Byzantine heraldry
Encyclopedia
For most of its history, the Byzantine Empire
did not know or use heraldry
in the West European sense. Various emblems were used in official occasions and for military purposes, such as banners or shields displaying various motifs such as the cross
or the labarum
. The use of the cross, and of images of Christ
, the Virgin Mary and various saints is also attested on seals
of officials, but these were personal rather than family emblems. Unlike the Western feudal lords, Byzantine aristocratic families did not, as far as is known, use specific symbols to designate themselves and their followers. Only from the 12th century onwards, when the Empire came in increased contact with Westerners because of the Crusades
, did heraldry begin to be used among Byzantines. Even then however, the thematology was largely derived from the symbols employed in earlier ages, and its use was limited to the major families of the Empire. Far more common, both in seals and in decorations, was the use of cyphers or monograms (sing. συμπίλημα, sympilēma), with the letters of the owner's personal or family name arranged around a cross.
The imperial eagle
continued to be used as a motif, and a variant, the double-headed eagle
, is probably the most well-known Byzantine emblem. The latter's exact date of adoption is much debated; it has been associated by scholars with the Komnenoi, but is well-attested only in illuminated manuscript
s of the Palaiologan period, after ca. 1327.
The late Byzantine writer Pseudo-Kodinos also records the use of the Palaiologan
"tetragrammic cross" on the imperial ensign borne by Byzantine naval vessels
, while the navy's commander, the megas doux
, displayed an image of the emperor on horseback. The four charges surrounding the tetragrammic cross can be seen either as firesteels (πυρέκβολα), as in the badges of the Order of the Golden Fleece
, or as the Greek letter "Β" (beta
), whence its name ("tetragrammic" meaning "four-lettered"). In the latter case they are traditionally held to represent the initials of the Palaiologan motto, "King of Kings, ruling over Kings" .
Kodinos further enumerates the various banners and insignia used in imperial processions: one named archistrategos ; another with images of renowned prelates and eight streamers known as oktapodion ; another in the form of a cross with the images of St. Demetrius, St. Procopius
, St. Theodore Tiro
and St. Theodore Stratelates
; another depicting St. George on horseback; another in the shape of a dragon (δρακόνειον, drakoneion
); and another with the emperor on horseback. A pair of each was carried in processions, while only a single example was taken along on campaign. These in turn were preceded by the dibellion (διβέλλιον), the emperor's personal ensign, whose name – most likely a mixed Greek-Latin compound meaning "double velum
" – apparently describes a forked pennon
, evidently of Western European origin.
Another very Western design could be found on one of the now-demolished towers of the seaward walls of Constantinople
, which had been restored by Andronikos II Palaiologos
r. 1282–1328) and bore that emperor's emblem, a crowned lion rampant holding a sword. Another example of the influence of the east was the frequent use of the star and crescent moon
symbol, which appears on coins, military insignia and, perhaps, as a sometime municipal emblem of the imperial city. The symbol was clearly of eastern origin, dating from at least the second millennium BCE in Moab
and Sumer
.
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
did not know or use heraldry
Heraldry
Heraldry is the profession, study, or art of creating, granting, and blazoning arms and ruling on questions of rank or protocol, as exercised by an officer of arms. Heraldry comes from Anglo-Norman herald, from the Germanic compound harja-waldaz, "army commander"...
in the West European sense. Various emblems were used in official occasions and for military purposes, such as banners or shields displaying various motifs such as the cross
Cross
A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other, dividing one or two of the lines in half. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally; if they run obliquely, the design is technically termed a saltire, although the arms of a saltire need not meet...
or the labarum
Labarum
The labarum was a vexillum that displayed the "Chi-Rho" symbol ☧, formed from the first two Greek letters of the word "Christ" — Chi and Rho . It was used by the Roman emperor Constantine I...
. The use of the cross, and of images of Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
, the Virgin Mary and various saints is also attested on seals
Sigillography
Sigillography is one of the auxiliary sciences of history. It refers to the study of seals attached to documents as a source of historical information. It concentrates on the legal and social meaning of seals, as well as the evolution of their design...
of officials, but these were personal rather than family emblems. Unlike the Western feudal lords, Byzantine aristocratic families did not, as far as is known, use specific symbols to designate themselves and their followers. Only from the 12th century onwards, when the Empire came in increased contact with Westerners because of the Crusades
Crusades
The Crusades were a series of religious wars, blessed by the Pope and the Catholic Church with the main goal of restoring Christian access to the holy places in and near Jerusalem...
, did heraldry begin to be used among Byzantines. Even then however, the thematology was largely derived from the symbols employed in earlier ages, and its use was limited to the major families of the Empire. Far more common, both in seals and in decorations, was the use of cyphers or monograms (sing. συμπίλημα, sympilēma), with the letters of the owner's personal or family name arranged around a cross.
The imperial eagle
Imperial Eagle
An Imperial Eagle is a heraldic eagle used by an empire, notably:*the military standard of the Roman Empire, see Aquila .*the Byzantine imperial eagle*the German Reichsadler...
continued to be used as a motif, and a variant, the double-headed eagle
Double-headed eagle
The double-headed eagle is a common symbol in heraldry and vexillology. It is most commonly associated with the Byzantine Empire and the Holy Roman Empire. In Byzantine heraldry, the heads represent the dual sovereignty of the Emperor and/or dominance of the Byzantine Emperors over both East and...
, is probably the most well-known Byzantine emblem. The latter's exact date of adoption is much debated; it has been associated by scholars with the Komnenoi, but is well-attested only in illuminated manuscript
Illuminated manuscript
An illuminated manuscript is a manuscript in which the text is supplemented by the addition of decoration, such as decorated initials, borders and miniature illustrations...
s of the Palaiologan period, after ca. 1327.
