly what the mission aimed at achieving. Consequently, how the world is organised politically is of concern to God in that the Byzantine Empire and its oikoumene was the physical instrument with which the Christian faith was to be diffused in other areas. It would be easy to romanticise this whole procedure, but the political benefits would have been obvious to the ruling elite of Byzantium. Also, there is also the issue that it was difficult for Byzantines not to see themselves as superior to the new arrivals into the Christian faith. The theory was, though, that you ceased to be a barbarian once you were converted and were now readily called and accepted as Roman. All the nations of Eastern Europe are purported to have believed in this concept, with the Byzantine emperor as irreplaceable as the head of the oikoumene. This newfound connection to Byzantium and the emperor is commonly expressed as the converted barbarian becoming the "spiritual son" of the emperor. The whole concept and notion of the oikoumene is intrinsically bound within the political and spiritual world of Byzantium, affecting them both. Since the oikoumene was achieved by method of the mission, it is shown that the mission itself was ultimately bound into politics and spirituality as well."

Tags:orthodox, christianity, commonwealth, Moravia, Cyril

Abstract
This paper examines how even though the society that was Byzantine has faded from the annals of history and gone is the Eastern Empire of the Holy Roman Emperor and his vast influence over the ancient world, the cultural diversity, architectural prowess and masterful artwork of the time remain ingrained into the fabric of our society. It shows how this type of influence is evident in modern times by a city such as New York, considered to be "cosmopolitan." Along with worldliness comes an interest in all things aesthetic. The architecture of the Byzantine period distinctly reflects this influence. The glory of Byzantine is not an era bygone, but rather lives at present in modern cultural diversity, architecture and artwork.

From the Paper
"Most may think of luxury automobiles as having a modern futuristic bent, but the simplicity of the outside belies the splendor within. Granted there are no rotundas, pendentives, or cylindrical drums (Byzantine Architecture) present but within there is an abundance of opulence (television screens, highly polished wood paneling, leather, gold accessories etc) designed for paying tribute to the modern gods of money and status. Far fetched Perhaps, but the suggestiveness and display of grandeur can not be ignored. "

Tags:cultural, diversity, architecture, artwork, cosmopolitan

Abstract
This paper will seek to examine the role of jewelry created in both the Egyptian and Byzantine worlds. By understanding the relgious themes behind this jewelry, we can see how the Egyptians influenced the Byzantine Christian themes of jewelry making.

Abstract
The paper analyzes the character of Zoe in the chapter "Constantine IX, Book 6" and explains that Zoe Augusta is the daughter of Constantine and one of two sisters who gain rule of the Byzantine Empire. The paper highlights how the author shows severe bias toward Zoe, and it is clear he has little regard for women, especially as rulers. The paper points out that the author thinks character has everything to do with imperial rule, and he is a harsh critic of many of the rulers because he finds them of a low moral character. The paper asserts that this book is an engaging, if prejudiced, look at her life and her rule, and the lives of those around her.

From the Paper
"Zoe is the daughter of Constantine, and marked to Romanus, the Emperor of the Empire. He portrays her as rather plain looking, but the smarter of the two sisters. She has a tumultuous relationship with the throne, ascending, descending, exiled, and ascending once again with her sister Theodora in 1042. The author describes her as a woman with "passionate interests," who could be moody and high one moment, low the next."

Tags:Zoe, Theodora, Romanus, women, Empire

Abstract
The paper argues that the veneration of Mary in Byzantine Christianity was excessive and is evident in multiple forms of worship such as hymns, prayers, sermons and published canons, which praise her as the ultimate source of Christian salvation and deify her as the Mother of God. The paper relates that this level of veneration exceeded even the veneration of Mary so evident in Roman Catholicism, and was characterized by a distinct and consistent theological, canonical and doctrinal focus on Mary as being virtually preeminent over God the Father and God the Son.

From the Paper
"The veneration of Mary in Byzantine Christianity was excessive and is evident in multiple forms of worship such as hymns, prayers, sermons and published canons, which praise her as the ultimate source of Christian salvation and deify her as the Mother of God. This level of veneration exceeded even the veneration of Mary so evident in Roman Catholicism, and was characterized by a distinct and consistent theological, canonical and doctrinal focus on Mary as being virtually preeminent over God the Father..."

Tags:veneration, of, mary

From the Paper
"The first Christian Empire in the world was that of the Byzantine Empire founded by Constantine in 330 A.D. The Byzantine Empire started with the division of the Roman empire into East and West factions, with the eastern provinces becoming the Byzantine Empire. When the Roman Emperor Constantine was converted to Christianity, he moved the governing center from Rome to the city of Byzantium, made Christianity the state religion, and created a state that had a profound effect on the social life and outlook of the people. The first moves toward splitting up the Roman Empire had been made by Constantine's uncle, the Emperor Diocletian, who thought that the problems with the empire were related to having too much territory to the east and north out of direct control (Wenzel, 1965: pp. 11-13). The separation did not take place immediately but over a generation or so and would last for more (...)"

Tags:HISTORY: ANCIENT GREEK & ROMAN

From the Paper
"The following research concerns Byzantine Art. Byzantine Art developed after the split in the Christian world which took place after the division of the Roman Empire. Christianity came to the fore in the Roman Empire during the first three centuries of the Christian era. The emperor Constantine was converted in the fourth century A.D., and this was but the official recognition of a development toward Christianity that had long been in preparation. This new religion gave hope to the masses of people for whom living conditions had become impossible. Rome finally fell not so much because of outside invasions as from internal social decay, poverty, corruption, and the loss of control by the civil government. When Constantine moved the capital from Rome to Constantinople, the empire was divided into west and east..

Constantinople was the new name for the Greek town of ... "

From the Paper
"The authoritarian rule of the Byzantine emperors extended to church, state, and military. As a consequence of the complete interdependence of the church and state in Byzantium, the religious art of the Empire frequently reflected the authoritarian nature of imperial power. One of the forms this art took was the imperial votive portrait. A brief discussion of the reasons for Byzantine authoritarianism, especially in regard to control of the church, will demonstrate why such a tradition of portraiture developed. An analysis of one example, a portrait of the Emperor John II Comnenus and the Empress Irene with the Madonna, shows how such portraits were assertions of imperial power.
The Byzantine Empire came into being as the result of chaos in the Western half of the Roman Empire."

Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts two mosaics depicting Mary and Jesus-one medieval, the other Byzantine. The author discusses their stylistic differences, the severity and stoicism versus warmness and emotion, and examines Christianity as seen through religious art in both societies.

From the Paper
"The Medieval era produced many important art pieces - many of which contained reference to religious figures. Because religion did, in fact, play such an important role in everyday life, religious art abounded throughout Europe . However, depending upon the area of the continent and which religion its inhabitants believed in, artists portrayed similar religious scenes in varying ways. In particular, Byzantine and Medieval pieces contained identical figures or scenes portrayed in very different ways due to the respective religion's influence on the artist. Comparison of two mosaics depicting Virgin and Child will show fundamental stylistic differences between Byzantine and Medieval art."

Tags:art, europe, history, mosaic, religion, Roman, Constantinople, empire, Mary, Jesus