Constructing an Identity in Medieval Europe: The Germanic Otto Dynasty's Attempts at Romanisation through Byzantium

Year 2024, Issue: 51, 349 - 368, 30.06.2024

İlker Ertaş

https://doi.org/10.21497/sefad.1344710

Abstract

This study examines the efforts of the Otto Dynasty, a Saxon kingdom of Germanic origin, to establish a Roman identity in medieval Europe through their marriage alliance with the Byzantine Empire. The data obtained indicates that the rulers of the Otto Dynasty prioritised the Romanisation process by seeking to legitimise their political and social authority from a religious perspective. This was followed by an expansion of their empire through the consolidation of their political leadership with the Roman identity. The Otto Dynasty, who sought to exploit every opportunity they encountered from the moment they dedicated themselves to this pursuit, maintained a constant dialogue with the Byzantines. In particular, during the reigns of Byzantine Emperors Constantine VII and Nikephoros Phokas II, the attempt at establishing a kinship that could not be finalised was successfully concluded during the reign of Emperor Ioannes Tzimiskes I, thus bringing them one step closer to their goal of Romanisation. The kinship established with Byzantium through Theofano contributed significantly to the Otto Dynasty in terms of political legitimacy in the Western Roman lands. Following this diplomatic marriage, Byzantine images became more prominent in the Otto Dynasty’s administrative approaches and artistic activities.

Keywords

Kinship, Roman identity, Byzantium, Otto Dynasty, Theofano

Orta Çağ Avrupası’nda Bir Kimlik İnşası: Germen Asıllı Otto Hanedanlığı’nın Bizans Üzerinden Romalılaşma Çabaları

Abstract

Bu çalışma Germen asıllı bir Sakson krallığı olan Otto Hanedanlığı’nın Orta Çağ Avrupası’nda Bizans İmparatorluğu ile kurdukları evlilik ittifakı ekseninde elde etmeye çalıştıkları Romalılık kimliğine odaklanmaktadır. Zira elde edilen veriler Otto Hanedanlığı hükümdarlarının Romalılaşma sürecinde önceliklerinin dini açıdan siyasi ve toplumsal otoritelerini meşrulaştırmak ardından Romalı kimliği ile siyasi liderliklerini sağlamlaştırarak, imparatorluklarını genişletme hedefinde olduklarını göstermiştir. Kendilerini bu amaca adadıkları andan itibaren buldukları her fırsatı değerlendirme gayretinde olan Otto Hanedanlığı, Bizans ile sürekli temas halinde olmuşlardır. Özellikle Bizans İmparatorları VII. Konstantinos ve II. Nikephoros Phokas döneminde bir türlü nihayete erdirilemeyen akrabalık girişiminin, İmparator I. Ioannes Tzimiskes döneminde başarıyla sonuçlandırılmasıyla Romalılaşma hedeflerine bir adım daha yaklaşmışlardır. Bizans ile Theofano üzerinden kurulan akrabalık Otto Hanedanlığı’na, Batı Roma topraklarında siyasi meşruiyet açsısından önemli katkılar sağlamıştır. Diplomasi yoluyla gerçekleştirilen bu evlilik sonrası Bizans imgeleri Otto Hanedanlığı’nın yönetim anlayışlarında ve sanatsal faaliyetlerinde daha fazla ön plana çıkmaya başlamıştır.

Keywords

Akrabalık, Romalı kimliği, Bizans, Otto Hanedanlığı, Theofano

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