The late Byzantine writer Pseudo-Kodinos also records the use of the Palaiologan
Palaiologos
Palaiologos , often latinized as Palaeologus, was a Byzantine Greek noble family, which produced the last ruling dynasty of the Byzantine Empire. After the Fourth Crusade, members of the family fled to the neighboring Empire of Nicaea, where Michael VIII Palaiologos became co-emperor in 1259,...
"tetragrammic cross" on the imperial ensign borne by Byzantine naval vessels
Byzantine navy
The Byzantine navy was the naval force of the East Roman or Byzantine Empire. Like the empire it served, it was a direct continuation from its imperial Roman predecessor, but played a far greater role in the defense and survival of the state then its earlier iterations...
, while the navy's commander, the megas doux
Megas Doux
The megas doux was one of the highest positions in the hierarchy of the later Byzantine Empire, denoting the commander-in-chief of the Byzantine navy. It is sometimes also given by the half-Latinizations megaduke or megadux...
, displayed an image of the emperor on horseback. The four charges surrounding the tetragrammic cross can be seen either as firesteels (πυρέκβολα), as in the badges of the Order of the Golden Fleece
Order of the Golden Fleece
The Order of the Golden Fleece is an order of chivalry founded in Bruges by Philip III, Duke of Burgundy in 1430, to celebrate his marriage to the Portuguese princess Infanta Isabella of Portugal, daughter of King John I of Portugal. It evolved as one of the most prestigious orders in Europe...
, or as the Greek letter "Β" (beta
Beta
Beta is the second letter of the Greek alphabet. Beta or BETA may also refer to:-Biology:*Beta , a genus of flowering plants, mostly referred to as beets*Beta, a rank in a community of social animals...
), whence its name ("tetragrammic" meaning "four-lettered"). In the latter case they are traditionally held to represent the initials of the Palaiologan motto, "King of Kings, ruling over Kings" .
Kodinos further enumerates the various banners and insignia used in imperial processions: one named archistrategos ; another with images of renowned prelates and eight streamers known as oktapodion ; another in the form of a cross with the images of St. Demetrius, St. Procopius
Procopius of Scythopolis
Procopius of Scythopolis is venerated as an early martyr and saint. Eusebius of Caesarea writes of his martyrdom, which occurred during the persecution of Diocletian, and states that “he was born at Jerusalem, but had gone to live in Scythopolis, where he held three ecclesiastical offices...
, St. Theodore Tiro
Theodore of Amasea
See also Theodore StratelatesSaint Theodore of Amasea is one of the two saints called Theodore who are venerated as Warrior Saints and Great Martyrs in the Eastern Orthodox Church. He is also known as Theodore Tiro...
and St. Theodore Stratelates
Theodore Stratelates
Theodore Stratelates , also known as Theodore of Heraclea, is a martyr and Warrior Saint venerated with the title Great-martyr in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Eastern Catholic and Roman Catholic Churches....
; another depicting St. George on horseback; another in the shape of a dragon (δρακόνειον, drakoneion
Draco (military standard)
A draco was a Roman cavalry military standard borne by a draconarius. It was the standard of the cohort as the eagle was that of the legion. In Europe, the dragon was originally a Dacian emblem...
); and another with the emperor on horseback. A pair of each was carried in processions, while only a single example was taken along on campaign. These in turn were preceded by the dibellion (διβέλλιον), the emperor's personal ensign, whose name – most likely a mixed Greek-Latin compound meaning "double velum
Velum
Velum may refer to:* Superior medullary velum, part of the nervous system that stretches between parts of the brain* Veil , the veil-like membrane of immature mushrooms extending from the margin of the cap to the stem and torn by growth...
" – apparently describes a forked pennon
Pennon
A pennon was one of the principal three varieties of flags carried during the Middle Ages . Pennoncells and streamers or pendants are considered as minor varieties of this style of flag. The pennon is a flag resembling the guidon in shape, but only half the size...
, evidently of Western European origin.
Another very Western design could be found on one of the now-demolished towers of the seaward walls of Constantinople
Walls of Constantinople
The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople since its founding as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire by Constantine the Great...
, which had been restored by Andronikos II Palaiologos
Andronikos II Palaiologos
Andronikos II Palaiologos , Latinized as Andronicus II Palaeologus, was Byzantine emperor from 1282 to 1328. He was the eldest surviving son of Michael VIII Palaiologos and Theodora Doukaina Vatatzina, grandniece of John III Doukas Vatatzes...
r. 1282–1328) and bore that emperor's emblem, a crowned lion rampant holding a sword. Another example of the influence of the east was the frequent use of the star and crescent moon
Star and crescent
A star and crescent featuring in some combination form the basis of symbols widely found across the ancient world, with examples attested from the Eastern Mediterranean and Central Asia....
symbol, which appears on coins, military insignia and, perhaps, as a sometime municipal emblem of the imperial city. The symbol was clearly of eastern origin, dating from at least the second millennium BCE in Moab
Moab
Moab is the historical name for a mountainous strip of land in Jordan. The land lies alongside much of the eastern shore of the Dead Sea. The existence of the Kingdom of Moab is attested to by numerous archeological findings, most notably the Mesha Stele, which describes the Moabite victory over...
and Sumer
Sumer
Sumer was a civilization and historical region in southern Mesopotamia, modern Iraq during the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age....
.
Further reading
External links
- Heraldry In Byzantium & The Vlasto Family
- Byzantine Heraldry at heraldica.org
- Byzantine Empire at Flags of the World