An Examination of an Eschatological Christian Leader: Last Emperor Topos in Oracula Attributed to Byzantine Emperor Leo VI. (886-912)

Year 2024, Volume: 6 Issue: 2, 135 - 153, 31.12.2024

Umut Var

https://doi.org/10.51490/oksident.1553746

Abstract

In Christian eschatology, the leadership typology is not limited solely to the figure of the Messiah. This typology has been expanded, particularly with figures such as the Last Emperor. Oracula, attributed to Byzantine Emperor Leo VI (886-912), presents this emperor as a divinely chosen leader, drawing from Biblical and imperial archetypes. His sacred lineage and role in restoring order are emphasized, reinforcing the connection between imperial power and divine will. This article focuses on the prophesied details regarding the last emperor’s genealogy, physical characteristics, and descent to earth. The study argues that this myth was constructed to serve Byzantine political theology during times of crisis, stabilizing and legitimizing imperial authority through eschatological themes that resonated with the religious and political concerns of Byzantine society. Thus, a detailed analysis of one of the key figures in Christian eschatology has been undertaken through the method of close reading, aiming to fill one of the significant gaps in the literature.

Keywords

Christian eschatology, prophecy, political theology, Oracula, Leo VI

Hıristiyan Bir Eskatolojik Lider İncelemesi: Bizans İmparatoru VI. Leon'a (886-912) Atfedilen Oracula'da Son İmparator Toposu

Abstract

Hıristiyan eskatolojisinde liderlik tipolojisi yalnızca Mesih figürüyle sınırlı değildir. Bu tipoloji, özellikle Son İmparator gibi figürlerle genişletilmiştir. Bizans İmparatoru VI. Leon’a (886-912) atfedilen Oracula metni, bu imparatoru, kutsal soya sahip, ilahi olarak seçilmiş bir lider olarak sunar ve hem İncil hem de imparatorluk arketiplerinden yararlanır. Onun kutsal soy ağacı ve düzeni yeniden tesis etme rolü vurgulanarak, imparatorluk gücü ile ilahi irade arasındaki bağ güçlendirilir. Bu makale, son imparatorun soyu, fiziksel özellikleri ve yeryüzüne inişiyle ilgili kehanet detaylarına odaklanmaktadır. Çalışma, bu mitin Bizans politik teolojisine hizmet etmek üzere, özellikle kriz dönemlerinde, imparatorluk otoritesini sabitlemek ve meşrulaştırmak amacıyla oluşturulduğunu öne sürmektedir. Bu mit, Bizans toplumunun dini ve politik hassasiyetleriyle uyumlu eskatolojik temalar aracılığıyla güç kazanmıştır. Makale, söz konusu mit kurgusunun, Bizans toplumunun dini ve siyasi hassasiyetleriyle uyumlu eskatolojik temaları kullanarak imparatorluk gücünü stabilize etme ve meşrulaştırma amacı taşıdığını sonucuna varmaktadır. Böylece Hıristiyan eskatolojisinin önemli karakterlerinden birine dair alt metin okuması metoduyla detaylı bir çözümlemeye girişilmiş, literatürdeki önemli boşluklardan biri de doldurulmaya çalışılmıştır.

Keywords

Hristiyan eskatolojisi, kehanet, politik teoloji, Oracula, VI. Leon

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