Scandalous misalliance of the X century: How the Byzantine emperor gave his daughter to a pagan prince

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

In the 10th century, an event occurred that surprised many - the marriage of the ruler of a pagan country with a Byzantine princess took place. Vasily II and Constantine VIII, who jointly ruled the richest and most developed state in Europe, found it possible to give their sister Anna Porphyrogenitus in marriage to the pagan prince of Kiev Vladimir. And the prince himself, having been baptized, changed beyond recognition and baptized his people. His wife became his faithful assistant and like-minded person. It is thanks to the efforts of these two people that Russia became Orthodox.

When was the Byzantine princess Anna born and why did she bear the nickname "Porphyrogenitus"?

The Byzantine princess Anna was born in 963, two days before the death of her father, Emperor Roman II. Her mother Theophano did not come from a noble family (it is assumed that her father was the owner of a tavern, a native of Armenia), but was beautiful and cunning. The cause of death of Anna's father remained unknown, there is a version about the poisoning of the emperor (he was only 24 years old), but by whom and for what reason, one can only guess.

Theophano becomes regent under the minor heir to the throne Vasily (elder brother of Princess Anne). She married the commander Nicephorus Foku and elevated him to the throne. But in 969, with her help, a coup took place, as a result of which another commander came to power - John Tzimiskes, the new beloved of Theophano. Only he did not want to marry her, moreover, Feofano spent 6 years in exile with her children. John Tzimiskes, having married the daughter of Constantine VII Theodora (the aunt of Anna and her brothers), ruled until 976.

After the death of Tzimiskes, power passed to the eldest son of Roman II and Theophano - Basil, the exiles returned to the capital of Byzantium. Two brothers - Basil II and Constantine VIII became co-rulers, which is a great rarity in world history and testifies to the development, enlightenment and nobility of both emperors. From that moment, Princess Anne becomes the most enviable bride in Europe.

In many written sources that have come down to us from that time, Anna is called "Porphyrogenitus". This was the name of the children of the ruler of the Roman Empire, who were born in the Porphyry, or otherwise - the Crimson Hall of the Imperial Palace, built under Constantine the Great. Such children were considered blessed, because their parents were carriers of divine authority. An interesting detail: the royal babies were swaddled with purple silk fabrics, and a dye from purple molluscs was used to make them. This technology was very expensive - 30 thousand solidi for one such diaper (for modern money - about 6 thousand dollars).

An enviable bride, or why did the Byzantine emperor prefer the pagan Russian prince Vladimir to the Franks?

Princess Anne - beautiful, well-educated, who grew up in the palace luxury of the most developed and richest state of the 10th century, remained unmarried until her twenty-five years, despite the fact that many European monarchs sought her hands. Among others, Hugo Capet, the founder of the French Capetian dynasty, sent matchmakers to Anna, wanting to marry his son to her, but was refused. The reason for this is not known for certain.

Capet's son Robert II was an enlightened young monarch, and could well have made a worthy party to Princess Anne. Perhaps Anna's brothers were embarrassed that at that time the possessions of the father of Robert II were the territory around Paris (which, by the way, did not recognize the power of Hugo Capet, although he was anointed to the throne).

Apparently Basil II and Constantine VIII were far-sighted politicians, because France until the end of the XII century remained a conglomerate of independent feudal possessions. It seemed all the more incredible that Porphyrogenitus would be given in marriage to a prince from a barbaric, pagan country. The main version about the reasons that prompted Vasily II and Constantine VIII to give their sister off to the Kiev prince is the capture of Chersonesos by Prince Vladimir and his promise to go to the capital of Byzantium if Anna is not given to him as his wife. The brothers were not so much frightened by the intentions of Prince Vladimir, as they considered it prudent and profitable to use a Rusich who was successful in military affairs to suppress the internal rebellion organized by the commander Varda Fok.

In addition, the prince's squad could take on the defense of the empire's borders from the raids of warlike tribes. For Prince Vladimir himself, this marriage made it possible to have allied relations with a rich and influential state, which was Byzantium; raised his personal status and helped the formation of Russia as one of the European powers.

Thus, the marriage of Prince Vladimir and Anna would be a mutually beneficial event for both parties.

The matchmaking of Prince Vladimir and the condition of Princess Anna

Princess Anna could not please the prospect of marrying the ruler of a pagan country. She compared her marriage to captivity and said that it was better for her to die. But she, as a deeply religious person, resigned herself and agreed to fulfill the will of the brothers, but put forward an obligatory condition - Prince Vladimir must be baptized. This condition was consistent with the aspirations of the state scale - to influence neighboring lands through missionary activities.

Despite his violent nature and habit of living without the self-restraint that was implied in the case of adopting Christianity, he fulfills the condition of the bride.

Perhaps due to the internal hesitations of the prince, just before Anna's arrival, blindness attacked him. But the Byzantine princess recommended that the prince be baptized as soon as possible, and then he will see again. And so it happened. This fact shook Vladimir to the depths of his soul, as well as many of his entourage. Not only physical blindness fell from him - he gradually regained his sight spiritually. He, who had several wives and 800 concubines, an ardent adherent of paganism, a ruthless warrior, radically changed his life: dismissed harems, helped the poor and sick, abolished corporal punishment and executions.

In the prince's court, the poor were fed, those who could not come, the food was delivered to their house. Fearing sin, he could not even punish the criminals, to which the church hierarchs objected - he is obliged to establish order, the punishment of those who transgressed the law is not a sin. Having relationships with several wives and many women of different nationalities, he was completely subdued by his intelligent, enlightened and noble wife. Vladimir with all zeal takes on the creation of a new - Christian state. It is this transformed Prince Vladimir who will be called the Red Sun.

The role of Anna of Byzantine in the baptism of Kievan Rus

The Byzantine princess Anna Romanovna was undoubtedly an outstanding woman. Noble, cultured, and most importantly - deeply Orthodox, she did not confine herself to the palace life, but became an enlightener of a pagan country. At the time of her marriage to Prince Vladimir, she was already an established personality with a high cultural and moral level, therefore she had the most beneficial influence on her husband.

While Vladimir with a strong hand forced the Russians to abandon idolatry, massively baptized people in Kiev and throughout Russia, his wife created the first schools for spiritual enlightenment, began the construction of the Tithe Church according to the Byzantine model, as well as a large palace complex next to it. At the request of Anna Romanovna, the Byzantine priesthood brought books, icons, church utensils to the Russian land. Experienced architects and skilled Byzantine craftsmen arrived in the country. Through the efforts of Anna Romanovna, the training of young clergymen was organized. To replace small wooden churches throughout Russia, Vladimir began the construction of large stone churches.

In addition to the educational activities of Princess Anne, there is evidence that she gave advice to her husband on many other issues, to which he listened.

Prince Vladimir was generally an extremely controversial person. How he lived before the adoption of Christianity - in the next article.