Original scientific paper

Empresses on Byzantine Coins (489–1453)

Slavoljub Petrović *

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

The author provides information about Byzantine empresses who were depicted on coins. Portraits of empresses were important evidence of how others constructed the empresses’ images in order to convey messages for public consumption. These messages were expressed by a combination of image and text. Depictions of empresses on Byzantine coins are a rich source of information about their official status and how it changed over time. In most cases, they are shown as the wives of emperors or regents on
behalf of their minor sons. However, the two empresses who ruled independently, Irene and Theodora, left behind a significant legacy. Their political and religious activities led to great upheavals in the Empire. Regardless of how and how long the female rulers of the Byzantine Empire were in power, they left a lasting mark on coins.

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

320704

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/320704

Publication date:

1.8.2024.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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