Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides imperial succession from Augustus to the Theodosians. It focuses on a specific text to explore questions of dynasty in Late Byzantium. The book also focuses on two powerful eastern families and their fortunes in court politics and government in the fifth and early sixth centuries, the Anthemii and the Ardaburii, the former a Roman family, the latter ‘a non-Roman, unashamedly “barbarian” family’. It demonstrates that ‘despite the pious and civilian image of the court, military advisers were never far from the centre of power’. The book examines the image of Theophilos in iconodule sources and deals with the role of emperors within the definition of Orthodoxy. It is concerned with the relationship of the emperor and empire with the outside world.